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After six months TKR still a bit swollen and warm

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Aug 22, 2023 | Replies (10)

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@tkr1

I am 13 months post TKR. My surgery knee is always still a little warmer than my other knee on the outside where I also still have an area of numbness. According to surgeon this is normal. At six months the temperature difference between surgery and nonsurgery knee was more significant and I still had some swelling until a month ago. It very slowly gets better.

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Replies to "I am 13 months post TKR. My surgery knee is always still a little warmer than..."

Everyone recovers differently, some fast, some on schedule, and some later. Swelling can take a while to resolve. I was fortunate and the swelling from my TKRs resolved in about two months (I also am a gym rat and did a lot of prep work before the surgeries).

But a friend of mine, even a bigger gym rat than me, had one knee replaced two months ago and there is still significant swelling and his quadriceps look as if they've atrophied. Very strange. And he still has pain.

All I can suggest is be patient, work with a pt, do all the exercises recommended, make good use of ice and elevation, yada yada, and hope. I know the docs say it can take one year for a full recovery, but I'd check out any significant swelling or warmth after three or four months, FWIW.

Infection is possible, even after a successful surgery. So make sure to take antibiotics before any dental work (the surgeon should have a standing Rx for these - Amoxicillin, probably). I think this needs to be done (antibiotics) for all future dental work, even cleanings, for the rest of your life after a joint replacement.

Thank you! That is very encouraging! ❤️😀