PKR Post op pain - please help!

[Neetsie]

Hi all, had partial knee replacement 28/4 - recovery really good. Walk well, rotation 135 degrees. Full extension. However, since last week have really really bad pain when walking on opposite side of knee to knee replacement. No swelling. Feels really sensitive to touch - like it’s bruised internally. Has anyone else had the same ?? Panicking I’ve done something to it !!! Thks

 

[Layla]

Hello and Welcome to BoneSmart. Thanks for joining us!
I am sorry you’re currently struggling with pain. Please let us know which knee?

The pain is most likely due to some type of movement or exercise you engaged in. It doesn’t take much to set us back early on. Try rest and ice for the pain as well as OTC meds temporarily, unless you’re still on prescribed meds and give it a few more days. Hopefully it eases. Try not to panic. Most often these things resolve on their own. If you want reassurance from your surgeon’s office, consider calling to speak with someone if it will give you peace of mind.

I will leave our Recovery Guidelines since you’re still early into the healing process.
I wish you comfort and speedy relief. Please stay in touch and let us know how you’re doing.
@Neetsie

 

[Layla]

KNEE RECOVERY GUIDELINES

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

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​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

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

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

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 a 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 history before providing advice.

 

[Neetsie]

Thank you so much for the re assurance. Pain was bad in the night so I will speak with the surgeon office today. I had a lateral knee replacement but also wear arches in my shoes as was slightly knocked knee-ed before. Maybe I just need to get used to walking differently now

 

[EalingGran]

Welcome to another lateral partial. I had mine done 7 months ago and I was very knock kneed due to the collapse of the joint space laterally. We are unusual. Most partials are medial.

 

[Neetsie]

Love it - we are a rare breed but I kind of like that . Did you have pain on the opposite side to the replacement ? I think I might had maybe damaged the ligament from doing too much without stretching or something but hey Ho - it won’t kill me so I’ll just have to take it steady. How are you doing 7 mths in ?? X

 

[EalingGran]

I did have pain on the other side for some months afterwards. It is only now improving. It was due to my medial collateral ligament being overstretched before surgery. This happened because the lateral arthritis caused the joint space to collapse and this then made my leg more and more valgus ( knock kneed).This then pulled in the MCL and in my surgeon's words made it 'unhappy'.
My pain was particularly bad if I put weight on the bent knee- for example going up and downstairs.
What helped was strengthening the quad muscles- particularly the medial quad vastus medialis. It is a bit tricky to get this muscle to fire- as it only works at near full extension. Talk to your physio and surgeon to see if this sounds like the explanation for your pain too

 

[EalingGran]

I am generally doing ok but I still get a bit warm and sore by evening- but my movement is very good (145+ flexion) and I can walk good distances (10-15000 steps/day). It has been slower than I had hoped but not helped by the MCL issue and I have pretty extensive arthritis in other joints (hips/knee/back). Overall pleased as my leg is now much straighter and my intolerable sciatica has gone.
I can now go up and downstairs normally most of the time- which I couldn't do for a year or so presurgery. I still worry if it can really be normal to have the knee still a bit warm by evening- but reassured by others that this can carry on for up to 12 months.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, Neetsie!
How is your recovery going? We’d love to hear from you when you have the time.
I hope all is well and you’re enjoying steady progress.
@Neetsie