TKR who has IT band hip bursa and si joint issues following replacemen

One thing I wanted to add I don’t know if you are using a bike if you are stop makes it worse…. Use recumbent bike same result less pain ….I have arthritis in my hips I try go to bike because I like it but I am back on recumbent again lol …. I got this cheap very helpful..,.

Good point. I don’t have recumbent but have my regular Trek mounted on stand. I love biking and was hoping doing it slow and sage would get me out on the trail faster. I’ll take your suggestion seriously.

Ive been told that there are lots of retraining of muscles etc after a re alignment. The suggestion about supportive shoes may be a part of that if you eventually want to be wearing other shoes. I know I walk differently barefoot and in no supportive shoes as my arch goes flat and pulls knee inward.

So many things involved. Best to you.

You said, "Surgeon just wants to send me to another Dr. for the feet, back and hip as he's done his part and x-rays look fine." Well, that is true he replaced you knee and it has healed - so his part is over.
The next step, which you have clearly done, is what I call the typical "this is what we do after surgery" PT clinic. At those clinics, you are typically seen once or twice by a PT, then turned over to a PTA (PT Assistant) for your therapy. Fine for the person with the totally uncomplicated recovery, but maybe not enough for you.

How often do you have PT appointments now? What are they doing with you? May I ask how often you are doing your full PT exercise routine at home?

If you are faithfully doing your PT daily, not progressing and are still in pain, maybe it is time to ask for a referral for complete evaluation of you gait, stride, posture, muscle tone.. by a doctor of Physical Therapy? (PTD) These are often found associated with a comprehensive rehab center, ortho hospital or the like.

They will advise you if you need to see a different doc(s) for your issues, and help design a custom program for you.

Here's the tough part - PT HURTS. PT is BORING. Without PT Nothing will get better. It needs to be done both in clinic and every single day at home. You are trying to get muscles and ligaments to do things they may not have done for years, and to overcome the stiffness that came before and as a result of surgery. But without PT, everything that hurts now will continue to hurt, and make everything connected to that body part, even remotely, hurt too. Pretty soon you are a big ball of OUCH. After my fifth hip replacement surgery, that is exacly where I was. It took almost 6 months of daily exercise - half on land, half in a pool, to get back to normal. I even carried a yoga mat and my bands and did PT on hotle room floors when we travelled.
Sorry to carry this message, but it is the way out of your misery.
Sue

Thank you. Faithfully doing exercises.

I really like the idea of trying to find a specific dr /pt that evaluate gait posture etc. I live in rural state so may take some effort to find someone. Thanks for suggestion.

So I have a suggestion for you about seeking care in your rural area. Find out where serious ortho trauma cases are sent for care and rehab. Contact them to find your nearest rehab PT. My friend was sent quite far away for her eval, then referred to an established PT near home for the "hard work" with periodic video check-ins back to the rehab clinic, and I think one or two in person visits.

I found this video as an interesting explanation for foot issues affecting the SI joint and associated pain in the lower back. The foot on the leg that got the TKR has been painful from the start. I need to address the pronation.

And this is where the comprehensive gait evaluation will help...Once the pronation is addressed, you will need to learn a more normal walk. Trust me when I say this is not really much fun - you walk with someone talking in your ear and helping you shift your posture. Then you practice, practice, practice until it feels natural. And you learn to wear the @#$%^& orthotics all the time.
Sue

Reporting. 6 months TKR. Knee is functioning good. Good flexion and extension. Been working on modifying a life long gait issue that contributed to longer recovery. This is maybe 80 percent corrected particularly when I pay attention. Working up to flat land hiking (little to moderate elevation changes) and did 5 miles yesterday. Used a lidocaine patch on lower back and a low level stretch sleeve on right knee. Was pleased with progress. Iced afterward and stretched and use colter an on knee.

I’ve been released from PT with a list of “forever” exercises. Going down steps still gives me pause mostly in my head I think. I use the hand rail for support and go carefully. This will have to be mastered before I can hike my favorite trails.

This forum has been so helpful and inspiring. Hope others are all making good progress.