Knee replacement with RA

Posted by robyn11 @robyn11, Nov 17, 2022

I just had a knee replacement 9 weeks ago and was making good progress, going to PT, icing, etc. and was able to walk, do stairs, etc. 2 days ago my knee got a bit warm and swollen (no redness, no pain in the knee, and less swollen than right after surgery). Now I cannot straighten it as much to the point where I can not walk. The tendons on the sides of my knee are tight and painful if I move a certain way, and the hamstring feels very tight and shorter. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is a connective tissues disease. So far the surgeon’s office is sending me for testing for a possible blood clot and they have me on muscle relaxers. has anyone else had this problem? What has helped?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Nov 17, 2022

Good morning @robyn11 and a big welcome to Connect. On this forum, we believe in sharing and you have written a good introduction. I will also tell you that you can use the Search facility at the top of your screen. If you enter something like "swelling after TKR" in quotes.....you will see everything that others have posted about a similar experience. Another phrase might be "tight band after TKR".

In the meantime and in addition to your upcoming testing, please make sure you are icing and elevating that knee above your heart frequently. Swelling happens when the connective tissues become filled with fluid as they are trying to heal. Another option is to do a Yoga pose called "Legs up the wall" several times a day. You can find that on youtube or ask Google.

Another "trick to try" is Myofascial Release (MFR) I am heading in for an MFR therapy treatment as soon as I finish your post. During this treatment, the therapist will make sure the fluid is pushed up your leg and into the pelvic area where it can be released when you urinate.

And finally, if you are not doing it......you may want to place your leg on an elevated wedge pillow at bedtime or when you take a nap.

If you would like to learn more about MFR here are a couple of links.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
and:
http://www.myofascialrelease.com

Please let me know what you think and what you are willing to try. I am here to help.
How is walking going for you?

May you be safe, protected and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

robyn11 | @robyn11 | Nov 18, 2022

In reply to @artscaping "Good morning @robyn11 and a big welcome to Connect. On this forum, we believe in sharing..." + (show)

Thank you for your quick response. I was in contact at with my surgeon’s office yesterday and they sent me to get an ultrasound to make sure there was no blood clot- there was not, whew! So, they think it’s a soft tissue issue which is what it feels like I pulled or tore something(I am a very active person and sometimes not a good patient, I normally walk a lot in addition to a lot of exercise), so we are back to elevate and ice, they gave me Meloxicam to take and if I am not better in 3 days, I have an appointment to see them. What I noticed this morning was that my lower back is sore from walking crooked, I will try the legs on the wall pose, gently today to see if that helps. My concern with that is getting down and especially back up off the floor. The fluid in my knee is down today, I am hopeful and will make a point to be a better patient (stay down and quiet). Thank you for your attention and input.