TKR 8 weeks post op

[patriciad]

Yes @Mollyds I had nerve pain after both my surgeries and I believe it’s common as nerves and tissue are cut along with bone during the surgery. Eventually it eases but can feel quite debilitating in the early weeks. I have seen that some OS prescribe Gabapentin to address nerve pain. I used the Saran Wrap technique I found on here for both my knees and found it really worked. I still have residual numbness on the outside of my left knee that is gradually getting less. So very common and it does heal with time. Hope this helps.

 

[LinaDi]

Hi @Mollyds ! I had a knee revision. On 29/11/2021, five years after TKR to have a thicker spacer put in to solve a hyperextention problem, and a lateral release to get my kneecap tracking properly again. I started physio, at the insistence of my surgeon, within a week, and had 45 minutes of physio and a lot of pushing 2 times each week for almost 6 weeks! I was feeling worse and my pain was getting worse each day so I quit 2 weeks ago. I too get stabbing pain on the inside of my knee nearer the patella and sometimes get a feeling at night like my entire leg is on fire! I also get exhausted after minimal activity, but the lesson for me is to just go with it. Ice and elevation are my best friends. Gentle walks and pedaling on my bike (which is on a trainer in my house) for just a few minutes every time I pass it, is all I need at the moment. I’m 66, my husband calls me Mrs. Busy because I do a lot normally, and it’s all about go go go. But this is now my vacation. Even though what I had was “just” a revision to my TKR, the recovery has been no different as far as pain is concerned. I too am so glad to have found this forum and refer back to all of the recovery suggestions daily as a reminder.
I hope you find your knee getting better and better! And I wish you all the best.

 

[CamGram]

@Mollyds, early in my recovery I had knee pain similar to what you’re describing. My OS laughed when I described it to him and told me that, after making his initial incision to access (and temporarily move) my kneecap, he did a great deal of work beneath the skin in the area I was indicating. Since it was accessed through the initial incision, there was no superficial evidence of that work but the work was both deep and extensive, hence the intense pain as it healed. Makes sense to me! I am now 4+ months out and that pain in that area has diminished almost completely.

 

[Jockette]

We really have no idea what all goes on during our surgery, and maybe that’s just as well. But it does cause a lot of trauma to the area and does take a long time to heal.

 

[BadWolf0611]

It's helpful to see this. I have 2 friends who went through the surgery within the same week that I did. They are so far ahead of me. It's been really demoralizing, and I have been concerned. I'm a little over 6 weeks out. With an aggressive push from the PT, I can bend to 110 degrees, but it's not easy. The rest of the time the knee feels really stiff. I'm good with being patient and letting it happen as it happens. It's good to see that I have peers in the same lane.

 

[Jockette]

@BadWolf0611

Why don't you start your own thread and tell us a bit about your situation. Our members are here to support you. Here's a link to Starting a new thread and posting .