1. < Joint Replacements

Lingering issues 16 months after TKR

Posted by ellerbracke @ellerbracke, Jan 10, 2020

In spite of very good results from my TKR in September of 2018 - great flex, fully functional - I am still having some problems. The knee moves perfectly re. forward/backward motion, and up/down. However, anything involving some torque, or pulling on it, is not comfortable. For example, if my foot gets snagged on something, like vines in the garden, or a bunch of bedding on the floor while making the bed, it is Ouch! Will be heading to an area with lots of snow soon for vacation, and I can imagine that I won’t be able to walk in snow any higher than perhaps ankle height.....Same with simply standing and bending leg inwards to pull off a sock. Not good, unless I first brace the TKR leg with help of hand against the other leg. And even though I am finally able now to get out of my car (sedan, not SUV) the normal way - left leg out, foot on ground, followed by twisting right leg to join, it is not natural or comfortable yet. Most of the time I still prefer the turn on seat, both legs out together method. Granted, neither of these things are serious or very limiting, but after more than a year I was hoping that the torque ability would have returned to pre-surgery status. Any long-term TKR members have these problems as well, or how did you fix them?

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

Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @ezas123 "I am 9 weeks out of total tkr I went to dr last week he informed..." + (show)
@ezas123

I am 9 weeks out of total tkr I went to dr last week he informed me there was nothing more he could do for me …..I have been struggling with inflammation my therapist tells me I have to back off therapy a few times in the last several weeks……my therapist and I finally came up with a game plan to take slower that recovery was just going to take longer. I also had a manipulation at six weeks went well but inflammation was draw back again…..long story short my last appointment at dr i was in with pa I asked maybe steroids would help with inflammation and maybe if possible try manipulation again if we can get swelling under control … he listened to all my concerns he said be right back dr came in less than a min exam my leg said I was worse than before the manipulation which I don’t believe was true ….. he continued to say there was nothing more he could do for me he said it can still change in next two years than left room.,,,I left there so angry I picked a very good dr but as I went back and checked reviews his success rate very high he had a few problems but the ones with problems had the same problem I am having…. If your recovery is not in his time he wants nothing to do with you …my own fault I read this but I thought I would be one of those ones recovered in 3 weeks what a mistake I made… now I am looking for a dr to get second opinion thankfully my family dr great she prescribed water therapy told me she will do whatever she can to help …. My therapist gave me home exercise I do every 3 hours …I am not going to give up I can’t afford to I am 59 I have active grandchildren would love to get back to work I am happy I drove last week I have gotten some independence back so give up not in my vocabulary….has anyone else had dr like this

Jump to this post

Hi @ezas123,
You'll see I moved your post to a similar discussion. I want you to connect with people who have been there with pain after surgery and no where else to go. How frustrating to not have the answer to rid yourself of the pain!

Knee Replacement Failure - Need total reconstruction: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/knee-replacement-failure-need-total-reconstruction/

When do you start your water therapy?

REPLY
1 reply
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Oct 22, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @ezas123, You'll see I moved your post to a similar discussion. I want you to..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @ezas123,
You'll see I moved your post to a similar discussion. I want you to connect with people who have been there with pain after surgery and no where else to go. How frustrating to not have the answer to rid yourself of the pain!

Knee Replacement Failure - Need total reconstruction: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/knee-replacement-failure-need-total-reconstruction/

When do you start your water therapy?

Jump to this post

My family dr was going to write but unable I am still considered post opp….I have been trying to reach pa of dr that did knee surgery now just waiting for them to write script ….. thank you for asking

REPLY
sprinrosa64 | @sprinrosa64 | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @ezas123 "I am 9 weeks out of total tkr I went to dr last week he informed..." + (show)
@ezas123

I am 9 weeks out of total tkr I went to dr last week he informed me there was nothing more he could do for me …..I have been struggling with inflammation my therapist tells me I have to back off therapy a few times in the last several weeks……my therapist and I finally came up with a game plan to take slower that recovery was just going to take longer. I also had a manipulation at six weeks went well but inflammation was draw back again…..long story short my last appointment at dr i was in with pa I asked maybe steroids would help with inflammation and maybe if possible try manipulation again if we can get swelling under control … he listened to all my concerns he said be right back dr came in less than a min exam my leg said I was worse than before the manipulation which I don’t believe was true ….. he continued to say there was nothing more he could do for me he said it can still change in next two years than left room.,,,I left there so angry I picked a very good dr but as I went back and checked reviews his success rate very high he had a few problems but the ones with problems had the same problem I am having…. If your recovery is not in his time he wants nothing to do with you …my own fault I read this but I thought I would be one of those ones recovered in 3 weeks what a mistake I made… now I am looking for a dr to get second opinion thankfully my family dr great she prescribed water therapy told me she will do whatever she can to help …. My therapist gave me home exercise I do every 3 hours …I am not going to give up I can’t afford to I am 59 I have active grandchildren would love to get back to work I am happy I drove last week I have gotten some independence back so give up not in my vocabulary….has anyone else had dr like this

Jump to this post

Our stories are very similar , without going into a long story my ? is has your doctor spoke of nerve damage.There is a condition called CRPS , not saying you have it , but worth looking into. It really needs to be treated between 3mons & 6mons . post surgery or like me you may be stuck with it. Pain and swelling are just 2 of it;s symptoms. Mine is a long story with you wish i could message you, I am now 3yrs post op and a top nerve doctor at UPENN Hospital told me that if I had been treated 3-6 mons there would have been a good chance I would be fine but my doctor just kept saying ' GIVE IT MORE TIME" 'SORRY THERE IS NOTHING ELSE I CAN DO FOR YOU" As I have done keep the faith and keep searching best of luck Like I said if you would like more info message me

REPLY
gardengal33 | @gardengal33 | Jul 9, 2022

At six months, I am experiencing an ever increasing very sharp pain upon rising from a seated position. Also, I can’t sit for long because of unpleasant sensations that only resolve when I straighten the knee. Until recently, walking was pain free and I could almost walk upstairs normally, but not anymore. Again, bending the knee is the issue. I just cancelled an appointment with the surgeon because he will probably advise revision surgery which I can’t face right now. Two surgeries in one year is enough. I wonder if anyone else is having this issue. I don’t know what to do.

REPLY
ammaw52 | @ammaw52 | Jul 9, 2022

Hi, also hurts when I get up. Since manipulation I have really been setback. Back to thearpy. A machine to help straighten leg. Rom 99. Was 105 before manipulation. August 2nd is 6 months since my TKR. My leg is -15 on straightening. I feel sick. Can my leg really be made straight? Dr don't listen . No compassion as anymore. I am my husband's caretaker and now here I am with a cane trying to manage. What a journey I am on. I just pray we all get thru these journey with good outcomes.

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