For Those Who Have a Knee Replacement....Questions

Jacie · ‎01-09-2011

I am 7 weeks past a total knee replacement and my MD says I am on track. I am back at the gym, albeit VERY gently and only on the equipment and plan my MD has prescribed. I have even been up on my horse for a few minutes! The dismount was not pretty, but I did it and it was pain free. My goal was always to get back on my horse, the doctor was aware and recommended I try it.

I know pain is subjective, but in your experience, when does that dull ache leave? Seems to come and go, it's very annoying and at times, very wearing. I take a med for it but only on occasion. I still ice it if I feel I have done too much.

Any thought or suggestions?

"Cats are poetry in motion. Dogs are gibberish in neutral." -Garfield

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

I had my right knee replaced in 2019 and used pain meds for about 2 weeks afterward, then Tylenol when needed. There is definitely some healing pain after such a major surgery, but I did the exercises assigned to me daily and iced my knee frequently for at least a month or two for pain (more like you're describing...discomfort).

That was about it. I haven't had any problems with pain or discomfort on that knee since that time.

I'll also mention that I had my hip replaced on that side in 2017 and have had no residual pain from that surgery either.

You sound like you're doing great!

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

As you said everyone is different but it can take 3 to 6 months for it to get back to normal. I'm at 8 weeks and there are days where it aches. No major pain just an achy feeling. It will go away. You are doing good.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

It took close to six months for my first knee to be totally pain free. The second one was much quicker. It sounds like you are doing very well, @Jacie.

Bookplate · ‎08-19-2011

You are doing much better than I did; I suspect you are younger. With me the pain lasted a full three months, and it was usually more than a dull ache. I think I graduated to a dull ache in month four! Everybody has a different pain threshold; apparently mine is low.

I swallowed many a pain killer for a quarter of a year. Now I feel it was all worth it, but it seemed a long road at the time. You will be fine, but just remember that everbody's recovery is a little different, and it takes as long as it needs to. Congratulations on being over the worst of it!

BlueFinch · ‎08-31-2019

I've not had knee surgery, but have known many who have. I'd say if you could get up on your horse within 7 weeks time and it wasn't painful, that you're doing great. Even with that less than 'pretty' dismount :-).

Just keep up the good work and follow your plan. The intermittent pain will probably still be a problem for awhile. But, you're ahead of many I've seen at 7 weeks. Remember, you're still healing.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I had a constant dull ache sensation for years prior to surgery on my first knee; it was gone when I woke up in recovery. I did experience pain in my first knee when I returned to work and started wearing my office suitable work shoes. All of those shoes were broken in before surgery, my knee alignment was different after surgery, and the shoes were the cause of that pain. I got rid of all the old shoes.

Thats Me · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop @I had a similar experience after my knee replacements. Had to get rid my beloved Birkenstocks, of which I had many pairs. They were THE BEST but they were broken in pre-surgery when my alignment was different. It broke my heart for about 10 minutes!

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

I had my left knee done 5 years ago. At 7 weeks, I was receiving physical therapy three times a week. I wasn't allowed to do anything like you describe for 3, maybe 4 months. I never had the ache you describe. I had some pain the first week or two but I was prescribed Tylenol with Codeine and Ibuprofen. After 2 weeks, I only took pain mrfs an hour before my PT sessions so I wouldn't experience pain. You are still in your 12 week post op period, you should ask your surgeon about your pain.

Goodie2shoes · ‎04-30-2012

Sounds like you are doing pretty good! Back on your horse ? awesome job ! as others have said everyone's healing is different so follow your MD's recommendations for sure. My left knee was done in 2013 and it's fine no pain, no problems. My right knee was done in 2019 but I ended up with a staph infection, knee had to be redone in 2020 so I do have residual swelling still but not to bad and I have occasional pain and can't walk up steps as one normally does, I take one step at a time using my left leg, can't bare to much wt on my rt knee but I'm still doing well so I just keep going and don't let it hold me back. Best wishes for a full recovery, you can do it !!