I am so discouraged and concerned . Had partial knee replacement on right knee , lateral ( outside) of knee.Thought I was doing good . Went off pain meds after 4 days. Now back on , trouble sleeping , have terrible pain on the inside of knee . It's like a pulling or something with the ligament . Could something have happened on the other side during surgery . It only hurts when I walk on it . I wouldn't need the cane except for that . Is this all normal . My doctor doesn't send you to PT with partials but I am going to go on my own . I will need to return to work in two weeks which from the beginning my Doctor said after 4 weeks I'd be able to . I'm still so swelled up, never expected it to be like this .
Lynn
I had a partial knee 3 weeks ago today, but mine,was inside of right knee, I don't know if it is normal to feel pain the opposite side, I would advise contacting your surgeon and asking about that. My knee is numb the opposite side to the replacement and it feels like there is,a tight band across the whole of my knee, I am having physio every other week, I too would have arranged my own if I wasn't offered any, you need to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly and walking correctly, mine spotted that I was propelling my operated leg forward from the hip and taught me to relax into the walk and put heel down and follow through to toe, she,also had tips for arranging pillows to sleep better. I am still taking painkillers before bed and first thing in morning. I was signed off work for 6 weeks even though I have a desk job, but I still spend a lot of time with my leg elevated and iced, will need to be comfortable sitting up for 5 hours before I would consider going back to work. Take care and remember to do what is best for you, good luck with your ongoing recovery. I am in UK.
Hi, Debbie, you are very early on PO. I had a PKR two years ago and still have occasional pain or weakness issues. I PT a started, the same as my four month old TKR, within a week then for eight weeks. Concentrate on building up those quads and, yes, that whole walking thing described by Sandra. PKR may sound a lot simpler but the recovery, for me, was pretty much the same..other than pain. That WAS considerable less and was off meds pretty quickly. As always, listen to your body and go at your own pace. Patience!
Sandra , thsnk you so very much for your response . Have no idea how much it helps to hear from someone with similar situation . You pretty much feel alone in this . Your advice on the walking and PT, I had a feeling about my walking . My knee had gotten so bad that I was very out of alignment . I feel I am probably not walking correctly , although I'm still using a cane when pain is there . But I'm basically limping . Are you using a cane still? Last night bad night . My lower leg just ached so bad now this morning it is better . Frustrating . Thank you again for your advice !
Debbie
Thank you Melinda ! Very helpful advice and just nice to know you are on the other side . How long before you would say the swelling stopped and you actually forgot you had it done and walked without a limp or cane. I will work on building up quad and I'm sure PT will be helpful. I will take your advice and work on having patience !
Debbie
Oh Debbie, eleven days is so soon after surgery, you can expect anything.
Please be patient with your poor knee, it's a huge operation, it takes months to get over it.
Don't be tough on yourself, expect pain, use ice, use a cane if you need to for as long as you need to.
Above all, apart from excersices, rest. Both your knee and yourself need the rest.
The ops over, now comes the long road of recovery.
You are not alone, we all go through the same, before getting better.
The swelling, as I recall, seemed to decrease from about four weeks. Of course after a good bout of PT just came home, drugged, iced and elevated for a couple hours. All good. Since the second surgery on Feb. I am not really ever "unconscious" of them both. Actually the TKR is better and stronger than the two year old PKR. I don't know but could be revision in my future. I never really have used a cane except on uneven or unfamiliar ground. It seems I actually walk gimpier with than without. My best walking is a very conscious full heel stride. And, yes, I catch myself limping when tired or overdone. My bad!
Hi Debbie, I know how you feel, I was very frightened when I was discharged from hospital, so many questions and no one to ask, I joined this forum one night when I couldn't sleep and was worrying about the swelling, the stiffness and pain. Everyone on here is really supportive with loads of good advice. I'm walking around the house without support but mainly with a limp, I always take a crutch when I go out and really concentrate on walking without a limp, if I have someone with me I get them to check I'm. not limping as it's hard for me to tell.
Thank you Laura
I haven't been thinking of my " poor knee" only poor me 
You are right . It's just so difficult coming from a place of being very very active . I do know patience is a virtue , now I need to live it out .
Wonderful advice . This is all helping so much .
Debbie
ImplyYou are far too early in the process for getting off pain meds and trying to resume any where close to normal activities. Just because it's a partial doesn't mean there wasn't a lot of soft tissue and her a damage. Get back on a regular. Schedule pain med. Do your excercies, ice, hydrate and above all else, rest.....rest every chance you get. Somehow, some Dr's imply the partial is like a tooth extraction but it's still an ungodly trauma to the system. I've said it many times on here.......there are no gold stars given for overdoing. All that does is cause setbacks which are more difficult to overcome.....take a dY off.....medicate......keep the leg up and ease ba k into it in a couple of days. I've been through 5 rehabs a d have tried it a dry which way.
ImplyYou are far too early in the process for getting off pain meds and trying to resume any where close to normal activities. Just because it's a partial doesn't mean there wasn't a lot of soft tissue and her a damage. Get back on a regular. Schedule pain med. Do your excercies, ice, hydrate and above all else, rest.....rest every chance you get. Somehow, some Dr's imply the partial is like a tooth extraction but it's still an ungodly trauma to the system. I've said it many times on here.......there are no gold stars given for overdoing. All that does is cause setbacks which are more difficult to overcome.....take a dY off.....medicate......keep the leg up and ease ba k into it in a couple of days. I've been through 5 rehabs a d have tried it a dry which way.
