1. < Joint Replacements

Kneeling with artificial knee

Posted by ellerbracke @ellerbracke, Dec 7, 2018

I have touched on this in other messages, but not in a focused manner. As an avid gardener, kneeling is essential for me. Almost 3 months after TKR, things are generally going very well. I have forced myself to get used to the weird, “ball bearing/metal” feeling in the knee by not avoiding, but embracing times when it can be pushed/bumped against surfaces (soft, like side of mattress while making bed, hard, as in kitchen cabinet doors while cooking), and I sense a semi-acceptance of the odd sensation. I know many/most people simply don’t do it or can’t do it... I’m looking for those who are as stubborn as I am and want to find out how you managed to ultimately feel normal-ish.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

chigirl | @chigirl | Sep 25, 2019
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @chigirl. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing one..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @chigirl. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing one titled, "Kneeling with artificial knee." I did this so members like @ellerbracke, @sakota, @cobweb, and others taking place in this discussion on this topic would have a chance to see your message and respond. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so you will be brought to the new location of your post and so that you can read through some of the posts already made as well.

@chigirl, when I had my knee replacement in 2006, I was advised not to kneel on it, but every surgeon has different philosophies based on what I have read on Connect. Personally, I don't do it because it is painful, and in all honesty, it weirds me out mentally. Luckily, I have a good left knee, so if kneeling is absolutely required, I use that knee to kneel and keep my right one up (imagine a proposal position). @chigirl, were you given any specific instructions on kneeling, or were you told you could do most things as long as they weren't too painful?

Jump to this post

Hi Justin, I was not told anything about kneeling or not. That's why I was so surprised by it. Mostly just kneel on Sundays at communion. I am having a second tkr Oct. 30 and was hoping the next one would be better, but it doesn't sound like it.

REPLY
3 replies
chigirl | @chigirl | Sep 25, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @chigirl, I think you might not be alone. I think the recommendation by the surgeons..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @chigirl, I think you might not be alone. I think the recommendation by the surgeons after a knee replacement is no more kneeling down. I don't do much kneeling but there are times when I need to so I bought some really good kneepads for outside and I also use them in the house if I have to kneel down. I've used them once since I had my right knee replaced in April and they did cushion the knee where I didn't feel too different than normal and it wasn't painful.

Have you thought about getting some kneepads?

Jump to this post

I hadn't thought of kneepads before your previous post. Thanks for putting in a link. I just may get those for the odd kneeling at home moments.🙂

REPLY
marlynn | @marlynn | Sep 25, 2019

It is so helpful to hear others experience! Thank you!

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 25, 2019
In reply to @chigirl "Hi Justin, I was not told anything about kneeling or not. That's why I was so..." + (show)
@chigirl

Hi Justin, I was not told anything about kneeling or not. That's why I was so surprised by it. Mostly just kneel on Sundays at communion. I am having a second tkr Oct. 30 and was hoping the next one would be better, but it doesn't sound like it.

Jump to this post

@chigirl - I've had two TKR's and I truly avoid kneeling anymore. My OS told me that the three most common problems he heard about were discomfort with kneeling, a clicking sound, and numbness around the area. I didn't get the clicking and on my first TKR, the numbness eventually went away. I expect it will with the 2nd one too - I'm just at about 8 months now. So... I felt like if all I ended up with was the kneeling discomfort, I was pretty fortunate. Other than kneeling, was your recovery from your first TKR fairly smooth?

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 25, 2019
In reply to @chigirl "Hi Justin, I was not told anything about kneeling or not. That's why I was so..." + (show)
@chigirl

Hi Justin, I was not told anything about kneeling or not. That's why I was so surprised by it. Mostly just kneel on Sundays at communion. I am having a second tkr Oct. 30 and was hoping the next one would be better, but it doesn't sound like it.

Jump to this post

@chigirl I agree with the others, almost no one kneels comfortably after a knee replacement. If I have to I can for a short period. I do not in church, and at our church we walk up to the communion servier and do not kneel so that is not a problem.

