First Post - 16 weeks post surgery

Posted by debalah64 @debalah64, Oct 3, 2019

Hi group! I had a LTKR on June 19 after being bone on bone for about 5 years. My recovery was "normal" but I still have some issues that are starting to worry me. I am still slightly numb on the outer part of my operated knee, as well as some discomfort (between 2-4 on the pain scale) pretty much all the time when I walk. I have good ROM (145/0) and use my stationary bike 4x a week, doing 2 miles. I briskly walk every day for about 20 minutes, and do my PT exercises daily at home. I also work full time, and do heel slides all day long under my desk.

If I push on my knee cap and down my shin and to the outer part of my knee, it is tender - almost like the bone is bruised (if that is even a thing) but with no to little swelling. I wake up stiff every morning but once I get moving the stiffness subsides. I also still get a nerve "zinger" every now and again.

I know I shouldn't compare my recovery to others, but I really thought that by 4 months, I'd be in less discomfort than I am now.

Have a great day!
Debbie

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

@sophiecat

I am 8 weeks post op TKR. my Dr told me I will always have a small spot of numbness on outside kneecap. There is a nerve that has to b cut in order to place replacement. I too have suffered from burning and a feeling of a band around my knee. I tell PT it feels like I have a softball in there! Dr put me on Gabapentin last Tues n hoping to get some relief from the burning. Also use lidocaine 4% patches or roll on. I'm so happy I found Mayo Connect. Not sure how I did but it's a God send. Glad to know my symptoms are not just me.

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@cmael I have a small spot that gets numb, but the only time I notice it is after I’ve done pool aerobics for an hour or more. Any other time I do not have numbness!
JK

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@sophiecat

I am 8 weeks post op TKR. my Dr told me I will always have a small spot of numbness on outside kneecap. There is a nerve that has to b cut in order to place replacement. I too have suffered from burning and a feeling of a band around my knee. I tell PT it feels like I have a softball in there! Dr put me on Gabapentin last Tues n hoping to get some relief from the burning. Also use lidocaine 4% patches or roll on. I'm so happy I found Mayo Connect. Not sure how I did but it's a God send. Glad to know my symptoms are not just me.

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Hi @sophiecat - Welcome to Connect! Glad you found this group. I can promise you that you are early in the recovery process. You will keep getting better and better. Please check out the other threads. There are threads that talk about the burning sensation and the feeling of the band around your knee. But you mention numbness. I've had two TKRs. One in 2017 and one in January of this year (2019). My orthopedic surgeon told me in the beginning that he had three common complaints: a clicking noise, numbness and having discomfort when kneeling on the knee. I definitely avoid kneeling! I'm happy to say I don't have clicking. And as far as numbness, I had it with both TKR's. At this point, it is totally gone with my right knee which was done in 2017. I still have a little on my right knee, but it's just been 9 months. I feel like it will go away before I get to my 1-year milestone. All in all, are you feeling like you did the right thing to have your TKR?

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