I would like to pick the brains of those of you who are further down the track than me. I am 6 weeks post tkr, I am managing without crutches indoors but still use 1 outdoors.I am walking with quite a pronounced limp, and I am having trouble bending my knee when walking (during excercise my bend is 90) any thoughts anyone ? How long is it likely to take to walk normally ?
Lotty, I am just past 8 weeks and almost in the same situation, although my bend is way behind. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to bend my knee when walking, going down stairs etc. My straight leg is sitting at 15, I think this may be what mainly causes the limp and once this improves the walking should improve as well. Maybe someone else can confirm if this is the case.
Hi Lotty . .without being a doctor and seeing you it's impossible to know if the limp is a physical thing or a mental one. . In my case, I had to keep telling my knee to bend, as it was so used to walking without bending . . the brain wanted to go on doing the same thing. My physio suggested exaggerating a little the lift and bend of the knee until the brain got the hang of it! My physio did also say it was better to keep using the cane rather than walk with a limp . . If bending the knee is still painful, it may be this which stops you, and unfortunately, it's better to bend through the pain! In my case, it was a matter of concentrating hard on the proper movement. . heel first, proper bend in the knee. . .it took time, but in the end it works. However, I have to say that even at 17 weeks, if walking a long distance, I prefer to use a walking stick . . .but then, I also have foot and hip pain to contend with!
I wish there was an absolute time to give you. Everyone is so different in every aspect: Amount and type of damage done prior to surgery, the damage done by surgery, how long you you were limping before the repair etc. Walking without a limp is far more dependent on your extension (straightness) nthan bend, Untill you are somewhere between 0 and 5 degrees you will probably have a limp. To help with this, slow down your pace,stride to your normal length, hit heel 1st, ball of the foot 2nd and toe last. Do this on every step with both legs. It's not uncommon to want to hurry back into being normal you forget how you were before it all went bad. BTW you only mentioned bend and not extension. Has that even been checked?
Hi Lotty,
You are doing fine and are fairly early in the great TKR journey. This is not a race and we are all differrent. Using a crutch outdoors is good as it makes people aware that you have a problem and possibly be a bit more considerate. Watch a TKR operation on video on Utube and you will know why you are still limping. Slowly everything will improve but be aware a full recovery can be anywhere between 6 to 12 months. Don't forget meds, exercise, elevate and ice in that order,it is what will speed your recovery, you will have bad days but the good days are what you should remember. Good luck on your journey.
Regards Paul
hi dotty im 9 nearly 10 post op and I still walk with a limp though I bought some sketchers go walk and dont limp as bad in those cos I think there so spongy and pliable? ?? I also walked on a beach last week and that was easier too?? I still use 1 stick when im out cos it helps when my leg gets tired and also like someone else mentioned it alerts others to the fact you have a problem then their not letting door's go on your face or banging your bad knee ouch!!!!
I walk with a bad limp and was told this was more to do with the issues with straightening rather than the bend (I may need further surgery on this though). However when I was still in hospital practising my walk down the corridor I recall a nurse reminding me to bend my leg when I walk. I've limped for that long I don't think I can remember how to do that Lol.
I was also told that because my leg was so bent I had to use both crutches when outside to force me to stand straighter. They apparently don't like us using two for as long as me but in my case it's better (I'm almost 12 weeks post).
I was told to take shorter steps though to keep control.
With a bend of 90 that shouldn't have any negative impact on your walking.
I think as we become more confident our walking will improve. At the moment we probably concentrate more on not falling over or being knocked into.
Could be mental or muscles need strengthening. Marching and standing tall helps practice a few steps at a time and in water. Train your brain and try to think as if your knee is normal and hopefully it will be.
I went out walking for the first time - not around supermarkets or Ikea as I have been doing...the great world outside. No crutches or stick and I felt my leg tightening as I went. I tried to bend my knee more than usual, had to stop and really bend it before going on. watched my shadow to see if I was limping... a little but not that noticeable. Seeing Doc this afternoon and have physio tomorrow.