Hi debbie. I felt similar however time, rest, healthy diet, water and physio really does achieve a lot. It's hard to imagine you will recover from the place you are now. Do not cease pain meds too soon. I did and I paid for it with sleepless nights and reduced exercise. See if you can do a little physio each day. I got on you tube and found some excellent clips. Also if you are worried, ring your surgeon who should have a patient co- ordinator nurse to ask questions of. We often expect too much of ourselves. Try to rest and plan a reward at 12 weeks, 26 weeks etc. it gives me a goal to work towards. Thoughts are with you!
Thank you for the words of encouragement and advice . Yes they do act as if a partial is a walk in the park . This most likely why I am discouraged because I thought it would be, Duh! As you said it is just as much to go through on your body .
Did go back on pain meds in morning and night . I can't imagine 5 rehabs . You certainly know what works . Thank you again it is very helpful . Debbie
Lyn, thank you for your advice . If I got one thing from all the great responses it is to rest and not to go off pain meds to soon . I am listening and am feeling better ! ( at least for now ).i am a healthy eater and have double up on the water all which I know is important . I like the rewards idea. Gives something to look forward to . Everyone's been so helpful on here ! Thank you Lyn
You are so very welcome debbie! I came on here feeling down and wondering if I was healing according to what was normal. I now realise we all heal at our own pace. Folls here ate so generous with their time and advice.
Keep posting and get some help if you believe there's something wrong. Have a great day!
G'day Debbie/Lynn,
I too had a partial on right knee, mine was on medial (inside) and I got initially alot of pain on outside of the knee. Also I got sweet damn all PT once out of hospital and home. The book of exercises the NHS gave me was close to 'not fit for purpose' and I got more value from Youtube than I did from NHS - there are some great videos on Youtube on exercises for bending, strengthening and straigthening the leg. I have a heart arrythmia and am limited as to the pain relief I can take. I'm on CoCodomol 30/500 (only available on prescription here in UK). I tried using the pain relief on an as and when basis - didn't work. I ended up taking it as prescribed i.e. - 8 tablets every 24 hours. Continuously. That way I could cope with the exercises. I didn't rush walking and stayed on crutches for the first 8 weeks. After that, no problem. Don't forget to elevate and ice, constantly - get a bag of frozen peas, wrap it in a towel and keep on icing and resting. Do this especially after exercises. I think your return to work plans are very ambitious but it depends on your work I guess. In UK you can't drive a car legally until 8 weeks and then only with approval of your Dr. / Surgeon.
I was advised to have my Sports Injury Therapist work on my leg/knee to strengthen it for 8 weeks before surgery so that by surgery date my leg/knee was in as good a condition as I could get it. Then after surgery I had her continue with massaging and loosening the incision mark to prevent scar tissue hardening. I paid for all this myself.
I agree, I never expected it to be like it was and for some 6 weeks I cursed the decision to have it done. Nowadays I'm fine. Went back to work at 11 weeks ( I drive a bus) and now all I have is a feeling/sensation under the kneecap of a tight band squeezing away, some days its worse than others.
My big criticism with the whole process is that one gets no 'training' as to what to expect, how to deal with pain and the best exercises to do. It's like going into a bloody great big fog, coming out the other side and not knowing where you are or what to do or where you are going !
Good luck,
John
Dear John
Thank you for writing . Just so helpful . Your last paragraph hits the mark ! Everyone , Doctor, nurse are so nachulant about it . It just boggles my mind how they could be. I had one visit at week one than it would have been another 6 weeks . I insisted I come back in two more .
I'm not sure what you meant about your PT. Are you saying they didn't recommend any and then you did your own . I will look up the you tube videos as someone else suggested same . I am planning on calling today and setting up PT visits myself , paying for myself . I like the idea about the sports message therapist . I'm not sure if we have those here ( US) but will investigate.
How long did your pain last on the opposite side of knee and what did it feel like ? I feel it won't ever go away . I limp because of it , well and the swelling too I suppose .It is only when I step on it . I am taking everyone's advice and resting a lot and continuing ice and elevating more often .
As for work the nurse who works close with the Surgeon said after 3 weeks I could return to work . So I planned for that . The doctor did say I might not feel well enough at that point . Ugh ! Just maddening about the unrealistic expectations I was given . I do a lot of up and down in a chair and light walking so I don't know . Some work I can do from home but need to get back into office Sooner than later . Sounds like it's going to be later . I don't want any set backs .
I so appreciate hearing from those that have had partials. Thank you so much . I thought I was all alone .With each post I read I feel stronger and more encouraged and actually think I do see a light at the end of the long tunnel . We need to have hope to get through this .
Debbie
Hi I had right (inside) PKR last oct. Got very down and frustrated by the whole experience but it did get better. Sleeping was an issue at first but got easier. Was given exercises to do at home and went to physio at 2 and 6 weeks post op and then got signed off. Even though I had a desk job working for the NHS as admin I had 3 months off sick as I wasn't ready to go back to work as still needed to elevate and rest. It is along recovery process. Knee is great now, good rom and occasionally an ache. This site is great. Best wishes for a great recovery.
Hi Tracy
Wow 3 months off work . Yikes . Was that because of pain, swelling , overall not feeling well ? It's frustrating that doctors say it's a much shorter recovery when clearly it is not . Did you have pain on the opposite side of the knee ?
So nice to hear you are doing great now ! Love that and am happy for you ! Seems like I will never get to that point but have to keep on thinking positively.
Debbie
Good to hear your knee is doing well 6 to 7 months post op, it gives me hope too. How long was it before you were able to drive?