stair problem

[Cindy]

HI, everybody,

I am having a problem and wonder if anyone has experiences this: Had bilateral TKR on Dec. 9 and made a good recovery, walking without a cane after 9 days, ROM to 136 after a few weeks, very good leg strength, walking fine on level ground.
The problem is stairs. I have a lot of pain going down stairs, and it is on the outside edge of my kneecaps. I can't go straight down stairs because of the pain and must side-step. I went to my ortho and he did ex-rays and said that I have a slight tilt to me patella and that physical therapy will help by loosening the it band. So, I have just completed 6 weeks more of PT working specifically on this, and an not any better at all. I am worried. Has anyone else had this problem? It is slight patella maltracking.

 

[Jamie]

Cindy, I can't recall anyone on the forum with this particular problem, but there certainly could be someone out there who will respond. In the meantime, I'm sure Josephine will have some information for you next time she checks in. If it was me and the situation is no better after 6 weeks of targeted therapy, I'd be back in front of the OS asking what now....

 

[Josephine]

That's one stubborn ligament you have there, Cindy! But that's in the nature of some of these things.Please don't worry about it. I know it's been 5 months plus and it seems like you might be stuck with it but nothing is further from the truth. It will settle eventually, you wait and see. The fact that it is in both your knees tells me that there's nothing wrong with the actual knee implants. It would be most unlikely that would occur in both at once.

For now, just make sure you are taking pain meds to keep the pain under control, icing the areas and resting them as well as doing the exercises. It could take many more weeks before you begin to see any improvement. You could also go back to your PT and ask for more advice. In the meantime, if you have to keep going downstairs sideways, then do so.

Other than that, all I can say is WOW!! No cane after 9 days and 136 flexion? That is pretty impressive! My hat's off to you.

 

[Jamie]

Cindy, Jo is the GOLD STANDARD here. Trust her completely and follow her advice. Post now and then and let us know how it's going. And, of course, post any time you have a question or concern....or if you just want to chat a bit. Good luck!!!