Truth about Total Knee Replacements

I have needed a TKR for 2 years now, and it's finally scheduled for February 11th. I now have neuropathy in both feet that is as severe as (sometimes more so) the pain in my knees, which are bone on bone from the last MRI in April 2024. My pain management provider feels it is a result of limping around on 2 bad knees.

What helps the neuropath in your feet? I am on pregablin, and lamotrigine, which help some and oxy at times. As is true with chronic pain, nothing takes pain 100% away-but I am interested in something that will provide relief, as there is always room for improvement.

I take no drugs for the neuropathy. Exercise helps.

I read an NIH study about kneeling post TKR, it made sense to me, and at 10 months post surgery I think the NIH approach is working. The study followed two groups of TKR patients. One group did what came natural to them regarding kneeling (which basically means they did not kneel because it is painful and feels weird). The other group were instructed to kneel for increasing lengths of time (30 secs to 2 minutes), on increasingly harder surfaces, and after several months the group that was made to kneel tolerated kneeling by a meaningful percentage over the group that did what came natural to them regarding kneeling.

I’ve forced myself to try and kneel a few times a week (not nearly as much as the NIH group), and the more I kneel the less it is an issue. Don’t get me wrong, it is still something that I’d rather avoid, but I can now tolerate it when needed without freaking out. That was not the case when I started trying to kneel.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels hungry but then just can’t eat. Yesterday I sent my husband for a flatbread with chicken and avacado. It tasted fresh. I’m craving mashed potatoes. He’s not a cook and thought a ham sandwich every day would be ok!!! I Jace tried to cook a bit, but I’m just not motivated do much. That’s what concerns me: I’m usually a go-getter. My PT says I’m expecting too much too soon. Thank you for commiserating!

Jdth,

Please cut yourself some slack. I don't recommend looking at a youtube of a TKR, but I have and it's brutal. It's no wonder we hurt so much, lack energy and get down.

Thanks for listing what you feel like eating. I'll have some mashed potatoes and a fresh sandwich on hand. But I do plan to mainly use Stauffer's entres like salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and meatloaf with mac/cheese--after I get off my chicken noodle soup regimin. Oh, and toast with a bit of butter was tolerable. A toasted bagel might've been good too.

I'm pre-diabetic and have to watch carbs though. But I think during my lst 3 wks of recovery, I'll eat what appeals. I've chosen Jimmy Dean bacon/cheese,egg/muffin sandwiches for breakfast. I need things I can nuke. My husband will be at week and my daughter will only be here about a week. We have an old microwave in the basement which we'll put on the counter. I'm short and trying to reach the built in which is above my head, won't be easy or safe. I'll be constantly thinking about safety since I'll be on opioids and already have balance issues. I keep telling myself, slow and steady wins the race.

Do saltines appeal to you? Pudding? Ice cream? sorbet? graham crackers? Like I said before, the only thing I could eat right away was chicken noodle soup, and not much even. Just wasn't hungry.

Keep trying to support yourself,

Guitar lady

Three years / had two surgeries and PT , nerve block. I feel worse and more pain and less range of motion than before. Now it is effecting my back and hip. I have sharp pain in the knee. It feels like implant is not the right size. Dr don’t care after they do surgery. Just bad luck.

Hi @healthtalk
I share your frustration. I've posted this exact opinion. Following the surgery you are on your own. The surgeon does his/her thing with a procedure that they are taught, followed by PT with therapist practicing what they are taught and all differ to some degree, to the varied meds prescribed. I think that's why this forum is popular, i.e., somewhere where patients can express their feelings. In my case I've had three TKR surgeries over seven years, one being a revision, and endured all the recovery pain as described by other in this forum.
The day before my first surgery back in 2018 I finished up completing building a deck on my house by cleaning up and putting away ladders. Today the pain is worse and I walk with a bad limp. I wouldn't dare leave the house without my cane.

It is so sad and frustrating
Sad story of American medical system. Went to best hospital of special surgery in NY. It is like assembly line. Don’t take medicare. Paid cash for surgery. Put nickel in my knee. Had allergic reaction knee is buckling and am falling down
Patient portal does not mention any of my symptoms. Lied and covered themselves. Only interested in making money. So sad

I'm 7-1/2 months post TKR. I've seen my surgeon twice post surgery and have a 12-month post visit scheduled. I was feeling sorry I did this initially, but I am now walking pretty normally without a cane and working on doing better on stairs. I don't have stairs, so I don't get much practice. Just in the past 3 weeks the tingly feeling I had in my knee has decreased to just the lower knee. I have mild lymphedema in that leg, so the swelling was an issue even before surgery, but it's almost back to pre-surgery level. I've finally reached the point where I am glad I did it. Still, I hope I never need to do the other knee. It just isn't fun. I am still supplementing meals with one protein shake most days. I am pre-diabetic and have healed nicely.

Well said.