Does anyone have lower back pain after TKR?

YES! I've read it is actually pretty common. I only hurt my back one time in all my 69 years before my TKR, and I really struggled with it afterward. I'm 15 months out and still working on it, but I feel like I've finally figured it out. Mine began with hurting my back by twisting to get up from a sofa, and got exacerbated from there. Now I am doing two things that help a lot -- I use exaggerated marching steps and arm swings around the house, and I stretch my lower back with an extra little wiggle when I use the "recumbent" stationary bike I home. The bike actually sits up like a chair rather than reclining at all, and my arms are straight down at my sides. I have to remember to swing my arms when I walk or I start to feel tension in my back. Doing these things in the past couple of weeks has helped my walking AND standing still.

Yes, I had it for months. Several people on this website recommended Esther Gokhale's book Eight Steps to a Pain Free Back. It was a miracle. Sounded crazy when I read it, but it has made all the difference in the world. It's cheap on Amazon, if you are interested. Hope it is helpful. Good luck!

My physio says it can be from weak muscles or nerve pain . I’m only 8 weeks so it’s still early …

Have you tried a tens machine ? You can use it at home , while walking .. very easy to use !

Tens products .com has wonderful information

Her advice to me and (most won’t like this ) I had both knees done and use a walker for proper posture and to be more aware of my gait .

I’ve been thinking about getting a massage but my tens machine is really helping

Does anyone have back pain after TKR on only one knee? I am getting the other one done is spring. I was thinking maybe the way I walk and the difference in height (small amount) are causing the back pain

I am right there with you. I didn't have lower back pain until after TKR on my right knee. I didn't experience this with my left knee.
I take Percogesic for Back Pain. It works for me.

Not sure if this relates... I had 3 surgeons ready to do TKR on L knee, then 4th surgeon said, no reason for surgery on your GOOD L KNEE, yout L hip needs replacing! Now that I am 2 weeks out from TKH L, no more back pain! I suggest you get your hip checked out to eliminate the possibilities! My PT told me that often Hip pain shows up in knee and back!

@robcfl

About three years ago I had hip pain and knee pain. My current surgeon replaced my hip with the Superpath method (he is the primary inventor of that method) and I had no post surgical hip pain. But...amazingly...I also suddenly had no knee pain either. Apparently it was all referred pain.

The human body is both amazing and weird.

@lgreg This happens, and it could be a number of causes. Here are a few things to consider-
- As @steveinarizona said, the problem could be one or bot hips - make sure they are checked too.
- OLD SHOES Your walk changes after surgery, and if you are wearing shoes that have "worn in" to your old walk, this can stress your body. Get some good, supportive athletic shoes and see if this helps. Also, after hip surgery, I was told to wear supportive house shoes as well - not bare feet or slippers, and not crocs or slide on sandals.
- The height difference you mentioned. Sometimes a lift in the shoe on the shorter side can cause it, other times PT.
- Your gait has changed due to straightening your leg. PT can help you strengthen all the back, leg and hip muscles, and correct your walk if needed. This requires an individualized assessment by a rehabilitation therapist, not "cookie cutter" post-op exercises.

Have you tried any of these measures?

I did PT for 7 weeks but haven’t tried the others. I walk around the house in bare feet always. I will try these and thank you very much for the suggestions!!