slow progress after TKR

[Wolf68]

I am almost 3 weeks on after surgery and I am still getting excessive swelling after exercising, is this normal?

I have been doing my physio exercises regularly and most of the straightening and quad strengthening exercises are reasonably easy, I am also able to walk slowly with one crutch to the end of my street and back which is roughly around 1500 steps, however the bending exercises are still very difficult because of the swelling in and around the knee and it seems to increase as the day goes on.

I had my staples removed Friday and the wound has healed very nicely but the nurse said the knee was still very swollen.

I am elevating and icing regularly throughout the day but it doesn’t seem to be making much difference. I am also still finding it difficult to get comfortable at night so I am not getting much sleep. Is all this normal nearly 3 weeks after surgery or should I be making more progress?

[DorsetLady]

Did nurse give any other advice on swelling other than continue icing?

If you are worried, then can you touch base with the orthopaedic team before the Christmas period is upon us?

[Wolf68 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for the reply, I have got a physio appointment on Friday I will bring up my concerns with them.

[DorsetLady in reply to Wolf68]

yes please do…

[katieoxo60]

Do you not have a contact number for hospital physio team who are looking after you ? They are nowdays often called a care in the community hospital team / rehab. You are doing well but the swelling may be saying you are overdoing it. If all else fails request a GP phone appointment . Mine was called the swift team who cover upto ten miles from the hospital. In the past my local hospitals team was called REACT. Its natural for knee to swell so keep up a little exercise but maybe try reducing it and restarting but you still need advice incase their is any infection in there. Don't ignore it please let us know how things go.

[Wolf68]

I had a personal and group physiotherapy session yesterday that helped a lot. They examined my knee, recorded the movement range and measured the swelling etc and then we had group exercises. It’s amazing how everyone is progressing differently and some find certain exercises easy but others difficult and vice versa. It made me feel much happier about my progress even though there were lots of things I struggled to do.

They have told me that my swelling is quite normal and probably caused from overdoing the lunges and bending. I have been told to reduce the walking slightly, just do the lunges 3 times a day and to elevate the legs more and take the ibuprofen if I can for the swelling.

If anybody wonders about the effectiveness of the exercises I couldn’t rise out of a chair without using my hands yesterday, I was the only person in the group who couldn’t. I practiced a few times yesterday afternoon and last night but still couldn’t do it, however I tried as soon as I got up this morning and I am doing it easily now!

There were some people that have had more serious issues since surgery so I would say to anyone who has swelling with heat, Red skin, hard lumps, painful to touch etc to get professional medical attention and not ignore it.

[Trinity7]

Hi, I am 6 wks post op today. For me yes my ankles and foot still swollen after exercise. Not so many pain meds now, however after exercise aching and need ice, if a lot of walking then pain relief. I have only just had dressing off as a little part of wound not healing. Finally yesterday all ok.I have good and bad nights sometimes I need a pillow under my knee, last night had busy day so could not settle slept in recliner which helps. Good luck I think you are still early days

[Wolf68 in reply to Trinity7]

Hello Trinity, it sounds like you have been having a tougher recovery.

I had lymphoedema initially after surgery and the swelling from that was excessive and very painful when I stood up, one thing in particular I found helpful was elevating my legs on as many pillows as I found comfortable but making sure the ankles are higher than the hips. Perhaps this might help with your swelling?

The recovery process is definitely a long journey and everyone seems to respond differently but I think it’s important to find the balance between exercise and rest that suits you. Good luck with your recovery.

[Blackknight1989]

yep…major/major surgery, much bad removed all new and super-duper titanium parts added…major surgery takes 6 months to get over…both knees, both hips and both ankles took me 6 months to fully recover…hips the quickest, ankles the longest…no worries currently for your recovery on your specific concern in general terms anyway! My best to you!