Recovery following total knee replacement

NicolaAB

I seem to have got recovery time way way out - now 13 weeks and any advice and comments would be appreciated . Allowing that everyone is different! 6:12 months?

Lindaa

My physio says as long as it takes cos we are all different. Nurses post op reckoned this 6 weeks and 3 months stuff was misleading and only a vague guide to when steps forward might be more noticable. Surgeon suggested full knee strength as good as its going to get can take 12 to 18 months and depends on the state of rest of your joints. 6 weeks post op I know I am improving but theres a long way to go.

NicolaAB

10 months on from total knee replacement and still feels like a tight band across the middle of the knee - although this doesn’t prevent walking for an hour a day going downhill is still challenging, and going downstairs a work in progress - can anyone advise if this is 'normal' aa I feel if could get rid of this feeling, and then reduction of 'numb’ area on lower outside of knee, I would be back to nearly 100%? Any advise would be much appreciated.

Moira

Do the exercises that the physio suggests, do them correctly and for the correct number of times. Too much and you can set yourself back; too little and you won't get mobile. It is very important that you use your new joint.

Sometimes there will be numb areas as nerves have been damaged. They told us at the clinic pre-op. There is nothing really you can do about that.

Everyone is different but exercise is the key to mobility - the correct exercise. Just don't do breast stoke legs when swimming (I jiggered my new knee joint that way!) and most of us can't kneel.

I don't think you'll ever get back to 100%. There's no way I can do a ballet or contemporary dance class anymore - but hey that's life and there are other joys. Tai Chi is brilliant.

Lindaa

I am 9 months on from knee replacement and also have the tight band, numbness and anything more than a gentle downhill gradient is uncomfortable as are stairs. Physio told me to massage and moisturise numbness and scar frequently, walk regularly, and be patient. That patience is the hardest bit!

NicolaAB

Thank you - interesting and helpful comments. Feel the consultant could have provided more information on recovery!

think I have been over optimistic, 🤞for best recovery possible at 2 years, interesting comment re kneeling, tried it once for review but extremely difficult!

i also find steep hills and going downstairs challenging but hoping this will ease with time.

used bio oil for 6 months and then a serum but think that is as good as scar will get.

lindalegs

Hi @NicolaAB and @Lindaa

I've had three new knees plus the two I was born with so that makes me five altogether! 😂

Give yourself time because you've had a lot of soft tissue damage during surgery which needs to get better too. Any numbness is caused when they sever the nerves and these can repair but it's extremely slowly (years) if at all. After a while you'll forget about the numbness because it's just your knee.

You have to consider how you were before surgery because your damaged knee will not have allowed you to walk 'properly' for a very long time so now certain muscles have had a wake-up call! The exercises you've been given, by your physio, will start to strengthen the muscles and normal walking will get easier over time.

If you are unduly worried you can always contact your surgeon's team or your physio.

KJWS

hi @NicolaAB @lindalegs etc

I’m on the huge waitlist for knee replacement and can’t walk for more than a few minutes, nor straighten my knee & it’s agony. I’m contemplating borrowing the money for surgery because my daughter lives in Aus & I’m going to visit in January and would give anything to be able to walk around with her. I’m not expecting miracles (least I don’t think I am) but would love to walk along the beach or around town, like a mile or even two (can barely remember how I ever did that).

I would be travelling 3-4 months post surgery and would love your perspective on if this is a realistic possibility? Ofc I’d also have the long flights to deal with. I have a consultant appointment on Thursday and will ask medically, but I’d just like to gauge if I’m being unrealistic.

Thanks

olivia_b

Hi @KJWS,

Though I haven't had any personal experience with Knee Replacements as of yet, I have dug out some materials that may be of use while you are waiting for other members to give their input.

I hope this helps :)

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/

lindalegs

Hello @KJWS

I can see your dilemma regarding your TKR and your visit to Australia. I do think you're putting yourself under a lot of pressure, not only because you haven't got a date for your surgery yet, but we're all different in the way we recover. I don't know your age but I was 42 when I had both my knees replaced in the same operation and age can play a significant factor in how quickly we recover.

Is there any way you can postpone your visit to see your daughter because if you did, it would give you time to convalese and you will have a better idea of what you can cope with especially regarding the long flight. I'm sure you want to get the most out of your holiday and if you're not fully recovered it might cause you some stress with the time restraints.

With my TKRs I am able to walk on beaches though dry, uneven sand is a bit problematical and I have to hang onto Mr Legs's arm, but I am several years down the line. In saying all this you might recover very quickly and be hopping, skipping and jumping before you know it, but I think you need to be realistic and err on the side of caution.

I do hope this helps.

KJWS

@lindalegs Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. It’s really appreciated. I’m under a lot of pressure from family who all see me suffering and think a new knee is an easy solution to my current immobility.
I’m trying to temper expectations and then hear my husband telling his sister I’ll be walking again in 6 weeks 😳

It’s tough as we have January flights booked and I’m desperate to see my daughter. I think I will press on with the op in September as I’m literally unable to walk now anyway and will have to try & reschedule if I’m not up to the trip.
Thanks again for your considered reply, it’s really helpful as I need to understand the reality versus what my family (and I too) want to hear!

lindalegs

Hello @KJWS

I can well understand the need to see your daughter, I too, am a parent and the draw is very strong. This is the right decision for you and it also gives you a goal to aim for.

All I would add is that you are having major surgery and knees do hurt when you weight bear after the operation but it’s a different pain to what you’re experiencing now. This is because it’s healing, it’s not the bone grinding pain you currently have. Don’t rush to get better fast because you might overdo things, listen to the advice of your medical team and do the exercises they set you when your body is ready. You will have soft tissue which needs healing as well as getting over the surgery in yourself. As a rule of thumb, patients are using walking aids, be it walking frames/crutches/sticks/stick for about 6 weeks post surgery. Listen to your body and don’t expect too much of yourself and you will find your own progress because we’re all different.

I base this all on my own experience of having bi-lateral TKRS in the millennium and one redone in 2011 because I’d worn it out! My left knee prosthesis is 24 years old and still going strong! (That was said in a whisper because I don’t want to give it any ideas!)

Other members might come on and give advice related to their experiences and it’s all good for the melting pot.

I hope this helps and if there’s anything you’d like to ask feel free, I’m always around somewhere.

I do hope it goes well and also that you will keep us all posted on your progress.

KJWS

hi @lindalegs

Thanks again. Of course everyone is different but it’s always good to hear from someone who has experienced it.

I’ve also had a good discussion with my surgeon about my trip which will be 3.5 months after surgery and conclusion is I’m not going to delay the surgery, but have made it very clear to family that if I don’t feel up to it we’ll postpone our trip. His main concern was not to fly within 3 months due to risk of clots. I’ve been on crutches for 2 1/2 years so 6 weeks will hopefully fly by. I’m not sure I can imagine walking without them again, but I will definitely be careful not to overdo things in the early days, despite my looming trip. This is too big a deal for me and the long game is my focus.

I will let you know how it goes and I hope your left knee wasn’t listening!

Kerin

Hi, i had total knee replacement 6 weeks ago and am finding it hard going. I have been doing physio as told and thought things were progressing But i still cant bend my knee 90% no matter how hard i try. I can walk for about 10 minutes and manage the stairs, but getting into the car is difficult and leg doesn’t seem to be getting any less stiff.Hospital have arranged physio classes for me, but are saying if I can’t bend it soon they will have to take me in and manipulate it while they put me out. Has anyone else had the same problem.w

Naomi33

Morning @Kerin

Sorry to hear your concerns about recovery.

I am sure others will connect with you soon who have experience with new knees.

The following link maybe of interest…..

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-knees/

Best wishes @Naomi33

lindalegs

Hi @Kerin

I'm sorry to hear your new knee is so stiff. I do think it's still early days and you have a lot of soft tissue injury and possibly swelling which still needs to heal. I was wondering if you might be overdoing the exercises and therefore aggravating the knee a little. Do remember rest is important too and it all helps with the healing process.

The good thing is that your medical team are listening and you're still under their wing. If you have a different set of physio exercises these might be just what you need.