1. < Joint Replacements

Swelling behind knee

Posted by rknee @rknee, Dec 20, 2020

My TKR was 3 months ago and the swelling behind my knee feels like a pocket of fluid. I think it’s the reason I can’t sit more than half an hour. My doctor just says “some people have that” or “give it time”. I have tried using the roller back and forth over it but it doesn’t seem to be reducing the swelling. Has anyone else experienced this and were you successful in reducing the pocket of fluid?

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

njpahl | @njpahl | May 28, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "@rickraleigh, @nipahl, I am going to try to add something that is part of my life..." + (show)
@artscaping

@rickraleigh, @nipahl, I am going to try to add something that is part of my life right now. In fact, I am having another guided image aspiration tomorrow on my right knee. That one will have to have a TKR relatively soon. However, to keep me going right now, my orthopedic folks are draining my "small cantaloupe" every couple of weeks. In between the aspirations, my MFR therapist is pushing the fluid up into my upper leg at which time you can pee it out.

I then make sure I am using ice to keep it from filling up right away. One more thing....do you know how to do "legs up the wall". That is a yoga pose in which you place your behind against the wall and lift your legs straight up. You can move your feet around and your toes up and down. This too will force the fluid into your pelvic area and then it can be dispersed. You can find images on you tube.

Best to stay ahead of the cantaloupe.
May you be content and at ease.
Chris

Jump to this post

Thank you for this. I am going to add this to my daily stretches. I started riding my indoor bike “ normally” and may be just pushing too hard.

REPLY
marye2 | @marye2 | May 29, 2021
In reply to @rickraleigh "I'm 8 months into a total knee replacement and still have swelling. The swelling is constant---it..." + (show)
@rickraleigh

I'm 8 months into a total knee replacement and still have swelling. The swelling is constant---it does not seem to be related to activity or anything else. I'm very active, but nothing unreasonable. Anybody have thoughts?

Jump to this post

I find edema massage helps - move from toes to torso; compression socks, elevation of legs and heel/toe "pumping."

REPLY
jackie421blfdgurl | @jackie421blfdgurl | Jun 2, 2021

Hello..I had two knee replacements 2018. The ball behind knee for me was a bakers cyst. Went away by self, the other knee had one to the dr. Took care of it in surgery. My swelling lasted over two to three weeks..ice..elevate all time. During that uncomfortable period
I still had to do pt..which was painful too. But lots of ice. I only
Took Tylenol. It will get better. My both knees do not hurt at all and
I can walk far with no moaning...best thing I ever did...

REPLY
whiteda | @whiteda | Jun 3, 2021

Nine weeks out for me and bakers cyst is as large as before surgery. Also starting having pain below cyst three days ago when I stand or walk. Now this pain is worse than remaining knee pain.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 3, 2021
In reply to @whiteda "Nine weeks out for me and bakers cyst is as large as before surgery. Also starting..." + (show)
@whiteda

Nine weeks out for me and bakers cyst is as large as before surgery. Also starting having pain below cyst three days ago when I stand or walk. Now this pain is worse than remaining knee pain.

Jump to this post

Please see your doc - it can be drained again. Baker's Cysts can be notorious for their persistence. Until then, if you can lie down with your legs vertically up the wall, the fluid will naturally drain toward your torso, where nature is better equipped to get rid of it. If you can tolerate it, gentle massage alongside and below it can help the draining. This sounds crazy, but if you lie near the top of a stairway, when your are ready to rise you can swing round, place your feet on the steps, and use the railing to help you get up.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
whiteda | @whiteda | Jun 3, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Please see your doc - it can be drained again. Baker's Cysts can be notorious for..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Please see your doc - it can be drained again. Baker's Cysts can be notorious for their persistence. Until then, if you can lie down with your legs vertically up the wall, the fluid will naturally drain toward your torso, where nature is better equipped to get rid of it. If you can tolerate it, gentle massage alongside and below it can help the draining. This sounds crazy, but if you lie near the top of a stairway, when your are ready to rise you can swing round, place your feet on the steps, and use the railing to help you get up.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thank you Sue. I will try this.

REPLY
rickraleigh | @rickraleigh | Jul 23, 2021

I'm 10 months into a total knee replacement and the swelling still remains. My knee feels fine, no other problems and I am very active. I saw my surgeon and he didn't say much or have any solution. He offered me some prednisone but I haven't taken it yet. I asked him if he could aspirate the knee and he said they don't like to do that when there is metal in the knee. Does anybody have any thoughts?

REPLY
monroe1234 | @monroe1234 | Jul 24, 2021

I am 20 years into a replaced knee and I still have swelling! My doctors felt that if you draw fluid out, you could get an infection

REPLY
rickraleigh | @rickraleigh | Jul 25, 2021

Yes, I am 10 months into a TKR and still have swelling. My doc said they don't aspirate (drain) fluid when their is metal in the knee.

REPLY
katrina123 | @katrina123 | Jul 26, 2021

Maybe you should get a second opinion. After my total knee replacement I had terrible pain and swelling behind my knee and I had a rare fabella bone that was causing the problem. I saw several orthopedists before finding one who could help me. It never hurts to have someone else take a look.

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