Common Symptoms 6-9 Months Post Total Knee Replacement

**Knee Replacement Course: coming February 2023**

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Please note this video should not be substituted for medical advice. Always consult your doctor.

[funcash]

Thank you. I was told a similar message. My ROM had decreased after I stopped Tylenol and decreased home therapy. I’m back on it and pushing harder. You have me new hope🙏

[sandih]

How common is it to still feel the following: tired enough to need an afternoon nap 7 months post knee replacement? Walking up and down stairs, inclines, and declines is still so tricky and, sometimes, difficult? Is this normal? I used to be able to walk 15000-20, 000 steps per day.. even with my old, wrecked knee. Now, at 7 months, I struggle to walk 6, 000 steps/day. And walking hurts my back. I've never had back pain before. I was in PT for 4 months, post-op. Had one MUA. Still find getting out of a low chair near to impossible. I'm 56 and...prior to surgery...was relatively fit. I was hiking in the wilderness with no problem. Now...unable to do any sort of quick turns, sudden stops, or direction changes without coming to a full stop, first, assessing a situation to maintain balance and then continuing on.
I feel like I am 90 years old. I feel worse, now (mobility-wise), than I did prior to having the surgery.

[coringtonbaldwin]

At 6 months my pain started to dissipate...At 8 months my pain was completely gone...I am currently at 11 months and I think about my knee replacement less than 5% of the time.

[kross]

The video I needed to hear. I’m just over 3 months and I attended a big boat show for work. Probably walked a mile and was standing up for 2-3 hours and now my knee has been sore and stiff ever since. I’m fighting my way through it and even rode my exercise bike hard for 15 minutes this evening. I keep thinking something is wrong but realize it’s going to take time. Thanks!

[sophielynn]

I panicked bc of the return of pain 6 mos PO. The pain disrupts my sleep, again. I'm back on pain meds. Thank you for your valued input. Taking the week off to rest, elevate and ice.

[almasrizwan]

Thank you so much ❤️
I had done my tkr November 2021.
Now I'm very happy with my both knees.

[michaelocarroll]

Thanks Doctor Samantha, l am 5 months post right knee replacement, doing really well no pain whatsoever, walking, swimming and exercising everyday. This week l had my first 7 hour sleep without awakening in the night, l feel great with the new knee and so glad that l had the operation. Best recommendation l could give is to get onto an Exercycle as soon as and work on that range of motion for the knee, it may hurt at first however you will see massive improvement in your ROM as the weeks go by, swimming is great for your recovery also. Male age 76.

[larryapowers]

Dr. Smith, I love your channel and appreciate you sharing your insights. I am at 7 weeks and flexion is at 115 degrees. I have struggled with stiffness my entire journey thus far. I found your explanation about your body adjusting to a prosthetic device and not being so hung up on the flexion number helpful. When you focus on your knee all day you can get a little weird. Thanks

[Diana-piit]

Wow, Im very sorry that you snd others have had this painful experience eith your surgeries.
I had a very different experience.
Its now 13 weeks since I had Total Knee Replacement surgery. I have had No pain at anytime. Yes, a slight discomfort at times.. I expected pain you know the story... Whats your pain level on a scale 0-10 if 10 is the worst and 0 is none? My discomfort level was 1-2.
I followed the instructions for pain management implicitly once I got home so I assumed that was why I had no pain. I gave a vwry low pain threshold so I was amazed that after 3weeks I was off all pain meds except for 1 celecoxib prior to exercise. At 4weeks I didnt even take that.
Im now walking 5-7kilometres once or twice a week, spending up ro 2hours doing exercises in the local pool and have just started today, going to the gym.
I still do all the exercises I was given by the physio at 6weeks.
Why have I added this comment...well its because the above experiences are pretty awful and someone seeing this video might say to themselves...Im not having the surgery its going to be awful.
I want to say ....
Obviously for some people the experience is not good. But its the same with everything. Some people do well, some people do not.
Don't make your decision based on F=false, E=evidence, A=appearing, R=real.
Yes, some people do have a tough time and when you get many of those comments in a row it seems like a lot, But, there is another side to the story.
Many people also have few if any problems.
Find out the FACTS. Knee surgery is pretty common, its one of the most performed surgeries all over the world. Not everyone hides their scars. Look for peope who have them, go over and say something like, Hi, excuse me, I notice you have a surgery scar on your knee. Im considering having a knee replacement but Im a hit worried about it, would you please tell me of your experience if you had it done? Most people like to talk about themselves so its quite likely most people you would ask would be happy to tell you, but there are always the exceptions.
The decision to do it or not to do it is still ultimately yours.
Best wishes for your future informed choices.
For those who have had it rough, I'm sorry I cannot offer any help, advice or comfort except to say as an old lady once said to me ....( And at the time it didnt help me because I didnt understand how it could help.. that came with a change of understanding and perception) she said, and I quote,
Pray about it Dear.
❤ And I shall pray for you too. ❤
In my experience
Prayer does help if you are sincere even when you pray in anger.🫢😯
True, God is amazing!

[alfredgrandellsr]

Thank you Dr. Smith, I am just over 5 months Post Op of a TKR of my left knee and I am coming along nicely. I appreciate your input and support, thank you again.

[sherylevans]

Love your videos, you always make what I'm feeling quite normal!

[fionamuir]

Thanks so much Samantha - your videos are not only so helpful and enjoyable to do, they are unique and they work.
I am 4 months post op and suffering from the common frustrations of many others who comment on this website.Thankyou everyone 😀
I work with a PT ( we call them physiotherapists in Aus) yet find your supportive instructional videos very comforting when I become I bit neurotic when pain appears.😱🤣

[andrewfuller]

At 6 months, pain and stiffness was 4 out of ten, at seven months it’s a little better, but I still can’t sleep at night, the knee wakes me up

[angelitaedwards]

I am glad I am normal at this stage. My knee is stiff and weak even though I am 125 ROM. Really looking forward to my getting stronger and less stiffness with physical therapy.

[blitz_zen]

Thanks!
I am a hairdresser and have been standing from 4 weeks 4-8 hours a day. At 4 months I am feeling more stiffness and pain when stretching. Your video gave me perspective…I need to work less for sure
Thanks again! :)

[brendaenglebert]

Thanks for your video I’m almost 4 months post knee replacement. Seems knee is always swollen and the popping or clicking drives me crazy . Cycling is a little painful but nothing like before surgery . Not back to
My 50 Milers only 25-30 that seems to be enough right now like everyone I hate the waiting . I will say both hips were easier than this knee

[ij]

Thank you! At 5 months nearly so this is very useful information

[tommarinevet]

Thanks, Dr. Smith with your informative videos..they are a big help

[brenttoman]

Thank you for your channel Dr Samantha and all the wonderful and important information!

[davehayter]

Thanks for the information! I'm only two weeks post TKR and doing pretty well according to my PT! The one problem I'm currently having though is they found I have a "Baker's cyst" under my surgical knee causing extra swelling and discomfort making PT much harder and painful to do. Plus, it really distrupts sleeping. I'm going for a follow-up for it in two days.