Anyone with lymphedema have a knee replacement?

I had a double knee replacement and developed lymphedema afterwards. I also have Sclerosing Mesenteritis, etc.

I got Lymphedema after total knee replacement surgery.

I had mild lymphedema mostly in right foot and ankle prior to total right knee replacement 11/2024. Lymphedema did not seem to create any additional problems for replacement or healing and actually seemed a little better for a few months maybe due to antibiotics, elevation, icing and PT, but is now a little worse in both feet and legs. I had been using the pneumatic pumps for lymphedema but had to stop after the replacement until surgeon agreed I could start back. Honestly, I have not used the pumps enough after starting back and need to be more consistent. Of course summer heat and decreased activity has probably played a role in increased swelling too. We do have to be diligent about taking antibiotics for procedures and any possible infection of knee or legs. Good luck to you. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi! I was diagnosed with mild to moderate lymphedema last September. I was already scheduled for a total knee replacement in December. I asked the doctor if I should cancel the surgery. She said no. That getting my knee repaired would probably help my lymphedema because I would then be able to exercise more. Then I asked the surgeon if he had any concerns about my lymphedema. He said no concerns. He's done TKR surgery on many people with lymphedema with no problems. The only problems I've had it finding good treatment for my lymphedema. I finally talked to a vascular surgeon's office. They told me that they would wait to get serious about my treatment after I'd had my knee surgery, adding that we'll wait until the swelling from the surgery goes down. In short, none of my providers have concerns about having TKR surgery with lymphedema. I hope that helps you, but of course, since every case is different, be sure to ask your doctors lots of questions! Good luck!

I was diagnosed in September with mild to moderate Lymphedema. I was scheduled to have TKR surgery on December 23, but had to cancel it due to an active sinus infection. As soon as that's resolved, my surgeon will reschedule my knee replacement surgery for sometime in January. Throughout all of this, I've questioned both doctors (the one who diagnosed the lymphedema and the surgeon) about having the surgery done, fearing that it might make the lymphedema worse. I was told by both doctors that my lymphedema may improve after the surgery because I'll be able to exercise more. And from what I'm seeing as I prepare for the surgery, I agree. I've worked hard to lose weight, and my activity has increased (due to getting everything ready for the surgery). Over the weeks, I noticed that my legs were not swelling as much, and in the past few days, they actually don't look like they are swollen at all. So I'm having going to take both doctors' at their word and believe that the surgery will improve my lymphedema, not make it worse.

I developed venous insufficiency with edema in my right leg in association with total knee replacement surgery. It made the recovery much longer and more difficult. This happened because the chronic pain and swelling limited the activities I could do. Lymphedema may do the same because it weakens the circulation of healing fluids and increases swelling. If you are already doing all the therapy exercises for an arthritic knee before surgery that helps, but not enough. I had been doing them for four years and made good progress according to my therapist. But TKR is like being run over by a tank. Exercise for cardio as well as strength as much as you can before surgery. You will likely have setbacks during your recovery year, but you can get past it. The poor circulation can set you up for soft tissue repetitive strain injuries. Keep a good sports medicine doctor in mind to help you with those, because surgeons are no good for that. See if you can find one who does sonar shockwave therapy. That's what it took to get my leg to heal before I could even start walking for exercise. TKR recovery "takes a village". Your primary care doctor may be able to help you a lot and connect you to appropriate specialists to see you through a long, tough year. The physical therapists can be helpful or harmful depending on whether they have much exp dealing with knee surgery patients. Mine injured my back and hip and leg. Ask a lot of questions about their training and experience with TKR before you sign up with anyone. I didn't know to do that and it really cost me, even now 16 months later. Good luck to you. I hope all goes well. Remember you are your own best defender, so start asking pointed questions of all of your providers before you roll into that surgical suite. The Internet and this portal have lots of tips about finding the right medical professionals to use. Best wishes. Hope it goes well.

