Noise in Knee and New Pain

[Nana55]

I tried to start this thread and it went to I don't know where I think. Hope this isn't a post on the same subject.
History: Had LTKR on 12/11/08 stuck at 75 degrees flexion and had MUA on 2/11/09. Still in PT on my own (insurance paid maximum visits) and finally at 110 last week.

Back to work fulltime-job is in administration-had to get back since I am Public Health Director and my title just means that I do most of the financial and program management for the agency. I do sit and have the freedom to get up as I need to walk and even can do some stationary bike and treadmill in the fitness room on breaks/lunch.

Noticed last week louder noise that has gotten more noticable over this week and it sounds like something is loose???

Pain started Sunday. Is dull goes to sharp stabbing at times and have more swelling all on the front aspect of knee. Most of the pain before was on the outside of the posterior lateral aspect of the knee.

Went to PT Monday water exercise felt great!! Stretching was very painful. Hadn't lost any ROM from last week. Did 30 minutes water and 30 bike treadmill on Wednesday but passed on the stretching by PT assistant. I go tomorrow and don't know if I should stretch or not.

I also never had a problem with my legs rubbing together and now they do especially at the knees. OS said that most all folks who need TK are either bowlegged or knock knees. Well I am have knock knees now. It's very annoying and I have actually lost weight 19# since surgery.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Can't see the OS until April 3rd. Had appointment two weeks ago but he cancelled and this all happened after that anyway.

 

[Jamie]

Nana55....so sorry to hear you are having some pain. You are still so early in the recovery process, I have to believe it is related to your schedule. Even though you have a "sit down" job, it is a lot of work to get dressed, get to and from work (oh, and that errand or two you probably run now and then) plus going to PT. You just don't realize how much you move around at work as opposed to being home. And you aren't likely taking a nap to rest during the 9+ hours you are working and traveling to and from....no icing or elevating. And maybe you have even stopped your prescription pain meds....at just a little over 1 month from the manipulation. All this could lead to the swelling you are talking about.

As for the noise, many people report a thunking type of noise or feeling in the knee that as I recall Jo said was the ligaments readjusting themselves. I had it (and still do somewhat even after a year if I really work my leg muscles). It takes a long time for everything to adjust inside even though the outside looks healed up.

I have also noticed that my knees touch too....different than from before the surgery. But....when I look in the mirror, my legs are straight as they can be, so are you sure it's really "knock knees" or could it just be that it is a different feeling from what you're used to.

All this said, I think you are doing the right thing to make an appointment with your OS to be checked out. It will ease your mind to find that everything is normal with your new knee joint. Please try to give yourself some time. Recovery is SUCH a gradual process that extends out a year or more. Try to rejoice in what you are able to do each day, slow down when you can, and wait for each new milestone. They will come!!!

Please post after you see your OS....and hope the news is good for you.

 

[Linda2]

My OS said that people are naturally just a bit knock-kneed. That's how we are supposed to line up. If you (like me) had more wear on the inside of your knee than the outside, you became more bowlegged over time as the head of the femur and tibia met each other, rubbing bone on bone. When the doctors do the replacement, they adjust things to put us back to "normal", which doesn't feel normal to us at all.

The most likely cause of the pain is doing too much of something. Ice and elevation, of course, are the answer.

My knee, too, makes noise. It seems as the swelling goes down, it gets louder. I still have strength to regain, however, so maybe it will lessen, but if not--oh well. It doesn't hurt.

Hopefully the OS appointment (on my birthday, by the way) will reassure you.

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi Nana 55!

I wonder if some of the rubbing you're feeling is from swelling. I'm still pre-op but I have quite a bit of swelling on the inner side of the knees--especially noticable on days that I work. Maybe ice, elevation and some NASAIDS might help. Best of luck!
Irene

 

[ship4]

I think you need to be evaluated by your OS ASAP. From the information I am getting from you, you feel there has been a change in alignment and the implant feels loose. There is also pain involved that was not there before. Not to cry wolf, but I have a friend who went thru TKR and his body rejected the bone cement and everything is loose........ and is out of alignment. Apparently they have to put a sleeve over the bone and do it again....
This could be your too. So, rather than guessing, it is best to see your OS ASAP, IMO.
Best,
Crystal

 

[Josephine]

Quite a lot of people get knocking and clunking in their new joints. The real reason for it has yet to be identified but it is generally known to be of no significance so far as the success or otherwise of the joint is concerned. It certainly doesn't indicate a loosening.

However, the pain and swelling in your knee alters the goal posts somewhat. There is a pad of fat in your knee called the Hoffa's fat pad and it is possible for it to swell as part of the general swelling in the knee and then portions of it can get nipped between the prostheses which is very painful.

This can be sorted by arthroscopic trimming and perhaps the use of steriod injections. You need to get it looked into.

 

[Judles]

Feel better fast, Nana!

 

[Nana55]

Thanks so much for sharing with me. I will try to take it a little easier and try to bump up my appointment. I did do therapy today and I took pain meds before I started and things went okay.

As I said in another thread thas addresses pain meds I will just have to take them as long as it takes it for me to get going. I am restarting on Celebrex 100 mg today. I was on 200mg daily preop and was taken off due to some of my liver levels being elevated.

 

[Jamie]

Nana....just be sure to keep a watch on your liver functions since you had some problems before! What was the reason for you to use Celebrex rather than an over-the-counter pain med like Tylenol or Aleve?