Learning to walk normal after knee replacement

My family physician has been a God send through all this year. He has helped me out when the surgeon poo-pooed me. He is the one that referred the new surgeon. And working with me to see if we can tone down those pins and needles/burning sensation in my lower leg. The last visit, about the pins and needles, he asked us what the surgeon said about it, whch was just to wait and see. On one visit with the surgeon my Hubby recalls him saying something about the nerves etc. being cut, though I don't recall that but that is why both of us go in the examining room.

I had two knee operations on the same knee in 3 months because the first one didn't align up correctly!

I have now that I have another surgeon who is checking me out.

This I found strange. After seeing the other surgeon, I still had an apt. scheduled with the original surgeon for my 9 month check up. I cancelled 5 days ahead of the apt., and did not reschedule. Well, the day before the cancelled apt, I get a phone call from his office reminding me of the apt. the next day! That was strange because the office uses the automated system to remind you about 3 days b4 any apt. Told her I had cancelled on ......... Never mentioned about rescheduling and she didn't ask. Just said something about it not being taken out of the system.

I was reading all the doc. notes from my visits to the original surgeon. No where does he even mention my concern about the tingling, pain and numbness I was always complaining about - that kept me from sleeping and doing things! Nothing about the therapy I also asked for several times!

I have been in various stages of pain, numbness, tingling and all kinds of things in my right leg for a full year! I can't even imagine this first surgeon would even think I would go and do that to my other knee/leg.

Sorry, but at times I gt very down in the dumps and feel I was so stupid with the first/second surgeries. I should have run like h*ll right then but I was hurting and with the covid it was difficult to even get some medical apts.

You have my sympathies. Not least because my experience since March 2021 surgery mirrors yours. As has been recorded on this site many times, no surgeon seems to have any comments on the numbness. Mine is 3 by 4 inches in area after partial knee replacement. It is HIGHLY correlated with intense tightness and pain that forces the patella to click. This alarms my brain (against my wishes) that then means even tighter pain. Sensitive types create pain easily and the pain can become habit. I saw my surgeon after 6 months. X-ray and physical assessment he was clearly happy that this surgery worked. But declared he did not understand why I was still in pain. And then said 'see you in 6 months'. No hint of empathy or suggestion of what I should do. This is in the UK with free NHS healthcare so he has no cost element holding him back.

Judi, I guess retraining the muscles that were cut during the TKR makes a lot of sense. Thanks for this tip. I must be patient.

I laughed when I saw your post. I too just started my 8th week PO and walk like a peg leg pirate, all I need is an eyepatch.
I have a great support team of friends and husband that yell out to me" heel to toe heel to toe"...omg, I can't believe I forgot how to walk. my range of motion was 136 but my extention goes from 0 to 2..Im still having swelling..I walk up and down my stairs 18 of them several times a day..I just have this stupid gait..my therapist said just keep
at the exercise..they aren't concerned as I am
.maybe a new therapist..will this get better?

"

My TKR was one and a half years ago. So, here's my experience. Yes, it took time to regain my normal gait. This is common, do not panick! My surgeon told me the same thing, that the muscles and nerves have to heal and become strong again. Be faithful with your PT!!! That is the key to your recovery. And yes, sometimes it hurts to do the exercises at PT. I used to cry before I went because I knew it would be painful to bend my knee. Don't let that stop you. It gets better. I still remember the first time I walked to our mailbox without limping. I wanted to shout Hallelujah! Have courage, it will happen.

I am 7 weeks post op. My ROM is 0-125. However walking with a normal gait is a big challenge. I have low back pain and I limp. PT is helping me with this. They suggested massage therapy which has been a huge help. Apparently the muscles in the back are reacting to the change in body mechanics post surgery. It is worth a try if you can find a good massage therapist. Best of luck to everyone for a full recovery.

Along with the "heel to toe" admonition when walking, my PT guy said to do lots of exaggerated marching sessions around the house and yard, with the knees as high and flexed as you can manage.

I think you will be fine in time, just keep up with therapy, etc. Eight weeks is not very long. I had the same problem for at least 6-7 months after a RTKR despite good ROM (0/130). It has improved but my TKR knee still feels stiff & uncomfortable almost 10 months after surgery. My orthopedist was excellent, well-trained, (taught at Harvard, etc), & after examining my knee recently, simply said “10% of patients will have stiffness, pain, etc., after surgery”, suggesting I’m in that 10%. I was very active pre surgery & did all my PT & exercises postop, & I’m now biking 10-15 miles/day, & going to the gym but still have these issues. (My left knee also needs a TKR, but I’m not ready to do it, nor certain I will…)

In regard to your walking/gait - patience is indeed a virtue. Healing and recovery will take time. According to what my surgeon explained, one significant factor is that before the TKR, you have not been walking normally - and probably for quite some time. And the abnormal gait put a lot of stress on other joints, especially in the hip and back. So getting back to walking normally requires time, patience, and hard work (being faithful to the exercises and consciously thinking about your gait). Also, it was suggested to me that perhaps a visit to a foot doctor might help - they can assess your pattern of walking and make some suggestions, sometimes including the use of orthotic inserts in your shoes. Good luck!!