Knee pain after RTHR

[Swright]

Okay, I made it through surgery on the 24th. I can get around on my walker, dress myself, shower, ride in the car. Everything takes more time, but I can do it. The only real problem that is getting me down is the pain in my right knee. It is accompanied by swelling when it hurts. I'm hoping it is due to compensation for my quads and not having full use yet. Or, because I limped for 2yrs prior to surgery my knee muscles are being rediscovered.

I've read on other forums that some experience knee pain for a long time after THR..

Anyone out there gone through this? I know it's only my first week, but I was expecting pain near the surgery and around my hip, not in my knee.

 

[phoggie]

I am nearing my 7 week out from my THR and both my knees are hurting badly. He gave me a shot in them, but that didn't help at all.....he had no explaination.....he probably thinks "oh good, I see two knee replacements coming". I am not a happy camper....I have over an inch leg length discrepancy...wearing a god-awful looking built-up shoe....and all he can say is "I'm sorry....I have never had anyone have this much discrepancy". Anyone had this problem and did you go the "malpractice" route?

 

[Swright]

So sorry to hear about your problems with your knees.

I have heard that sometimes the leg length discrepancy becomes less with time. That doesn't help you now though.

Have you considered getting a second opinion from another reputable OS?

I wish I could tell you more. Don't give up looking for an answer, even if it is with a different surgeon.

 

[Josephine]

Okay, I made it through surgery on the 24th. I can get around on my walker, dress myself, shower, ride in the car. Everything takes more time, but I can do it. The only real problem that is getting me down is the pain in my right knee. It is accompanied by swelling when it hurts. I'm hoping it is due to compensation for my quads and not having full use yet. Or, because I limped for 2yrs prior to surgery my knee muscles are being rediscovered.

I've read on other forums that some experience knee pain for a long time after THR..

Anyone out there gone through this? I know it's only my first week, but I was expecting pain near the surgery and around my hip, not in my knee.

I think you probably have it right, Swright. It's the muscles suddenly being asked to do normal things again and NOT being asked to limp that account for the pain. Have you thought of going to a chiropractor or PT for some massage and exercise? Might help get those muscles back into trim and out of spasm.

 

[ripanco]

Swright,

I found after my bilateral THR, my back and knees had a hard time adjusting to my new, more upright way of walking. I was a runner at the time, and happened to read about a fairly new(3 yrs ago) method of 'gait retraining' in Runner's World that sounded like it may work for me. With magazine in hand, at my next PT session I asked if they knew anything about it. To my amazement, they had actually started using that program and where thrilled to try it for my case which was no longer improving running stride, but just my horrible gait! I was video taped walking on a treadmill and was astounded when I watched to see how distorted my gait had become. I had been compensating for the pain for years. I spent hours on a treadmill in front of mirrors with bright pieces of tape on knees, hips and shoulders. I actually had to learn how to walk correctly again! but the change in my gait was nothing short of a miracle. Within a month, all the back and knee pain subsided. My stride is long, free, smooth. No one would ever even suspect I was once almost crippled or had surgery. Even my surgeon at my 2 yrs checkup asked me questions about how I got such a wonderful stride again and is thinking of using the method with all his patients.

You may want to try to find a place that uses the gait retraining. It is also called 'biomechanical analisis' Here is a link to the article: broken link removed: https://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--8163-1-1X2X3-4,00.html

phoggie, it may help for you too. But time is going to be your best friend for now as well as PT. I did have about 3/4" discrepancy but it worked itself out after a few weeks. I did do lots of PT. One thing I was told was NOT to wear lifts. My PY and surgeon like to have the body start to respond and repair itself. but then I did not have such a large discrepancy as you. Hope you get etter soon.

Andrea

 

[Swright]

Thanks for all the replies,

I have in home PT and exercises to strengthen all the affected muscles.

As of yesterday my PT told me to get a cane...I was like, are you serious. Well, I tried using the one he brings with him. Talk about feeling like a toddler just starting out. I had some knee pain when I contracted the knee to stabilize/balance while my other foot was lifting off the floor. My arm on the cane side did a bit of shaking. The PT gave me his hand and I used it to steady myself, then he said "your not even pushing down on my hand try it alone". It is REALLY scarey for me to feel like I might fall. He just wants me to do a few steps a day with it on top of my exercises. He is also very adamant that I go slow, stop if it gets to painful and not overdue. I guess my question should be "how painful is too painful". Since I can't take the common pain relievers vicoden/percoset(spelling?) I only take Excedrine migraine strength. So far I'm not in too much pain except getting in and out of bed, and during my exercises.