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Soreness and stiffness 10 months post TKR

Posted by cindymattern @cindymattern, Jul 24, 2023

I am now 10 months out after a right TKR...At 3 months I had about 115 range of motion and felt pretty good and was dismissed from PT. I went back at about 8 months as I felt I was getting more stiff and sore and still had the tight band feeling and feel like things are pulling. I did have significant arthritis prior to my surgery and do have arthritis in several areas. Of course my surgeon says everything is fine and my X-ray looks good. He won't see me till September which is my one year appointment. Should I be concerned. I'm still in PT, doing some myofascial release and some strengthening again. I also suffer from lower back pain and some IT band issues since the replacement. Any suggestions would be greatly suggested. I know they say a year or more but I'm so over this...I recently walked 18,000 steps at Universal but was very sore in the evening and used my knee sleeve due to walking so much. I do most everything except getting up off the floor but by late afternoon am really sore. ROM is still 115 if I use a band but it hurts but I can pull it. Can't take nsaids...currently on 900mg Gabapentil and Tylenol.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jun 1 6:26am
In reply to @enkhuizen666 "SAME STORY AS ME. SURGEON SATISFIED BUT KNEE VERY STIFF. USING SHOCK WAVE THERAPY AT CHIROPRACTOR..." + (show)
Profile picture for enkhuizen666 @enkhuizen666

SAME STORY AS ME. SURGEON SATISFIED BUT KNEE VERY STIFF. USING SHOCK WAVE THERAPY AT CHIROPRACTOR AND KNEE GETTING LOOSER. ALSO USING ACCUPUCTURE FOR INFLAMATION. HELPS.

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If you have inflammation and stiffness in a specific muscle group(s), take a look at dry needling. It is similar to acupuncture in that the same needles are used but the similarity ends there.

Dry needling involves putting a micro-thin, sterile, one-use needle into a muscle to get a twitch response and relieve tightness. Results get better with continued sessions. I do this twice a month.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jun 1 6:29am
In reply to @mia28 "@heyjoe415 I did 7 months of pre-op PT and got my knee to 132 degrees. Post-op..." + (show)
Profile picture for mia28 @mia28

@heyjoe415
I did 7 months of pre-op PT and got my knee to 132 degrees. Post-op I struggle to get to 100 and occasionally 108. I was bone on bone and had a lot of arthritis pre surgery. Against my surgeon's advice, I opted to have an MUA at the 3 month mark as I needed to try to do something to get ROM back and get rid of the horrific pain and swelling. Scar tissue is very difficult to deal with. I am now 13 month from LTKR and have a 132 ROM. It has been hard work and diligence and there were no guarantees. I still have some pain and stiffness, but determined not to go backward. I have been lucky.

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Hi again Mia. 132 degrees ROM is exceptional. Post TKR, surgeons and therapists are happy if a patient achieves 120 degrees. I got to 130, right where you are.

Did you benefit from the MUA? I find it so strange that you built up scar tissue in spite of doing all the rehab. As you noted, we are all different.

You have a strong will and are very determined - necessary elements for a good TKR recovery.

Thanks Mia.

Joe

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repsher | @repsher | Jun 1 10:41am
In reply to @mia28 "I am 13 months from LTKR and 10 months from MUA. I did 7 months of..." + (show)
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I am 13 months from LTKR and 10 months from MUA. I did 7 months of Pre Op PT 3 times a week and daily at home. I built a ton of scar tissue post-surgery and could not get past a 108 ROM. I have worked up to a 132 ROM since the MUA, and it was painful and arduous. I still have some pain and tightness, some days more than others. I have continued PT 3 times a week and work on strength and stretching at home as well. I thought I would be pain free by now. I also have lower back pain and my right ankle is weak and baby toe is so painful, hard to wear a sneaker. I am going to see a podiatrist about the toe as the pain is throwing my gait off more than before and causing me to limp. Cause was probably altered gait due to the LTKR. Hoping the podiatrist can help to resolve the issue as it may be causing part of the issues I am having with my left knee.

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@mia28
I am 4 months from rtkr.
I am have similar problems.
Lower back pain, stiffness in knee, pain in the ankle (including right side of foot and small toes
I have stopped going to PT just doing exercises at home. My massage therapist has help. Doctor is sending me to a sports physician
for the ankle foot pain.

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1 reply
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mia28 | @mia28 | Jun 1 12:36pm
In reply to @repsher "@mia28 I am 4 months from rtkr. I am have similar problems. Lower back pain, stiffness..." + (show)
Profile picture for repsher @repsher

@mia28
I am 4 months from rtkr.
I am have similar problems.
Lower back pain, stiffness in knee, pain in the ankle (including right side of foot and small toes
I have stopped going to PT just doing exercises at home. My massage therapist has help. Doctor is sending me to a sports physician
for the ankle foot pain.

