TKR My 8 week post operation setback

[benne68]

Hi @Tkrrecovery2022! So glad to hear you are feeling better about your ROM now. Too much emphasis is put on numbers, when it's really function that matters.

Frustrating piece is the pain when walking and finding the right level of exercise and stretching

Most of us struggle with the questions "How much is too much?" "What is not enough?" during our recovery. The answer is different from each us.

The best way to know what is right for you is to listen to your body. If something causes pain that night or the next day, your knee is telling you it is not ready. Back off for a while and try it again in a week or two. In the meantime, if the bike feels good, continue to do that.

Your body is still healing. So taking a day off now and again is wise.

 

[Jockette]

Maybe instead of 15 minutes all at once on the bike, try 5 minutes 2 or 3 a day and see how that feels.

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

5 months post operation now. Swelling now minimal and ROM improved. Still painful however when I walk (pain mainly below knee cap left hand side) and after exercise. Knee is easily upset and lacks strength. Not sure what the best exercise is now if any?

 

[Jockette]

Knee is easily upset and lacks strength.

The best exercise right now is less exercise. Your knee needs time to heal. If what you are doing causes pain, then you’re not healed enough to do that exercise or activity, or at least not at the intensity that you are doing it.

This recovery does take an average of a year, which seems like a long time, but it is temporary. Don’t look at slowing your activity down as doing less/nothing, look at it as giving your knee the best opportunity to heal.

As @hawk2go recently posted, do less now, so you can do more later.

 

[Dancingqueen]

Knee is easily upset and lacks strength.

The best exercise right now is less exercise. Your knee needs time to heal. If what you are doing causes pain, then you’re not healed enough to do that exercise or activity, or at least not at the intensity that you are doing it.

This recovery does take an average of a year, which seems like a long time, but it is temporary. Don’t look at slowing your activity down as doing less/nothing, look at it as giving your knee the best opportunity to heal.

As @hawk2go recently posted, do less now, so you can do more later.

I'm so glad to have read this today. I was a bit over zealous is my pool routine (it is so much easier to move in warm water!), then, I had pt. I was able to "go for it" and felt like I had really progressed since last week. The, I went home, iced. But, by 9pm, ouch! This morning, my hamstrings are tight, the side of knee is screaming a bit and I realized, although I felt pretty great (emotionally) yesterday..I needed to step it back a bit.
Today, rest. Walk a little. NO grocery shopping or waving signs for people to vote!

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

Yes definitely frustrating. My head is rearing to go. But my knee says no. Doesn’t seem to take much to upset it even after 5 months & once it gets upset it takes days to calm down

 

[Jockette]

5 months is not even quite halfway through this recovery. I had 2 huge setbacks, the first at 4 and the second at 5 months, and I thought at that point I would be way past having setbacks from overdoing. I realize now that those 2 setbacks really lengthened my overall recovery, making the whole first year difficult. It’s hard not to wonder how things might have been if they hadn’t happened.

 

[kneeper]

Yes definitely frustrating. My head is rearing to go. But my knee says no. Doesn’t seem to take much to upset it even after 5 months & once it gets upset it takes days to calm down

So true. What I found helpful was pacing myself. Things that you used to be able do do all in one day--spread it out over a couple of different days. And maybe have a low activity day the day following a busy day.
Do a bit less than you think you can do and see how it goes. If that amount of activity goes well, try a bit more the next week. Stuff like that.

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

Today I fly from Dallas back to Australia to visit family for Christmas 17 hr flight. Knee still fairly sore with some day’s better than others. Visited OPS last week for 6 month check and he said ROM good however need to work on fully straightening. Knee is slightly swollen and warm after walking or standing still for too long. Need to go back in 6 months. He also mentioned that there is a slight chance of a low grade infection and to keep an eye out which is always a worry.

 

[benne68]

there is a slight chance of a low grade infection and to keep an eye out which is always a worry.

I'm sorry to read this. Did he do a blood test to check?

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

No. He said that it is soft tissue and nothing under knee cop. Hie is suggesting it is probably just over use and wants me to keep an eye on it

 

[sistersinhim]

He also mentioned that there is a slight chance of a low grade infection and to keep an eye out which is always a worry.

What led him to say this? Are you showing signs of an infection?

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

No, only the continued swelling, warmth and soreness. My walking and flex seems to be improving. I think he just had to inform me of the risk?

 

[benne68]

I think he just had to inform me of the risk?

Glad to hear that! Save travels!

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

Update. Back in the US now for a month and still having issues. Been quite painful any annoying lately and just when I think I am improving I seem to get disappointed. Walking and certain exercises are quite difficult Decided to visit another PT today on recommendation from a colleague. Knee slightly warm and swollen and painful behind the knee also. I have difficulty with getting my leg straight and appears I can only get it to 12 degrees. He suggested that this is my issue and has given me exercises and will try dry needles in my hamstring to help improve the situation. Also said that if f no improvement in a few weeks may need MUA & hamstring release. ROM is good it’s just the extension bit that will not let me walk properly which in turn is creating other issues. Thoughts and opinion on the chances of improvement of extension now after 8 months post TKR? Funny that the OP never seemed overly concerned at my last check up

 

[sistersinhim]

My extension was slower coming in than my bend, too. What helped me most was to walk with a much longer stride, with a rolling heel-to-toe gait. This helps to stretch those large muscles and tendons out. It didn't happen overnight for me, but now I actually have a small hyperextension, so it definitely worked for me.

We have found that MUA for extension improvement does not work most of the time.

 

[Jockette]

ROM, both bend and extension, can continue to improve well into the second year, and I even saw some more improvement in my third year post op. Don’t get discouraged yet.

 

[Tkrrecovery2022]

9 month update. Last week I thought I had turned a corner. I have been focusing on hamstring stretches several times a day & my walking seemed to be improving & swelling appeared to reduce & I was ecstatic with the improvement. Last few days however my knee is stiff, swollen & painful in certain areas once again & I have no idea what I have done to upset is. Also gets quite warm when I walk or stand in one spot for to long. Does this seem normal to the group?

 

[EalingGran]

Also gets quite warm when I walk or stand in one spot for to long. Does this seem normal to the group?

I am only 16 weeks out from surgery but I have read on this forum of people having episodes of warmth/ soreness for many months.
Do you have a fitbit or a diary to look at what you have been doing?
The last time I had a flare up I discovered I had done a lot more stairs in the couple of days before.
I definitely find standing and stairs the worst for me.

 

[EalingGran]

Maybe those hamstring stretches were too much? Try icing and resting again and see if it improves.