Hot & swollen six months after TKR - help!

tinkerbelltoo

Hi - anyone out there with this problem.

Just returned from short-walking the dog and my nearly 6 month old knee is so uncomfortable. It's hot and swollen - not just after exercise but all the time. When I awake in the mornings it's not too bad but almost as soon as I've walked a few steps it swells up and gets worse during the day, feeling very hot (mainly to the right of the scar - not all over the knee). The swelling is localised to just above the knee and also the soft tissue at the back of the knee is very uncomfortable. The whole knee joint feels stiff - like a tight bandage around it inside. My ankle and foot often feels tingly and has many broken veins now - they never used to be there.

I mentioned all this to the Consultant a few weeks ago - he listened, felt the knee and admitted it felt hot and was 'rather swollen'! He said it's probably fluid (which I too had thought) and seemed reluctant to do anything, commenting that if it was drained, then infection could be introduced. So he then said that 'this may be as good as it gets but it could take up to a year to improve'. I am prepared to wait for as long as it takes, but at the moment I am worried about the heat and increasing tightness in the whole area and feel that 'something may be going on in there'.

Perhaps this is normal and I'm fussing unnecessarily. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do - ring alarm bells or just live with it. Any help and words of encouragement please?

Meanwhile the Consultant has signed me off but did say that if I had concerns then I could get in touch and he would see me again. Also I have been signed off by the Physio so am feeling very alone.

Since having the right knee replaced in January, the left one is now getting increasingly painful but I'm trying not to think about that. Couldn't bear the thought of going through this again and hubby is having a hip replacement next month, so I need to be as active as possible. Grrh - ain't life wonderful!!! Hey - I'm going to be a Great Nana in a few weeks time - yippee!

tinkerbelltoo x

stickywicket

I think your concerns are quite justified, tinkerbelletoo. I've not had this problem with any of my knees and clearly your consultant felt it wasn't quite right. It might be that more physio - especially bending - would help but, in your place, I think I'd go back to him and ask. You don't have to do what he suggests if you don't want to. Or, if you have a nice, friendly GP, talk it over with him first and see what the consultant told him after your last appointment.

elnafinn

Hi Tinks

I am sory to hear about your knee. I can understand that you feel rather alone with this now having been signed off by both the physio and the consultant. I am surprised that he did not wish to see you in one year especially as what was said at the nearly 6 month check. If you do have any real concerns do make an appointment to see him again. I most certainly would.

I have had both knees replaced 2 years apart. I got the mobility back quickly but pain lasted for about 9 months to one year. I kept being told that it was a major op and it could take up to 1 year to 18 months before the knee felt ok.

Does the knee work well - ie a good knee bend? Do you "ice" the knee and elevate it a few times during the day? I sometimes wore a tubrigrip fr a short time as suggested by the physio that helped a little. If you do, it should be a long one to stretch over the knee, halfway down to the calf and upto the middle of the thigh.

I do not believe that you are "fussing" at all. Perhaps keep an eye on it for a few weeks and if still the same make an appointment to see the consultant.

Elna x

marrianne

I am very sorry to Tinkerbelleto,Its long time to be without some improvement,the O/T Girl at the preop talk on Monday told me the pain from the knee would go .......and the pain would just be from the operation and the scar healing so definately keep asking questions , I think its very unfair to sign you fit for work ,You sound very patient and calm you have a lot on your plate with hubby to ,maybe he could reconsider....Marrianne

tinkerbelltoo

Thanks Stickeywicket and Elnafinn for your replies. Having a chat with my GP re what the Consultant told him after my last visit is a good idea and I'd not thought of that. I don't want to cry "wolf" or worry the Consultant again if it's not necessary so your suggestions are really helpful.

Elna I'm so glad that your knees are OK now but I hadn't realised that it could be up to 18 months. It's the swelling and hottness which makes me wonder if something is 'going on' and I don't want it to get worse and then regret not seeking advice earlier. I met someone recently who, after 15 months, had infection in the new knee joint and underwent a 2nd replacement op - nasty eh? five years on she's now walking ok but not as well or as far as she'd like.

tink2 x

elnafinn

I agree Tinks that the swelling and the hotness should be kept a close eye on and yes, the gp is a good port of call but the consultant is the best person of course. Never think you are wasting a consultant's time. You need reassurance that things are going ok. Quite rightly you would not wish an infection, if there is one, to take hold and I am sure the consultant would not either. We know our own bodies better than anyone else and better safe than sorry, I say, especially post op.

Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Tinkerbelltoo

Oh heck it sounds like youve got good reason to be a tad worried...I mean im not sure exactly how long a new knee takes to settle completely but if the surgeon saw you and wasnt too concerned, Im not saying dont worry but if he had suspected an infection surely he would have acted? If its fluid can something be done to alleviate that? Im think back to when my sister had a severe case of gout and her legs/ankles now are always swollen, she takes a tablet allpurinol every day to keep the gout at bay.....
Others have mentioned icing it few times, it cant hurt can it?

Hope you get some releif somehow..

Elainex

elnafinn

I am wondering what the physio said about your inflamed and hot knee as she discharged you. She should write to your gp shouldn't she too as well as the consultant.

It will be interesting for you (and us ) to know what both letters say.

Elna x

frogmorton

Hi Tinkerbelle

I dont like teh sound of it either.

Would your GP be able to do some tests to see if there is anything else going on??? Bloods can show infection i think :? but I am might be wrong :oops: .

I agree with Elna about ice and elevation, but would still be unhappy in your shoes.

Do let us know how you get on

Love

Toni xxx

babytiger

ahai atainkerbelle
Sorry to hear your having problems, I do hope your doctor can get you blood tests to see if there us an infection .Have you got a good bend on it ?
I had mine back in November ,still can't move it but under a lovely doc. now ...Please let us know how you get on xx

diamond

Hi Tinkerbelle,Do you not have a Arthroplasty helpline you can phone for advice?A few weeks back i had problems with lump behind my knee,my tkr was 9 weeks old.I was told to come in they x/rayed my knee and checked my blood for esr and cpr to see if there was infection.Glad to say all checked out fine,it put my mind at rest.I still have a small lump but they say it is broken blood vessels.It was a specially trained nurse that i saw. Hope you can get this checked out to your satisfaction

jojo03

Hi tink2,
I had both knees done last year, one in May and the other in August. I had lots of heat and swelling, and with my right knee it was mainly to the right of the scar and just above the knee - as yours is. The surgeon told me he'd had to do "a lot of work" in this area during the op, so I think there must be a lot of healing to do for that knee, and a lot of scar tissue left over. My right knee still feels hot and tight at times, usually after a bit of walking. I still do my quad exercises, and I also use an exercise bike regularly to keep the joints moving. I would definitely try an ice pack if I were you, ten minutes at a time, maybe three times a day. Also, I massage my knees with Cyclax lavender cream (99p for a tub from Rowlands chemists!), which is supposed to help with swelling.
Try your GP for advice - it might be worth asking at your surgery if they have a GP who specialises in orthopaedics. Apparently, GP's usually have a specialist area as well as practising general medicine, so it's worth asking to see that one.
Hope your knees feel a lot better soon!
Jo x.