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From day one Post Op TKR I feel 3 very distinct clunks or catches.
Hello and good day!
From day one Post Op TKR I felt 3 very distinct clunks or catches while walking(swinging the calf and foot forward to walk).
The Doc. called that night after I got home from outpatient surgery earlier that day to check in on me and I told him right off about the clunking. He said well they will "make clicking sounds".. I said I realized that but this is actually clunking when bending the knee from 60 degrees to strait. He said give it time it's early.
4 weeks later PT told me once swelling goes down they could go away. Swelling is down 90% but still with every single step as I swing my calf/foot out to step, clunk, clunk, clunk, and often times a 4th.. In succession feels like grinding.. There has been zero improvement.
The PT tells me he is actively working with 5 different TKR patients and none of them have this issue. He is amazed at my range of motion,, 135 degrees and swelling is 90% gone. I am already riding stationary bike 30 minutes a day plus the PT exercises. He says most any patient he has worked with doesn't get any clunking or clicking sounds until week 5 or 6 when things reduce in swelling and things limber up. And does not recall successive clunking or grinding as mine are even then.
Anyone else experience this? They are not painful, but very annoying, loud and how can it not be wearing things out much faster than it should be. It feels like something is misaligned.
The first clunk seems to originate at the back inside of my knee and the final 2 or 3 seem to be on the front.. And again like a continual grinding with them all in succession. But really can't peg it to the patella.
Asked the Doc for fluoroscopy but said would rather see me first.. 2 weeks from now.. It just feels like something is obviously not right. Why not get on it now are my thoughts.
Upon asking 2 others that had TKR's from the same Doc, same time, have very little if any clunking or grinding feelings to date.
Appreciate any and all input..
Thank you..
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My clunking is more than just a sound. I've got plenty of that too tho. But the clunking is a sensation. Very uncomfortable, gross feeling. I need surgery to fix it but I'm scared surgery won't work or it will put me at risk for other problems. I'm 11 months out and trying to decide if I should just live with it since it does not limit my activities. I play pball and swim daily. Swimming is when it's the most bothersome but I still swim. Also, just walking and doing floor exercises and stretching to work on my ROM. Ugh...all I want is a comfortable, smooth stride. Not a lot of docs have experience in surgical repair of Patellar Clunk.
I am sorry that you're still having all that. That is my fear. I don't think it's painful all those sometimes I think it leads to my kneecap being a little achy. But yes every stride is just so annoying. You would think it would run smooth. Is it the patella clunking. I see the dock in a week. He's supposed to be the best in the area and has nothing but rave reviews from everybody so hopefully he just doesn't pawn it off. Wish the best for your situation.
I noticed sometimes where I don't think about it. And occasionally when I'm walking there will be a very occasional stride where it doesn't happen. So I am hopeful that like you it goes away. Sure doesn't feel like it will now. I still do have probably about 20-25% of swelling and when I'm sitting relaxed I can push the patella left and right pretty easily but what feels strange is my patella feels much larger than it used to. Do you find the same thing. They ground the back of the patella off and applied the plastic to it. Shouldn't have changed the width of the patella but it feels like it's like twice as wide. Can you relate. Thank you for your response
My experience was like @babyjay5977 's. I've had a clicking sensation, which is much like a light cracking of knuckles, but there has never been any pain with it. More of just feeling it, not sure anyone else can hear it. I don't notice it unless I purposely think about it. I have it in both TKR knees, a bit more in my first surgery right knee. It's been over 5 years for the surgery, and has not caused any problems. I have wondered if I worked more at building up the muscles around the knees, they might somehow provide more "fill" and stop any shifting that might be causing the clicks. But there needs to be wiggle space in the knee cap for the shift in arc as you flex and bend your knee, so I'm guessing this might be one of the trickier bits to get perfect in surgery.
I wish mine felt like it was a light cracking.. It is audible and annoyingly noticeable with every step minus 1 or 2 every 400... I do not think I feel pain when it happens, but do wonder if it adds to my knee cap pain.. Still early in recovery though to determine that.. Thank you
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1 ReactionSo sorry to hear.. I entered this knowing their are small percentages of TKR;s that are problematic... So I guess if I end up with no pain and annoying clunks and pops I can count a few blessings.. All the best to you. I hope you get it figured out. Hopefully easier than expected in the long run..