I am now over 4 months from tkr and the stiffness in my knee is still there plus the pain behind my knee when I try to bend with heel slides. I can never get over 107 even with pushing it back as much as I can without excruciating pain.Is there anyone here who is months ahead of me who still can't pass 110? And who will or never will reach it?
I too have the pain behind my knee. It was alot worse. My pt person had me cut back on my heal slides. He thought I was working my hamstring too much. It was tough cutting back. I didn't want to go backwards. I have reached 120 and think that's as far as I'm going. Pt says there is more there. I don't feel it. Although it's not as bad the pain is still there. I wish I had the answer. My Dr said he did alot of scraping in the back. He thinks that's what it is and will take time healing. I'm 13 weeks po
You are so lucky to have reached 120. I don't think I will ever be there. The problem is because of heart attacks and blood clots in my leg I have the usual every day swelling which comes from poor circulation. Once I swell I can't push back any further.
Hi Jeanne, I'm 15 weeks and my knee is still really stiff at times, especially in the morning, evening time or if I have overdone things. My GP said it could be like this for 18-24 months or I may always experience stiffness and or swelling. She told me it is still early days and to do my physio, static bike and walk but not overdo things.
As for the bend mine varies between 105 and 120, again still early days, keep doing your heel slides and gently try to push a little further once or twice each time you do them. Take care
Jeanne, I had the same problem with the back off my knee. I am 10 weeks post-op. I actually had a long lump that ran across the back of it. I told my pt and she said that it was actually the tendons. She did massage therapy on it and broke a lot of it up. I don't have as much pain as I use to. If I do get the occasional pain I try to massage it out myself. I find it also helps if I ice the back of my knee. Hope this helps. Good luck on your recovery.
Hi Linda! You've been on my mind but I couldn't find the thread where we were messaging. I hope all is well and that you are feeling better! Have a happy 4th!!
Hi Jeanne. I'm about 20 weeks post op & am right around 105-110. I have noticed in the past couple weeks that I am able to go down stairs much better & actually get on a spin bike, so I'm getting more functional. My pain seems a little better as well, but I'm still pretty swollen if I'm on my feet all day. I think this healing will take a good part of a year. I only had 110 prior to TKR due to prior surgeries, so as long as I'm functional & can be active again, I'm pretty happy. Best of luck!
Hi Jeanne
I am only eight weeks post op but struggling to get to 90 degrees. Leg is very stiff still and swells up a lot after about 15 mins in my feet.
Sounds like your doing great.
Trace
Hi Jeanne. I am 4 months post op too and have the same problem as you do. The back of my knee stops me from doing so much! I am seeing a new PT this week and hope she can help me with it. Good luck with your progress.
Please let me know if she does something different that helps. I am at a loss and I have no pt time left. Thanks
I've been thinking about you too! How was FL? I'm doing well. How are you? Happy 4th to you!
Hmmm. going down stairs....working on those. So can't wait to master them. With my left knee that needs to be done I'm a little uneasy going down Them. I haven't gone down stairs the correct way in 8 years! Good for you Shannon! Take care!
OMG! 18 to 24 months???? And they expect most of us to rush back in and have the other knee done??? Oh my goodness!! :-(
Yeah I'm the same as you Linlee! Lucky my house has ramps. But even going down them isn't great!
I sure will hon! Big hugs to you!
She said it will get easier but will suffer from stiffness if over do it for that length of time. She also told me to make sure I did the physio, strengthe ning exercises, static bike and walking quite probably for ever to help my leg stay srong and support my new knee. I need my other one done quite probably in a year but I will go get it as know what to expect and know how to tackle what is in front of me. How long post op are you? Do you need your other one done too?
Hi Sue. I am 4 months post op and yes I have to get my other one done too. I'm in 2 minds about it...maybe it will be easier because I'll know what to expect. But then again, having to go through that agony again....hmmm...not looking forward to that!
Ha! That's why I had both done at the same time. And honestly it worked out. Though those first couple weeks I thought I'd gone mad for making such a decision. I'm glad both knees had to work together to get me to recovery. At 6 weeks I was able to drive my moped and caught a train around India. I'm now 21 months post op and so thankful. Though, I did find out a knee cap is bad. Why on earth don't they replace those at the same time!!!
I remember watching a video of a lady after surgery, and it showed her hopping down the stairs. But she did it at a weird angle, not like someone who hasn't had knee surgery. I was determined to push myself on those stairs until I could walk up and down like a normal person. I am doing it! Though, there is much hop in my step. But I don't think most people would look at me and guess I had a bilateral TKR either. That is what I consider success. We all have different ways of measuring it. Way to work on it Linlee. We didn't get these bad walking habits overnight and it does indeed take a while to retrain our minds and convince them that we can do it!
Unfortunately, the stiffness lasts a long time, but it most likely will never be what it was before the surgery. I'm now 21 months post op and still have stiffness if i sit one way too long, but it's so much more bearable. I don't know what heel slides are, my PT never had me do them. But I had excruciating pain behind my knees - from the moment I woke after surgery until months later. I thought for sure something had been twisted in the surgery. I will say I didn't struggle with my bend or having it straighten, because I kept believing that those would remove the pain. It didn't hurt it, but it didn't make it end right away either. Good luck Jeanne.
-Mo