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Debilitating pain 6 months after knee replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Feb 22, 2023 | Replies (117)Comment receiving replies
This advice is going to be too late for some people. For those considering TKR, here is what I suggest (especially if you're over 60 and haven't stayed in good physical shape).
Join a gym and hire a personal trainer. Explain to the trainer that you are going to have a TKR and would like to get in shape for it. If the trainer is good (the good ones have degrees in kinesiology) he or she will show you exercises to strengthen the quads and the hamstring muscles, as well as the core group and upper body.
Why core and upper body for a knee? You'll need to be in good shape before the surgery so you can handle the post-surgery therapy - simple things like sitting down and standing up, using the bathroom, walking, etc. Your recovery will go faster if you're in shape and stay in shape - total body.
Finally, immediately after the surgery, they should have you taking a short walk, and starting PT. They will first work on range of motion, ideally to get the knee to 120 degrees flexion and 0 degrees extension. Then they will start work on strengthening the quad and hamstring (the quad muscle is usually cut partially during surgery to move the kneecap).
Finally, find a surgeon who uses the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant. Best of luck. Don't rush. Get in shape. Find a good Dr - someone in their late 30s to rely 40s. Follow all instructions!
Replies to "This advice is going to be too late for some people. For those considering TKR, here..."
Hi, @heyjoe415
I definitely agree with you on doing pre-hab therapy and getting into the best shape possible prior to a knee replacement. When I spoke to my surgeon about that he asked what I was doing so far and I told him I did a lot of pool jogging and riding my recumbent bike. He actually felt those two things were the best for pre-hab! The other bit of advice I have is to really stick with the PT after surgery, following up by doing the exercises at home a lot. I don't think I did that enough and neither knee reached quite to 120 degrees which seems to be the magic number.
I have heard good things about Stryker but I do believe there are other options that are equally as good but not robotic. I got a Conformis knee from Dr. Wolfgang Fitz, one of the developers of that knee. There are Xrays or MRIs, I forget which, done prior to surgery so a custom-made knee can be produced that will mimic your natural knee. That was my second TKR and it was much more successful than my first. I was not as knowledgeable when I had the first TKR so I just went to a surgeon and had him use whatever knee he used. I discovered afterward that the knee he used was one that had been around for quite a while and I still do have some discomfort in that knee after exercising a lot.
Dr. Fitz's nurse has told me I can have a minor outpatient surgery that would improve my flex but I really do not want to have to go through rehab again so I have not bothered. I can live with my knees as they are.
JK
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Very helpful. I have gone to 3 Doctors for evaluation. One uses Stryker method. The other Doctors who don’t use the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant say the surgery is just as good without the robotic assistant. i felt why not use the best.
At this point I hesitate to have surgery. I don’t have pain in everyday walking. But right knee bows out and is making my walking off and gives me pain in foot. And I cannot go up steps without
I am worried i will have more pain after surgery as many people do.