Learning to walk normal after knee replacement

@colleenscott I have had two TKRs done by different doctors.
The first and most important consideration is making sure you have the very best possible surgeon you can find.

That being done, have you considered a Conformis knee? My second TKR was with a Conformis knee and I have been very pleased with it. They actually take images of your knee and make the replacement knee to mimic it so the recovery is easier. I was fortunate because I live in southern NH and the developer of the knee is in Boston so I was able to have my surgery with him. If you happen to be in this area, he's wonderful. His name is Dr. Wolfgang Fitz.

I too have good things about the computer-assisted knee replacements though. They use a Stryker knee. I presume the model they use is excellent. I know that past Stryker knees have had some problems.

I have no idea what my first knee was. Back then I never even knew that was a consideration. I was very uninformed.
JK

I had 2 TKR, both Mako robotic with glue closures. One in May 20, and Sept 20. Doing amazing. Took oxycodon for only a few days before therapy and decided that Tylenol worked just as well. Drove 12 days after left knee and 15 days after right. Was back at work both time in 3 weeks. Best advice is exercise a lot before surgery, prepare your legs. Used a cane only 1 day around the house except for stairs.

I am trying to walk normally but my knee buckles just as it did before surgery I am 6 weeks into my recovery and therapy had have a manipulation at 4 weeks in wasn’t bending. Therapy is brutal. Seems like the therapy team each have different technique that are painful ( soooo focused on the bend ) I am left with no other choice but to take it like a champ. Of course the following morning I am as stiff and unbendable as I was the day before so I cycle use my ball for exercises and walk five minutes or more every hour. I have osteoarthritis in this knee my pain and problems started when I was sixteen, found a benign tumor in the bone that had caused a break at nineteen now because of the size of the bone and dead tissue mass the bone had to be cut and they also placed rods in the bones so I am so looking forward to just walking without buckling.

Six weeks isn’t very long.I think I buckled too.
Do all the exercises to strengthen your leg muscles.Especially the quads .Ask PT .Work those muscles and the joint will tighten up.They have all been loosened up

It looks like this group hasn't been used in quite a while, so I don't know if this will get any response. I saw one post that said you should walk 30 minutes twice a day. I know everyone's recovery is different, but now I'm in tears. I'm 4 weeks out from surgery, and I too am having to retrain my leg to straighten in the back and bend in the front when I walk. I'm so slow! I'm doing all the exercises, but only once a day, and I'm not walking very much because I'm so frustrated. Apparently, I'd better get on it!

Hello @sherrys77, Welcome to Connect. 4 weeks out from surgery is still a little early in the recovery process and you are right, everyone is a little different. After my knee replacement it was suggested that I did the leg exercises 3 or 4 times a day and then ice and elevate the leg to control swelling. For the first month I used my walker and just walked around on the driveway and in the house. A little later I switched to using a cane until I was able to walk without it.

Can you share what is most frustrating for you?

Oh, my, Sherry, hips are easier than knees and NO way could I ever have walked that long 4 or even 6 weeks(I had 2 toal hip replacements and 2 total revisions and a partial.) for the exercises, John is right- more than once a day and ice after.
The recommendation by my PT for walking was to begin with 5 minutes 3 times a day and gradually work up to 30 minutes.

If I was still having trouble walking right at 3 months, I'd ask for another PT evaluation and possibly gait training.

Hang in there your body is still healing and by itself that takes a lot of energy.

How is your pain doing?
Sue

Chickenhaslips comments:
Four weeks is so early.Focus on stretching and getting back your range of motion.That’s critical at this point.Six to eight times a day do the stretching.At four weeks I was using a combination walker( with wheels) and a cane.There are exercises to start to regain strength and reestablish the nerve control of the leg that you should be doing.Most of this you can do in your living room.Use ice and elevation a lot

What everyone above said. PT was telling me I should be walking further then I could. I am 4 months out and can do about 30 minutes before it gets “tired”. I also cycle and do Pilates. Stretching was/is key for me. I was knock kneed so he straightened it and my muscles were all confused. At 4 weeks, I felt lucky to be getting my exercises in 5 times a day. My PA said you want to over exaggerate the heel/toe movement when you walk. I feel you have to retrain your brain and muscles.

@sherrys77 is right when, "My PA said you want to over exaggerate the heel/toe movement when you walk. I feel you have to retrain your brain and muscles." This is exactly what they have you do in gait training. It is also helpful to walk down a hallway toward a mirror a few times a day to confirm that your posture and movements are correct.

Keep on stretching and trying. The rest will come if you are diligent. Have you tried backing off on the walking and amping up the stretching?

Sue