Guest viewing is limited

TKR Right TKR on 11/28/23

Jockette said:
berman2921 said:
it looks like I did something to my IT band. I was putting on a shoe and kind of reached towards the back of the shoe when I felt the worst and sharpest pain in my life outside the knee. Now I can't even think of bending the knee for even 1 degree: the pain is just too much.
Click to expand...

berman2921 said:
Saw PA yesterday. X-Ray showed nothing wrong with the implant itself. She thinks it's an IT Band sprain which might take weeks to resolve. She put me on a muscle relaxer for 2 weeks for now.
Click to expand...
I’m so sorry about this new injury. What was your activity/PT level on Friday? Did you do anything new or different that day?
Click to expand...
No, nothing out of the ordinary. I think I already had some ITB pain before the incident and probably somehow overstretched it by reaching for the shoe
 
Well, like the PA said, it could take weeks to heal. However, if the pain increases, or takes longer to heal, get it checked out again.
 
Is the new pain in front of the knee a normal stage of knee healing?
 
If you haven't ramped up activity, or done anything out of the ordinary, consider contacting your surgeon's office and I'm sure through conversation with a member of your OS's care team they'll be able to offer reassurance or advise. It will hopefully give you peace of mind.
@berman2921
 
Layla is right about seeing your surgeon (not the PA; insist on seeing your doctor) if you have new pains associated with your knee and because the pain on your lateral side has dramatically impacted your ability to stand and walk. It is likely that your problem is with the IT band, from what you describe. It may also help to meet with your physical therapist for some treatment if it is determined to be the IT band. Discuss this with your surgeon. This type of problem can be difficult to resolve and the sooner you get a good diagnosis, the better.
 
Jamie said:
Layla is right about seeing your surgeon (not the PA; insist on seeing your doctor) if you have new pains associated with your knee and because the pain on your lateral side has dramatically impacted your ability to stand and walk. It is likely that your problem is with the IT band, from what you describe. It may also help to meet with your physical therapist for some treatment if it is determined to be the IT band. Discuss this with your surgeon. This type of problem can be difficult to resolve and the sooner you get a good diagnosis, the better.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice. I had a good first session with the outpatient PT. It looks like we established that the side pain is actually coming from a spot below where IT band ends at the knee and it got better after massage and some stretching exercises. However, the pain in front of the knee bothers me very much as sometimes I just can't make a step. X_Rays showed that the implant looks very good. I'm definitely insisting on seeing the doctor if the pain is not better by early next week.
 
Good for you….it’s important to be your own advocate. Let us know how things go.
 
Had another PT session yesterday and also talked to PA over the phone. They both say it's normal to be extremely stiff in the morning or every time I sit down and not moving. I don't remember being so stiff that each step is a struggle with my first LTKR. Even doing exercises doesn't relieve stiffness much unless I take tylenol and celebrex. After that I can walk. Anyone else had/having these symptoms? It's very frustrating waking up and not being able to walk.
 
At 3 weeks post op, we all felt stiffness. Your body has been though a traumatic event, and this recovery does take an average of a year.

Many of our members tell us that each of their knees recovered differently.
 
My first TKA, despite great ROM, went through horrible stiffness for three months. Mornings, after a night in bed, it was so painful I had to use both hands plus my other leg to lift it off the bed and sit up.
My newer knee has its own problems yet never got that bad!
Hang in there. The fact that it DOES ease with anti inflammatory meds and movement is a good sign.
 
If I sleep a few hours or even watch a movie without getting up I get pretty stiff. If I wake during the night and want to get up for bathroom or just to move around I start by slowly bending my knee by pulling my heel toward me until I get a stretch, then hold it until it loosens. Then I flex my foot to stretch the calf… I have done it so many times I don’t even have to think about it! It will go away at some point but give it time.
 
Thank you for sharing your approach of dealing with stiffness. I tried these stretches with little success so far. It looks like massaging in front of the knee where I get most of the pain walking works a bit for me.
 
berman2921 said:
massaging in front of the knee where I get most of the pain walking works a bit for me.
Click to expand...
This worked for me as well during my first recovery so I'm doing it again this time around. I also find that the stiffness mitigates a bit after a few minutes of walking. But those first few steps are hard!

It's important to find what works for you!
 
Exactly! I also started taking Tylenol 30 minutes before getting up.
 
berman2921 said:
I don't remember being so stiff that each step is a struggle with my first LTKR.
Click to expand...
Proof that no two TKRs, even on the same person are the same experience. You are definitely well into the ups & downs of the recovery journey. Just when we think it’s all good… curveball:nah:

Keep on, little by little:)
 
Axx72 said:
berman2921 said:
I don't remember being so stiff that each step is a struggle with my first LTKR.
Click to expand...
Proof that no two TKRs, even on the same person are the same experience. You are definitely well into the ups & downs of the recovery journey. Just when we think it’s all good… curveball:nah:

Keep on, little by little:)
Click to expand...
Also this time it’s a different doctor and a different implant. Getting almost 7 years older must not be helping either:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 2,539 (members: 2, guests: 2,537)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom