post tkr surgery

[Jean]

I have had a total knee replacement and had to have follow up surgery to release the muscle that was too tight. Has anyone else had this problem and what was the result

[Donna in Denver CO]

I (at age 56) had TKR in 10/2003 with subsequent manipulation under anesthesia 6 months later to help bend the knee better, but to no avail. After 1 year with more and more problems and pain, I was refered to another specialist who recommended a revision TKR because the first prothesis wasn't appropriate for my body. So I had it re-done by that specialist in 1/2005 with much more success, less downtime, and better bending. Doing okay after 1 1/2 years now as of 11/14/06. If your manipulation doesn't work, be sure to find a specialist who has done many revisions to evaulate your knee problem. Good Luck.

[Joanne in Toronto]

After TKR 10 weeks ago, I am still suffering every night in particular.
The pain wakes me up after 2 hrs. Still on tylanol 3 and sleeping pills.
Is this normal?

[Al Smith]

I am 9 weeks TKR post-op. Although mostly pain-free now, I was literally agony for the first week. The pain was not in my knee, but on the outside of my upper leg between the knee and my hip. I had the same pain on outside of my lower leg between my knee and my ankle. Have others had severe pain on the outside of the leg extending from the hip to the ankle?

[Al Smith]

Jean wrote:

I have had a total knee replacement and had to have follow up surgery to release the muscle that was too tight. Has anyone else had this problem and what was the result

I am 9 weeks post-op TKR. I am having one heck of a time stretching the ligiment over my kneecap. I hope that I don’t have to have it "released"

[Al Smith]

Joanne, I am 9 weeks TKR post-op and and my knee gets sore and wakes me up after 2 hours too. I dont use tylanol or sleeping pills because they do prevent "restfull" sleep and turn me into a bitch during the day. You would be better off enduring the pain rather than destroying your entire life with prescription drugs. Smith

Joanne in Toronto wrote:

After TKR 10 weeks ago, I am still suffering every night in particular.
The pain wakes me up after 2 hrs. Still on tylanol 3 and sleeping pills.
Is this normal?

[Doe]

Al Smith wrote:

I am 9 weeks TKR post-op. Although mostly pain-free now, I was literally agony for the first week. The pain was not in my knee, but on the outside of my upper leg between the knee and my hip. I had the same pain on outside of my lower leg between my knee and my ankle. Have others had severe pain on the outside of the leg extending from the hip to the ankle?

I had a lot of pain on the outside of my leg both upper and lower...ended up with sciatica. I ended up having ultra sound on my SI joint. But stretching is the thing to do if your back is not involved. I am 3 mo. post op and the pain on the outside of my leg has left ...finally.

[John-NY]

Joanne in Toronto wrote:

After TKR 10 weeks ago, I am still suffering every night in particular.
The pain wakes me up after 2 hrs. Still on tylanol 3 and sleeping pills.
Is this normal?

I had TKR 7 weeks ago and am doing fairly well. Pain walking ,sitting in car etc is gone ,BUT I still have the pain you speak of about an hour after going to sleep. My humble theory is that because I have not achieved FULL extension (straightening) of the knee, the joint "sags" when you are totally relaxed and extends further than it wants to. The o nly help I have come up with is a pillow behind the joint to keep it slightly bent. FWIW..good luck

[Carol Jean]

Al Smith wrote:

I am 9 weeks TKR post-op. Although mostly pain-free now, I was literally agony for the first week. The pain was not in my knee, but on the outside of my upper leg between the knee and my hip. I had the same pain on outside of my lower leg between my knee and my ankle. Have others had severe pain on the outside of the leg extending from the hip to the ankle?

Hi I am post surgery for 1 yar for 1 knee and 1 year 7 months for the other knee and sometimes at night I wake up a lot because of the pain in my legs all the way from the top of my legs to my ankles also. I still have a lot of discomfort in my knees from a sitting to standing position. It really is awful. I've heard of people still in pain after two years and then some people have hardly no pain at all. Have you received any medical advice for this/

[judy roemer]

My father had knee surgery a year ago that has been a disaster. He is now in a wheel chair. He has been told that he could have the surgery again but it would be much more difficult now because they would have to chisel out the glue that was applied to his joint when it was originally installed. He is 86 years old and the rehab was difficult in the first surgery. His problem is that the first surgery left him with a alignment problem or as the new doctor says ,"there is too much play in the joint." So his knee gives way and won't support him. Any advice?

[DALE]

Al Smith wrote:

I am 9 weeks TKR post-op. Although mostly pain-free now, I was literally agony for the first week. The pain was not in my knee, but on the outside of my upper leg between the knee and my hip. I had the same pain on outside of my lower leg between my knee and my ankle. Have others had severe pain on the outside of the leg extending from the hip to the ankle?

