How does your knee feel once it reaches the year of recovery?

Posted by cyndi2013 @cyndi2013, 2 days ago

I have heard it takes a full year for recovery of TKR. How 🤔 does your knee feel while approaching that one year mark?

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Good & bad stories
Like hearing both sides
This came up with my final appointment with an orthopedic surgeon
I explained to him that my right knee had a revision Dr stated the pain was due to hip area and suggested a hip replacement which I did
8 months out from THR and pain is all throughout the knee and hip. My quads are weak and have been for a long time.
Couldn’t understand why the pain
This orthopedic doctor examined my knee and hip and my quads, He said don’t go back to see and orthopedic doctor. He believes that knee and hip are ok but he noticed a significant size difference between both left and right leg quads. He stated it could be a blood flow issue with my right quads where the knee and hip surgeries occurred. Never heard this before so will be seeing a cardiologist soon to test the blood flow
Has anyone experienced this before?

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I am at 10 months TKR on right knee. No daytime problem at all. But
nights have constantly been painful. No full night sleep and some nights
none. Activities very limited. My GP now has me on Pregabalin for nerve pain, but it is not helping. I will see her again soon and see what’s next.
I think there is no more for the surgeon to do as the prothesis is ok.

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I had my first TKR in Jan 2023, the second in Jan 2024. My surgeon is a good friend of mine and we spent many an evening pre and post-op where he encouraged me to keep up with the PT. He said I will always know that I had TKRs but it doesn’t have to be limiting.

Scar tissue is normal and will only get worse if you don’t battle it consistently with your PT (and not just with a therapist). I still stretch my knees every night at bedtime and, over time, they have continued to increase in range of motion and general flexibility. A couple of months ago I restarted yoga (very basic/beginner stuff) after having stopped due to knee pain several years ago. It’s paying dividends! The classes are free at my YMCA where, thanks to Silver Sneakers/Medicare, my monthly fee is covered as well.

We have to be “in charge” of our recovery/new life. Keep moving and stretching! This is your new normal but doesn’t have to be limiting (almost a mantra).

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