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When does the pain end or lighten up after total knee replacement?

Posted by irishtrish @irishtrish, Sep 11, 2025

I am 3.5 months since my knee replacement and I'm still experiencing pain and spasms. Also, the replacement clicks/catches on the outer back part of the knee. Is this all normal or anything to worry about? How do you handle the pain?

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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Oct 9, 2025
In reply to @cyndi2013 "@steveinarizona I wouldn't want a surgeon to do this, "the Jiffy knee cut produces less pain..." + (show)
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@steveinarizona
I wouldn't want a surgeon to do this, "the Jiffy knee cut produces less pain but his cut is designed so that if he or anyone else has to go back in, he left a road.".
If he believes that another surgeon would likely see the need to go back in the knee, then that's a huge problem I would have with Chow.
Just my opinion

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@cyndi2013

The bell curve rule operates on TKRs as well:


No matter how good the surgery, bad things can happen. My research was designed to maximize the probability of a good outcome but one can't guarantee it. An implant can wear out, the patella can separate, the spacer can separate, etc.

IMO an excellent physician anticipates the worst as well as the best and plans around it. But go ahead and find someone who thinks that all his surgeries come out perfectly. I don't want that delusional surgeon.

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cyndi2013 | @cyndi2013 | Oct 9, 2025
In reply to @steveinarizona "@cyndi2013 The bell curve rule operates on TKRs as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feNvm2r0BVA&t=367s No matter how good the..." + (show)
Profile picture for steveinarizona @steveinarizona

@cyndi2013

The bell curve rule operates on TKRs as well:


No matter how good the surgery, bad things can happen. My research was designed to maximize the probability of a good outcome but one can't guarantee it. An implant can wear out, the patella can separate, the spacer can separate, etc.

IMO an excellent physician anticipates the worst as well as the best and plans around it. But go ahead and find someone who thinks that all his surgeries come out perfectly. I don't want that delusional surgeon.

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@steveinarizona
Thanks. I was just stating my opinion. I had my TKR almost 1 year ago, and I am happy with mine.

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wisco50 | @wisco50 | Oct 9, 2025
In reply to @gymratca "PS: ICING is critical after walks, as well as after PT / Exercises... And helps control..." + (show)
Profile picture for gymratca @gymratca

PS: ICING is critical after walks, as well as after PT / Exercises... And helps control swelling which controls pain ...so if you're not icing or if you're not icing after each of these kind of sessions that could directly be the reason why you are still experiencing major pain.

( Typically icing duration 8 - 12 minutes, never on direct skin, via ice packs or cold gel packs that most favorably are surrounding entire knee...wrapped in a large towel completely around all sides of knee 😇)

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@gymratca
I long ago realized ice can be my best friend!

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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Oct 10, 2025
In reply to @cyndi2013 "@steveinarizona I wouldn't want a surgeon to do this, "the Jiffy knee cut produces less pain..." + (show)
Profile picture for cyndi2013 @cyndi2013

@steveinarizona
I wouldn't want a surgeon to do this, "the Jiffy knee cut produces less pain but his cut is designed so that if he or anyone else has to go back in, he left a road.".
If he believes that another surgeon would likely see the need to go back in the knee, then that's a huge problem I would have with Chow.
Just my opinion

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@cyndi2013

My last comment and I am going to leave this issue alone. My surgeon is a revision surgeon...he spends about 20% of his surgery time on revising other surgeons' work. So he is thinking ahead...just in case.

I am sitting here typing on my computer on the 8th day post surgery and the only pain I get is when I try to flex beyond what I currently can do. Go ahead and find someone else...I will stick with the best hip/knee surgeon around. I wouldn't have trusted any other surgeon to do a bicruciate retaining implant like Chow did.

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cyndi2013 | @cyndi2013 | Oct 10, 2025

I am glad your revision went well. As did my traditional tkr. We both survived and doing well.

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tonilynn | @tonilynn | Oct 11, 2025

I am in 13th week and have been plateauing at around 90 degree knee bend since about week nine. Doing my 3X daily exercise and 2X weekly PT religiously. Has anyone experienced long plateauing and then continued progressing after week twelve?

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sweetgrannycat1 | @sweetgrannycat1 | Apr 13 11:50pm

I’m 61 and had my second TKR 7 days ago. My 57 yr old surgeon said mine was the most damaged and misaligned knee he ever operated on. I’m nowhere near back to normal. Still taking OxyContin for pain and ice packs for swelling. I was able to take my first shower today(post-op Day 6). I’ve never felt joint pain anything like this in my life. I pray that you don’t have pain as severe as mine. My first knee replacement was in 2020 and took over 2 1/2 years to heal due to lymphodema. But at least it no longer hurts.

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cyndi2013 | @cyndi2013 | Apr 14 9:45am
In reply to @sweetgrannycat1 "I’m 61 and had my second TKR 7 days ago. My 57 yr old surgeon said..." + (show)
Profile picture for sweetgrannycat1 @sweetgrannycat1

I’m 61 and had my second TKR 7 days ago. My 57 yr old surgeon said mine was the most damaged and misaligned knee he ever operated on. I’m nowhere near back to normal. Still taking OxyContin for pain and ice packs for swelling. I was able to take my first shower today(post-op Day 6). I’ve never felt joint pain anything like this in my life. I pray that you don’t have pain as severe as mine. My first knee replacement was in 2020 and took over 2 1/2 years to heal due to lymphodema. But at least it no longer hurts.

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@sweetgrannycat1. I totally understand this pain. I am 16 months post op and still have stiffness throughout the day. Get plenty of rest, lots of ice, stretches and exercises as you can.
Most important, lots of prayers 🙏.
The first 6-12 months is hard.

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sweetgrannycat1 | @sweetgrannycat1 | Apr 14 10:50am
In reply to @cyndi2013 "@sweetgrannycat1. I totally understand this pain. I am 16 months post op and still have stiffness..." + (show)
Profile picture for cyndi2013 @cyndi2013

@sweetgrannycat1. I totally understand this pain. I am 16 months post op and still have stiffness throughout the day. Get plenty of rest, lots of ice, stretches and exercises as you can.
Most important, lots of prayers 🙏.
The first 6-12 months is hard.

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@cyndi2013 Thank you for sharing your healing progress. I’m having buyers remorse over this TKR. I thought after 7 days the pain would subside just a tiny amount.

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cyndi2013 | @cyndi2013 | Apr 14 11:32am
In reply to @sweetgrannycat1 "@cyndi2013 Thank you for sharing your healing progress. I’m having buyers remorse over this TKR. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for sweetgrannycat1 @sweetgrannycat1

@cyndi2013 Thank you for sharing your healing progress. I’m having buyers remorse over this TKR. I thought after 7 days the pain would subside just a tiny amount.

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@sweetgrannycat1 . This is truly a lot of hard word for this recovery. Hang in there. You will see glimpses about 3 months, then again around 6 months.
Count down by the weeks, not days.
Pray 🙏 everyday.
It does get some better as your body adjust to this object in your knee.

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