TKR 6 weeks - catching/twanging tendon

[tamartwin]

Should I have added this to my other thread? I’m sorry I’m not sure how things work ‍

 

[sistersinhim]

Yes. I merged it with your older thread, that way all your information is in one place and easier for all to see.

 

[sistersinhim]

With your knee only 7 weeks old, it is perfectly normal to feel stiffness in many different areas at many different times. Have you been more active recently? If so, then you probably have more swelling from that increased or different activity. Try icing and elevating more often and at least an hour at a time. This will help to flush that fluid out, relieving some of that stiffness.

 

[tamartwin]

With your knee only 7 weeks old, it is perfectly normal to feel stiffness in many different areas at many different times. Have you been more active recently? If so, then you probably have more swelling from that increased or different activity. Try icing and elevating more often and at least an hour at a time. This will help to flush that fluid out, relieving some of that stiffness.

Thank you

 

[mendogal]

Can anyone relate or have some remedial suggestions please? 7 weeks PO LTKR. The incision has healed beautifully but over the last few days I’ve noticed my top of knee under the incision feels stuck like glued. So flexing is difficult. I’m massaging gently on the incision but any other ideas? My flexion was derailed a bit by hamstring pull but this is new. Discharged by consultant Friday. Still seeing physio. Thank you.

Yes, it's not at all unusual for healing skin and subcutaneous tissues to blend a bit. You're on the right track: gentle fingertip circular massage anywhere it feel stuck, a few times daily, will help get those healing tissues to mobilize better.

 

[tamartwin]

I’ve received a letter booking me in for my second knee replacement on 4th March 2025. This fits well with what I discussed with my consultant.

But I have a worry which I hope someone could answer?

How does the first replaced knee cope with being the weight bearer on stairs etc at 6 mo post op?

Thank you.

 

[mendogal]

It's not unusual for members to have both knees done within 3 to 9 months.

I had my first at the end of January, my second mid June, so 4.5 months.

We all heal at different rates, but my first knee was perfectly fine - far better than my deteriorating natural second knee was; doing the work put it right over the edge!

I believe that my first knee's recovery was aided by the demands of being the primary knee when the second was done. At six months it should be fine.

 

[tamartwin]

It's not unusual for members to have both knees done within 3 to 9 months.

I had my first at the end of January, my second mid June, so 4.5 months.

We all heal at different rates, but my first knee was perfectly fine - far better than my deteriorating natural second knee was; doing the work put it right over the edge!

I believe that my first knee's recovery was aided by the demands of being the primary knee when the second was done. At six months it should be fine.

Thank you that makes me feel better. Hard to imagine when you’re still trying to get the current one up to par

 

[Layla]

How does the first replaced knee cope with being the weight bearer on stairs etc at 6 mo post op

Think of those that have bilateral surgery, with both done at once. They don't have a good leg to stand on.
If they can do it, I have every confidence you can at six months post op. I'm betting you'll do great!

You'll likely engage in PT, you'll use the railing for support, you'll lead with the strong leg, your Left, you'll move slowly and you'll practice..which makes perfect!

 

[tamartwin]

How does the first replaced knee cope with being the weight bearer on stairs etc at 6 mo post op

Think of those that have bilateral surgery, with both done at once. They don't have a good leg to stand on.
If they can do it, I have every confidence you can at six months post op. I'm betting you'll do great!

You'll likely engage in PT, you'll use the railing for support, you'll lead with the strong leg, your Left, you'll move slowly and you'll practice..which makes perfect!

Thank you for the confidence. I had thought about those who have bilateral knees done and was full of admiration.

 

[tamartwin]

Yay. Further PT visit and good news.

I saw my PT again yesterday after two weeks. I don’t think you realise how well you are doing until someone else points it out.
She noticed I was bending and unzipping my ankle boots on my own and both slipping my operated foot in and out with ease. Last time she had to help me with my operated leg. I’d forgotten.
Then she measured my bend and I’m finally at 90. For me that is a milestone. I’m delighted. The surgeon doesn’t think I’ll get more than 100 but my PT and I think that will be enough for my lifestyle and what I want but If I get more then great but if eventually I get 100 then I’ll be happy. So I’m hoping for 100 before March when my second leg is done.
Bear in mind this has been achieved through gentle flexing and extensions. I’ve never pushed through pain or overdone it. I massaged the scar tissue under the incision to free up what was stuck and the bend improved.

