I am just curious to know why stiffness settles back in fairly quickly even after many heelslides and exercise? Why can it not just stay away?
Because it doesn't want to. Don't you know by know that the knee has a mind of its oun and will screw with your head every chance it gets??? Docs say that stiffness, tightness, a "band-like" feeling can persist for 12-18 months. I'm almost two years post-op and I still feel it from time to time. Just fuggetaboutit....
So frustrating lol I wish just wish after I work it would stay but it tightens back up crazy. I will keep at though lol good day today
Could our age have an influence on joint stiffness? I believe, now I'm 65, that joint stiffness is part of ageing. Or it is for me. Knees do their own thing!
LOL good observation! But truly I think this is just this knee 😘
It just doesn't work that way. Let it go from your mind. Have no expectations. Accept whatever comes your way. It takes a year...period. Meanwhile, post this on your fridge...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038
Reality bites...
Correct. Joint stiffness comes with age when arthritis invades the joint. Your metal knee has none of that so yes, it's the knee. Stiffness can last 12-18 months. At 2 years, I still feel it from time to time. By that point, you just ignore it.
I have just viewed it as a sign of swelling....swelling at all depths tends to bring a sense of stiffness. It doesn't bother me. Got a little bit yesterday because I had been walking all day. I quite like the feeling, but I am a bit odd!
Oh I cannot stand the stiffness LOL but Chco says a year or so gives me great hope. I was terrified I was stuck at this ROM and stiffness. I will keep doing the core work required and hope for the best. I think from 6 mos ago I have come very far lol so in another 6 mos it does stand to reason I would be even better lol
This is NOT a linear recovery...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038
Advances, setbacks and plateaus are ALL part of the game. Time, work and patience. Typically, you're done in a year with some minor stuff lingering for up to 18 months...the docs say. I'm almost 2 years and still feel some stiffness from time to time when I slack off my exercises or sit too long. The nerve "tingling" when you kneel down will probably last a lot longer. Otherwise, you're back to a normal life...but you MUST do the work to get there and have the patience to give the knee the time it needs to heal. This cannot be rushed like a shoulder or hip. One of a kind op that takes a long recovery. Accept it. Own it. Personally, I'd rather have had four more kidney stones...
Glad your on this site to help us out. I actually believed it wouldn't be this hard or long. I truly thought I would get through this super well. Yes, I guess I was delusional lol I actually thought I would be able to return to work mid Oct when surgery was in mid August LOLthis makes me laugh now 😘
Try these to help your ROM at home...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053
I finished 10 weeks of PT @ 2X/week at the 13-week mark and had gone from -14 / +84 (got stuck at -4 for weeks) to -1 / +123. Two years later, I'm more like 133. If does get better with time if you do the exercise work to rebuild the strength in your quads, glutes and core...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
It takes time, work and patience...
Thank you!
I had a hip replacement in '09. After 10 days of hospital and rehab, I started at my health center with gym and therapy pool. My daughter, the nutritionist and ACSM/ACE-certified personal trainer, laid out my program and spent a day instructing me. Then it was 5-hours a day, 6-days a week. Relentless. Totally rehabbed in only six weeks. I thought I'd do the same for the TKR.
Really? What a complete, delusional jacka$$. Totally blindsided by the pain, the meds, the pain, the work, the pain, the recovery time...did I mention the pain? Plus, it's NOT a linear recovery with its advances, setbacks and plateaus. Plus...and foremost...a full recovery takes a year. I was totally unprepared for all this...totally. Have rehabbed two shoulder impingements, four knee scopes, a metal hip, two spinal fusions, two spinal decompressions and a lot more in a matter of days or weeks. Thought it would be the same for the knee.
DELUSIONAL!!!!!!!!!!
Time, work and patience...plus you have to keep your head screwed on right to avoid the depression, anger and frustration. The op will test your body, mind, heart and soul. The good thing? If you play this correctly, you will come out the other side a better, stronger, more thankful person. The knee teaches you a new way of life...learn its lessons...
You got it right there! Nothing like a TKR to give us a reality check!
Hallelujah brother Chico! You are right on as always!
Hi Chico
I have had my 2nd visit to PT and was given some new exercises,they told me twice daily but not how many sets to do,do you have an idea please.
I am 9 weeks post op and my ROM is over 25 And good flexion, if you can advise cheers x
I wish I had the correct medical response for you. I know what you’re saying, because this is one of the most depressing part of the recovery process for me, especially when I wake up in the morning. Good luck with your recovery.
Hi robin this is one of my problems but I've learnt to accept that what you can do one day you might not be able to do the day after. It's just a pleasant surprise when you have a good day 😂. I have to say temperature plays a big part in stiffness, when I went to Benidorm the other week my knee felt great and well lubricated if that makes sense. Come home to this cold weather and it aches, throbs and is stiff 😢
Nope, 44 here and ask the exact same thing everyday - why can’t the stiffness just go away???😫