1. < Joint Replacements

5 months post TKR

Posted by aml01 @aml01, Jun 25, 2023

I’m having a lot of swelling and stiffness. I work 40 hours a week at a sit down job and at times am not able to exercise at work and too exhausted from work, walking while knee is swelled and stiff to exercise everyday when I get home.
I know and can take up to a year. But is there any relief before then?

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

aml01 | @aml01 | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @alexalee "I’m glad to hear you’re improving. It gives me some hope. I’m 15 weeks out, &..." + (show)
@alexalee

I’m glad to hear you’re improving. It gives me some hope. I’m 15 weeks out, & very depressed. My PT says my right TKR is “perfect” with excellent ROM, but it is very stiff & hurts to stand or walk, & so I limp. I also have pain in right SI joint. I also continue to have severe exhaustion, lightheadedness & nausea, which began within a week after TKR. All scans & labs are WNL, & my doctors don’t know what the problem is. This has been the worst experience of my life, unfortunately. I need to have a left TKR as well, but never will.

Jump to this post

I was depressed for a few weeks after surgery. Was not expecting to go through so many emotions mentally and physically. No Hopefully you find an answer soon.

REPLY
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Jul 15, 2023

I am 9 months out. Things do get better however I still get soreness and stiffness. I recently went to Universal and walked 18,000 steps one day and wore a knee sleeve. Yes, that night I was sore for sure and I use Ben Gay and Tylenol for that. I am doing everything except getting up off the floor and steps are still slow but I can do them. I'm so tired of my leg/knee being so sore after doing anything. I'm told it does get better so know that as you continue it WILL get better. Perfect no, but better. I was told a year or longer for some people and I feel I'm one of those some people.

REPLY
2 replies
aml01 | @aml01 | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "I am 9 months out. Things do get better however I still get soreness and stiffness...." + (show)
@cindymattern

I am 9 months out. Things do get better however I still get soreness and stiffness. I recently went to Universal and walked 18,000 steps one day and wore a knee sleeve. Yes, that night I was sore for sure and I use Ben Gay and Tylenol for that. I am doing everything except getting up off the floor and steps are still slow but I can do them. I'm so tired of my leg/knee being so sore after doing anything. I'm told it does get better so know that as you continue it WILL get better. Perfect no, but better. I was told a year or longer for some people and I feel I'm one of those some people.

Jump to this post

I was wondering how well a knee sleeve would work. I’ll have to get me one.
My coworker said it was about 2 years for her. And I believe it will be same for me also.
Thanks for all the info

REPLY
2 replies
rostonstar | @rostonstar | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @alexalee "I’m glad to hear you’re improving. It gives me some hope. I’m 15 weeks out, &..." + (show)
@alexalee

I’m glad to hear you’re improving. It gives me some hope. I’m 15 weeks out, & very depressed. My PT says my right TKR is “perfect” with excellent ROM, but it is very stiff & hurts to stand or walk, & so I limp. I also have pain in right SI joint. I also continue to have severe exhaustion, lightheadedness & nausea, which began within a week after TKR. All scans & labs are WNL, & my doctors don’t know what the problem is. This has been the worst experience of my life, unfortunately. I need to have a left TKR as well, but never will.

Jump to this post

Never say Never! I did. 6 years later 2nd TKR. Worse than first one. 6 mos out still pain & stiffness.

REPLY
1 reply
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jul 16, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "I am 9 months out. Things do get better however I still get soreness and stiffness...." + (show)
@cindymattern

I am 9 months out. Things do get better however I still get soreness and stiffness. I recently went to Universal and walked 18,000 steps one day and wore a knee sleeve. Yes, that night I was sore for sure and I use Ben Gay and Tylenol for that. I am doing everything except getting up off the floor and steps are still slow but I can do them. I'm so tired of my leg/knee being so sore after doing anything. I'm told it does get better so know that as you continue it WILL get better. Perfect no, but better. I was told a year or longer for some people and I feel I'm one of those some people.

Jump to this post

Hi that is awesome … I know you are not exactly where you want to be yet but sounds like you are doing everything you need to do to get there ..,,I can only dream of doing 18000 steps lol … I am 11 months out of revision still have many struggles…. I am going to Disney with my family in September….I want not to use a wheelchair but I know not possible …: after one day I would be hurting and I do not want to ruin my trip ..,,I am 61 and I had tkr to do more but did not work out that way …: but I will be damed if I let it limit me on what I do …. So thank goodness there are tools out there for us to use to make life little easier….. point being we all recover at different rates stay positive keep moving forward, ……look at everything you can do and there is more of that coming your way….

