Knee replacement

Welcome to Connect @angelacol. I couldn't help but stop and read your brief message several times. I regret that you are having what appears to be intolerable pain from a recent knee replacement. What is your pain like? How would you describe it? Is it constant? How do you get to sleep at night? I can't imagine having 6 months of pain without relief.

I note that you ended your post with "this is day 2". Are you saying day 2 since your replacement surgery? Or has it been 6 months since the surgery? I am very concerned about you and want to make sure that I can help you, even if it is just to introduce you to others who may have had similar struggles. That is the mission of Connect.....to improve the quality of life of every member.

What does your surgeon tell you about your recovery and the pain you are having? Do you work with a Physical Therapist?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

I am coming up on 9 weeks after knee replacement. The progress was going great. Doctor was very pleased at 6 week checkup. Therapists are pleased with my range of motion. About 10 days ago, the knee began to feel very tight. It is not really any more swollen than the other knee, but it is painful all around the joint. I have had 3 UTIs since the replacement, and I’m wondering if I might have some infection in the knee. How do I know what is normal at this point? I know swelling and pain can last a long time, but this feels different and it’s not improving. Ice, elevation, rest.. nothing helps.

Have your physical therapist measure your flexion and extension, take pictures.

My surgeon did not listen to me that my knee was tight and not working (he assured me at my 6 weeks post-op that he could fix it while I was under for my then planned second knee). At that time, I did not know that there were perimeters of measurements that indicate a possibility of scar tissue built up.

At 10 weeks I still couldn't straighten my leg, and my bending was very limited even though I was doing PT 3x/week and exercises at home all the time. I was using an ice machine and elevating. There wasn't much swelling at that point- but ice felt awesome. I measured 9* extension and 90* flexion in the picture that I sent to the surgeon and a second opinion.

2nd Dr. said I need an MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia) and it needed to be done under first 12 weeks for best results.

The surgeon agreed to the MUA at week 11 (had to push for that- his schedule was busy but I knew it only is a 10 minute procedure, and he found time to put it in at 5:30 in the morning). It scared the hell out of me going into it but I wanted my knee to work. I had a very active life before my surgery-just painful.

The MUA made me start all over again with more therapy, initially every day! Then it went down to 2x/week.

Now my knee remains flat when extended! And I can get it to 125* after my stretches. It can bicycle and I walk +10,000 steps/day. It's a workable joint but not the results I had yearned for.

Do you need an MUA? Time is ticking. Under 12 weeks for best results. Research it.

Tightness is normal, but new symptoms of tightness- maybe not. If infected (doubt it), your knee would be more swollen, and hot to touch. My knee still measure warmer than the other a year later!

Best wishes.

Since you’re wondering about possible infection I think it would be good to have your doctor look at you knee,

I asked my doctor about hotness of my knee after surgery. He said it was more a sign of healing than infection. And I do not have an infection.

I AM 6 MONTHS AWAY FROM TKR. KNEE VERY STIFF AND PHYSIO SAID IT WAS TOO WARM. SHOULD I ASK DOCTOR TO CHECK FOR SIGNS OF INFECTION?

It wouldn’t hurt to ask. At least you will have an answer. I asked.

I did see my surgeon. He assured me everything is normal. No infection. He prescribed prednisone and I had relief in 12 hours.