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Having knee replacement: how to prepare and questions about PT
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jun 17, 2021 | Replies (170)Comment receiving replies
@debbraw, @jillypooh : I read this ancient post/question while browsing for another subject. Anyway, for what it’s worth at this point in time: I had right TKR in Sept. 2018. Pretty decent recovery, nothing out of the ordinary, except it took months for me to get full extension. Flex was easy. PT basically forbade me from walking until leg was at 0 to prevent hip issues. Fast forward: I did lots of swimming, some recumbent biking, not too much walking for exercise. Suspended indoor pool membership end of May, transitioned to lots of walking. Hip bursitis! On and off. PT exercises did not help. Cortisone shot did, some. Mid July suddenly problems with gait. Could not take a full stride with my left (good!) leg. Legs measured, TKR leg is about 1/3” longer than the other. Not sure if it was like that before, but never had problems, so it MIGHT have been result of surgery. Working with orthotic inserts now, big improvement. I did have to do 2 weeks of specific exercises to make sure it’s not a muscle imbalance or tendon issue before being fitted for orthotics, but repeat measurement after those 2 weeks still showed the same leg length difference.
Replies to "@debbraw, @jillypooh : I read this ancient post/question while browsing for another subject. Anyway, for what..."
@ellerbracke Good afternoon......I am interested in your finding that the TKR knee has caused an uneven gait and pain in the left leg. That is very concerning. I have had bone spurs and arthritis in the right "good" leg. Tried the cortisone injections and it took a few weeks for them to work. You can only have 1 or 2 per year so I decided to just keep walking and enduring. Sometimes you just reach a point when enough is enough. What have you done in addition to orthotics? What do you do in the summer with sandals? Does heat or cold help? Why is the TKR leg longer? How did you measure it? Any clue?
As I relate to this, I also realize that my reverse shoulder has left me with a right arm that is 2" longer than the good one. My surgeon told me to expect that and so I never gave it much thought. It is a problem because I cannot eat with my right hand. Nor can I do anything that requires coordination. You should see my push ups.....LOL. The one positive outcome. I became ambidextrous for most tasks so I can use the non-surgical arm.
Please share with me as your story evolves. And be content and at peace today. Chris
@ellerbracke that’s interesting about the difference in leg lengths. I had heard a long time ago that pretty much everyone does have a small difference, I know I have. If I don’t have seamstresses to pin both legs of my pants they look uneven. I’m glad that since your difference was a problem that it’s been addressed, and hope that the orthotics help.
@anncgrl That’s unusual about a blood clot after so long I would think. I’m glad that it’s better now. I too am very happy with both of my TKRs. My only problem is not being able to really kneel.
JK
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Wow @ellerbracke - That is great information on difference in leg length. Thanks for sharing. It would not have occurred to me to have that checked. It was good that they did that kind of thorough assessment for orthotics. I don't have any experience with that. Can you wear them with any shoes or do you have to have one for each pair?