Total Knee Replacement - Your Experience

[leeniewdw]

Thank you all so much. I do know that he's being impatient and also a little fearful (understandable). I'm also certain that he truly didn't recognize how much of a rehab/recovery it is going to take. I'm not sure that's a bad thing, he may have delayed it even longer! It just makes this slow process a little harder on him.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Hi all, my DH is 6 weeks tomorrow since he TKR. On paper, he's done very very well. He was "ahead" on range of motion, his swelling went down quickly (still a little swollen obviously, but generally speaking), he's been off pain meds since the 3rd week (does take a little OTC).

The question I have is about his 2 specific complaints. He describes the feeling in his knee as "clunking". The PA told us in the pre-op visit that he'd have "clicking" but that his brain would learn to ignore it down the road... but he seems to be really distracted by this clunking that also hurts. I'm presuming his "clunk" = "clicking", but it's not my knee. I've tried to convince him to have more patience since he's still got pain and hoping once the pain subsides he'll start forgetting about the "clunk". He seems to think that's impossible -- compares it to having 1 wheel on a car that is a square.

His other concern/complaint is about a "pinching" on the outside of his knee. He's been talking about that since it was 2 week from the surgery (he mentioned on his 2 week followup with the PA). At the time, the PA said it could be due to the clamp they use to keep the surgery site open. He says there has been no change in the feeling or pain associated with this "pinching".

Any of this sound familiar to anyone? He goes back to the PA for his 6 week follow-up on Thursday so he'll obviously be asking those questions.

I have to say, he's pretty down in the dumps. I think it's mostly because he's not convinced his current scenario will move to "best thing I ever did" which is what some friends have said. I know he's being impatient - I just hope that's all it is.

My surgeon told me it would take a year to no longer feel them. I found that to be totally accurate. I’m 14 months out from my 2nd. 16 from the first. I don’t feel anything foreign in either. No pain. I did have a small spot on the inside of the 2nd that was tight. Pinching sort of. My surgeon said it was hamstring related. He suggested I stretch and it would be better. That was correct. I just did the Princess 5k last week and even managed some light running. Did it last year just walking. Was 30 min faster this year.
so bottom line he’s just got to give it time. I’m going with a full year.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I'm now almost 14 months post-op, and I'm still experiencing a good amount of pain. The knee is very stiff. I tell my husband that it feels like a brick was inserted into my leg. I do walk a lot, and ride my bike, so it's not as if I'm a couch potato. But after these exercises, I suffer for two days afterward. I can no longer do the low impact aerobics that I used to love, which has me bummed as well. I also feel as though my gait has changed, which has me concerned about my hips.

I just went for a 3-phase bone scan because my doctor is concerned that it is either infected (which I doubt) or there's some slippage.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I'm about the same time out -- October 2021 and March 2022. I do have stiffer days and there is still pain, especially when going upstairs. The "clunk" that I used to hear isn't there as much, though. I walked A LOT until the beginning of the year and then just stopped. I need to get back to it.

Hang in there!

 

[rwdavis2]

I'm now almost 14 months post-op, and I'm still experiencing a good amount of pain. The knee is very stiff. I tell my husband that it feels like a brick was inserted into my leg. I do walk a lot, and ride my bike, so it's not as if I'm a couch potato. But after these exercises, I suffer for two days afterward. I can no longer do the low impact aerobics that I used to love, which has me bummed as well. I also feel as though my gait has changed, which has me concerned about my hips.

I just went for a 3-phase bone scan because my doctor is concerned that it is either infected (which I doubt) or there's some slippage.

My wife still has some adhesions due to the initial PT getting delayed. Same sort of pain but not as bad as yours. Those can be "cleaned out" via arthroscopy. It does sound like you have some sort of misalignment though.

Good call on the bone scan.

 

[leebee]

This is a very timely thread for me, as I am having my right knee replaced on Wednesday (5/31). I've been very positive about it until today, when a huge wave of anxiety overtook me at the grocery store and I had to come home. I have so much I still need to finish at work and get ready for here at home! However, I appreciate reading everyone's experiences. Even if it's wicked painful (yes, I'm a New England girl), I'd rather be prepared than surprised. Thanks for sharing.

 

[longboard55]

I had a friend who did a knee and did minimal rehab. Total waste, he is worse than before. You have to commit to walking and rehab. I have heard this from several who had surgery

 

[david007]

Getting my L knee replaced in a few weeks (yikes). Some questions for those who've had the surgery:

How long before you could walk without a walker or cane?
Someone told me you can't walk on a treadmill while recovering...did you?
How long before you felt "good"?
How long before you could go up steps without looking like a toddler?
Could you shower after? I bought one of those contraptions to keep water out.

Thanks!

I don't know anything about total knee surgery, sorry.
I'm in the forum to get informed. If a person stays active can you stave off a surgery. I'm bone of bone for a while now but I don't have too much problem, only when I walk up and down stairs too much. Other them that I feel normal.

