Swollen Knee.

barry2013
barry2013 Member Posts: 151
edited 14. Mar 2013, 17:07 in Living with Arthritis archive
Just wondering how long it takes for the swelling on a knee to go down after a TKR, I am now 4 weeks post op and I would say my knee is still 50% larger than the other, I am still icing it every day for 30 mins.

Comments

  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barry, sorry don't know but I would gather it would take quite a while, I got a fusion done about four months ago and still have some swelling in my joint, I'm sure some of the others will be along soon to give their input............tc................Marie xx
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  • chookgate
    chookgate Member Posts: 146
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I asked my physio, and she said it could take up to 6 months for all the swelling to go down. I think it varies from person to person and knee to knee. My right knee had hardly any swelling, and was normal sized pretty quickly, but my left knee was about twice the size of the right, and the swelling only really started to go down at about 6 weeks, and now at 15 weeks it is still larger than the right, but gradually getting there.

    If you're worried though, it will do no harm to phone the doctor, or even make an appointment to see him/her.

    Edited to add, I meant to say, I ice the front of my knee for 20 minutes, then the back of the knee for 20 minutes after every exercise session (which I confess is currently only once per day) because a lot of the initial swelling and bruising was at the back (apparently due to the bone growths in my knee that was where most of the trauma during surgery was)
  • Helenbothknees
    Helenbothknees Member Posts: 487
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barry, I think this is a "how long is a piece of string" type of question. As chookgate said, people and knees vary so much. I never knew how much mine were swelling, as since I had both done, I couldn't compare either with a 'normal' knee. However, I do know that in the early days - probably until long after 4 weeks - my knees tended to swell after exercise, and I iced them quite a lot. In fact, having been told that swelling was a sign that I'd overdone the exercise, I used that as a signal for when to slow down or stop.

    However, it's difficult to remember exact timings of any of this now. I know that after about three weeks I went out and dug up one of my potato plants to see whether the spuds were ready....to the horror of many people on here. However, my strength, flexibility, and balance had come back very quickly, and no harm was done, as I knew it wouldn't be. After 4 weeks I tried driving, and found it to be fine- though I didn't do so on the public road until 8 weeks after the op due to worries about insurance. And at 3-4 weeks I tried to ditch my crutches, only to be told my a physio to keep them as I'd need them for balance...I didn't!

    OTOH, I always had a lot of pain, especially at night, often more than people expected. I went home from hospital with a bottle of oromorph. I found it hard to sleep for weeks due to the pain. Now, after 8 months, my knees will do anything I want, but they still hurt quite a lot.

    I'm mentioning all the above - though some of it might seem irrelevant - to make the point that we're all different, and comparing yourself with someone else doesn't help much. So...I think it's normal for your knee to be swollen, though it might not be for someone else. It'll go down in time. But cut back on the exercise IF that seems to make it worse.

    Not much help, am I? :)
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barry

    My swelling lasted for 8-10 weeks but mine was from right under me **** to my ankle and even now my skin is discoloured due to it all...I guess its different for everyone though....

    Good luck bud...

    Elainexx
    barry2013 wrote:
    Just wondering how long it takes for the swelling on a knee to go down after a TKR, I am now 4 weeks post op and I would say my knee is still 50% larger than the other, I am still icing it every day for 30 mins.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barry I haven't had a TKR, but I have read post off others that have, and I would say it is very early days yet....and dont forget everyone's different....I am sure you will get there..x
    Love
    Barbara
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,908
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barry

    I had swollen legs/ankles after back surgery and it lasted MONTHS!! I thought they would never be normal again :? . I imagine if it's actually the knee which has been operated on it is going to take a good while.

    Do you still rest yours and elevate it with ice??

    love

    Toni xxx