persiancats
new member
I'm six months out from surgery tkr and I have pain going downstairs---walking flat ground is ok. Also have new creptitus (?) at side of knee cap. Anyone out there have any idea -----what is going on? Thanks Cara
6 months out and sudden knee pain
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KarenD
junior member
No idea Cara--Hopefully Jo will answers soon!
United StatesCara, I'm a bit confused by a diagnosis of crepitus. When I read about it, the information suggests it is associated with problems in the knee cartilage. Obviously, with a replacement, you don't have cartilage in the knee that was operated on. Do you know if the surgeon placed a "button" in your kneecap? If not, I guess it's possible that you could be experiencing the sensation of crackling and popping during bending as a result of arthritis in the kneecap. Jo is going to be the best person to provide input for you, though.
As for the pain you are experiencing, where is it exactly when you go down the stairs?
As for the pain you are experiencing, where is it exactly when you go down the stairs?
Texas
alpha
Hi Cara im sorry you are having trouble please call your OS and let him know.............) I hope you feel better soon.................) meantime maybe ice and use some anti inflammatories..........
cindy88fan
supremo
Cara...sorry you are in pain. Hopefully Jo will be able to help you! Take care and keep us posted.
Yes, need some more information here first.
What kind of exercise/PT are you doing?
How long have you had this problem?
I take it you had a total knee replacement?
Are you still taking pain meds?
Other than that, any creaky, grindy noise is generally referred to as 'crepitus'. When people have a chest infection, the noises made by phlegm in the lungs goes under that name, often just called 'creps' by the doctors. But in this case, it can be the noise made by making scar work tissue as well as tired or stiff ligaments. So this tells me you've either been over doing or under doing the exercises! Only you will know which.
For the time being, if it's painful, then take some anti-inflammatories to ease it. If it's just the creaking and you've not been overdoing the exercise, then exercise it more but gently!
As for the pain going downstairs, it happens. You really don't need to try and over-analyse it, it happens. The way to deal with that is to go up and down several times a day and make it submit! A few times a day will do it, don't go mad.
What kind of exercise/PT are you doing?
How long have you had this problem?
I take it you had a total knee replacement?
Are you still taking pain meds?
Other than that, any creaky, grindy noise is generally referred to as 'crepitus'. When people have a chest infection, the noises made by phlegm in the lungs goes under that name, often just called 'creps' by the doctors. But in this case, it can be the noise made by making scar work tissue as well as tired or stiff ligaments. So this tells me you've either been over doing or under doing the exercises! Only you will know which.
For the time being, if it's painful, then take some anti-inflammatories to ease it. If it's just the creaking and you've not been overdoing the exercise, then exercise it more but gently!
As for the pain going downstairs, it happens. You really don't need to try and over-analyse it, it happens. The way to deal with that is to go up and down several times a day and make it submit! A few times a day will do it, don't go mad.
persiancats
new member
Thanks for all your responses. You are all such nice people.
The crepitus --is the poping and crackle noise like one would get with arthritis---doesn't make any sense. I have a artifical knee cap when they did the tkr. --I was wondering if it was scar tissue.
I'm sort of bummed because I have not had to take any anti inflammatory stuff for a say 3 -4 months. So I have been off all pain meds for awhile.
I sort of agree that maybe I just over did the bike. I ride the stationary bike monday thru friday for 30 minutes. I walk my dog a 1/2 mile and I do water jogging 3 times a week. I don't do my individual post op knee replacement exercise anymore.
When I first had the pain I stopped riding the bike and going down the stairs- yesterday I did a set of steps and it didn't hurt with the first few steps but after say 4---I could feel it.
Left total knee replacement april 22, 2009. Thanks for all your help Cara
The crepitus --is the poping and crackle noise like one would get with arthritis---doesn't make any sense. I have a artifical knee cap when they did the tkr. --I was wondering if it was scar tissue.
I'm sort of bummed because I have not had to take any anti inflammatory stuff for a say 3 -4 months. So I have been off all pain meds for awhile.
I sort of agree that maybe I just over did the bike. I ride the stationary bike monday thru friday for 30 minutes. I walk my dog a 1/2 mile and I do water jogging 3 times a week. I don't do my individual post op knee replacement exercise anymore.
When I first had the pain I stopped riding the bike and going down the stairs- yesterday I did a set of steps and it didn't hurt with the first few steps but after say 4---I could feel it.
Left total knee replacement april 22, 2009. Thanks for all your help Cara
That was what I said, Cara
When it was said "popping and crackle noise like one would get with arthritis" that's what was meant - like. Not that it was arthritis which is clearly not possible. But scar tissue creaks and grinds just like the old sailing ships! My guess is that it will, eventually, go away.
Hope we've been able to reassure and help you.
persiancats
new member
Thanks so much Josephine. You guys have been a big help---I was so upset about my knee because I have been doing great until now---and I have laid off the bike for a few days and go down the stairs carefully and I haven't had much pain today. So I think Your right Josephine! I do hope the creptitus goes away and I get back to riding the bike harder. All the best Cara
Surfsister
senior
I'm going to second Josephine. While I'm not a medical professional, I have been going to massage therapy (to address the scar tissue) for the last couple of months. That crepitus is scar tissue. When my therapist hits a spot with a lot of scar tissue, he inevitably describes it as being "crunchy". Believe me, it hurts too. That pain you're feeling sounds like scar tissue to me. I would know. I have a knee full of it!
hollie9
member
I had a weird pain that kept bothering me in always the same place on my knee. Like you, I thought I was past all that, but my OS just shrugged it off because I was "only" 6 months, says that happens all the time, you're still healing. Heck, I thought I had fully recovered already!
I haven't taken any anti inflammatories either, but probably should.
Hollie
LR TKRs
I haven't taken any anti inflammatories either, but probably should.
Hollie
LR TKRs
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