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Truth about Total Knee Replacements

Posted by rickraleigh @rickraleigh, Jul 31, 2021

Your new knee will never feel as good as your original old one

For most people it takes a full year to get most of the benefits of the surgery

Many people experience a clicking sound when walking for years or forever after the surgery

You should do physical therapy for a year after the surgery to get the best range of motion results even though your therapist will discharge you after several months.

There are no studies which will tell you what activities you can do after TKR. Is doubles tennis OK? Golf? What you read online varies. There are no clear answers.

Many surgeons are finished with you after the surgery. If you have issues with the surgery's aftermath, they may not be that helpful.

The scar is big, and no amount of ointment (vitamin E, etc.) will substantially reduce it.

Good news: If you had bad knee problems before the surgery your knee will feel a lot better after the surgery.

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

catmomma | @catmomma | 22 hours ago
In reply to @anadarko "Neuropathy in my right foot has gotten much worse since I had a right TKR. Have..." + (show)
@anadarko

Neuropathy in my right foot has gotten much worse since I had a right TKR. Have you heard that can be a result of the TKR?

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I have needed a TKR for 2 years now, and it's finally scheduled for February 11th. I now have neuropathy in both feet that is as severe as (sometimes more so) the pain in my knees, which are bone on bone from the last MRI in April 2024. My pain management provider feels it is a result of limping around on 2 bad knees.

What helps the neuropath in your feet? I am on pregablin, and lamotrigine, which help some and oxy at times. As is true with chronic pain, nothing takes pain 100% away-but I am interested in something that will provide relief, as there is always room for improvement.

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anadarko | @anadarko | 20 hours ago
In reply to @catmomma "I have needed a TKR for 2 years now, and it's finally scheduled for February 11th...." + (show)
@catmomma

I have needed a TKR for 2 years now, and it's finally scheduled for February 11th. I now have neuropathy in both feet that is as severe as (sometimes more so) the pain in my knees, which are bone on bone from the last MRI in April 2024. My pain management provider feels it is a result of limping around on 2 bad knees.

What helps the neuropath in your feet? I am on pregablin, and lamotrigine, which help some and oxy at times. As is true with chronic pain, nothing takes pain 100% away-but I am interested in something that will provide relief, as there is always room for improvement.

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I take no drugs for the neuropathy. Exercise helps.

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vitix2 | @vitix2 | 18 hours ago
In reply to @ellerbracke "I had right TKR almost 3 years ago. No major problems, except permanent clicking noise with..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

I had right TKR almost 3 years ago. No major problems, except permanent clicking noise with some motions. Had Arthritis, bone spur, torn Meniscus a year prior to TKR. Repair surgery with intense PT and exercise regimen after that did not change the pain. Would have been ok if I did not plan on living an active life, but every time I walked down an incline, or steps, intense pain. So TKR. After the usual course of pain/rehab/continued exercises the knee works very well. For me the surgery was worth it. Well, except for the well known kneeling issue. As in don’t do it.

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I read an NIH study about kneeling post TKR, it made sense to me, and at 10 months post surgery I think the NIH approach is working. The study followed two groups of TKR patients. One group did what came natural to them regarding kneeling (which basically means they did not kneel because it is painful and feels weird). The other group were instructed to kneel for increasing lengths of time (30 secs to 2 minutes), on increasingly harder surfaces, and after several months the group that was made to kneel tolerated kneeling by a meaningful percentage over the group that did what came natural to them regarding kneeling.

I’ve forced myself to try and kneel a few times a week (not nearly as much as the NIH group), and the more I kneel the less it is an issue. Don’t get me wrong, it is still something that I’d rather avoid, but I can now tolerate it when needed without freaking out. That was not the case when I started trying to kneel.

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jdth | @jdth | 2 hours ago
In reply to @guitarlady "Jdth, It's good to hear you've improved and are not so depressed. It's easy to get..." + (show)
@guitarlady

Jdth,
It's good to hear you've improved and are not so depressed. It's easy to get down when you don't feel right.

What food have you found that you enjoy post TKR? After my last one in '23, chicken noodle soup hit the spot. Other things looked good but I found I'd take one bite and get turned off. Rich things were a no-go for a long time. I lost some needed pounds, but it's not a happy way to do it, is it?

I have balance issues so am using a rollator anyway.

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I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels hungry but then just can’t eat. Yesterday I sent my husband for a flatbread with chicken and avacado. It tasted fresh. I’m craving mashed potatoes. He’s not a cook and thought a ham sandwich every day would be ok!!! I Jace tried to cook a bit, but I’m just not motivated do much. That’s what concerns me: I’m usually a go-getter. My PT says I’m expecting too much too soon. Thank you for commiserating!

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guitarlady | @guitarlady | 2 hours ago

Jdth,

Please cut yourself some slack. I don't recommend looking at a youtube of a TKR, but I have and it's brutal. It's no wonder we hurt so much, lack energy and get down.

Thanks for listing what you feel like eating. I'll have some mashed potatoes and a fresh sandwich on hand. But I do plan to mainly use Stauffer's entres like salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and meatloaf with mac/cheese--after I get off my chicken noodle soup regimin. Oh, and toast with a bit of butter was tolerable. A toasted bagel might've been good too.

I'm pre-diabetic and have to watch carbs though. But I think during my lst 3 wks of recovery, I'll eat what appeals. I've chosen Jimmy Dean bacon/cheese,egg/muffin sandwiches for breakfast. I need things I can nuke. My husband will be at week and my daughter will only be here about a week. We have an old microwave in the basement which we'll put on the counter. I'm short and trying to reach the built in which is above my head, won't be easy or safe. I'll be constantly thinking about safety since I'll be on opioids and already have balance issues. I keep telling myself, slow and steady wins the race.

Do saltines appeal to you? Pudding? Ice cream? sorbet? graham crackers? Like I said before, the only thing I could eat right away was chicken noodle soup, and not much even. Just wasn't hungry.

Keep trying to support yourself,

Guitar lady

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