She also had a better look and feel at my naughty sore hamstring and can feel lumps and bumps along the tendons which I have felt there even before my surgery. They are also evident on the other leg. She feels these are granulous and due to the hamstrings being underused over the years and both legs are weak although functioning fine. Therefore now they are being stretched and used they are irritated and sore. The snapping sensation in the back of my thigh only occurs when the hamstrings have had a heavy day or I’m flexing at my limit without pain so she wants me to continue with gentle extensions easing back if anything hurts, nothing hard and certainly nothing to cause pain. Heat and ice and eventually she thinks it will all settle down, but could take months as they are soft tissues. This is of course a warning for my leg for March. She thinks that hamstring is the weakest so to avoid the same strain occurring I need to strengthen it beforehand.

As I’m doing physio at the private hospital but under the NHS she has the discretion to see me as long as she thinks she needs to. There are no fast rules. So I’ve an appt in December then one in January just for the hamstrings really as she feels I’m fine now doing my thing for my leg. She will try to be my physio after my new knee in March for continuity. She said she’s delighted with my progress and honestly she never forces me through pain thresholds and listens to me. Anyway, thought an update on a good day for me would be appropriate

 

[mendogal]

This is great news - even the hamstrings, because you have a specific plan to address them!

 

[Layla]

She said she’s delighted with my progress and honestly she never forces me through pain thresholds and listens to me.

She sounds like a keeper! You're lucky you found a good match in a PT.
Thanks for the update, tamartwin!
@tamartwin

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
@tamartwin

 

[tamartwin]

Thank you! Resting day today. Got over enthusiastic yesterday and did a shopping trip for 30 minutes followed by two hours standing batch cooking. Silly me! Learnt my lesson! Agony overnight so ice and elevation for me today!

 

[mendogal]

Welcome to the ODIC!!!! (OverDid It Club)
We have each and every one of us spent time there.... as we improve, the only way to gauge it is to occasionally visit this popular club nobody ever wants to join. May your day of rest and ice put you back on course!

 

[EalingGran]

shopping trip for 30 minutes followed by two hours standing batch cooking. Silly me! L

No way I could have stood like that for two hours. Not surprised you are sore today. Just take it easy and good luck!

 

[tamartwin]

Update.

Coincidentally happy three month anniversary for me yesterday!

I saw one of the physios again today.

This may not mean much to some but for me it’s gold - I’m at 100 degrees ROM today. He told me I’ve obviously been following the exercise regime well but actually I’ve been following the Bone smart method. No pushing, no forcing through pain, just listening to my knee. And as you all said, it progressed at its own pace.

With regard to the tendon, he believes several tendons are irritable having felt them and that I strained one of them on the stair climb. The whole of my inner thigh tendons are still very sore even to touch and the twang persists. He said soreness will eventually alleviate if I listen to the leg but not to push through pain. Might take six months to ease totally. Passive flexion only using my other leg and a towel etc. Heat. Naproxen which I organised anyway for myself via my GP on repeat yesterday.
No damage done to knee. He tested everything. He even examined the incision, felt around the knee, noted there was very little swelling and my walking is good.
I can now go up stairs properly albeit slowly and although the twang is annoying it doesn’t hurt doing that. I cannot get the bend to descend stairs properly but I’m sure that will come with time. He suggested I wait until that bend is better before getting in the bath. So showers it is for a while longer.

Seeing physio again in January and maybe Feb just before knee 2 in March.

I can’t thank this forum enough for bringing me into the fold of a new way of looking at knee recovery.

 

[tamartwin]

“Coincidentally happy two month anniversary for me yesterday!”


I meant three month anniversary of course!!

 

[EalingGran]

He suggested I wait until that bend is better before getting in the bath. So showers it is for a while longer.

Sounds like you are doing really well.
It took me about 6 months before I could easily get in and out of a bath.
The first time I tried it clothed- just in case I needed younger relatives ( not just my husband) to help me out! I still put a rubber bath mat down to give a good grip when standing back up.
I still remember the pleasure of getting back to a proper soak though. Slow and steady and you will get there....