Stairs after TKR (1 side, 72 yrs old)

Sorry to say, I am still in a bit of pain in the Jan 2022 TKR knee. Plus, my right TKR2009 knee started hurting 1 1/2 years ago and still does, especially going up and down stairs. It hurts mostly along the bottom and outer side of the kneecap. Has anyone else had this occur? If so, did you discover the cause or fix?

I did PT for about six months after Jan 2022 TKR, but did not continue exercises at home. I do lots of walking and chores outside (live on a farm). I think some of the uncomfortable feeling I get going up and down stairs is my left hip, which I feel was damaged when using a cane for six months before the 2022 TKR due to the left AND right knee pain. Plus in June 2021, I broke both ankles, was in boots, had PT for a long time, was in a wheelchair, the walker, then cane for a while. My left hip hurts, I think because I could use my right leg to stand and pivot, etc. Have not been pain free for years now. I am only 72 and feel 92 a lot of the time! I would appreciate any advice anyone has about the right knee hurting after 13 years, especially. It has been x-rayed and the prosthetic is still perfect. Is it osteoarthritis? Inflammation? Any suggestions are appreciated. 🙂

Good morning @janieben. I think I have the same issues with my TKR from 2011. The one from 2021 is moving through life with me painlessly and supportive. And no......I haven't talked to anyone about it...yet. So it was informative to read your post.

Although I have no medical background or experience, I have learned a lot from you and other members of Connect. Here is my unprofessional thinking at this time. The culprit is aging. I think we forget that 12 years ago....our bodies were younger and more able to accommodate the elements of post-surgery recovery. We were more active and resourceful.

Then some of us undergo a second TKR for our other knee. That can put a lot of pressure on the first TKR knee to remain strong and responsive. However, it has aged normally and resists some of the pressure we put on it to support the second TKR. The resistance after "13 years" reveals itself as pain that we think is caused by a new condition.

My memory tells me that there are other issues......like using a cane for support. I had to stop grabbing a cane because the support is not equal for both sides. And in addition, I noticed that my shoulder which had undergone a reverse replacement began to resist the extra pressure from using the cane. So I moved to a rollator and the pressure from using that just ensured that both shoulders were reacting from the strain. Why? Because I had to have rotator cuff surgery on the second shoulder.

We are all facing aging discomfort. I am 81 and suffer rather miserably from SFN (small fiber neuropathy). However, my MFR (myofascial release) therapists spend a great deal of time keeping my knees and shoulders functional.

Let me know how this information sits with you. You may want to check out MFR information to see how others have found it helpful. Here is the link to that discussion.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
I will be waiting for your response.......especially your own suggestions.

May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris

Sorry to say, I am still in a bit of pain in the Jan 2022 TKR knee. Plus, my right TKR2009 knee started hurting 1 1/2 years ago and still does, especially going up and down stairs. It hurts mostly along the bottom and outer side of the kneecap. Has anyone else had this occur? If so, did you discover the cause or fix?

I did PT for about six months after Jan 2022 TKR, but did not continue exercises at home. I do lots of walking and chores outside (live on a farm). I think some of the uncomfortable feeling I get going up and down stairs is my left hip, which I feel was damaged when using a cane for six months before the 2022 TKR due to the left AND right knee pain. Plus in June 2021, I broke both ankles, was in boots, had PT for a long time, was in a wheelchair, the walker, then cane for a while. My left hip hurts, I think because I could use my right leg to stand and pivot, etc. Have not been pain free for years now. I am only 72 and feel 92 a lot of the time! I would appreciate any advice anyone has about the right knee hurting after 13 years, especially. It has been x-rayed and the prosthetic is still perfect. Is it osteoarthritis? Inflammation? Any suggestions are appreciated. 🙂

Good for you on the weight loss! I, too, have cut back on sugar. Stevia in coffee, just the odd dessert now and then. No soda. I do have some osteoporosis - minimal in spine, worse in femoral tips according to dexa scan. Surgeons do not check x-rays for osteoarthritis around TKR, as far as I know. There only concern is that prosthetic still being firmly in place. I go back in Jan for yearly check. I will make my wishes known to check for osteo in rt knee. Thanks to you for your response and have a very peaceful holiday!

That's interesting Cathy. I can see why they'd have you alternate knees after two months, but not in the first weeks. I don't think it does any damage to do it earlier, it's just more painful.

But yeah, eventually we have to get used to walking down stairs using both legs. Sounds like you had a great recovery! Good for you and Idaho sounds beautiful! Enjoy life!

(I did visit Cour DeLaign - I know I'm mangling the spelling. We ate at a restaurant on the lake. Stunning!)

I was probably an unusual case. I had done THREE months of prehab and did my home exercises - diligently. When my surgery date came along - I was very strong and ready. In fact, at my two week post-op the surgeon said that I was doing better than most people at 2 months. My bend was at 150 degrees at that point (the maximum) and I was walking independently - neither a walker or cane. I work very hard and wanted to be functional. I trust my PT team and knew no damage would be done if they encouraged it.

Yes, Coeur d'Alene IS lovely! We live down the River from the Lake. There is a floating restaurant - Cedar's - at the mouth of the River. Perhaps that is where you ate. I am happy you enjoyed it.

BTW my name is Cathyanne.

I was probably an unusual case. I had done THREE months of prehab and did my home exercises - diligently. When my surgery date came along - I was very strong and ready. In fact, at my two week post-op the surgeon said that I was doing better than most people at 2 months. My bend was at 150 degrees at that point (the maximum) and I was walking independently - neither a walker or cane. I work very hard and wanted to be functional. I trust my PT team and knew no damage would be done if they encouraged it.

Yes, Coeur d'Alene IS lovely! We live down the River from the Lake. There is a floating restaurant - Cedar's - at the mouth of the River. Perhaps that is where you ate. I am happy you enjoyed it.

BTW my name is Cathyanne.

Good for you Cathyanne. You did all the right things before and after surgery. I got to 130 degrees of flexion in three weeks, it's probably a little higher now, but 150 is off the charts good.

If more people would do the work you describe, there would be fewer complaints here. I do believe that the majority of replacements turn out well, and if there is some failure, it's usually because the patient didn't do the work. Not saying surgeons don't make mistakes, they do. But the surgery is the easy part......