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Help with pain after 3 months of TKR
It has been 3 months since I had TKR and still have terrible pain behind my knee. I finally got my ROM up to 115 and can bend my knee when walking although I still have to use a walker. I’m going to get a second opinion because my surgeon has been totally unhelpful. Does anyone have any recommendations on coping with the pain and is this normal? I feel so frustrated and scared I might be this way for the rest of my life. It’s pretty much nonstop pain. I go to PT 3x a week for 2 hour sessions and they have helped me with ROM and knee strengthening but have so far to go. They are trying to get me a Dynasplint. Has anyone ever used one and does it help? Thank you so much for any advice you can give me. I’m so depressed! I had no idea it would be like this.
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no impact, actually first time since TKR I can totally walk without a limp
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1 ReactionOh that’s wonderful. I’m happy for you. I’m envious of your ROM. I’m 3 mos out from my TKR and though I can walk well & climb stairs much better than before, I can’t seem to get my ROM beyond 100. I’m wondering if I too have a scar tissue problem. Good to hear they found yours and treatment recovery wasn’t difficult. Thank you for the info.
Today is week 11 and feel fortunate for the pain levels I am having. Biggest issue right now is pain in lower leg just to the right side of shin bone up the head of the fibula which is also tender to touch. It is very odd because it bothers me more when I am sitting down. Dr put me back on Meloxicam. I also have a rolling bar that my wife is kind of enough to do for me before going to bed. When I initially began going down stairs the outside lower side of knee felt like it was pushing my knee forward. Now that the nerves appear to be awakening, I feel a slight pinch and pain in that area. Been back to work on light duty since week 7 when I met the PT goals - 0 and 120. Get about 6-8k steps 5 days a week. Stiff after getting up, some weakness after knee bending exercises - feels really tight on both sides of knee.
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1 ReactionI am six months out from TKR left leg. Still have some pain when walking or standing up, especially when turning over in bed. Plus my rt knee (2009 TKR) started having pain a year ago mostly on outside and below patella. Add to that two broken ankles in June 2021. Recovery has been difficult as my left hip has been affected negatively so it is very difficult to walk upstairs normally. Ultrasound on rt knee shows nothing demonstrably wrong. Just hoping to continue as time passes and I continue to do exercises from PT. Any thoughts on continuing pain would be much appreciated.
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1 ReactionI am at 5 1/2 months. At 3 months I had pain behind my knees. I worked with physical therapist to do the right exercises and by 4 months it was gone. I still have brief pain getting up from low chairs. I still have dull aching pain at night. Can’t take NSAIDS so if it interferes with sleep I take a Tylenol and 1/2 of a Tramadol.
I am 4 months post op TKR and still having pain around the edge of the patella. Sometimes sharp stabbing and sometimes throbbing. Also feeling burning above the knee. I am doing walking, recumbent bike and stretching. Is this normal at this stage of recovery. My doctor keeps saying it is and can take up to a year. Anyone else still having pain at 4 months. Taking OTC pain meds every 4 hours. Thanks
Carol
Hi Carol @knighthawk11, You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion where members are talking about pain months after their TKR so that you can learn any tips or suggestions they may have. If you click the link below it will take you to the top of the discussion:
--- Help with pain after 3 months of TKR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-with-pain-after-3-months-of-tkr/
@lindaann6434 @janieben @pcguilford and others may have some suggestions. I had my right knee replaced a few years ago and do remember it took almost a year before it felt fairly normal again. I think it's good to do stretching, walking and using a recumbent bike which is pretty much what I did along with continuing the post op exercises my surgeon gave me to do at home. Do you still do any icing and elevating for the knee?
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2 ReactionsYes whenever I am not working I am elevating and icing
Thanks for sharing your experience. I always worry something isn’t right when I have pain especially after 4 months.
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2 ReactionsI still have pain after 4 months. Mine is primarily with walking & standing, it’s an aching feeling, plus I still have significant stiffness, like a band around my knee. I’m doing the same exercises & activities as you are, but don’t ice my knee that often anymore. My back also hurts, having PT for that. Not able to walk very much, but ride recumbent bike 30 min., 2X day, which I’m hoping will help. I have good ROM, but still have pain with flexion at about 120-125.
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1 ReactionThanks for sharing. Sorry you are also still having pain and stiffness. I am impressed with how much you ride the recumbent bike. I usually can only do 15-20 minutes a day. I also have that stiffness and tightness feeling. I sure hope this will not be forever as I am quite discouraged at this stage. I thought I would be much better by now.