10+ weeks into TKR new pain developing

I'm one year post-op on my right knee, 6 weeks post-op on my left knee. During the past year, the right knee has gone through all manner of aches and pains, that come and eventually (most of them) go. Whenever I have asked about it, I have been reminded that it takes a year or more to heal. All the soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, nerves, etc) has to readjust and realign after years of accommodating the knee issues and after the violence of surgery. It seemed that when the swelling went down around the joint, new pains would pop up. And when I increased or changed my activity, new pains would pop up. I think it is important to keep moving through these pains as much as possible, to "train" the soft tissue and nerves to adjust to their new positions. Good luck!

A couple of questions for you. Did your surgeon use a tourniquet during the procedure? Use of a tourniquet can cause recovery pain for at least a month.

Second question: did your surgeon do a minimally invasive method (subvastus or midvastus) or did he do a traditional method? In the traditional method, the surgeon cuts the tendon and muscle to gain access to the knee. At the conclusion of the procedure, the surgeon has to repair the tendon and muscle. In a subastus procedure the surgeon goes under the muscle and tendon. Less trauma so an easier recovery but a smaller field of work for the surgeon. Mid vastus is a compromise. The surgeon goes under the tendon but through the muscle fibers. Slightly more painful recovery but a better field of work.

I honestly don’t know how it was done or what tools were used. They normally don’t tell you those things. If he told me, it was so fast and right before the procedure that I either could not absorb the information or forgot it.

@skakle If you are in the US your surgeon wrote/dictated a "post surgery report" which details what he found and what he did. It is usually either given to the patient or available on a patient portal. If it is not, call the doctor's office and ask.

I found it to be an interesting document.

Thank you. I will!

I’m 19 months post-op from right TKA. I’ve always understood the pain you’re describing as resulting from nerves regenerating. You’re probably still mostly numb on the right side of your knee. The feeling comes back over time, accompanied by new short-term pain. The worst for me was when, at about three months post-op, I got severe pain running down my shin to my foot. That lasted for several months. It’s all part of healing.

Thanks for the reply. It’s so interesting to hear that every person has a totally unique healing experience. The sharp pains went away as quickly as they left, replaced by a persistent dull pain while walking/weight bearing, making my usual long walks/hikes not enjoyable. I feel like I have about the same level of pain while walking that I did before the surgery. I was hoping that by 3 months I’d be back to my routine so I’m kind of disappointed at the moment. It’s like a level 3 while walking.