TKR LTKR 12/1/23 recovery

[DEL2024Dec-40]

Looking for inspiration. I am 7 weeks PO LTKR and have severe tightness accompanied by pain that is continuous. The predominate location is below the knee. At times it feels like I am walking bone on bone. Basically my ADL and current state is worse than my pre-op state. The most I can be on my feet due to pain is 10min.

I am doing everything possible- continuous ice, elevation, rest, DS Tyenol. I had several massages, no relief. Should I be concerned about the chronic pain when I am on my feet? I’m feeling very defeated as every step is painful.

Thank you

 

[MSuki]

Are you having pain every time you walk around at all or just if you walk 10 minutes? I am almost a month ahead of you and I walked 1/4 mile this morning at a speed of 1.7 mph. A little under 10 minutes and that’s the longest I’ve walked at one time. When I got done my right calf was super tight. (I had not been able to walk very far at all for a few years prior to surgery though.) I am walking about 4000 steps on a good day but plan to work my way up slowly.

If you only have the pain after the walks, you might be walking too much. If you are having it as soon as you start walking I think you should contact your doctor.

 

[DEL2024Dec-40]

Hello,
I am having pain when I walk. I have a lot of tightness also. Every step I have pain and tightness. This just doesn’t seem normal. I put on a knee sleeve and make sure I get up and move every 1-2 hours for 5-10min and push through the pain,

 

[MSuki]

I would keep after the doctor. Even if they don’t think there’s a problem, you should not have to be in pain all the time. Either something is going on, or you still need pain meds. By the way, @mendogal sent me the following advice just yesterday:

“After surgery or an acute injury....
Never. Push. Through. Pain.”

Sending you a hug and hope you can get some relief.

 

[DEL2024Dec-40]

I will contact the OS on Monday. I will back off the 5 min walks as the are very painful. Thank you

 

[mendogal]

Hi. I'm sorry to learn that reducing activity while continuing to ice and elevate is not providing any relief from your pain and stiffness, and that it doesn't improve with a very short walk.

If cutting back on walking, please do resume the basic movements you were doing right after surgery: with legs elevated, do ankle circles and pumps to stimulate circulation, and quad sets to maintain the thigh muscles activation. You can also do the very light touch lymphatic drainage per the advice given earlier this month, and any light range of motion movements and light stretches (you mentioned long-standing issues with tight hamstrings and ITB) that don't irritate the knee.

I hope you're continuing to take acetaminophen on a schedule and if they had you on a NSAID continuing that on schedule as well.

 

[Layla]

How are you doing on this two month anniversary of your TKR?
Wondering if you contacted your OS for some advice and if so, hopefully you're doing better.
Please let us know if you have time.

 

[DEL2024Dec-40]

Update at 9 weeks. I still have extreme tightness with every walking and standing step. My OS states give it more time. It’s painful as the day goes on. I am doing massage, starting some acupuncture. Of course elevate,ice and stretching, My tightness is below the knee cap mainly in the center and my knee pops almost continuous. Looking for a single minute of relief. Thank you for reaching out.

 

[sistersinhim]

Your OS is correct. What you are going through is normal for a knee that is only 2 months old. Remember, you are only 1/6 of the way through this healing timeframe. Patience is the muscle that needs exercising the most, not your knee!

 

[Layla]

I am not certain how often you're doing this, but you can always try ramping it up. You can ice as often as you like, for as long as you're able to tolerate doing so, but we do recommend icing for at least 45 minutes or so early on to help assist with pain and swelling. Always placing fabric between bare skin and the ice source. Not sure you're still taking the Tylenol you mentioned 13 days ago, or IF you are taking it at regular intervals, or only when you feel the need. We often recommend Extra Strength Tylenol at 1000 mg, every six hours, but no more than 4000 mg in any 24 hr period. You must also calculate anything else containing Acetaminophen into the 4000 mg so you're not exceeding that amount.
Wishing you comfort and healing, demps. I hope your weekend is a pleasant one.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
I hope you're feeling better and have enjoyed some progress since you last posted.
Please let us know how you're doing, we'd love to hear from you.
Best Wishes for a good weekend and month of March! First day of Spring in only a few weeks...Yay!