Anyone experienced increased stiffness after Knee replacement? Inspite of daily walking and exercising knee seems to feel even stiffer and how long does the pain at night continue?
Hi Jenni how long since you have had it done
My pain at night lasted about 3 months then it was uncomfortable rather than pain. The stiffness seems to come and go and was worse as it got swollen later in the day - I had a period from 6-12 months with no issues but now (14 mths) I have some stiffness at times and I notice it more because of when its not there and now it is annoying! I too have exercised and did everything I could. Not sure how long since your TKR but for those that have no issues I'd say give it 6 months to settle - for others it can take a year or even more and others sail through in 3 months - depends on lots of other factors. Keeping it mobile, keeping hydrated and wearing supportive footwear also helps. Walking is good but also weight-bearing maybe try exercise bike (or swimming) - better for mobility and not such a strain. Best wishes.
I have experienced stiffness in the knee despite walking & exercise, what you have to remember is that there is a lot of internal healing and this takes months.
Its been a 11 months since i had mine done. I still have stiffness weather its from sitting or walking for more then 15 min. Forget the stairs, still have prob with stairs. Stiff or leg is weak that i cant go up. Still have pain that is tolerable. Pain is still better then before the TKR. Still have not slept through the whole nite. Wake up wit stiffness and have to reposition. I also have a prob with the popping. Seems to be getting worse.
Hi Jenni
You dont say how long since you had your TKR?
I'm 17 weeks now and still have stiffness when I sit for too long, stand for too long or the weather is very damp. Sleeping is not a problem now though.
Maybe your exercising too much or too vigorously. Cut back if you are and go for more gentle exercises and see how you go.
Best wishes
Ann
The Irish One!
I had TKR on my right knee Feb 13 and there is still stiffness on waking.
The pain is always there and the physio tells me it can take a year before it completely goes.
Yes...I feel stiff on side of knee near the t band...is like burning hard to bend...I do my physical therapy they say it might be scar tissue....and.must move it more...Which I hate because the pain gets worse....did tkr 1/28
It's been three months and knee stiffens often. I can feel swelling after walking or standing. It is really difficult to get a good nights sleep.my leg curls up and I have to straighten it out during the night.
Oh yes, I had problems with both of mine sometime after the operations. I had manipulations on both. One worked and one didn't. I had my left knee opened up a year on and had scar tissue removed. It was OK for a while, but probs with it again now 6 months on. Now trying hydrotherapy and have just been prescribed strong painkillers. Also going to try acupuncture.
Oh it sounds horrendous. Where did you have it done??
Privately in Peterborough. First knee (done Dec 2012) was fine a year after the manipulation, but my left bespoke knee has been getting steadily worse again since Christmas. My job is not helping, as I get stuck at the desk (at home) on consecutive conf calls.
I am "stuck" to my desk from 7:15 in the morning to 5:30, 6-ish in the evening. To cope with the long periods I cannot get off my seat, I exercise whilst sitting down, I most probably do more exercises that way than at any other time + you need to be able to stick your leg out straight sometimes otherwise it becomes stiff. None of my colleagues are aware what is going on and they (the exercises) do not interfere with my working. Stiffness is one of the few things I don't suffer with.
You are still in the early stages. Your legs curls when you are sleeping because the muscles/you are relaxed. The inactivity will cause you to wake. Take good meds at bedtime, when you wake; take your time in slowly moving to a more comfortable position, lay back and relax. Try not to get out of bed, put on lights, read a book, get a drink. Just lie in the dark and you should be able to drift off. Even if it happens a few times, just keep at it, you will also find that you are not so exhausted the next day
Hi it's 8 weeks tomorrow can't quite understand why the stiffness seems to be getting worse
Hi Rocs
Thanks for your reply I cant quite understand why the stiffness seems to be getting worse especially after walking
Hi Heather
Thanks for your reply and sorry that your still having problems even after all this time! yes the pain is different from before the op but didn't realise it could go on so long
Hi Ann
Thanks for reply I'm 8 weeks post op never realised this stiffness could go on for so long
Only do gentle exercise but it's the stiffness after walking I can't quite understand as thought walking would loosen things up
Jenni
Hi Mary
I never realised the stiffness could go on so long and can't quite understand why walking makes it worse
Jenni
Hi Luz
Yes mine TKR was 31/1 so we are pretty close I never realised it would still be so stiff thought it would have loosened up a bit by now