TKR 68, good health. Knee replacement 6 weeks ago.

Full recovery from a knee replacement takes 52 weeks (one year, on average) and you are 10 weeks.

Recently I compared this recovery to baking cookies. My chocolate chip cookies take 12 minutes to completely bake. If I take them out earlier, at 2 minutes, 4, 8 or whatever, they will only be partially baked, and not all that tasty, because they’re not done yet.

The same is true of our knee at 2 months, or 3 months, etc. It needs time to finish healing.
 
I would get leg cramps periodically too. I did some stretches my PT showed me and it helped.
 
I called the surgeons office this week at 10 weeks to ask a question. They wanted to see me and made an appointment. I went in and saw his assistant. I told him what kind of pain issues I had. His first suggestion was that I ware a thigh high compression stocking. Then he said he though my pain was back related. I told him I did not have sciatica (so) before the surgery. He said it happens after. He said I need to see a back specialist. This surgery was done through the VA CHOICE program and it took four months to get an approval. An approval through the VA to see another doctor will take a minimum of 2 months more likely 4. He really didn't do anything to diagnose this issue and I am not sure that I have any problem other then needing more time to heal.
 
I am not sure that I have any problem other then needing more time to heal.
This was my thought process through my recovery. Additional issues that I had come up resolved with time.
 
@HowardGeek - A lot of people experience back pain during this recovery. I think part of the reason is that your entire body has to adjust to the different dynamics of an altered gait. Hopefully, the backache will settle down as time passes. Meanwhile, have you tried either icing your back, or using heat on it? Use whichever helps the best.

You may well find that the back pain settles down as time passes, and you don't need to see a back specialist at all.
 
I received information that the VA is extending my PT and the doctor has ordered thigh high compression stockings. Those don't sound like fun. I have noticed if I am on my feet for more then 15 minutes The tendon on the outside of my knee gets tight and Real sore. That is where moist of my pain comes from. Will this correct itself in time or does something need to be done. Anyone else had this issue that resolved it.
 
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I went to PT today and she worked a little on my back. Also less strenuous on the knee. Left there and a few hours later my partner and I went to target. I was in the store 15 minutes and got in a lot of pain. Went to Walmart and we both rode in carts. She gets her TKR in 3 weeks. I had a horrible night of pain took 4 hours to get to sleep.
 
That was a lot of shopping for your stage of recovery.

Walmart offers pick up (although I’m not actually sure if every one of their stores does) but that might be something for you to consider. Shop online, then go pick it up. This might be especially handy after your partner has her knee done, and you will still have some limitations yourself, as you saw today. My out of town son in law did this for a while during a very difficult family situation and he was thankful for the option.
 
I am now at 6 months post LTKR. I was getting a little bit concerned when things didn’t seem to be improving much after the 3-month marker. There is a good reason why 3-6 months is considered “long-term” recovery and 1 - 2 years is considered full recovery. It was after the 4 1/2 month mark that I began to see more dramatic improvements. At this point I am 85-90% back up to full speed. I still have mild pain from time to time, and my stamina is not up to par yet. But I am amazed at the performance of my new knee. Unfortunately, the other one is rusted and squeaky, scheduled for a trade-in the day after Father’s Day. But now, I know it is ultimately well worth it, and I am looking forward to once again having two good knees. I’m looking forward to being able to hike to some of the beautiful but well hidden waterfalls we have here in South Carolina. Sounds like you are on a good course, just don’t get impatient. You’ll be fine in due time.
 
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Sometimes I feel like I spend too much time being concerned about my TKR. I have yet another concern that maybe someone can help me with. Since the beginning of my PT my therapist has been concerned that I walk with my toe turned in. This was not the case before the surgery. She said I needed to practice keeping my foot straight. I have tried that but even now it wants to pull in. If I stand on my other leg and let the surgical leg hang free it does seem to pull in by itself. Will this correct itself in time?
 
I doubt it. Can you get a photo of your leg pulling inward like that?
 
I will post the pictures as soon as I get someone to take them.

Last night was the best sleep I have had. I bought some lidocaine gel and wow so little pain. I didn't take anything else.
 
Today was not a good day. Woke up with a lot of pain and stiffness. I went to PT. My Physical Therapist said that since I was refered by my surgeon to a back specialist she could not do any more tharapy for my knees and would not do any therapy for my until I saw a back doctor. Getting an approval for a back doctor from the VA could take months. The VA approved me for 30 PT visits through September but my Therapist won't continue therapy. Crazy. I went to my part time job where I do building maintenance and mowing for the last 15 years. They said they replaced me because it is taking me longer to get things done.
 
I'm so sorry to read this. Hope it all gets better for you. Very unfair :sad: and discouraging.
 
The VA approved me for 30 PT visits through September but my Therapist won't continue therapy.
You can do gentle exercises right in your home. Also, every movement you do during your day is therapy. Don't get discouraged. Many of us never even took PT. I never did even after 11 knee surgeries. I am convinced that our bodies know have to rehab themselves without someone telling them how.

I am so sorry to hear about your job. Someone should have notified you about the possible termination before replacing you. That just wasn't right.
 
My Physical Therapist said that since I was refered by my surgeon to a back specialist she could not do any more tharapy for my knees and would not do any therapy for my until I saw a back doctor. Getting an approval for a back doctor from the VA could take months.
Don't fret, like Mojo said, every movement and activity you make at home is more than adequate - walking about your home, doing odd things like getting yourself a snack or drink, going upstairs for a shower or bed (assuming you have stairs!) and sitting down and getting up from your chair. These all count.
 
My knee and pain have not improved and in fact are worse. The surgeon ordered a steroid pack but I have not got it yet. I am a little afraid to try it from things I have heard.
 
Can you go to a Chiropractor?? They helped with my back and hips after both TKR’s
 

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