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← Return to Foot problems after TKR
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Hello @topdog11, and welcome to Connect.
I had my knee replaced in 2006. Like you, I had not had full function of my leg for many years prior to the replacement. I was a tad different in that I was unable to straighten my leg until after the surgery. I had not had my leg straight for the better part of a decade, and when I woke up from surgery, my leg was straightened out. The pain in my ligaments, muscles, and tendons was immense because I was stretching out parts of my body that hadn't been stretched that way in years.
I am not a medical professional, so it would be best to discuss this with your surgeon or provider, but it sounds like you may be experiencing something similar. I experienced swelling due to what sounds kind of similar to you - using ligaments, muscles and joints in a way they had not been used for many years. In my non-medical expertise opinion, it sounds like you might be stretching and working things that have not been used for many years, and they are responding by swelling.
I have end-stage arthritis in my right ankle and have been trying to refocus on walking heel to toe as well... it is harder than one would think isn't it?
@topdog11, other than your concerns with feet, how is your knee doing with bend and range-of-motion?
Replies to "Hello @topdog11, and welcome to Connect. I had my knee replaced in 2006. Like you, I..."
After talking with my PT, he agrees my foot is swollen and causing me problems because I am using muscles, joints, etc in ways I haven't in many years. Also since I pulled that calf muscle I am not completely walking correctly cause of the pain in my calf. I am in a bit of a catch 22. I need to stretch my leg so I can get it to lay flat but I am not suppose to stretch my calf muscle so it can heal. I also judge myself by how well my husband did with his TKR. He was at 115 bend and -1 straight the day after surgery. I am 2 and 1/2 weeks and have 95 bend and 14 straight, which is just about how it was before surgery. I can tell I am bending it a little easier everyday so there is some improvement.
I can relate completely. I wouldn't worry about comparisons, my recovery was long and painful. It took me well over a year to find my new normal, which ended up being 0-105 degrees. I had to have two manipulations along the way because of aggressive scar tissue formation. But, in the end, I am pain free and my flexion and extension is enough that it does not prevent me from any activities (except using a trampoline!). You will get there, even if it takes more time than others you know.
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@topdog11
Here a few other discussions you may want to check out. Each has many members discussing all things knee replacements:
- Scar tissue after knee replacement, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/
- Limited ROM after total knee replacement, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/limited-rom-after-total-knee-replacement/