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@repsher

Thanks for sharing. Interesting. My Dr. is never helpful. Just says x-rays are fine and my issues have nothing to do with my knee. Never gives recommendations. Wishing you success and good luck!

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repsher | @repsher | Jun 1 1:11pm

Got the same response from my doc.
She passed me to a ankle doc. X-ray and MRI showed nothing. Now moving to the sports doctor
Good luck

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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Jun 2 8:44am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "I'm ver sorry Mia. My comment was too strongly stated and I should have noted that..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

I'm ver sorry Mia. My comment was too strongly stated and I should have noted that there are cases like yours, where a person does extensive pre and post-op work for a joint replacement and still encounters an awful result. Please accept my apology.

I am amazed and inspired by your dedication. You continue to work after 21 months of what has probably been hell. Good for you. Others will benefit from your story.

I do hope you find some relief soon Mia. And again, I am very sorry for coming across as unsympathetic to cases like yours. I did not intend that.

All the best to you.

Joe

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@heyjoe415 I had a pain free recovery. But I have attributed the credit as follows:

5% for my research into surgeons and techniques;
90% for the incredible skill and experience of my surgeon; and
5% for luck -- good in my case.

It is that last 5% that can cause so much trouble. No matter how well prepared the patient is, and no matter how good the surgeon is, there is still an element of uncertainty that can intervene.

But I do believe that by doing whatever prehab one can do, by careful selection of one's surgeon, and by using an ice machine for the first few weeks one can maximize one's chance at a good outcome.

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2 replies
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slarson14 | @slarson14 | Jun 2 8:57am
In reply to @steveinarizona "@heyjoe415 I had a pain free recovery. But I have attributed the credit as follows: 5%..." + (show)
Profile picture for steveinarizona @steveinarizona

@heyjoe415 I had a pain free recovery. But I have attributed the credit as follows:

5% for my research into surgeons and techniques;
90% for the incredible skill and experience of my surgeon; and
5% for luck -- good in my case.

It is that last 5% that can cause so much trouble. No matter how well prepared the patient is, and no matter how good the surgeon is, there is still an element of uncertainty that can intervene.

But I do believe that by doing whatever prehab one can do, by careful selection of one's surgeon, and by using an ice machine for the first few weeks one can maximize one's chance at a good outcome.

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@steveinarizona (Am also in AZ, Steve.)

Agree totally with the ice. I also believe PRE-hab is mandatory with any joint replacement; the advantage it gives a patient is tremendous.

People do not understand that inflammation causes heat and can cause scar tissue and slow recovery. They also do not realize the advantage of strong muscles to support a replaced joint; it stabilizes during recovery.

I used ice frequently with my shoulder replacement and it is doing great 10 months out.

When and if I get a knee replacement, I will do my due diligence by 1) being as light weight as possible and still be healthy; 2) be as strong was possible in my core and lower body; 3) use ice and pain meds religiously in order to do PT twice as long as recommended.

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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Jun 2 9:32am

I have to ask: did you use Dr. Evan Lederman as your shoulder surgeon?

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mphaddican | @mphaddican | Jun 3 6:09am
In reply to @steveinarizona "@heyjoe415 I had a pain free recovery. But I have attributed the credit as follows: 5%..." + (show)
Profile picture for steveinarizona @steveinarizona

@heyjoe415 I had a pain free recovery. But I have attributed the credit as follows:

5% for my research into surgeons and techniques;
90% for the incredible skill and experience of my surgeon; and
5% for luck -- good in my case.

It is that last 5% that can cause so much trouble. No matter how well prepared the patient is, and no matter how good the surgeon is, there is still an element of uncertainty that can intervene.

But I do believe that by doing whatever prehab one can do, by careful selection of one's surgeon, and by using an ice machine for the first few weeks one can maximize one's chance at a good outcome.

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@steveinarizona
Does anyone know a site that indicates the best orthopedic surgeon in the New Orleans area?
Where does Dr. Chao work?
Two part question.
Thanks
M

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1 reply
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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Jun 3 6:14am
In reply to @mphaddican "@steveinarizona Does anyone know a site that indicates the best orthopedic surgeon in the New Orleans..." + (show)
Profile picture for mphaddican @mphaddican

@steveinarizona
Does anyone know a site that indicates the best orthopedic surgeon in the New Orleans area?
Where does Dr. Chao work?
Two part question.
Thanks
M

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Dr. Chow works out of Phoenix but he has an active travel practice:
https://www.chowhipandknee.com/traveling-patients-hip-knee-specialist-phoenix-arizona/

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