I'm 9 weeks tkr and I look like I'm in a parade all by myself when I walk! I have issues with my quads and for me I find it easier if I exaggerate the bending of my knee, like I'm maching. I do heel, toe, bend my knee as high as I can and also swing my arms. I'm sure my neighbors enjoy my little parade around the block lol!
ohhh lol patty id love to see that ha ha
My husband has threatened to record me and put it on you-tube haha!
That's made me chuckle. We'd all be copying it off You Tube. It would start a walking craze amongst the TKR family 😜
I wish it would work on here lol
Be sure and put one of those Miss Universe sashes on so we can identify you. You can lable yourself as Mrs. TKR 2015
I'm glad I could make you all chuckle and smile. After what we're all going through a smile does go a long way! 
Hi dotty, this may or may not make sense. I am 10 tkr post opp. I still limp, I still pain in knee all the way down to foot. I limped for 10 years. Finely got my surgery. Afterwards the healing prosses begins. Exercise, ice, meds. Well one post opp visit I asked my Dr. Why I still had a limp. My knee bend was 100. Okay hear it is which it totally made sense to me. When I had a damaged knee and was limping all those years endorsing pain. My muscles in my leg readjusted to my limp. Now that I have a brand new knee the muscles in my leg have to readjust to my different walk. I do think some of this might be mental. I hope this helps.Good luck.
Further down the line and you are cetainly picking my brains here.
I had TKR 3 years ago. Joined this patient group in January because I had gallstones. Had my gallbladder removed a couple of weeks ago.
Since joining the group I found a Knee Problem group so joined that as well and thought I would give you all some hope and encouragement.
It is a long process but now 3 years on it is like having my life back.
I used a stick for quite a while. I went on holiday for a few days at 4 months and was still using a stick then. The only time I use a stick now is if I go swimming. I know that sounds daft, ofcourse I don't need a walking stick to swim but the floor between changing room and pool is quite wet and slippery. I also use a stick if I am out in snowy slippery weather.
Other than that, the only slight problem I still have is up and down pavements particularly down. Or walking downhill. I have always been worse going down than up I think you use different muscles.
I am fine on stairs if they have a rail.
Take care and keep in touch
Love Sasrah xxx
Hi Dotty
I am at 6wks post TKR today I also still limp and my bend is only 70 deg, my surgeon has told me to stay on the crutches even though I can put weight bearing on my leg and could walk around with out them (more like limp or drag myself around with out them); what he told me was the bend in the knee has to improve which will help with the walking naturally and the reason he wants me to stay on the crutches is to enhance and focus on my walk by walking slowly but putting thought into bending my knee as I walk with the crutches.. Ie left crutch forward with righ leg then right crutch forward with left leg etc.. Opposite crutch forward together with opposite leg.
He also said whilst you think you can walk ok with out them or walk quicker as the weight bearing feels ok you actual are limping because your not focused on bending your knee with each stride and your knees not doing the work your hip is and hence the limp.
I have done what he has told me and he is right I find myself concentrating on bending my knee with each stride and whilst it is slower it is correct and I'm also at the same time working on improving my bend in the knee.
I did notice when I was not focused or not using an aid I didn't bend my knee and it was coming from my hip the walk and causing me to have a significant limp as if I was throwing my leg out in front.
i think it would be worth testing this out even with a cane and aid or both crutches, walk slowly focussing on bending the knee and see how that feels then try with out the aid and not focussed see if it's your hip doing the work and causing the limp rather than the knee? You may be surprised.
May not be the answer for everyone but it is for me at this stage and when think about it logically, only having 70degree bend, not using an aid and rushing my walk well yes it would be the hip doing the work..
Hope this helps
Tony
I have seen ad for the shoes they look great are they easy to get on ?