TKR 9mths and back still hurts

Thanks, Mamie! I have recently seen my surgeon and he assures me I am doing ok. I was worried about my straightening numbers, seemed to be stuck on 7. But, recently have been under 5 degrees so I am improving. I decided not to focus on numbers, be good to myself, do PT but nothing that hurts me. My leg really bothers me after bath/shower. It's so uncomfortable that I take a pain pill.
It's so much harder than I expected.
I probably need to ice snd elevate more. How often do you all do this?
Thanks for your help and advice!
 
Had surgery 7/16 and doing pretty well with straightening and flexion. Trying to elevate and ice more to lessen swelling. Notice knee just aching though while resting. Back starts hurting when I walk any distance. At almost 11 weeks, wondering when the aching will stop.
 
Hi dee1001! I am three weeks out with my new knee, and we're not always on good terms! I ice every chance I get, I go to bed with the ice machine most nights. Because I'm dealing with an allergic reaction to something, I stopped taking all pain meds. Sleeping has been a bear, usually getting only 3 to 5 hours a night, and that's not enough for me. So yes, I understand the depression you talk about, my meltdowns are usually during those sleepless nights. My right knee needs to be done too, but at this point I'm in no hurry to have it done. You mentioned your hip, mine was done three years ago and I think that recovery was easier then this has been.

I wish you well as you continue your recovery.
 
@dee1001 Hope your doing better! I went back to PT last week, just 1 day. As usual, I hurt for many days afterward. As much as I like my therapist I decided with the fact I have severe arthritis in both hips, PT was causing more harm than good. So I won't be going anymore. I'll just do easy stretching & exercise on my own without the 30 reps of this 40 of that.
My hips cannot handle that & its really not doing anything for my knee but swelling it.
 
@Miggie

Yes, the sleep deprivation is tough. 3-5 hours is not near enough. I could never get comfortable. I, do think I was having mild depression symptoms. With the knee, covid and other stressful stuff going on, it's a bit much. But, hang in there, it slowly improves. I bought a good elevation pillow and it makes that more comfortable. Best of luck to you!
 
@Abbylayla

I am so sorry. I can only imagine how painful PT is with your hips too.
Do you have a way of checking your progress with your knee? I certainly wish you well!!
 
I can get a good idea how my flex is by sitting in the same chair as last time I checked it. Its not a number measurement and I've thought about purchasing the tool to measure it but don't know how necessary that really is. I can see on my worst days its 90+ and on my best days its well over 100. O have plenty of flex to walk comfortably and extension is perfect
I know my OS won't be happy I dropped PT but he is not in my body. I swear there were a couple of times where my hip caused me excruciating pain that affected my knee as well. It would take me 10 or so minutes to move in a way to lessen the pain until it went away. I have to wonder if it was a partial dislocation. My spouse wanted to call 911.
I can't have that! I won't be getting a hip replacement for months. These hips have to hold on
 
Sounds like you have it covered. I'm glad you found a way to exercise more comfortably! Keep your spirits up and do some things you enjoy. We are all here for you, as well!!
 
During my recovery time, we girls had a funny way to measure our bend. We'd sit on the toilet and see if we could bend our knee past a certain line in the floor covering. We'd have a celebration when one of us was able to reach that next line! It was a fun way to make a rough recovery a little easier.
 
@dee1001 - I had left TKR on August 17th and can relate to everything you have posted on your thread, and all the comments from others. At approx. 8 weeks out, I had hoped to be further along with my healing and recovery, but realize that I underestimated the recovery timeframe. I too struggle with lack of sleep, weird sensations in my leg, fatigue, depression, stiffness that restricts range of motion -- and even more so since cutting back on pain medication. Have been going to PT 1-3 times per week (averaging 1-2 a week more recently). I have pushed back on more aggressive exercises at PT, and the therapist has been receptive and agreeable to not pushing things too hard. Tomorrow I see my surgeon's PA for a checkup and am very curious about what he will say about my progress and prognosis. I had both hips replaced 6-7 years ago and those recoveries were easier, but not "easy" either. Glad they were done BEFORE I took on a knee replacement or else I may have never agreed to do it. Just want to send out my support to you and everyone reading this who is recovering and understands what it's like. It's so important for each of us to know we are not alone. If I never see another ice pack or Tramadol pill again in my life it will be too soon :)
 
Had a small victory today. Usually, I toss back and forth trying to find a way to sleep comfortably with a pillow between my legs. Well, tonight I tried sleeping like I used to, all stretched out and it worked. Like I said, a small victory!
 
I am going on 4 months since surgery and leg is still swollen. When can i expect it to go back to normal?
 
Recovery from TKR can take 12 months or more. Are your icing and elevating regularly?
 
I could probably be doing more. Will focus on that, thanks!
 
I am 9 months since tkr. I cannot walk or stand for very long or my back starts hurting bad and if I don't sit down it just hurts more and more. The Ortho PA now says i need to see a back dr. but i feel my back hurts because of my gait. Help!!
 
@dee1001 Has this back pain started recently? I would suggest finding a PT who specialises in spinal issues. They can give you exercises for core stability - a real benefit for spinal patients. They should also be able to address issues with your gait.
 
Hello @Jaycey,

Before I had my knee replacement, my back would hurt because of my bad knees and how bowed my leg was.

I was hoping that it would improve with the tkr. I know my gait is off because my tkr knee is still not completely healed. It feels kinda weird to the touch and hurts occasionally.
I just don't know why I would go through all this trauma of the tkr to still have pain while walking. It makes no sense.
 
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I would love to know how people are doing who had surgery 9 months ago?
 
@dee1001
Jaycey gave you good advice to seek a PT who specializes in back pain and work on core stability.
If our core is unstable it can affect our back, knees, and hips.
Your primary MD or your surgeon should be able to refer you to a physiatrist for a full evaluation of your back and knees and how they are working with each other.
 

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