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Soreness and stiffness 10 months post TKR
I am now 10 months out after a right TKR...At 3 months I had about 115 range of motion and felt pretty good and was dismissed from PT. I went back at about 8 months as I felt I was getting more stiff and sore and still had the tight band feeling and feel like things are pulling. I did have significant arthritis prior to my surgery and do have arthritis in several areas. Of course my surgeon says everything is fine and my X-ray looks good. He won't see me till September which is my one year appointment. Should I be concerned. I'm still in PT, doing some myofascial release and some strengthening again. I also suffer from lower back pain and some IT band issues since the replacement. Any suggestions would be greatly suggested. I know they say a year or more but I'm so over this...I recently walked 18,000 steps at Universal but was very sore in the evening and used my knee sleeve due to walking so much. I do most everything except getting up off the floor but by late afternoon am really sore. ROM is still 115 if I use a band but it hurts but I can pull it. Can't take nsaids...currently on 900mg Gabapentil and Tylenol.
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Thank you very much!!
Marylyn
@steveinarizona
Thank you very much. Would look at website. Appreciate you sending.
Marylyn
Got it! Thanks again.
Well said. I'm 71 now and have had both knees replaced (2022), right hip and left shoulder (2025). I had my shoulder replaced - aTSR - on August 6, 2025, right around the same time as you. Was your shoulder replacement anatomical or reverse? Mine was an aTSR and I am very happy with the results!
I also dropped from 190 lbs to 150 lbs - primarily by spinning using HIIT routines and cleaning my diet up a bit - I achieved this goal in two years.
Steve makes good points - although good surgical outcomes are shared evenly between the skill of the surgeon and the willingness of the patient to do ALL recommended PT, pre and post-op.
And you are spot on re: the effects of ice (positive) and heat (negative). Most people gravitate to heat because it feels good, not realizing that in the long run, it increases inflammation and pain. Ive reduces inflammation and pain.
Joe
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2 Reactions@heyjoe415 Mine was total shoulder replacement. Couldn't be happier.
I also do HIIT, stationary trainer bike. A Lemond.
@heyjoe415 Don’t be so negative about heat! Heat at the right time loosens stiff muscles and joints, and heat encourages the circulation that helps healing. My PT suggests heat before exercising and ice after.
Was your TSR anatomical or reverse? Mine was anatomical. And I agree, couldn't be happier with the results.
Joe
@vtsun
Each of us is different and I find a lot of people prefer heat.
For me, I see too many downsides, and already have a lot of inflammation from arthritis, everywhere. I stick with cold because it works for me. People will, of course, make their own decisions once they look at the pros and cons of ice and heat.
Joe
@heyjoe415 A total SR is in and of itself "anatomical": because comes out the way a normal shoulder sits and works.
A reverse SR is not "anatomical" because the shoulder insert is reversed, backwards; those end up making so you can't reach around your lower back or upper back.
I’m a little over 3 mos TKR. I was hoping to be out of pain and stiffness by now but I’m not. Have pain at night that keeps me up and during the day, there is still pain, discomfort and stiffness doing stairs and walking. I realise this is much sooner than your situation. I think the body heals on its own time and all we can do is the best we can to assist it. Everyone is different. I don’t think most of our surgeons prepare us for what you and I are going through with regards to healing. I realize that I created an unrealistic expectation based on my surgeon’s flippant “oh on 3 months you’ll be fine” attitude and also friends of mine who had it done. Yeah, I was up walking after a short while and did a 2 mile walk after 3.5 weeks. I am bike riding regularly but have this ongoing stiffness and dull pain running in the background all the time that no one told me I’d have. I too am DONE. This just feels like a continuation of the pain I had for a year and a half before the surgery. It sounds like you’re doing everything you can . I do notice a difference when I ice regularly. I have an ice machine which has been fantastic. Are you still icing?