TKR Is this normal?

[Alifpb]

hi i had TKR end September last year. first 8 weeks recovery was going well. im still getting night knee pain.....which i believe is fairly normal...but also my physio explained as im going thro a lot of mental health issues some or the pain could be related.

im not needing to have anymore physio...they have been brilliant, im due to have another xray for peace of mind, but im still concerned i cant bend it much, stairs/kerbs are a bit of a worry.

just wondered how others have got on and when the ease of bending and kneeling felt that bit more comfy

 

[Layla]

Hello Alifpb
The mind / body connection is strong. See what the x-ray has to say, but also know that many notice improvement into their second and even third years post op. You are only a little over five months post op, so not even 12 months into a healing process that can last a full year. It's also possible with PT you continued to aggravate soft tissue and now that you've stopped, try some regular rest, elevation and icing to see if it helps. Your knee is likely swollen and that is inhibiting movement. I'm sure you'll hear from others also.
Hang in there, it will get better.


Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting.
Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.
@Alifpb

 

[LemonCheesecake]

So interesting that our TKR can continue to improve even after a year. Patience is so hard, I agree, @Jockette and @JusticeRider. Good to know, @EalingGran, that stairclimbing is one of the last skills to normalize. Swelling is the norm for me even at 3 and a half months post op.

 

[JusticeRider]

@Alifpb hi again! I’m sorry you’re still having some pain and stiffness, though it’s good to hear you no longer need pt!

I think I’m about 6 weeks ahead of you in recovery. Things are finally starting to feel smoother and easier as far as stiffness recently. My ROM has been slowly but surely improving by millimeters. I’m really happy with how it’s going.

BUT my ROM is still quite limited by many standards and I definitely ’notice’ when I need to bend very much at all, even if it doesn’t hurt, if that makes sense. And it will hurt if I try to push it past where it’s ready to go right now.

A few weeks ago in a massage session, my therapist was able to release a very tight muscle in my leg called the sartorius muscle, and the tight band feeling in my knee went away completely. Since then, my knee has felt much less stiff.

But I do ‘notice’ those bends. Going down stairs is still awkward, though I can alternate steps now using a railing. I have to think about stepping off curbs and try to make myself step down with the ‘good’ foot even though it still feels wrong.

A note about mental health issues affecting pain. I know that it absolutely can happen. But at this stage in your recovery, I’m not surprised you’re still experiencing some pain and stiffness. I think your body is talking to you and telling you it’s still healing and it’s not done yet. And having to deal with this recovery and ongoing pain and discomfort will definitely contribute to depression and anxiety (ask me how I know!) so I think it’s more likely that than the other way around. But that’s just my completely unqualified opinion

I hope and believe you will continue to see improvement even if it is slow! You’re only halfway through, time wise! Hang in there. Wishing you patience, comfort and full healing.

 

[dawnG]

HI thank you all again for the lovely messages.
my TKR was end of september.
i saw a specialised physio yesterday who was amazing. i openly, for the first time explained i am really struggling.
the knee pain at night.....shooting electric shock feeling is horrendous. nothing helps. i still struggle with steps and bending, as knee is stiff. but seems physios are happy and say its all normal.
im having another xray just as piece of mind. but sort of as i thought....my mental health came to an abrupt ...smack in the face 7 weeks after knee op.
i had a melt down and past emotional issues over years hit me like a ton of bricks.
im waiting counselling, but it seems a lot of the pain is a kin to fight or flight pain. my body is so drained.

ive finally been open with a different GP...i still struggle in my head with my other GP, As he told me 2mths after op i should be "back to normal"...he caused me more issues in my head .... i felt i was going mad.

so at the minute im off work/unemployed (even tho in my head i want to get back working) partly cause of knee, and also my depression, im awaiting counselling for domestic abuse and bereavement, apparently cant have the 2 therapies together... so could be on going for a while....fighting the benefit system, dealing with rubbish sleep and knee pain. i never do much by halves..... lol xx

I am at week 7. Sleep is not happening for me either. I have crying episodes when the pain is too much. So I have to back off and take a smaller additional dose. For sleep I used to be on trazodone it woks for a few months then it stopped working. A friend said the same thing. It’s a strange medication.
As for the zingers, gets I get them also. As the circulation improves I get them more, so I think it’s a good thing. Unless it happens during exercise, then it may not be… I am finding out going slower is so much better. Even if I was at 110’ and 3’ and now I am less, I am not in as much agony if I don’t let the therapist go too far. But we all heal differently. Hang in there, you have to… but go ahead and have a good cry now and then, Put on some music or listen to comedy when you are icing, that helps also

 

[dawnG]

Hello Alifpb
The mind / body connection is strong. See what the x-ray has to say, but also know that many notice improvement into their second and even third years post op. You are only a little over five months post op, so not even 12 months into a healing process that can last a full year. It's also possible with PT you continued to aggravate soft tissue and now that you've stopped, try some regular rest, elevation and icing to see if it helps. Your knee is likely swollen and that is inhibiting movement. I'm sure you'll hear from others also.
Hang in there, it will get better.


Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting.
Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.
@Alifpb

Do I reply in the quote this message area? I’m not seeing a reply square here

 

[Layla]

Yes, if you were replying to the post you quoted, you did it correctly.

However, you don't need to use the quote feature each time you reply to a member, but only if you are highlighting something in particular that you're commenting on. You may find it easier to just tag the member you'd like to respond to.

When you want to reply to someone in particular, you go down to the bottom to the first open space next to your avatar and you can tag them like I am going to tag you right here -> @dawnG then type your message to them.
They will receive an alert that you've tagged them. I hope this helps, but please let me know if you need a better understanding and I'll try to make it more clear.

 

[Alifpb]

thank you again for all the messages.

.the physios were lovely and supportive, pushed me a fair bit...just to the pain level, but im unsure now whether it was right after hearing it may have been too much ?

i think feeling so low past few months and my GP telling me i should be "back to normal and running" after 2 months really knocked my confidence.
i just feel everything is a battle with my GP. i understand they probably are not overly understanding about knee ops, but would like some support.

so interesting what was said about massage, so i will go back to my GP and see if i can have that looked at.

wow today is a 'better' day...so reading your comments has been amazing. thank you xx

 

[Alifpb]

morning

i had a TKR end of sept 2022.

i still cant bend it too far back....and feeling frustrated....slightly regretting the op.

im still having quite a lot of stabbing pain at night and and back to sleeping on sofa, as in bed i curl up and when i turn or un bend leg when asleep i wake as so painful....on sofa im sleeping straight.

any thoughts would be amazing x

 

[FourCats]

Welcome! Have you seen your surgeon regarding the pain? What type of activities are you engaged in? Do you do any specific exercises for the knee such as those recommended by physical therapy like heel slides?

Recovery from a knee replacement is at least a year long journey. You’re about 7 months along so you’ve still got a ways to go.

 

[Rain Dancer]

I’m sorry that you still have pain when sleeping on your side. That was my issue too, which was caused by the popliteus tendon getting caught on the implant. I had surgery in February to correct the issue, and the pain has gone away, and my flexion is improving. (I was stuck at about 93 for 17 months and am now at 114 degrees flexion and continuing to improve.) I’ve attached a link to an article that shows how to diagnose a popliteus issue. FYI, it did not show up on X-rays or an MRI. I hope that you find relief soon.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316176553_Diagnosing_and_Treating_Popliteal_Tendinopathy_After_Total_Knee_Arthroplasty

 

[Layla]

Good Morning,
I am sorry you're still struggling with pain. About six weeks ago, you mentioned you were going to have an x-ray,
did you have the x-ray yet? Also, you noted that you were no longer engaging in Physio, are there any exercises you continue to do at home? It sounds like you're not very fond of your GP. You may want to consider finding a new one at this point. For her to say you'd be "back to normal and running" after two months is unrealistic and I am sorry if you believed that. Have you seen her recently as you planned to do? If so, I am wondering what her most recent thoughts are. I feel it would be best to contact your surgeon's office, to get their assessment of your current state and go from there.

Some suggestions for sleep, try icing any areas of discomfort before you fall asleep, or icing when you wake in the night with pain, if it's keeping you awake. Get as comfortable as possible and surrounding yourself with lots of bed pillows may help and also stop you from rolling over which you mentioned causes pain and wakes you. Also, many find Magnesium helpful, which may be anther consideration depending upon what / if any OTC or prescribed meds you are currently taking. Something to talk with your GP about.

Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

Please notice that I merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting.
Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.

I hope you're able to work with your surgeon to get to the origin of your pain so you're able to obtain relief.
Wishing you comfort!
@Alifpb

 

[kneeper]

Have you tried a knee pillow? Sometimes that helps keep you in good alignment when you're a side sleeper.