Hi ,now nearly 6 months post total knee replacement and having quite a lot of pain in my kneecap,especially when negotiating the stairs ( down in particular).I’m wondering of anyone else has had these probs and whether it’s worth contacting my consultant for advice,don’t want to do more damage by over doing it !Thanks for your input.
Judy
Hi Judy,
It took quite a long time, well over a year before my knee was completely pain free.....
Found these comments on a couple of different US sites -
It's important to keep in mind the typical timeline for recovering from surgery, before a patient becomes too concerned about ongoing post-operative pain. However, if there continues to be significant pain six months to one year after surgery this needs to be further evaluated by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Patellofemoral (kneecap) problems: Kneecap problems are a common cause of knee replacement pain. Significant forces are applied to the kneecap, even with normal activities, such as getting up from a chair or walking down the stairs. Getting a kneecap to perform well with a replacement can be technically challenging even for a skilled surgeon.
Pain when navigating stairs suggests a kneecap problem.
This from NHS -
How long will it be before I feel normal?
You should be able to stop using your crutches or walking frame and resume normal leisure activities 6 weeks after surgery. However, it may take up to 3 months for pain and swelling to settle down. It can take up to a year for any leg swelling to disappear.
Your new knee will continue to recover for up to 2 years after your operation. During this time, scar tissue will heal and muscles can be restored by exercise.
Even after you have recovered, it's best to avoid extreme movements or sports where there's a risk of falling, such as skiing or mountain biking. Your doctor or a physiotherapist can advise you.
It might be wise to contact surgeon just in case there is a specific problem, if only to put your mind at rest.
Thank you so much for your reply and especially the US article,I think I will contact my consultant tomorrow just to put my mind at rest .I’m completely pain free when walking ,it’s fantastic but don’t want to cause more problems by continuing to swim and ride my bicycle, am wondering if I’m doing too much.I really had very little advice on what to expect after a couple of months and was expecting the stairs to be more comfortable by this stage!Thanks again for your support.
Stairs...are you still doing the “good up, bad down”? ....that might make it slightly easier.
Hi Judym , thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear your knee is still hurting after your knee replacement. However, this is part of the healing process and won't last forever!
Many people ask if low impact exercising like swimming or cycling can harm the joints. This is not true. It is normal to sometimes feel a little sore or uncomfortable after exercise, especially if it is something you haven’t done for a while, but it is important to remember that this does not mean that you are harming your joints. In fact, regular exercise is essential as it helps to strengthen the muscles that protect and support the joints. Exercise has even been proven to help reduce the pain of arthritis and improve function.
We'd definitely recommend speaking to your healthcare professional further, as they know your exact situation better than we do. In the meantime, however, it may be worth reading this from the charity Arthritis Action so you know a little more about the importance of keeping the muscles around your knee healthy and active:
arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...
Hope this helps, let us know how you get on!
Hi Judym, we are at the same cross roads six month down the line. I have some soreness in the patella region , would not say it was pain. Stairs are still uncomfortable and now I can go out more I have the same pain in my shin as when they first did an MRI scan and said it was my knee. Like yourself I am not sure what one should do about continued difficulties, accept or question. As we all take different times to recover, but it is disappointing when things are not progressing as you anticipaited in the time scale suggested. the decision on what you do is up to you please let me know what you decide and how it goes. Good luck and best wishes.
Have you had any surgery since this post. I just read it's from 2 years ago. I'm having the same problem with both knees but getting hip replacement surgery on Monday 3rd July 2023 then they will do the left once healed but I'd prefer my knees done before my left hip now xx take care
Can you please tell me...
hip replacement advice 
Decided not to have hip replacement
