Hi to all the tkr out there how long does the stiffness last and pain on bending is this normal I keep doing the exercises but I am weeks out and don't seem to be making any improvements .... HELP!!
Jan
Months rather than weeks really, depending on each person. That heavy feeling, and the tightness around the knee lasts for ages and ages. It's nearly two years since mine, and there is still just a hint of the tightness . . and amazingly, it is still gradually improving! Mind you some people get to 100 fit much much quicker than I have, so don't worry too much. Just keep doing the exercises, don't push yourself too hard, and eventually . . . eureka!
Jane
Still have a lot of stiffness and find coming down stairs really difficult. Do exercise bike and walking in pool regularly. Often feel my knee giving way when walking utility am hoping this will all improve over time. I'm 12 weeks post op
Hi Jan. I'm almost to 3 months out. Still stiff, but small improvements are happening. Got to 113 on flex and am told it will increase over the months. This is a very daunting process. It will test your whole nature as a person. I do believe it will turn out well. Good luck.
9 months pretty good, by 11 I actually feel as near as back to normal as I would think I will get, its really hard work, but consiering the pain has gone I am very happy. One more knee to takle but decided to take a year out and get as much strength in my first TKR as I can.
Stay positive.
Sue
My bilateral TKR was 20 weeks ago today. I think things just gradually keep improving, but I expect this recovery process to last several more months. My surgeon, who had a TKR, said that he started feeling normal at about 8 months. Others have told me the same kind of thing. Right now, most of my pain comes when I stand up from a chair. I'm able to walk without knee pain but I tire easily. I have good range of motion. Overall I'd say that I have some discomfort in my knees most of the time, real but fleeting pain when I stand from sitting, and less stiffness and swelling as time passes. Keep doing your exercises and following the instructions from your doctor and PT. It's a long road.
I mistyped in my reply above--I meant to say 10 weeks, not 20 weeks. Sorry.
Thankyou glad ur well on the way I suppose I had try to slow down a little and be patient, I need to take a hobby up as being in the house is driving me crazy
Thank you Michael you seem to be doing great I will be more patient, I agree it's a very trying and tiring process but will look forward to the day I can walk properly again and sleep a whole night sleep would be brilliant
Thankyou for your reply so glad I found this site it's great to hear how others are doing, it's a very tiring and trying process but onwards I go looking forward and positive
I am nearly 5 months from my TKL my knee has started to give me a little pain, as I am on my feet all day, most of the pain stopped around 12 weeks for me.
I did not do so much of the exercises as it caused more pain for days after.
I do need to work to build up the muscles again.
Good luck with your recovery
Hi Jane
I am at 11 weeks post tkr op i still get stiffness mine mostly happens if im stood in the same position for some reason its little niggly things that are most annoying it seems to stiffen up for no reason i find the exercise bike is best good luck.
I am always glad to read a report from someone who had a bilateral TKR. I had mine done on August 24 and I too am still on the slow road to recovery. I had a hard time convincing myself not to make comparisons between my recovery and the recovery of those with a single replacement. I did about 6 weeks of physio and just the other day I had my one-month checkup where I am happy to say I was told all is well. My range of motion has improved (yeah). I didn't realize that I am still supposed to be icing my knee so I will have to get back to doing that. I still have swelling which is such an uncomfortable feeling. It feels like I have a tire tube around the top of my knees that gets inflated. The pain in the knee joint is pretty much gone which is indeed a blessing. The hardest part for me is also getting up from a chair (especially a low one) - that is still painful on the knees.
I will keep plugging away at this and hopefully my stamina will improve as well
I look forward to the day when I start to feel "normal" again. It is comforting to know that that day will eventually happen.
It takes time and lots of exercise , I was off work for 6 months and did lots of exercise . All is fine now and it has been almost 18 years since my left TKA & 16&1/2 since the right . I had no problems at all since returning to work , I worked for 16 years before retiring .
There are advances, setbacks and plateaus...I think the latter are the worst to overcome since you perceive it as being "stuck" in place. Recovery is not a LINEAR process. Get used to it.
Most people have the pain gone in the 6-9 month range...some longer. Titrate off the opioids as soon as you can and keep up with the lesser painkillers (ibuprophin, Tramadol, etc.) as long as you need them...but not long term.
Stiffness can last 12-18 months...or longer. Same with the clicking, popping and "clunking" sounds. All of this is totally normal.
Hi Chico
I'm pleased you mention the clucks and clunking. I'm 7 weeks post op and saw the surgeon on Monday who was pleased with my progress so far. ROM good but I have a clicking on the outside of my knee which feels as though something is stuck and unsticks itself on straightening my leg. Its mildly painful....but not all the time....mostly on rising in the morning. My surgeon didn't seem overly concerned....just said its early days yet. I must admit this whole thing has been a nightmare to me as I'm a very active and independent person. I would appreciate your view in the clicking.
I agree Martin, I'm at 8 months, still have stiffness, pain n swelling. But better then where I was a few months ago. This po is mind boggling , going to surgeon in a few weeks see what he will have to say.??? My bend is only about 100, have about a one for straightening. I'm hoping for the best... Do all exercises plus, I just don't know. No fear all, I'm in the 20% group who didn't do so well initially, yea!! Lucky me....never give up,
sounds like your doin fine... Keep doing your exercises, you'll get there
sounds like a good plan, I'm 8-9 months in, still have pain n stiffness. But I do see some improvement???!,!!,?? Now I'm dealing with this inner thigh and back of thigh pain. I think it's the ligament or tendon? Feel it more after exercise , very very uncomfortable. Boy are u right lots of hard word, not only physically but mentally as well. Best of good health n pain free to all 🍀🍀 🌬🌬 🚴🚴 🏊🏊 👼👼
U said it Susan, !!