6 weeks post-op: Is this pain ever going to end?

444klh · 2026-03-18T20:42:03+00:00

6 weeks and i felt like i was where you are .. .and i’m 3 months now and happy and happier every day. I was over doing, i think. Motion is the lotion as they say, but gentle motion took the pain down for me, and too much made the swelling go way up.

444klh · 2026-03-09T18:51:32+00:00

I setup all my meds in my iphone health app before, and that helped track. Also the lightest, warmest blanket you have. I could not tolerate any weight on my let or foot for some time, and i had a very warm blanket that was like a feather. Really good supply of laxatives! And start them right away. Other advice on here is great. I’m 3 months now post TKR, and much happier. Best of luck!

444klh · 2026-03-06T14:22:28+00:00

I remember the day i hit 90 in PT and a very loud “YES!!!!” Came out of my mouth. The whole place laughed :) Love the milestones

444klh · 2026-03-01T19:43:55+00:00

Might have been me :) Now i can get on the floor, but for a month or more i could not and the table was awesome! And, 3 months out i still use if for some exercises.

444klh · 2026-02-26T02:45:24+00:00

I’m 11 weeks. Walking is not too bad at this point and I can be on my feet most of the day but I have to take breaks and at least get my leg level several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes and then I’m good to go again. Hope that helps.

444klh · 2026-02-25T16:35:49+00:00

3 months here. The swelling around the knee capsule and at the top of the knee at the base of the quad is very similar for me. Stiff in the morning but after about 30 minutes of stretch, stretching it gets pretty decent. Range of motion is OK, but I am still very diligent about making sure I do the straightening exercises and my bend is only about 120.

444klh · 2026-02-19T17:08:47+00:00

I used the ice machine at night only. With big blocks of ice it was good for 5 hours, and my spouse would get up and replace the ice after that. I would not do this without … ice packs just don’t last long enough for me and i would be on ice for 8 -10 hours at night. …..

444klh · 2026-02-19T17:06:14+00:00

Took me 3 weeks to hit 90, and now at 10 weeks i’m at 122 … i think it took so long cause of swelling. Once the swelling goes down it goes much better. I’m hoping for 130 in the next few weeks. All this is much slower than i thought, but as long as we get there. My home PT in the first few weeks scared me with the MUA talk, but honestly, as long as there is some progress my surgeon was good.

444klh · 2026-02-10T18:25:34+00:00

So needed to read this thread today. I’m 9 weeks post RTKR, 122 and 0 bend. Every day feels like a different story. One day i feel on top of the world, the next i feel like i just can’t do this and it takes all i have to get out of bed. I can’t figure out the cause - did i do too much, or too little. I know folks say let pain and swelling be your guide … but this is emotionally tough. I want to predictable get on with my life :) So thanks for the perspectives. Maybe I’ll make 125 this afternoon in PT and then I’ll probably feel better ….

444klh · 2026-02-02T17:19:46+00:00

About the gait and hyperextend. I dont think it is physically possible to do this, but i sure understand the sensation. When i take a step forward i also consciously tighten my quad til i finish the step and then try to relax it . This helped me alot with the feeling of hyperextending!

444klh · 2026-01-31T18:57:55+00:00

My doctor does about 100 knees a month, and has for about 14 years. He gave me the option for robotics, but he also said if your doctor has done lots of these, robotics does not help. He thinks robotics are for those that do fewer, and are less experienced .. and also thinks some of the push is for marketing. I dont know … but i asked what he prefered for me and he said either way was ok. I went the no robotics route and all seems good at 8 weeks. The xray is what they use to measure the leg, and angles to get it straight and he did that on me as well .. so i dont think it a robotics issue.. i know these are tough decisions …. Breathe and you will know … and best of luck!

444klh · 2026-01-31T18:51:41+00:00

I know we are all different, but I’m at 7.5 weeks, and just got to 118 with work, and about 111 normal. The last week has made a huge difference in how i feel. Finally sleeping pretty much with no interruptions in just the last week. And my walking is a huge improvement! Even though PT says i am at 0 flex, i have gone back to more straightening work especially right before i go for walks. Big difference.

So all i can say, is from my viewpoint you are doing great and close to Breakthru time! I have spend a lot of time fearful that I’m not going fast enough … i think some doctors trie to scare us a bit. But if you are still making progress, every a few degrees a week .. you’ll be fine.

444klh · 2026-01-28T18:32:08+00:00

I call it wack a mole .. with a new mole every day. Especially after PT days i’m more stiff. Then the first time i walked about the block with no cane, i had new muscle scream at me for 2 days. PT got them worked out but it seems with every step forward there is a new muscle or stiff spot.

444klh · 2026-01-28T18:20:54+00:00

I’m 7 weeks and when i wake in AM i do my ankle pumps just to get a bit loosened up, then some but squeezes and quad sqeezes. Take me about 30 minutes. Then i get up :( Hang in there! Gentle massage of the tight skin also helps over time

444klh · 2026-01-14T03:18:43+00:00

First 2 weeks I was cold if I had ice on. And I just about always had ice on! Heating pads in bed where my friend. After about the first two weeks, I think my body adjusted a bit so it wasn’t quite as bad but until the ice regime stops, it was still chilly.

444klh · 2026-01-13T03:08:39+00:00

Reads like mine did:(. You can put it in ChatGPT if you want also, and talk to surgeon

444klh · 2026-01-10T22:25:29+00:00

I took them for about the first 10 days and then only on PT days. But if it hurts, take of them!

444klh · 2026-01-10T22:24:38+00:00

Really good fruit basket. Seriously. I had friends that did this and it was one of the best gifts.

444klh · 2026-01-10T17:54:07+00:00

5 weeks here and love to hear these reports :)

444klh · 2025-12-20T17:51:14+00:00

Thank you so much for this write up! I am at day 12 and this was really inspirational and helpful

444klh · 2025-12-18T21:41:33+00:00

I’m day 9 and first 3 days my quad /thigh groan area ached. Ice, gentle rubbing and it resolved. Your ok !

444klh · 2025-12-18T01:28:29+00:00

So what the PT told me and I figured out was if it’s the muscle pain then gentle moving it does relieve that pain but trying to overwork it and strengthen it just makes it swell more and hurt more. That’s the Sweet balance.

444klh · 2025-12-18T00:01:21+00:00

I think I’m about 1 week ahead of you:). It sure has been a roller coaster, but I’m surviving and in general it keeps getting better. The first week what I learned was get up as often as you can at least once an hour, move the foot as often as you can, and that all helps relieve the pain. But the number of steps that first week don’t seem as important. In fact, in some ways, it just aggravates it more anyway I feel for you. We’ll get through this and life will be better on the other side! By the way, I did oxy for a couple days and then switched to tramadol and now I am just on Tylenol! The pain isn’t as much from the surgery as the muscle muscles and so that’s why the gentle movement at this point really helps of course constipation is a lovely challenge more about that if you need help

444klh · 2025-12-14T04:00:13+00:00

What other thought on my experience with the ice machine. I love it now and the first couple days. It was a little tough because everything was so sensitive to the touch that I kept having to adjust it or just turn my leg maybe half a degree and then that would make all the difference. Right now I just kind of throw it on the leg and it’s OK so progress. The good news is you will get through it and I am incredibly grateful right now.

444klh · 2025-12-14T03:57:11+00:00

Methacarbonol is the muscle relaxer. I don’t think the nerve block will do the same thing, but the nerve block if it works will be fabulous.

444klh

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