PNR 6 week expectations

Posted by l2consulting @l2consulting, Aug 9, 2019

I had a PNR on my left knee on July 2. I am ambulating about 5000 steps without assistive devises with some swelling if i over do. My main concern is a tightness behind my surgical knee and a spasm or catch at night that wakes me. I assume this is my hamstrings adjusting to me new knee but want to be reassured everything is ok

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

Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Aug 9, 2019

Hi @l2consulting - I've only had total knee replacements - 2 of them. I don't know how the surgery is different, but I can tell you that 8 weeks was a real milestone for me. Until 8 weeks, flaky things could happen. I could have pain at night one night and not the next. I could walk well one day and not the other. I can't totally reassure you, but I would suggest that you wait til 8 weeks to really worry. Having said that and understanding the tightness behind your knee is your biggest concern, I want to ask if you have talked about this with your physical therapist? If so, what did he/she say?

JK | @contentandwell | Aug 9, 2019

@l2consulting I totally agree with @debbraw, it is still early and I would not be worried. My big turnaround was at around 7 weeks. I’ve had two TKRs and don’t remember how long it took the first time. You are able to walk a lot of steps, that’s great. If you are really concerned about tightness and spasms then call the ortho or speak to your PT if you feel very confident of him/her. I know that mine would probably not really respond to questions like that, he would tell me I should ask my surgeon.
JK