@johnbishop Thanks for the suggestion for knee pads, they look great.
JK

REPLY
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Sep 26, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "@chigirl - I've had two TKR's and I truly avoid kneeling anymore. My OS told me..." + (show)
@debbraw

@chigirl - I've had two TKR's and I truly avoid kneeling anymore. My OS told me that the three most common problems he heard about were discomfort with kneeling, a clicking sound, and numbness around the area. I didn't get the clicking and on my first TKR, the numbness eventually went away. I expect it will with the 2nd one too - I'm just at about 8 months now. So... I felt like if all I ended up with was the kneeling discomfort, I was pretty fortunate. Other than kneeling, was your recovery from your first TKR fairly smooth?

Jump to this post

@debbraw: regarding the 3 major problems your OS mentioned: I think just about everyone can check the kneeling discomfort, unfortunately I can also check the clicking sound (which seems to be permanent, unfortunately). To balance those 2 strikes, my numbness totally went away within about 9 weeks post-surgery. Would have traded longer recovery from numbness for no clicking any day, though. Glad that both your TKR’s and recoveries went well.

REPLY
1 reply
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 26, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "@debbraw: regarding the 3 major problems your OS mentioned: I think just about everyone can check..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@debbraw: regarding the 3 major problems your OS mentioned: I think just about everyone can check the kneeling discomfort, unfortunately I can also check the clicking sound (which seems to be permanent, unfortunately). To balance those 2 strikes, my numbness totally went away within about 9 weeks post-surgery. Would have traded longer recovery from numbness for no clicking any day, though. Glad that both your TKR’s and recoveries went well.

Jump to this post

@ellerbracke - I hear you. I'm grateful to not have clicking, but I gotta say, I have read so many posts from people who are struggling with scar tissue and continuous pain that I believe even the clicking - as much an annoyance as it must be - would be a blessing compared to that. Maybe we are both fortunate!

REPLY
chigirl | @chigirl | Sep 26, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "@chigirl - I've had two TKR's and I truly avoid kneeling anymore. My OS told me..." + (show)
@debbraw

@chigirl - I've had two TKR's and I truly avoid kneeling anymore. My OS told me that the three most common problems he heard about were discomfort with kneeling, a clicking sound, and numbness around the area. I didn't get the clicking and on my first TKR, the numbness eventually went away. I expect it will with the 2nd one too - I'm just at about 8 months now. So... I felt like if all I ended up with was the kneeling discomfort, I was pretty fortunate. Other than kneeling, was your recovery from your first TKR fairly smooth?

Jump to this post

Well, of course had nothing to compare with but I was in the hospital seven days plus a rehab place for an additional two weeks. Then of course the usual twice a week outpatient rehab for a few months. But aside from the kneeling pain, a little numbness and occasional pain which must be just the muscles around the knee, yeah I think I'm doing good
. Hope you keep on doing well with both knees.🙂

REPLY
1 reply
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 26, 2019
In reply to @chigirl "Well, of course had nothing to compare with but I was in the hospital seven days..." + (show)
@chigirl

Well, of course had nothing to compare with but I was in the hospital seven days plus a rehab place for an additional two weeks. Then of course the usual twice a week outpatient rehab for a few months. But aside from the kneeling pain, a little numbness and occasional pain which must be just the muscles around the knee, yeah I think I'm doing good
. Hope you keep on doing well with both knees.🙂

Jump to this post

Hi @chigirl - I'm glad to hear you say you are doing good. At the same time, I've got to ask why they kept you in the hospital for 7 days. That seems like such a long hospital stay. Do you feel comfortable sharing more about the situation?

REPLY
chigirl | @chigirl | Sep 27, 2019

Sure I'd share but I truely don't know why. Maybe the meds? I was on tylenol, tramadol and norco same as at home before surgery; or maybe because I would be home alone. Actually, aside from the great meals (lucked out) I remember almost nothing from the first week. It all felt like a three week hospital stay because rehab was a hospital bed and same meds. Sorry I know this isnt much help.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.