Post TKR. Experiencing stiffness, swelling, burning pain

Posted by denamarie @denamarie, Oct 5, 2023

After 5 months, I still experiencing stiffness, pain, swelling. I was faithful participating in PT. I walk 1.5 miles 2X a week on tread mill, I do all the exercises instructed by physical therapist, no improvement. Aching pain during the night all the time. Would attending a flex clinic help?

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@sueinmn

Hi Joe, I think Cindy @cindymattern is a lot like me - I treated lawn mowing as one form of PT after hip replacement. It was hard, and sometimes took 3 hours to do my 45 minute patch of grass, but boy did it give me a feeling of accomplishment!
Besides, where I live, we practically have to beg for someone to mow unless it is summer and my nephews are off school.
Sue

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We are. I feel so accomplished when I mow the yard. I do wear my knee sleeve when I mow for extra support,. It's a form of PT as it's almost 2 miles and 43 minutes of walking for me. And I love a freshly cut yard lol

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@heyjoe415

Excellent point on shoes Cindy.

Can you hire someone to mow your lawn? Lawns look flat but they aren't, there are small, subtle dips and elevations and this is very hard on the knees. I'd let someone else do it - it's an investment in your knees.

And when your knees do get sore, always, always ice and elevate. It's simple, drug free and it works.

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It's good PT and exercise and good for you. I do wear a knee sleeve but I started mowing at about 6 months. I was told just do not jump or run but walking and hiking are fine and encouraged. Further down the road they will let you do more. Ice doesn't help me much and I use Voltaren gel which helps. Occasional Aleve,. Best of luck. You'll find the further out the more you can do and tolerate,

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Thanks Sue. My comment was certainly influenced by my own experience. Actually I was applying a fertilizer. We have a good size lot at 1/3 acre. It really caused my left knee to act up. But by then I was bone on bone and just should have known better. When I was in my 30s, I always cut the lawn and it is a satisfying experience.

Now that both knees are replaced, I'm in the gym 6 or 7 days a week and all is good. I do feel for people who suffer from joint problems. The good news is that joint replacements have advanced a tom since they were first introduced in the late 60s.

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Should I be worried? 11/2023 I got a knee left knee. It's been a painful endeavor since day 1 and I till can't use it to stand and can't bend. I had a bone test for it today and I'm concerned; would you be? "Greatest activity is seen along the left medial tibial plateau and patella"

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@mjearly71

Should I be worried? 11/2023 I got a knee left knee. It's been a painful endeavor since day 1 and I till can't use it to stand and can't bend. I had a bone test for it today and I'm concerned; would you be? "Greatest activity is seen along the left medial tibial plateau and patella"

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Hi mjearly71,
In reading your post I’m not sure what you are asking about? I understand that you had knee surgery in Nov. 2023 and it is not healing as it should. But I don’t understand what the bone test that you had recently showed?
Normally you would not be discharged from the hospital until you can stand and walk from your bed to the bathroom. If you have stairs in your home the PT will also make sure you are able to go up and down the stairs.
Have you had in home physical therapy after your surgery?

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@mjearly71

Should I be worried? 11/2023 I got a knee left knee. It's been a painful endeavor since day 1 and I till can't use it to stand and can't bend. I had a bone test for it today and I'm concerned; would you be? "Greatest activity is seen along the left medial tibial plateau and patella"

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Hello @mjearly71, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Post TKR. Experiencing stiffness, swelling, burning pain" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-tkr-experiencing-stiffness-swelling-burning-pain/.

@cindymattern and @heyjoe415 discussed their issues with stiffness and mobility following their TKRs. @healthseeker77 brings up a few good questions - what is the bone test and what did it show? Is your surgeon concerned as well?

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @mjearly71, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Post TKR. Experiencing stiffness, swelling, burning pain" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-tkr-experiencing-stiffness-swelling-burning-pain/.

@cindymattern and @heyjoe415 discussed their issues with stiffness and mobility following their TKRs. @healthseeker77 brings up a few good questions - what is the bone test and what did it show? Is your surgeon concerned as well?

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The surgeon is not concerned and the bone scan shows the bones around the new joint replacement and there is no inflammation of infection or anything per the bone scan so it has to be muscular.

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Interesting article on tkr in Washington Post this morning

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@gravity3

Interesting article on tkr in Washington Post this morning

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Hi,
Yes and be sure to read the article’s many, many ‘Comments’.
The Comments area really walks the topic out quite well!

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