TKR Left knee replacement 1/22/26

[benne68]

@regchuck1 What you are experiencing is normal. You are only 4 months post-op, that's just one-third of the way into this year-long recovery. Stiffness, muscle ache, and soft tissue tenderness can continue for many months.

That said, if you are exercising every day, you may well be pushing your body too hard. Over-exercising is a prime culprit for sore, stiff knees. I'd suggest cutting out all exercise for a few days, and then modifying your activity to exercising every OTHER day to give your body a chance to recover in between. (Even professional athletes do this.)

Also, please notice that I've merged your new thread with your original recovery thread. Members are asked to maintain just one recovery thread so all your information is in one place. This enables our staff and other members to advise you better. So, please post any updates, questions or concerns here. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you. You may want to bookmark your thread to make it easier to find.

For more on how to navigate the forum, you can read through this article: How can I find my threads and posts?

 

[regchuck1]

Thanks so much

 

[sistersinhim]

I agree with benne68. Add to your daily PT, you are doing a lot of daily activities. Your knee definitely needs a rest day or two between your PT days.

 

[Layla]

Are you still doing your PT exercises at home daily as you were a month ago?
If so, you can also try doing exercises only on days that you're home all day and not out shopping or running errands. Possibly through taking a few days off from the PT exercises and just going about the activities of daily living, you'll find you no longer need the exercises?

Best wishes for your June 5th appt with the OS. Please let us know how it goes. Until then...take good care!
@regchuck1

 

[regchuck1]

Hi,
Is it normal 6 months P.O. to still have a knee that aches on a regular basis(daily)?
Left knee replacement 1/22/2026
Thanks

 

[Jockette]

Yes, it can be very normal to have aches at 6 months post op. What does a normal day look like for you? How much activity are you doing?

By the way, I merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread, as we prefer that members in recovery have only one thread.

This benefits you because all your information is in one place, easy to find, and maintains a nice journal for you.

This also benefits our staff, as your information is all in one place, and we often go back through your thread for previous details, so we know what you‘ve been through which helps us advise you better.

So, please keep all your posts in this thread. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.
How can I find my threads and posts?

Best wishes on your continuing recovery!

 

[regchuck1]

Thank you

 

[EalingGran]

Worrying about what's normal at 6 months post surgery is very normal.
Some tightness, warmth and aches can definitely still happen at 6 months- particularly at the end of a busy day where you have done more than usual. I would still elevate and ice if I had done a lot.
To try to understand whether your residual symptoms are normal, it can help to look at how much exercise you are doing, what triggers the pain and whether it is diminishing/ increasing or static. Looking at the Oxford Knee Score here on BoneSmart and doing that every week or so together with documenting your symptoms can help you see any patterns. It can also b e reassuring to see how things are settling.
Everyone is different and it can be infuriating if others have very straightforward recoveries and ours are more prolonged and complex.
I had and still have some mild residual knee pain with certain movements, on the unoperated side of my PKR at nearly 4 years. But I had a very valgus damaged knee which led to an overstretched MCL which will never fully recover. But by understanding my particular anatomy and pathology, means I can mitigate things by exercise to keep my muscles strong and can regularly walk 10- 20,000 steps/ day without problems.
With luck, your symptoms are just the gradual settling of a post TKR knee, and maybe occasionally flaring up when you overdo things.
If you are still uncertain- feel free to spell out your exact issues/ concerns here and you will get good advice.

 

[Layla]

I agree with, EalingGran, if you're comfortable being more descriptive about the pain, you'll likely have others share that they dealt with the same, or are currently while they're recovering with you here in real time.

Wondering if you've noticed this as a result of increased activity, or mainly at the end of the day. It's considered a normal part of the process at only six months post op, as long as the pain is not worsening, there's no significant swelling, instability or diminishing function, which would warrant discussion with your OS. At this point you still have plenty of time for improvement. Please continue to share your milestones here so we're able to cheer you on.
Happy Monday....hope you have a great week, regchuck!
@regchuck1

 

[Layla]

Hi regchuck1
Stopping by to wish you a Happy Seven Month Anniversary!
Let us know how you're doing next time you're on the forum. We'd love to read an update from you.
Hope to hear from you soon!
@regchuck1