@johnbishop
HELLO, FIRST I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN SHARE MY 1ST NAME OR NOT SO MY NICK SINCE CHILDHOOD HAS BEEN JAKE. AND BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I ALWAYS EXPLAIN TO OTHERS TAT I USE ALL CAPS SIMPLY B/C IT'S EASIER FOR ME - 1 - I TYPE WITH 2 FINGERS NEVER LEARNED TYPING -2- I HAVE SEVERE NERVE DAMAGE IN MY ARMS AND HANDS DUE TO A SPINAL CORD INJURY AND -3- I JUST FINISHED MY 3RD CERVICAL SURGERY ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND AM NOW FUSED FROM C2 TO T2 WITH MANY COMPLETE VERTEBRAE(BONE), DISCS REPLACED, AND COUNTLESS PLATES, SCREWS, AND RODS. SO IN NOWAY IS MY USE OF CAPS A SIGN OF EMOTIONAL OR ANGER INTENT. I FOUND YOUR RESPONSES VERY ENCOURAGING AND HELPFUL. I TOO AM IN NEED OF DOUBLE KNEE REPLACEMENTS AND MY NEURO SURGEON REFERRED ME TO THEIR GO T ORTHO DOCTOR, BUT B/C OF MY LYMPHEDEMA HE WAS/IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DOING THE SURGERY ESPECIALLY IN MY RIGHT LEG. HE HAS SENT ME TO A VASCULAR SURGEON, RAN ALL THE TEST REQUIRE, INCREASED MY STOCKING TO THE 20/30 COMPRESSION WHICH REALLY HURT TO WEAR. BUT HE CLEARED ME FOR SURGERY. MY ORTHO STILL IN NOV. WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MY RIGHT LEG WHICH BEFORE I FORGET DID HAVE TO HAVE THE BIG TWO AMPUTATED AND ALSO B/C MY INSURANCE WOULDN'T PAY FOR A WOUND VAC CAUSED ME TO DEVELOP A BONE INFECTION THAT REQUIRED 6 OF THE STRONGEST INFUSION TREATMENTS- SUPPOSEDLY DESTROYING THE INFECTION- NEITHER MY 1ST WOUND DR. OR MY 2ND WOUND DR. HAD ME RETESTED. SO I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED ON THAT ISSUE . i GO BACK IN MID JAN. FOR A FOLLOW UP WITH MY ORTHO D. AND AM AFRAID HE MAY STILL NOT WANT TO DO THE SURGERY. ANY THOUGHTS, SUGGESTIONS, OR ADVICE FROM YOU OR ANYONE WITH SIMILIAR EXPERENCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. ALSO ARE THE ZIP-UP STOCKING MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THE CLOSED TOE ONE THAT I WEAR NOW? SORRY FOR SUCH A LONG POST. OH YEAH IN CLOSING FOUND OUT AT MY MONTH FOLLOW UP WITH MY NEURO SURGEON, THAT THE VERY LAST FUSION POINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY SPINE THE ROD(I BELIEVE) AT T2 HAS FRACTURED (THEY DON'T LIKE IT WHEN I SAY BROKE) LIKE I ASKED HOW CAN A TITANIUM METAL ROD JUST BREAK IN 6 MONTHS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANOTHER SURGERY B/C EVERYTHING IS "(STABLE) FOR NOW BUT MAYBE WE WILL WHEN IT GETS WORST" SO I JUST HAVE TO LOL SOMETIMES AND REMIND MYSELF IT'S A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY B/C I HAVE THE BEST MOST CARING WIFE IN THE WORLD BY MY SIDE. FEEL FREE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THAT MIGHT HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR ME.

Hello @herb1964, It's OK to use your first name and it's also OK to use nicknames or other names if you want to stay anonymous for privacy reasons. I can't begin to imagine the struggle you have been through but it is great to hear that you have a wife to guide you along your life's journey. I have one of those better half's myself and I'm fortunate she keeps me going in the right direction every day and give's me those attitude adjustments as needed along my life's journey.

For me, the zip up compression socks are not any more comfortable to wear but they are a whole lot easier to get on the feet. I still don't like the feeling of my legs and feet being squeezed tightly all day. They do control the swelling in my legs during the day but when I take them off at night my right leg is still a little larger with a little more swelling than the left leg. They are both pretty much back to normal the next morning. One thing that helps reduce the overnight swelling for me has been to elevate the foot of the bed a little. I now have an adjustable bed so it's easy to do but when I first was diagnosed I just used a heavy blanket that I folded up and then placed it under the mattress at the foot of the bed to raise it a little.

Hoping that your follow up in January with your ortho doctor goes well and you can have your knee replaced. Can you provide an update after you meet with the doctor?

@johnbishop
When I had my RTK done after surgery and once I started PT also they had me use an ice compression machine. That was the best thing ever. It kept the swelling down and felt so good. I had my surgery done 5 years ago and I also bought the compression/massage boots. They also work great and feel great. It only takes 20 minutes a day to use them.

Deb K

In 3 weeks, I'll be having total knee replacement. Really scared because I have Lymphedema in both my lower legs and feet. Any advice for me?