 

[david007]

The advantage is speed of surgery. Now could my surgeon be pulling my leg, or knee on this case. Yes he could. By no means am I am expert. But what I was told is with the surgery I had they put the joint through all it’s movement tests and fitting tests prior to surgery so it’s a simpler procedure matter when putting the joint in place and closing up. There little too no fine tuning left to do. They do almost all on the computer prior to surgery. The time the patient is under the knife is minimal. There’s very little trauma done to the joint being the actual attachment, which is done with glue. I barely had even a bruise on my skin. Heck, I had just an epidural and was only under a light twilight sleep so I couldn’t hear what was going on

Can people go without out getting a knee replacement even with bone of bone? I heard soon triathletes have no cartilage whatsoever and can still move will.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Can people go without out getting a knee replacement even with bone of bone? I heard soon triathletes have no cartilage whatsoever and can still move will.

Not according to my ortho if I wanted to relieve the pain.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don't know anything about total knee surgery, sorry.
I'm in the forum to get informed. If a person stays active can you stave off a surgery. I'm bone of bone for a while now but I don't have too much problem, only when I walk up and down stairs too much. Other them that I feel normal.

Can people go without out getting a knee replacement even with bone of bone? I heard soon triathletes have no cartilage whatsoever and can still move will.

Welcome to the dis, david.

Not according to my ortho if I wanted to relieve the pain.

I agree with this.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Can people go without out getting a knee replacement even with bone of bone? I heard soon triathletes have no cartilage whatsoever and can still move will.

Can people get by without it? Yes, absolutely, but usually not comfortably. Arthritis doesn't go away once it is there, no matter what you do. Typically it only continues to get worse. Having stronger muscles can take some of the pressure off, which is why PT is often recommended first to alleviate some of the pain, but it is not a cure.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I have a little update regarding my knee journey. I went back to my ortho because, after more than one year, I still struggle to walk. I still have a lot of pain. He gave me a script for a 3-phase bone scan....and my implant is loose. So, now I have to get revision surgery. Here we go AGAIN

 

[dazedx3]

I have a little update regarding my knee journey. I went back to my ortho because, after more than one year, I still struggle to walk. I still have a lot of pain. He gave me a script for a 3-phase bone scan....and my implant is loose. So, now I have to get revision surgery. Here we go AGAIN

This is interesting, because I too am struggling after 1 1/2 years post total knee replacement. I have a tremendous amount of swelling in the leg and a moderate amount of pain. Walking is difficult and I still struggle with stairs.
I am supposed to get an MRI but can’t get in until the end of July.

 

[leebee]

I am having my TKR done on Wednesday (6/21). It was supposed to be done on May 31 but I had a cold so they postponed. I haven't been too worried about any of this until today, but now I'm feeling apprehensive. I know it'll be OK, it's just pre-surgical jitters. I've got this, I can do it... and in 48 hours I'll be home with a new knee.

 

[Titanium]

My surgeon told me it would take a year to no longer feel them. I found that to be totally accurate. I’m 14 months out from my 2nd. 16 from the first. I don’t feel anything foreign in either. No pain. I did have a small spot on the inside of the 2nd that was tight. Pinching sort of. My surgeon said it was hamstring related. He suggested I stretch and it would be better. That was correct. I just did the Princess 5k last week and even managed some light running. Did it last year just walking. Was 30 min faster this year.
so bottom line he’s just got to give it time. I’m going with a full year.

.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I have a little update regarding my knee journey. I went back to my ortho because, after more than one year, I still struggle to walk. I still have a lot of pain. He gave me a script for a 3-phase bone scan....and my implant is loose. So, now I have to get revision surgery. Here we go AGAIN

I am so sorry! My right implant came loose due to an infection in the tibia bone at 7 months post op. It was a 6 month ordeal, and I am finally recovered. The scar is pretty bad as they had to open that knee up 3 different times. I wish you lots of good luck and perfect healing.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am having my TKR done on Wednesday (6/21). It was supposed to be done on May 31 but I had a cold so they postponed. I haven't been too worried about any of this until today, but now I'm feeling apprehensive. I know it'll be OK, it's just pre-surgical jitters. I've got this, I can do it... and in 48 hours I'll be home with a new knee.

Best wishes for tomorrow, leebee, and over the coming days snd weeks. You're going to do great!

 

[leebee]

Best wishes for tomorrow, leebee, and over the coming days snd weeks. You're going to do great!

Thanks, Dan!

 

[leeniewdw]

I have a little update regarding my knee journey. I went back to my ortho because, after more than one year, I still struggle to walk. I still have a lot of pain. He gave me a script for a 3-phase bone scan....and my implant is loose. So, now I have to get revision surgery. Here we go AGAIN

Wow, I’m so sorry!

My DH had his TKR in January and while he can walk, bike (if the seat is high enough), use an elliptical, he is still experiencing pain. He goes back for his 6 month visit with the surgeon in an few weeks and we’ll see if it’s more of “it takes time, everyone is different” or he wants to do some further tests. We did just get back from 2 weeks in Ireland where there was a lot of walking as compared to home and by week 2 he was in a fair amount of discomfort. Hoping in a week of less walking he’ll see an improvement. He is still very much in the camp of wishing he hadn’t done it (even if he eventually would have to have it done).