I'm 4 weeks after partial knee replacement. I can walk around reasonably well and none of the old arthritic pain in the knee, although I only do short distances and still use one crutch/stick.
I am getting a lot of sacro-iliac pain which is worse when I am sitting and also after about 10 minutes sitting my knee gets very uncomfortable with stinging pains around the joint space on the inside so i have to get up and walk about a bit. It means i can't sit anywhere for too long.
Has anyone else had these problems?
When am I likely to feel that I have benefitted from this op rather than feeling more disabled than before?
It's very early days for you yet and I'm afraid you may experience pain for quite a while to come. But you'll get there, don't push yourself too hard and get plenty of rest your body needs time to heal...... And unfortunately will take it's own sweet time... Finding comfortable positions in which you can sit or sleep is one of the very common problems during recovery
good luck! You will get there
(nearly eight weeks post TKR)
I had bilateral Patti as l knee replacement 12 weeks ago and I'm still
getting similar pains on and off in both knees .I'm sure it gets better in
time .Sleeping is still one of my main problems as in getting a full nights
Sleep.How are your sleeping habits.
thanks for the encouragement...I'm very impatient and frustrated. I'll try to calm down a bit. Will be better when I feel i can drive, but with this sitting discomfort anything more than a quick hop to the shops is out of the question.
i find i can now sleep for limited periods on my side, which is something. I used to curl up in the foetal position, not possible now. Lying on my back which I end up doing most of the time seems to make my sacroiliac joint ache more. Hopefully better with time as you say, but very frustrating.
Hi Ruthie, back pain seems to be common after this op. My osteopath and surgeon told me that it's because the spine is having to realign itself after being in the wrong position for years. due to us being unable to walk upright. Four weeks is very early and the knee pains you are experiencing are normal.
thanks Carol, that's reassuring. I had back pain on and off over the years anyway, but it's like a double whammy now. I think I'm over reacting to everything probably. It will be nice when i can go out for a pain free walk across the fields.
That seems to be the pattern. Those of us with a history of back problems seem to be worse after the op. It could be that our poor posture all our lives has caused extra wear and tear because our spines were never right in the first place. I've been told that my pelvis is tilted which has put pressure on back and knees for years. My poor 67 year old body now has to learn to walk upright. Luckily I have a brilliant osteopath to help.
Be patient. The need for movement will reduce in time. Try small flexing movements when sitting. Just flexing thigh muscles in time to music will help.back pain was an initial problem. My right leg had always been over an inch shorter than the right. Now after my knee replacement it is slightly longer than the left. Realignment is now nearly riight and the pain in the back easing.
Thank you so much everyone, it's so good to know that these things are normal, you have all been so reassuring.
I'll try the muscle flexing when I am in pain sitting.
Hi Ruthie
The stinging pains you get are probably nerve pain. Just coming back to life i got those too. Like someone having me with a pin !
All the tendons/ligaments and muscle fibres are repairing so it takes a while.
Most of us wish we hadn't had it done at some time or other.
It does get better. Just hang in there and do as much physio /resting as you can. Lots of ice too.
One the stitches have healed i found massage was wonderful using an oil or similar (not scented) baby oil is good as Is bio oil.. Good luck
Suzi 8wks +4 days
Hi Ruthie
The stinging pains you get are probably nerve pain. Just coming back to life i got those too. Like someone having me with a pin !
All the tendons/ligaments and muscle fibres are repairing so it takes a while.
Most of us wish we hadn't had it done at some time or other.
It does get better. Just hang in there and do as much physio /resting as you can. Lots of ice too.
One the stitches have healed i found massage was wonderful using an oil or similar (not scented) baby oil is good as Is bio oil.. Good luck
Suzi 8wks +4 days
P. S. I've also found laying on the floor. Head on a pillow very relaxing!
You can slide down off a chair of you can't get down easily.
I do that every time i feel stressed 
😳 How on earth do you get up???? 😄😄
😂😁Hahaha! You gave me such a good laugh!
I can kneel on both my knees on a pillow and use my good op knee to get me up.
But you can slide back to the chair and reverse up into it lol
Still smiling 😀
😄😄 that sounds possible I guess........ But I'm still thinking I'd need a crane 😄😄😄
Haha you could put a hook in the ceiling and attach a winch?
Have a try when you've someone to haul you up in case. That's what i did! Lol
You've cheered up my Monday morning! 😁
A winch ! Now that's a good idea 😄
And I bet you're having a lovely sunny warm morning too 🌞 I'm just taking my hot water bottle to bed with me..... It's flippin cold here in the UK
Awww yes it is! A bit overcast but very warm.
That's the main reason I'm here and not in the uk anymore! 😉
Hope you get a good nights sleep! 😴
Thank you, I'll try 😴😴
I can understand that! We spent three years in Perth, we came back 18 months ago and I still miss the heat and those gorgeous blue skies 😟