TKR fluid

I don't know however I have a consistent baker's cyst and when I'm on my feet or exercise too much it hurts. I'm asking my Dr. about it and why I'm still so sore and stiff. I thought the baker's cyst would go away and it's my understanding it's a pocket of fluid from having a bad knee but it's been replaced. So confused. I am almost 11 month out.

Yes! I'm 7 months post tkr. I have fluid on the outside of my knee. It seems to be the same way it was before my knee replacement.

I apparently had a bakers cyst before surgery but it did not bother me in anyway. It’s true that a TKR will remove the cyst BUT the popliteal fossa can easily fill up with fluid again hence the return of the cyst.
Even several months post TKR there can still be excess fluid/surgical swelling which contributes to the cysts formation.

You didn't specify a timeline. Swelling right after TKR is certainly to be expected. How long it lasts varies greatly by individual. I did a lot of pre surgery and post surgery exercises and for both knees, the vast majority of swelling was gone by 8 weeks.

But it seems I am seeing the results of both hard work and luck. I know people who have done everything right and have chronic swelling months after surgery.

I don't know what else to recommend except the standard - elevate, ice, pt, possibly massage by a pt trained in this area. Anti-inflammatories might help, primarily ibuprofen, but probably not worth it because regular use is hard on the stomach.

And finally, if you've noticed a sudden weight gain it's likely from the swelling. I know that's cold comfort but at least you know you're likely not gaining weight from eating too much. When my knee was swollen, my weight was up close to 5 lbs, I think.......

Good evening @cindymattern, and so you also have what appears to be a baker's cyst. I had one before my first TKR. My surgeon used that as a guideline for the severity of my knee situation. If it did not go away after an attempt to release it then he would be more sure that a TKR was necessary.

A few years later the baker's cyst appeared on the other side and the result was the same......TKR surgery. Have you known of anyone else who developed a persistent baker's cyst post-surgery similar to yours?

Please include me in the report from your office visit next week.

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

I have a persistent baker's cyst post-TKR. Before surgery, it was much smaller and asymptomatic, but since surgery (10 months now) it has been much larger and quite painful. I have persistent swelling, so I wear a compression stocking at all times when I'm not horizontal. If I walk around without the compression stocking, I notice the tingling, swelling, and pain within 5-10 minutes and must sit down/put stocking on within 15. There is tightness on the outside of my knee & a ridge of scar tissue developing above my kneecap. Strong kneading is not breaking the scar tissue up. Lately when I have been walking a lot or on my feet for extended periods in the day a pain radiates up my thigh to my lower back. The pain in the lower back can be acute. Rest relieves it. The surgeon has not been helpful. My PT, usually very helpful and correct with diagnosis, thinks it's arthritis in my back, but I know that the pain is radiating from my knee & happens when my knee is strained. PT has given me exercises to strengthen inner thigh muscles, which I am doing - but it's not helping. Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks to all.