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TKR 7 month angst

Darvi

junior member
Joined
Jul 8, 2024
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20
Age
75
Gender
Female
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United Kingdom United Kingdom
Hi. I've used Bonesmart loads since I discovered it soon after my TKR just before Christmas 2023.
I have found it very reassuring and hope that will be the case now!
I have had pain at the back of the knee/thigh ever since beginning exercises. Despite this I got to 125 on bend and also pretty flat. It was always painful and still is when I do the bend exercises and when I start my 5 minute stints on the bike, which is set high with no resistance.
I can walk quite quickly and up to 2.5 miles so feel my strength is returning but still have the 'tight band', numbness and stiffness. I doubt I would be anywhere near 125.
I think I perhaps worked too hard on the exercises at first and wonder if that has damaged the muscle? Also I had a tourniquet during surgery. And yet I hear of people doing hard PT for an hour at 12 weeks or less.
It seems everyone I know is improving much quicker and I wonder if mine will ever feel normal.
the other knee is due to be done soon and is in very poor condition yet it performs much better than the new knee.
 
Hello and Welcome to BoneSmart! Thanks for joining us.
Please leave the exact date of your December TKR, identifying which knee it was and also include the date of your upcoming surgery if it’s been scheduled.

Your leg endured major trauma, in a very small area, albeit controlled. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue is going to cause you discomfort and pain for a while yet.

The tight band sensation, it is caused by scar tissue, but not the adhesions type of scar tissue.
During surgery your OS undercuts the skin and superficial structures from the center, to each side of the knee, to obtain access all round the bones. While healing, those flaps re-attach themselves to the main body of the leg, creating a thin layer of scar tissue across the front and sides of the knee. Scar tissue isn't as flexible as normal tissue so it feels like a clamp across the knee if there is any swelling and later during normal activity.

In time it gradually reduces in size and thickness until it reaches a point where it's not substantial enough to cause this sensation, same goes for the incisional scar in the skin. This can take several months to dissipate completely and often excess walking or standing can make it worse. This differs from person to person.
 
Since you’ve been reading here, I’m assuming you’ve read this recovery can take a full year for most and even longer for others, so there is still time for things to improve. I will leave our Recovery Guidelines even though you’re over six months post op, you may still find many of the articles beneficial -


KNEE RECOVERY GUIDELINES

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
the BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for TKRs
The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

Nutrition is of paramount importance. Available here are dietary tips, nutrition basics and additional food supplements. These articles are both general advice on food and specific guidelines aimed at people both pre- and post-surgery.

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
Thanks for your message, Layla.I had RTKR on 16/12/2024

I am going to keep re-reading the points!
 
I can walk quite quickly and up to 2.5 miles so feel my strength is returning but still have the 'tight band', numbness and stiffness.
Walking quickly for 2 or more miles is great for 7 months post-op, and the symptoms you describe are all a normal part of recovery.

I had my surgery one day before yours, @Darvi, and also still have numbness and stiffness. ( I haven't experienced the tight band with this knee, but did have it during my other TKR recovery.)

Since I've been through one recovery before, I've know that all these different sensations are normal -- and will go away with time. This truly is a year-long recovery and many of us -- me included -- have found that the knee continues to improve well into the second year. It's too bad our surgeons aren't more forthcoming about how long it takes to get back to "normal."

Glad you found us! In addition to reading the articles Layla left you above, be sure to look around the forum and read other member's threads. You will find some who are recovery faster, many who are recovering more slowly and some who are at the same stage as you are now.

Keep us posted! :flwrysmile:
 
Thank you Benne. That is soo reassuring. Maybe I need to be more positive (not really in my nature!)

I will keep looking at your reply when I feel down

Darvi
 
@Darvi I had my TKR December 20 so am also 7 months out of surgery. I sound a lot like you, I still have a tight band feeling around my knee, but I do think it’s getting a little better. Sometimes I have a pain on the inside of my knee, then it goes away. I’m gradually getting more ROM. I don’t know where I’m at, I was 117 7 weeks out and it’s better than that now. Like you, I walk 2.5 miles without pain and I couldn’t do that before surgery. It’s getting better, but I’m ready for it to be healed!
When is your next surgery?
 
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@Davi Our progress slows as we get further into recovery. The milestones are smaller -- sometimes changes is barely noticeable. I remember with my first TKR: one day, my dog slipped her leash and I started to run after her in panic. I didn't even notice it until I stopped. If you had asked me minutes earlier whether I could run, my answer would have been "no." Sometimes our bodies catch us by surprise -- in a good way!
 
