Total knee replacement

Posted by ar7 @ar7, Jan 2, 2020

I am one year out from total knee replacement and my knee pops when I move it. Anyone else have this?

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Thanks for your advice. I’ll mention the back issues when I see the orthopedist tomorrow. Hadn’t thought that relevant at all until your comment.

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@skshapiro

You can develop a condition called synovitis or angry knee syndrome. It is when your synovial
fluid becomes inflamed inside your knee. I developed it by undiscerning pt s who were not paying attention to my knee because they were so hell bent on getting my extension to 0. A more attentive pt put a percussion massager on my leg and I about jumped out of my skin. She immediately stopped the regimen and told me to go get a massage and lay low for a while. My knee was very swollen. If you google synovitis you can learn quite a bit.

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Thanks sk.

I had heard about synovitis but didn't really know what it was. I looked into it and the synovial membrane surrounds the patella. It is usually not removed in a TKR. So yeah, if it gets inflamed for whatever reason it would cause fluid buildup.

I don't know if that's what is going on in Molly's case. It's good to be aware of the condition though. Sadly your pt did not seem to be aware of the situation when trying to get your leg extension to zero. That can be painful even without a swollen knee.

Out of all the Drs, PAs, RNs, medical assistants and PTs in the chain of our treatment, I trust PTs the least. It's been shocking to me what they don't know. Now certainly that is not true for the majority of PTs, not even close. It just seems their licensing requirements are pretty lax and that's just my opinion.

Anyway, thanks very much for the info. Always learning something new!

Joe

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@jakefix82

Thanks…I do have slight spinal scoliosis and degenerative disks in my neck and lower spine. I have no clue re good doctor..I’m in an eastern NC small town, not far from Raleigh

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Duke University is doing excellent work with knee issues.

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Had both knees replaces right leg fine left leg is always swollen making it three times the size of the right leg the knee was replaced in April of 2024. Is this normal?

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@jakefix82

Thanks…I do have slight spinal scoliosis and degenerative disks in my neck and lower spine. I have no clue re good doctor..I’m in an eastern NC small town, not far from Raleigh

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I had continuing left knee pain after a replacement, the kind of pain that grinds deep inside. Although all professionals that I consulted said it was "a very odd presentation," it was finally traced to stenosis in my lumbar spine. I started going to UNC Pain Management in Chapel Hill, NC. After a trial to check effectiveness, I have a spinal cord stimulator implanted that controls that pain very well

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@windykay

Had both knees replaces right leg fine left leg is always swollen making it three times the size of the right leg the knee was replaced in April of 2024. Is this normal?

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I had the left done in April 2024 also. I do not really have swelling but lots of tightness and numbness. The pain going down steps is almost gone but now when i go up steps I get a little pain in the outer part of my knee where the numbness is. I am hoping maybe the nerves are regenerating and thats why I feel some pain in that area. I am deciding if I should make an appointment to see the PA. No pain when walking. I still use ice ocassionally and also heat. The heat feels really good on it

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@roey63

Same here. 13 months post surgery. Pain swelling of patellar tendon. Clicking. OS has dismissed me

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My husband needs both knees replaced. He is trying to hold off as long as he can. Is there anything that can help his pain and swelling until he can get surgery...he takes ibuprofen ...andbhe has had the gel put in as well .. but besides this anything else that will help . Thank you ...

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Start physical therapy asap to help strengthen the muscles.

The Velcro knee braces from stores help brace the knees somewhat, especially in bed.

Ice feels awesome, recommend spending the money for an ice machine if surgery is in the future. Keeps knee comfortable through the night. Elevate the knees throughout the day.

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@babyskyann123

My husband needs both knees replaced. He is trying to hold off as long as he can. Is there anything that can help his pain and swelling until he can get surgery...he takes ibuprofen ...andbhe has had the gel put in as well .. but besides this anything else that will help . Thank you ...

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My advice would be to stop “holding off” and get them done. I lived with so much knee pain for years and finally had them both replaced earlier this year. 1 am 70 years old but wish I’d done this sooner and my PCP agrees. I have ZERO pain now and feel stronger now than I have for a long time. Thank God every day for a fantastic surgeon and physical therapist!
Connie

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