I AM 4 MONTHS POST OP AND THE OUTSIDE BELOW MY KNEE FEELS LIKE SOME ONE IS DRIVING A STAKE INTO IT. THIS HURTS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ME ANKLE. THE TENDONS IN THE BACK OF MY KNEE ARE BAD TOO. HOW DID U HELP THIS. TY

[don]

I am planning on having both knees replaced in March 07, I do o.k. now with ibuprofen if I behave myself and don't be too hard on them. I sleep o.k., and find that after doing a lot of pre-operation workouts. My knees seem to be better.??????? My big concern is that my legs are very bow legged and I'm concerned about having hip problems. One leg is more bowed than the other so is shorter, I tend to limp even tho there is no pain.
My question to you is...If you were me, would you still go thru with it, knowing what you now are going through.
Please give me your input!!!!

Don

[Scott Manor]

Al Smith wrote:

Joanne, I am 9 weeks TKR post-op and and my knee gets sore and wakes me up after 2 hours too. I dont use tylanol or sleeping pills because they do prevent "restfull" sleep and turn me into a bitch during the day. You would be better off enduring the pain rather than destroying your entire life with prescription drugs. Smith
<quoted text>

I am a PT and it is quite common to experience night pain for up to but not excluding 12-15 weeks. be patient.

[fred mullins]

Jean wrote:

I have had a total knee replacement and had to have follow up surgery to release the muscle that was too tight. Has anyone else had this problem and what was the result

I am 12 weeks out and I was doing grat until I quit PT as an outpatient. The only problem I have is the "extreme tightness" in my knees. It feels like rubber bands that won't stretch anymore. Also it's almost impossible to sit with my legas crossed.

[fred mullins]

Donna in Denver CO wrote:

I (at age 56) had TKR in 10/2003 with subsequent manipulation under anesthesia 6 months later to help bend the knee better, but to no avail. After 1 year with more and more problems and pain, I was refered to another specialist who recommended a revision TKR because the first prothesis wasn't appropriate for my body. So I had it re-done by that specialist in 1/2005 with much more success, less downtime, and better bending. Doing okay after 1 1/2 years now as of 11/14/06. If your manipulation doesn't work, be sure to find a specialist who has done many revisions to evaulate your knee problem. Good Luck.

Was your problem the knee was too tight, wouldn't bend ? That is my problem...I had both done at the same time...no problem, just can't seem to get the tightness in kness resolved

[Karen]

I had a total knee replacement in July 2006. Before the surgery I had a lot of pain in my knees which would give out, stairs terrible. I had no cartilage in either knee and they wanted to do both knees. My pain wasn't bad all the time, as long as took my anti-inflammatories. The surgery was more painful that I could imagine. Physio was difficult and the recovery has been too. I don't have any pain and really didn't after a few months. It is difficult to get from a sitting position without pain, but not bad. I have a 120 degree bend and still have swelling of my knee which could be permanent. I have difficulty going down stairs. I thought that I would get my second knee done right away, but in retrospect, since my knee isn't that bad I will definetly wait until thngs get much worse to have the other knee done. Good luck if you go ahead with it. Physio before to strengthen your quads is highly recommended

[Pat Fremont CA]

Had both knees replaced in Dec. 2005. Thought I was doing great, but then the pain came. Both knees are swollen, a lump on the outside of both knees and swelling below the knee on the inside of calf. I have had MRI's, blood work, fluid drained and tested and they say its okay. I am not in constant pain, but more like constant hurt. I can walk okay. What really hurts is when I sit for any time and when I try to get up its is unbearable. I still have to lift myself with my arms. The pain above the knee is awful. First they said it was mussle, then tendons. No one knows and I am finally going for a second opinion. Also could be an allegy to the metal. Anyone have experience with that?

[Theresa]

My mother in law had one knee replaced 7 weeks ago. she is in terrible pain still. Still using a walker, up all nite crying. PT says its her ham string. it goes into a lump behind her knee, feels better when someone rubs it. Still unable to walk much. I think she should see her dr. again. any thoughts??

[Dickie]

I had TKR sept 5 2006 Had very little pain. Went through PT and saw improvement every day. By the first of Dec I felt good, had a great range of motion and if I did not get any better I would have been happy with my results. By the end of Dec. I started feeling a lot of tightness in my knee after about twenty min. of being on my feet. Have to sit down and rest. It is not the hurt as much as it is exhausting. have to ride in electric cart if I go to a big store. Doctor said in Jan. I am still healing and it may get better, He also said it may not.So far not. Anyone else?

[booterup]

I had TKR on my left knee 9 years ago at the age of 53. I call myself one of the success stories. PT was grueling...painful...but I stuck with it. I learned pretty quickly once PT was through, that this was going to be a lifelong job for me - keep bending and stretching that knee. Just because the PT is done, does not mean you are done. If you don't keep working that knee, it will tighten back up.

In PT, you are given a series of excercises, like deep knee bends, squats, stretches, all of which do not require any equipment and can be done at home. Do every one of them every day. Make this as automatic as that first cup of morning coffee.

If you haven't been doing this, yes, it's gonna hurt because you've allowed those muscles and tendons to tighten back up. The rubber band analogy is a good one - it's got to stretch out before it will work. Start out slowly and build up.

I'm now faced with TKR on my right knee, probably within the next year. I'll know when it's time, and I'll have it done gladly.

Wish you all success. Keep working those knees!