Thanks again to Benne and also Maggie. It really is helping me to accept how I am and to see that I have made good progress. Pre-op my leg was pretty good apart from the occasional times when it kind of collapsed and I was chair bound for days. So I'm waiting until I have really good mobility before I can say it's as good as before.
The other knee was in worse condition but I went for the RTKR because of the fear of collapse. I'm currently waiting for the LTKR and am about to put myself down for cancellations as the wait on the NHS for the surgeon I want is probably still a few months. It's already over a year and I had the RTKR privately with the surgeon I'm waiting for.
 
Hi @Darvi--I had my TKR the month before yours and I still have many of the same feelings you're describing and have had moments of worry along the way, as you are having now. The people on this site are tremendously helpful and very reassuring at times like these! I think @benne68 's comment about the milestones being smaller is very insightful. Also, I was functioning pretty well, like you were, before surgery. I think maybe we see a subtler and less dramatic improvement than people who were in more pain or had poorer function pre-surgery, but hopefully we still get to that place where we are so glad we did it. I feel like I'm slowly getting there and I wish the best for you too.
 
I had my TKR April 1 so I am almost 4 months out
I stretch and bend two good times a day. With Pickleball and biking every other day.
It’s a slow slow process. Some days I will be 120 other days. I’m only at 1:10.
Don’t ice a lot now. Esther seems to be no swelling.
Good luck and I know it will take just time. Do your exercises make sure you move and it will happen.
 
Hi @Darvi--I had my TKR the month before yours and I still have many of the same feelings you're describing and have had moments of worry along the way, as you are having now. The people on this site are tremendously helpful and very reassuring at times like these! I think @benne68 's comment about the milestones being smaller is very insightful. Also, I was functioning pretty well, like you were, before surgery. I think maybe we see a subtler and less dramatic improvement than people who were in more pain or had poorer function pre-surgery, but hopefully we still get to that place where we are so glad we did it. I feel like I'm slowly getting there and I wish the best for you too.
Thank you. This is very reassuring, as are many of the comments I have read. It's good to be able to 'chat' with others who are similar, particularly someone who was reasonable pre-surgery. Without this website I would have been quite unhappy as there are no in-person support groups that I know of locally. Hopefully I'll be of some help to others in the same way eventually.
Thanks also to Peterfox for comments and good wishes.
 
Maybe I need to be more positive (not really in my nature!)
Consider this when you're tempted to feel anxious about your recovery -
Joint replacement surgery is one of the most prevalent surgeries performed worldwide. The outcomes of these surgeries have become excellent based on a number of techniques changing over the years. The implants are durable and long lasting, with longevity much greater than before offering an increase in the likelihood you’ll never have to experience this procedure again. :egypdance:

Happy Sunday! Wishing you a peaceful week.
 
Thank you for your comments. I am just about the end of the fourth month. Been doing a lot. But my opposite Gluth seems to hurt. Try stretching it a lot, but it inhibits me to some degree. I guess I have to work on more balance of the body. Going on a European cruise in two weeks. Taking my Massage gun Deana bands And massage oil. Need to get out to a regular life. Hope everybody is doing well.
 
Hi Peterfox
You sound to me as if you are doing well. I still get the pain behind the knee at 8 months. I have found the website extremely helpful.
 
I am three months out and after reading your post it helps me feel better. I get discouraged when I feel good one day and the next not so good, I am back to the gym six days a week, Pilates, barre, and core classes, still not doing more aerobic classes. Also, sleeping is challenging, but that too is getting better. Up until now I haven’t posted but have been reading all the posts and it’s been so helpful.
 
@Shopper we would love for you to start your own recovery thread!
At three months out, your activity level is great!!! :yes!:

Bearing in mind that you're 1/4 of the way through a one year recovery, the alternating good and bad day pattern may indicate that you're somewhat overtaxing your new knee, creating swelling and pain affecting the day after.

Suggestions would be...
1. Don't do the same strengthening exercises on consecutive days - our muscles need that interval day to rebuild.
2. Try reducing some parts of your regimen by 20 - 25% for a week and see if that helps. Then increase in small 10% increments.
3. If you're not icing and elevating, that will help. PT standard is 20 minutes, fine for a sprain, but that can cause rebound swelling. We find 45 minutes really reduces swelling and is a potent pain killer. Just make sure your skin is protected by a cloth.
 
I have found the website extremely helpful.
Thank you, Darvi! We appreciate that. :)
I hope you have a lovely week and stay in touch.
 
I have a date for my L TKR: 1st October. Trying to get organised with the knowledge I have from the R TKR (December).
At 8 months, as I have previously mentioned, I still have pain and stiffness and can only get up from the floor by using the unoperated left knee to push up, avoiding kneeling on the new knee. So what happens when that knee is delicate? How have others managed?
Also, I saw a post about joining the October group but I know I shouldn't post in more than one thread, not sure what to do. Thank you everyone.
 
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