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The Rehabilitation Process for a TKR

Posted by dkapustin @dkapustin, Mar 9, 2019

Hi everyone,

I'll be 7 weeks from a TKR (right knee) on Thursday and am curious about the rehab process regarding soreness. I go to outpatient rehab 3/week and do my exercises at home 2/day along with stretches 3-4 times per day. This program was designed by my PT team and they considered the fact that I had a lot of swelling still and did not want me to do too much per day because that would increasing swelling and pain, while decreasing ROM. With that said (I just wanted to be clear because many people would suggest that I increase my exercise routine per day and for me, that's not recommended.) After each session, I am always sore so I elevate and ice. I take my pain meds and then, I start it all over again and it's basically rinse and repeat. Day after day. Week after week. For those of you who have this procedure done, when does the soreness start to ease off after excreting? I realize that everyone is different but it's maddening to want to crush your physical therapy and move on with your life only to find your so sore its disheartening. I know it takes a year to heal, etc etc but this soreness is driving me nuts. I'm probably being impatient but I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Help!

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cstucky | @cstucky | Nov 21, 2021

I’m 5 days in to my second TKR. Had my left knee done two years ago with positive results. I could bike 20 miles 4-5 times a week but walking for exercise got difficult because, of course, the other knee went south. This time out, I’m having a far less painful recovery, for which I’m grateful. I have only had to take one hydrocodone, am relying on 650 mg Tylenol every six hours.
I got very good results with the first knee, never stopped doing my therapy but I always wondered if you had to push yourself to the limit in the early days, when the knee is so swollen? I’m wondering what others’ docs say in this regard? I’m of the mind this time to let my knee lead me to knowing how hard to push myself. The knee I had replaced two years ago is at 125. Thanks for any input on PT. Good luck to all who weather this surgery. It’s tough and no two knees are the same.

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1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Nov 21, 2021
In reply to @cstucky "I’m 5 days in to my second TKR. Had my left knee done two years ago..." + (show)
@cstucky

I’m 5 days in to my second TKR. Had my left knee done two years ago with positive results. I could bike 20 miles 4-5 times a week but walking for exercise got difficult because, of course, the other knee went south. This time out, I’m having a far less painful recovery, for which I’m grateful. I have only had to take one hydrocodone, am relying on 650 mg Tylenol every six hours.
I got very good results with the first knee, never stopped doing my therapy but I always wondered if you had to push yourself to the limit in the early days, when the knee is so swollen? I’m wondering what others’ docs say in this regard? I’m of the mind this time to let my knee lead me to knowing how hard to push myself. The knee I had replaced two years ago is at 125. Thanks for any input on PT. Good luck to all who weather this surgery. It’s tough and no two knees are the same.

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Hi @cstucky and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I value the fact that you are sharing your story. As you see I have moved your post to a discussion that is talk about exactly what you are discussing.

When was your first knee replacement?

REPLY
cstucky | @cstucky | Nov 21, 2021

Thanks, Amanda. The first TKR was Nov. 2019.

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