Learning to walk normal after knee replacement

Happy - the surgeon makes a small cut into the quadriceps muscle to release the patella. This isn't terribly painful after surgery, usually only noticeable to the touch. It heals quickly.

One thing I didn't expect was the extensive bruising on my inside thigh that showed up after 3 or 4 days. The reason - they put a very tight tourniquet around the thigh to minimize bleeding inside the knee capsule during surgery. Makes sense and it didn't hurt much. But when my inner thigh turned red I was concerned with infection. I just wish they had told me to expect this. It's ugly but not a big deal and goes away quickly.

Good morning. You are doing great! I am now 3 ½ months and just noticed that I am finally walking normally and no pain. I am at 150+ bend and doing my home exercises every day. I was skeptical and thought I would never get to the day. Yesterday I told my husband that I realized I am finally feeling no pain. I still ice twice a day and when I walk, i.e. at the grocery store, it does swell and get tight. Happy and healthy New Year - keep us posted on your progress! Cathyanne

Wow...I'm not alone in recovery...peg leg walking, 12 weeks out RTKR. Heel to toe and sometimes exagerate the bend and lift to help focus retrain the brain!
2 TKR s, WOW, BRAVE!

My Stryker replacement has been a nightmare pain stiffness never felt right although both X-rays and MRI are normal very disheartening

Where, by who was Stryker TKR done?

Dr Shapiro N. y U hospital muneola long island

My surgeon used the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant and I'm very happy with my new knees. The accuracy of the cuts and placement of the prostheses are improved with Stryker. I would find a surgeon who has beed using the assistant for at least 2 or 2 years.

The robotic assistant or even the skill of the surgeon doesn't determine the results. The patient must put in a lot of work pre and post surgery, and for some it can take up to a year for everything to heal properly, although that's rare and it's much less if the patient is diligent.

That doesn't mean surgeons can't make mistakes. If I thought this was the case, I'd consult with a lawyer if there is no satisfaction from the surgeon.

My right knee replacement was much easier on walking than my left but my left eventually came around at 6 months. My sit to stand function is still difficult with my left. And I have done all therapy swimming etc!!! After I worked with my PT on walking it did get better but my sit to stand function is still bugging me at 7 months!

My best advice to you is to not be discouraged by those that are healing faster than you. And whatever you do, don't let anyone make you feel that it is something you're doing wrong. Maybe you're not exercising enough, maybe you aren't doing your PT, maybe, maybe, maybe. It's NOT your fault that it's taking longer. My first replacement went wrong and I had to have it redone. Then I had the second. I never was in that category of people who could do everything again quickly (and trust me I did all my exercise and PT) but I'm finally so much better and if you watched me walk, you'd probably never know. You'll get there! Give it time.

Part of my issue was learning to trust my new knee.