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Total Knee Replacement Pain Levels
I am a 56 year old man in the US, and I underwent a TKR surgery on 8 April 2025. At 33 days out I am still experiencing intense pain around my knee and in my thigh. My skin is also very sensitive so application of ice is often very painful (pulsing & throbbing pain). Sleep is almost impossible - I am lucky to get 2-3 hours a night. My range of motion is good (125 degrees). Straightening more difficult but normal. I am also able to do PT exercises and walk without an assistive device. But again, my pain is almost unbearable and people keep telling me such discomfort is abnormal. Should I be concerned yet?
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I was on my knees kneeling, about 15 to 20 minutes today cleaning my carpet with no problem. It is still a little tender because it has been five months but still kneeling is no problem.
Have mild to moderate arthritic pain in right knee. Can flare up and bone on bone
on inside area. PT helps but have TKR scheduled for end of March. Would appreciate
anyone’s input on whether I should undergo TKR or not. Pain, some recovery stories
daunting. Have had both hips done no problems. Know hips are easy compared to knee.
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@gandalf333 Male 74y
I had R-TKR this past Oct 17
Experienced a minor rare 10 day setback when IT snapped but was on recovery track quickly after.
Mostly sleeping discomfort for the first couple of months. Now at 4+ mos out everything works, still strengthening with minimal discomfort. I even played a gentle pickleball game last week.
I am not a physician, but it when it comes to my physical mobility, I always get a 2nd opinion. My mother didn't after her TKR. She suffered horribly till death. But this was due to not doing any physical therapy. I had a horrible experience with my Physician's, "Physician ASSISTANT" If I had not gotten my 2nd opinion, my original doctor's Assistant would have cost me lots of time, money and pain. He mis-diagnosed the true source of my pain. I recommend you speak with your physician about post-op gel injections prior to your surgery.
@gandalf333
Ask your doc about JournaVX. It was a game changer for me. It is a non-opioid pain killer, but works only when taken before the pain hits. I’m no doc but I think it blocks something from nerves to brain that registers pain. My doc had not heard of it. Got the name from a friend who had a knee replacement from a different clinic. Glad my doc was open to it. I’m only 13 days out and pain is 2-4 level. Sleeping at night too.
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1 Reaction@gandalf333 sounds like you are maintaining. I just have to tell you if you are still having more good days than bad stay your course. Tkr is not to go into lightly it is not the cure all. Does not always work as expected. For many of us we end up with Arthrofibrosis which is accumulation of scar tissue that takes over the replacement. Regardless of how much therapy you do. Right now there is no test to see if you are a candidate to getting or having this condition hopefully soon if I had known would have never done. I am worse of now than before tkr , yes I had pain before but I had full range of motion. The kicker is still have pain lol . I just wanted to give you more to think about I wish someone had told me I might have looked more into it . Good luck