PKR PKR Under Knee Caps

Carolyn5

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Mar 21, 2022
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In October 2021 I had a PKR in my right knee, then a PKR in the left in December. Whilst i feel an improvement where the implants are located, under my knee caps feel stiff, make grinding noises and really uncomfortable especially at night. I have to keep both of my knees straight otherwise they ache and become painful and this is always tricky.

Is this a reaction to having the surgery or is something else going on? It is really frustrating because despite my efforts the improvements seem minor and i hadn't imagined i would still be in continual discomfort nearly 12 weeks and 20 weeks later? Has anyone experienced this problem?

On a positive note I have been using a hand held vibrating massager that relieves a lot of the aches and stiffness around the knee and i would recommend this to everyone who is trying to find ways to aid their healing beyond icing.
 
Hi and Welcome!

I also have a partial, a Patellofemoral. Which one do you have?

I also had pain and discomfort for many months, despite all the reading I did that said partials were a quick recovery. Between what I read, and what my surgeon’s office did, and did not, say, I expected to be fully healed after 2-3 months. Reality was a shock!

Please give us your surgery date for each knee and we’ll make a signature for you. :flwrysmile:

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:
rest
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​


4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

6. Access to these pages on the website

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.
 
My knee was smooth as silk pre-surgery. Now it grinds like it has gravel in it. Not sure if this is normal. The grinding does not alway equal pain for me but in a quiet room I sound like the tin man when I walk.
 
@Carolyn5 Welcome to Bonesmart. Read all those articles there is the best information in them. I know it seems like forever but 5 months and 3 months into recovery is still early days. Having needed the 2 knees done it will be a longer process because you will not have been walking properly for some time. I think the assumption is that recovery from a PKR is quicker and easier than a TKR and for some it is as you pass the 6 months mark. But that’s not always the case and the PKR surgery is complex and needs to be done by a surgeon who specialises in them and who performs many hundreds a year. Healing takes time and can take up to a year or more.
I’d go back to basics for a week or so and limit your exercise and activities to just normal every day activities- stop PT for the week and resume the icing and elevating throughout the day. Slow and steady gets you there - trying to do more than the joints are ready for will just postpone your recovery to normal, pain free knees. Let us know your progress and good luck.
 

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