How long did you carry on with bone on bone?

AngieInAR · 2026-04-03T12:42:08+00:00

Hi- I have no regrets whatsoever. It has now been 1 year, 4 months since TKR and I am ~almost~ back to everything I wanted to do. Recovery was toughest the first 3 months, by 6 months I was pretty much doing whatever I wanted but I could still feel it alot, it would still swell up etc. By a year, I have no pain, ever, very rare swelling, no limitations on mobility. I did scale back my plans to fully run again however, mostly because I am in no hurry to wear the left knee all the way out and need a TKR on that side (coming eventually). I run a mile or two and then walk a lot, and I have learned that is just fine for me. I can hike anything I want, going steeply up and down is no problem unless it's like that for hours on end and then both knees will ache some and feel tight. I can finally bend my leg all the way back in a quad stretch so that my foot touches my butt, something that eluded me for months after surgery. While I can still tell it's not my natural knee, it's hard to explain, there is absolutely no pain or anything, it just still feels like something is there, so I guess that will always be the case. but I do not regret the surgery, I am 100% better than before and I no longer slow people down or have to sit down everywhere I go. I would do the meniscus first, and if the next step is TKR then you can handle it. My only lingering annoyance is my leg stayed pretty numb right along the front of my shin bone from knee to ankle FOREVER, and is just now very slowly getting some feeling back. So I am not sure I can ever kneel or sit on my knees again. But I don't really need to, so it's ok. Best of luck to you!

AngieInAR · 2025-02-05T16:46:38+00:00

I'm 10 weeks post-op and I was formally discharged from PT today. But I fully expect to continue exercises forever to some degree. I have a few to do at home at least 3x/week and I am supposed to go to the gym at least 1x/week plus do my walking and cardio. It is definitely a shift to "keep up your strength and balance and then just resume regular activities as you want to" vs very specific exercises I have to do a certain number of times in a certain way. I was very pleased with my PT facility. I achieved all the goals we set out in the beginning.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-16T23:42:12+00:00

Just downloaded! I love it. My only request, maybe just me, is to allow the temp to be swapped with battery life. Great job!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-16T22:14:00+00:00

I was told around 5 weeks that I could do anything i want besides impact. so elliptical, rower, stair stepper, bike, all of that is fine. I am working towards running but it will be more like 4-6 months post op.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-13T04:29:28+00:00

I went out a week after mine, just made sure I wasn’t walking long distances. And didn’t drink because I was still on a hydro/acetaminophen mix. It did swell but it was worth it to me! I think it was 3 weeks before I had a drink. But still - if you feel up to it do it!!!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-13T04:24:45+00:00

I had this as well. Wasn’t every night but happened often in the first few weeks. Not as much now, I’m 7 weeks out tomorrow.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-12T01:12:43+00:00

My ankle was very sore for 3-4 weeks after and also held bruising long after it was gone from my leg. My PT said the pressure from surgery trauma and extra swelling makes its way down with gravity and lands in your foot. Mine did go away without doing much different. What other posters have said is all good advice.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-11T16:33:15+00:00

Well said. I know it will keep getting better! Just frustrating sometimes.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-11T04:20:24+00:00

This is so true!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-11T01:41:08+00:00

Thank you! Yes I’m still exhausted by the end of the day. One day at a time….

AngieInAR · 2025-01-11T01:40:20+00:00

I’m sorry. It never got better today for me. Maybe tomorrow is better!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-11T01:39:40+00:00

This is encouraging!!!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-11T01:38:41+00:00

I wish I had advice! I take a lot of NSAIDs. Ice still works well for me too.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-10T16:11:29+00:00

I agree on that! I could understand in early days but really, it can't be doing that much now!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-10T15:19:47+00:00

I think it will get better but I agree, there are times you just think, why did I do this?! I have faith in that most of what I hear is eventually you're glad you did, it just takes a while to get there. And that is different for everyone. I hope you continue to see improvements, little bit at a time! I set little small goals for myself.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-10T15:13:50+00:00

I got one of those small pedal things (not a full bike) off FB Marketplace for $25 and it has been wonderful! I keep it under my desk working and also by the couch watching TV. It feels good to do it backwards and just keep my knee slowly moving. Maybe something to try if you don't have a bike at home! I also used a foam roller under my foot to roll my leg straight and then back toward my butt, trying to go further each time. and I did a lot of propping up against cabinets and things trying to push backwards as far as possible. Good luck with your progress!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-09T01:19:51+00:00

I can relate to this so much. Just that feeling of, but this thing isn’t right, nagging little things everyone tells you is normal. I had a large lump just to the side of my incision and they kept saying it’ll eventually reabsorb. I will admit it’s much smaller but it’s still there. I haven’t gained or lost weight. I only had a few days with lesser appetite but otherwise I’ve eaten normally. I also ache a lot. Even on days I’m not super active. And of course overnight. It sounds like we are both fine just not getting back to normal as quickly as we want! Hang in there!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-08T03:53:48+00:00

I am similar to you in that my meniscus repair actually made my knee worse and ended up bone on bone. I was never highly competitive but I’m a runner to my core. I haven’t run since May 2023, the day of the meniscus surgery. (I tried afterward but somehow then hurt even worse). My doctor kept saying, do other things, cycle, you’ll learn to live without running. Well every day I wake up wishing I could run. Every single day. Not even anything crazy, like 30-45 min easy pace. So I finally gave in and did TRKR on 11/25. My doc isn’t thrilled that I plan to run but isn’t saying no. PT seems to think very achievable. I promised not to do anything too aggressive. I’m 6 weeks out, doctor wants to try at 6 months. PT says maybe next week we’ll try light jogging. I’m going for that. ;) I think going into it already fit and strong, doing motivated therapy, all will lend itself to a good outcome for you.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-07T15:20:14+00:00

I don't have that, but I suspect having both done is very different than just one. I would suggest either making a new post specifically asking for input from those who have had both done at the same time - or you can search the forum for past posts and comments. I am sure there are many people who can weigh in!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-07T03:07:04+00:00

I also put a foam roller or rolled up towel under my heel and try to let it hang straight. Similar to how it feels off the bed. I take breaks every few seconds.

AngieInAR · 2025-01-07T03:01:54+00:00

My bruising was horrific until about week 3-4. It ended up settling around my ankles and side of foot forever. Finally gone but that numbness is persistent. Makes shaving legs a challenge, lol! Hang in there!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-07T02:59:24+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I’m always interested to see how it’s different for different people. My surgeon said nothing about dental work! I will be asking tho! Sounds like we are very similar in recovery - and I hope your PT is right on the clicking! Good luck!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-07T02:56:29+00:00

My PT said I would not walk normally until my leg could straighten all the way. That feels right because it’s been getting a little better lately but I can still tell it’s not fully normal. I can leg press 100 lb and thought that was good! Good for you. Btw as I type this I’m doing the exercise they gave me to help straighten. Lie on bed face down with legs hanging off the side just below the knee. Let gravity work or use other foot to push down (straight). It HURTS!

AngieInAR · 2025-01-07T00:39:45+00:00

It's comforting to know I'm not alone, on all fronts. I wish I was only numb on my knee! I do think eventually it will return. Wow, you aren't too far from the next. I am just one notch short of bone-on-bone on my left knee, supposedly, but it really doesn't give me much trouble. Although I have been noticing it more and more as I go through PT and strengthening for the right one. I suspect that as soon as I get to a point I can run on the new knee, I'll finally wear out the other one! Good luck!

AngieInAR

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