REPLY
2 replies
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Jul 16, 2023
In reply to @ezas123 "Hi that is awesome … I know you are not exactly where you want to be..." + (show)
@ezas123

Hi that is awesome … I know you are not exactly where you want to be yet but sounds like you are doing everything you need to do to get there ..,,I can only dream of doing 18000 steps lol … I am 11 months out of revision still have many struggles…. I am going to Disney with my family in September….I want not to use a wheelchair but I know not possible …: after one day I would be hurting and I do not want to ruin my trip ..,,I am 61 and I had tkr to do more but did not work out that way …: but I will be damed if I let it limit me on what I do …. So thank goodness there are tools out there for us to use to make life little easier….. point being we all recover at different rates stay positive keep moving forward, ……look at everything you can do and there is more of that coming your way….

Jump to this post

I agree. I'm 62 and we all heal differently. I will say that my husband got me a wheel chair the first day. He didn't want me to get in the back of the park and not get back lol. The knee sleeve helped tremendously but it was hot as the temp was 95. I am not letting this stop me either. I drove at 3 weeks and dumped my walker for a cane. I tend to push myself probably more than I should. I am going to PT again and they have a therapist who although not certified did some myofascial massage on me and I'm going to continue to get it. It hurt like crap when she did it but felt so good two days after. I was sore the day after but it was amazing how much it helped. We will get there in time but it will happen. Patience is not my best virtue lol

REPLY
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Jul 16, 2023
In reply to @aml01 "I was wondering how well a knee sleeve would work. I’ll have to get me one...." + (show)
@aml01

I was wondering how well a knee sleeve would work. I’ll have to get me one.
My coworker said it was about 2 years for her. And I believe it will be same for me also.
Thanks for all the info

Jump to this post

The knee sleeve is very supportive and helps so you don't twist your knee. I use it when I walk a lot, riding the recumbent bike or mowing the yard. It can be hot but not any worse than wearing pants when it's 90. I'm hoping it won't be two years because I'm so over my leg being sore. The knee sleeve also helps with swelling.
Definitely try one.

REPLY
1 reply
continentalred | @continentalred | Jul 16, 2023
In reply to @ezas123 "Hi that is awesome … I know you are not exactly where you want to be..." + (show)
@ezas123

Hi that is awesome … I know you are not exactly where you want to be yet but sounds like you are doing everything you need to do to get there ..,,I can only dream of doing 18000 steps lol … I am 11 months out of revision still have many struggles…. I am going to Disney with my family in September….I want not to use a wheelchair but I know not possible …: after one day I would be hurting and I do not want to ruin my trip ..,,I am 61 and I had tkr to do more but did not work out that way …: but I will be damed if I let it limit me on what I do …. So thank goodness there are tools out there for us to use to make life little easier….. point being we all recover at different rates stay positive keep moving forward, ……look at everything you can do and there is more of that coming your way….

Jump to this post

You might want to consider exercising more to help improve leg strength and knee recovery. I going that aquafit was amazing at helping me gain strength and mobility in my knee. Having to use a wheelchair for walking events even after a revision must be very discouraging.
I would also recommend a walking bag. I have one that I used to help me get ready for surgery and still use it. It is wonderful as it is non weight bearing and something you could use at Disney.
Here is the link
https://www.thealinker.com/
Also weight management is very important. Excess weight is just crushing the implant and making it harder to walk. For every pound you lose it takes 4 pounds of pressure off your knee

REPLY
1 reply
aml01 | @aml01 | Jul 16, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "The knee sleeve is very supportive and helps so you don't twist your knee. I use..." + (show)
@cindymattern

The knee sleeve is very supportive and helps so you don't twist your knee. I use it when I walk a lot, riding the recumbent bike or mowing the yard. It can be hot but not any worse than wearing pants when it's 90. I'm hoping it won't be two years because I'm so over my leg being sore. The knee sleeve also helps with swelling.
Definitely try one.

Jump to this post

Thank you

REPLY
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jul 16, 2023
In reply to @continentalred "You might want to consider exercising more to help improve leg strength and knee recovery. I..." + (show)
@continentalred

You might want to consider exercising more to help improve leg strength and knee recovery. I going that aquafit was amazing at helping me gain strength and mobility in my knee. Having to use a wheelchair for walking events even after a revision must be very discouraging.
I would also recommend a walking bag. I have one that I used to help me get ready for surgery and still use it. It is wonderful as it is non weight bearing and something you could use at Disney.
Here is the link
https://www.thealinker.com/
Also weight management is very important. Excess weight is just crushing the implant and making it harder to walk. For every pound you lose it takes 4 pounds of pressure off your knee

Jump to this post

I am 145 lbs so don’t think an issue…. But thank you…. I do aqua therapy use bike twice day for 20 min each time, along with other floor exercises…. There are times I have to take break because of swelling …,I had tkr dr put in wrong size so had revision within a year …. I do mfr along with chiropractor twice a week, …. Sometimes you can do all the exercises in the world still don’t get you desired outcome …. I am here not from lack of exercise , but I stay positive , giving up not in my nature lol …. But thank you for that suggestion I will check it out….

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.