Knee hurting and issues post TKR continue....please help

I don’t know about normal, but I too have had those issues for 2 years. I also have a burning knee cap. The issue, in part, seems to be the readjustment of muscles, ligaments, gait, spine and so forth. My knees were valgus and my understanding is that recovery when one is knock-kneed is more difficult, painful, and complicated to treat. Not sure if that helps. The struggle is real. I try to manage with PT, meds, staying in motion. Seeing a Physiatrist has been helpful for back injections and managing medications. Best of luck!

I am 5 months out on a TKR and I am actually having more shin pain and now I am having pain on the top of my foot and sometimes ankle. My surgeon says it's not related to the replacement however it didn't start until about a month ago but I've had it longer just not as much. He refers me to a foot/ankle surgeon. I also still have that band feeling around the knee/thigh area.
Does anyone have any suggestions? My ROM is 115 and 125 with a strap. I walk 4-5,000 steps a day and use my bike every other day. Right now using Ben Gay and take 600mg Gabapentin at bedtime. Sometimes Tylenol 3 or just Tylenol and can't take nsaids. Thanks for any suggestions.

Consider trying Diclofenac 8% Ointment for the leg & foot pain. I’m 5 wks post TKR. Into second wk I started having pain in lower leg, top & sole of foot & around ankle. Using the ointment took care of the pain. Continued doing exercises etc. issue largely resolved now unless I overdo it but ointment & rest takes care of it. I have no doubt mine was related to surgery for some reason but glad it’s improving as healing continues.

Thank you...I actually was using the Diclofenac Gel and trying to use it 3x a day but felt it was not working. My PCP was able to give me 1% for my neck way before the surgery and I have those but when she tried one time to give me 3% my insurance refused to pay for it. Can you even get the 8% over the counter? I know that my surgeon won't prescribe me anything anymore. Since stopping PT I feel that I am doing better with pain/soreness as I'm not going 45 minutes nonstop but I do sometimes overdo. Went antiquing the other day and although I didn't do much walking I was on my feet for almost 6 hours. Did you just do the exercises from PT or did you add any? I do some from PT that I can (don't have their equipment) and ride my bike but it's easy to overdo because it doesn't bother you until you stop.

The 8% ointment is a compound prepared by pharmacist & in Canada needs a prescription. I hope you can get it to try. Physio has been the exercises prescribed weekly by PT. Antiquing sounds like a lovely way to get some exercise.

Just to add that I am 6 months post TKR and it has been my experience that too much weight bearing activity such as walking definitely causes pain. I think that on the celllular level the knee is not healed yet and the weight bearing causes inflammation which causes pain. Aquafit classes have been great for making my legs stronger and there is no weight bearing. I also had a compression stocking prescribed by my PT and what a difference it has made at keeping inflammation down when I do go walking.
My surgeon recently said it takes about a year to completely recover (something he didn’t tell me before the surgery) but I believe this to be true.
Hang in there and don’t overdo it. I know it’s frustrating. I really thought I would completely healed by now and ready for Olympic type activity but that is not the case.

Topricin works better and is cheaper

I am little over 5 months on my TKR. About a month ago I developed much more tingling in my feet and soreness in ankles. It's both of them and I had my right knee done. If the burning and soreness on top of my knee normal? Am I just getting more feeling back since the nerves seem to be coming back? I do my exercises every other day or so and ride a recumbent bike. I walk 5-7,000 steps a day and pretty much do all my normal activities like I did prior to surgery except mowing grass. Take 900 mg Gabapentin at bed and Tylenol Arthritis for pain. Should I see my surgeon for a x-ray? He doesn't think anything is related to the knee and only wants to see me if it's a knee issue.

My surgeon basically said your x-ray is fine, some people always have issues (not told this before surgery as well as other things). I walk 5-7000 steps and I do my exercises and ride the bike 2x a week. Yet after exercising I can't do anything for another 2-3 days except for daily things and walking due to my leg being so sore and hurting. My ROM is 115/125 with band so that is good. Am I where I should be for 6 months? I am so tired of this and just want things to get back to normal. I'm using dicoofenac gel and Ben Gay as well as taking Tylenol (occasional Tylenol 3). Weaning off Gabapentin. I'd love any suggestions that may help.

Hi Cindy, I have moved your new discussion posts into one discussion so members can follow your progress. It sounds like you're experience the literal and proverbial one step forward, 2 steps back. In your last post, it seems like progress is starting to show with increase steps and improved range of motion. Good for you.

I think you might appreciate reading this discussion that @artscaping started a while back:
- TKR #2..... Lessons I am learning https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tkr-2-lessons-i-am-learning/

I encourage you to continue to focus on what you can do and be proud of the small steps to success. Are you still working with a physiotherapist?