Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

Good evening @leslie7. Welcome to Connect. Folks on this forum believe in and practice sharing relative experiences. I just opened the discussions tonight and landed right on your first post. When I read your statement I immediately remembered that I had my first TKR on my left knee in 2011, My second one on my right knee was done in August of 2021.

Certainly, the recent one responded better. It was a Mako Robotic with the latest technology and a team that insisted on both pre and post-surgery therapy. The materials used were plastic and not metal.

To be honest, I have always had a bit of trouble here and there with my first TKR knee. After about three years, I still had scar tissue which was released by a few weeks of MFR (myofascial release therapy). Even now, if I overdue my exercises or take a longer walk, the knee lets me know.

The most recent TKR has been less problematic. And yet, every once in a while it squawks at me. I have also had some buckling and what I call "giving way" when the knee just stops working.

Are you experiencing significant pain along with stiffness? What kind of exercise are you doing to keep the knee flexible and cooperative?

I don't know the why's and wherefores of this behavior. I do know that after a couple of days during which I pay attention to the knee.....all of a sudden a day or two will go by without any issue.

Perhaps a physical therapist would be able to help you by analyzing your exercises and home care. I am going to share with you an image of both of my knees so you can see the obvious difference.

Hi, Chris,
Thanks for responding to me.

Yes, I have stiffening of my knee when sitting and standing for a long period. I use a yoga strap for stretching. I do step up and step down in squats when I exercise. I’m still utilizing a walking cane when I walk. I’ve been to two physical therapists since I had my surgery. I still have stiffness in my knee and sometimes pain and discomfort. The x-ray of my left knee is identical to the one of your left knee. I have been to two different orthopedic doctors to look at my knee and they all say the same thing your x-ray looked great but no one ever address the soft tissue around my knee. I wish someone would be honest and just tell me that this is good as it’s gonna get and I can deal with that but I just keep looking for things and hoping things will get
better.

Good afternoon @leslie7. I am glad that you responded so that we can continue to examine your situation. You mention "soft tissue". I would appreciate it if you would take the time to review the two videos I am attaching. They are all about the soft tissue. The titles are Strolling under the skin and are extraordinarily well done in France, I believe.

The tissue and other elements that have been disturbed during your surgery take a long time to completely heal. And any incident of overusing or interfering creates additional symptoms.

Take a look and let me know what you think. These two appear to be the same. I think they may be slightly different or provide additional information. However, that's my guess. I have been using these for several years and no one has made a remark about them.

Hi, I had a TKR in 2020. It’s now 2023 and I’m still having problems with my knee…buckling and stiffness of my knee. I’ve been to two different Orthopedic doctors and they both look at my x-ray and said everything’s looks good. I feel like I’m walking with two different legs. I feel hopeless.

My doctor and his staff talks about me.

All I want, is to walk normal again

Good afternoon @leslie7. I am glad that you responded so that we can continue to examine your situation. You mention "soft tissue". I would appreciate it if you would take the time to review the two videos I am attaching. They are all about the soft tissue. The titles are Strolling under the skin and are extraordinarily well done in France, I believe.

The tissue and other elements that have been disturbed during your surgery take a long time to completely heal. And any incident of overusing or interfering creates additional symptoms.

Take a look and let me know what you think. These two appear to be the same. I think they may be slightly different or provide additional information. However, that's my guess. I have been using these for several years and no one has made a remark about them.

Good afternoon @leslie7. I am glad that you responded so that we can continue to examine your situation. You mention "soft tissue". I would appreciate it if you would take the time to review the two videos I am attaching. They are all about the soft tissue. The titles are Strolling under the skin and are extraordinarily well done in France, I believe.

The tissue and other elements that have been disturbed during your surgery take a long time to completely heal. And any incident of overusing or interfering creates additional symptoms.

Take a look and let me know what you think. These two appear to be the same. I think they may be slightly different or provide additional information. However, that's my guess. I have been using these for several years and no one has made a remark about them.

I am new to this site, but not new to post total knee replacement pain. Never did get the outcome I expected and had a lot of pain around the upper and outer side or the knee cap. I was having a spinal procedure done at Pain Management and told the doc "Forget my back, my knee is killing me." He took one look, listened to me and told me he could do something for me. I set up a "genicular", as they called it. Three injections around the knee with an xray guided fluoroscope. It gave me a lot of relief and I could straighten my leg complete for the first time in several years. I later moved on to a peroneal nerve block which helped the intermittant cramping and shooting pain on the outside of the knee going down the leg. Not all of the time, but enough to stop me in my tracks. I have had periodic treatments at Pain Management with success but the injections do not last more than 6 months or so. I had xrays, and just had an MRI since the last nerve block a month ago did nothing at all. I just read the MRI report and they find no problems with the appliance, but it was obliterating some of the tissue. Well, that's where the problem is. Thankfully, the fake knee has not shifted position. I am going to seek an orthopod and then probably some PT to gain back some of the muscles I have lost in favoring that leg. Knee hurts, then foot hurts and then hip hurts. Everything seems out of alignment and the docs believe the knee is the culprit. Perhaps a good PT doc will allow me to try to guild up my quads and other large muscles to help support the weak and wobbly knee. ALSO, big discovery, a week ago, I got some kinesiology tape., which is used in the military as well as in sports. youtube has a lot of PT folks describing how to apply it. I put it on as directed for the area of my pain and instability, and it WORKED to stabilize the knee, sort of like an outside force, doing the work of stabilizing, thus allowing me to have a straight leg at the knee and walk properly. when I take t he tape off every couple of days, it still wobbles, but while it is on, I have relief and while my muscles are being built up, I think it is helping me. Building up those muscles to support that area is probably what I need to do. We'll see when I see the ortho guy. Don't give up! also, try not to PIVOT on your leg, making the knee take all of the motion. Just an observation. I hope all of this helps someone. I can only share what I know has worked for me int he past and what path I am taking now. I am 75 now and I am NOT down and out. I want to be the best I CAN be for as long as I can. I can't give up, but I can slow down and allow myself to not overdo things and hinder healing. that's all for now. Thanks for allowing me on this site. I'll be back!

Thank you for your comments...I am a little over a year out and my leg hurts so much. The knee is stable, great ROM and I can straighten it and it feel best straight. However, I have hip and lower back pain and pain not on the side of the knee. Maybe more like stiffness and extreme soreness. I've been in PT twice and both times a month or so after being dismissed I"m back to where I was before. I do walk lots, exercise, ride a recumbent bike and do stretching. It seems t more I do the more sore I am, but I'm just as or if I do nothing. Seems like I just can't strengthen the muscles. Ortho is finished with me as everything seems to in place and good with the joint replacement. I won't give up either and I'm 62. Very active as well.

SO Did you have hip and lower back pain before the TKR?