Should I still have pain 5 weeks after knee replacement surgery?

General pain may occur for up to several weeks following a total knee replacement. Swelling typically lasts for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, but may persist for as long as 3 to 6 months.

Is it normal to still have pain 6 weeks after knee replacement?

After a total knee replacement, I'll see my patients again in 6-8 weeks. Often, they won't be full of the joys of spring at this point. The knee will often still be sore, and we'll be managing this with physio once or twice a week, ice packs and over the counter painkillers.

How long does it take for knee pain to go away after knee replacement?

A: Initial pain after a total knee replacement typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. You'll continue to have milder pain in the soft tissues around your knees as you heal. You may experience inflammation for 2 to 3 months and stiffness and soreness for up to 6 months.

How should my knee feel 6 weeks after knee replacement?

During the first 6 weeks, the knee will still need "ice, elevation, rest and exercise." It is not unusual for some patients to feel a transient sense of the “blues” or depression during this period of time. This will improve as the knee continues on its recovery process, and as sleep patterns begin to return to normal.

Should I still have pain 3 months after knee replacement?

Knee replacement pain after three months

Many patients are back to their activities without the pain they had before surgery by this stage of recovery. If you find that any movement or activity is still exceedingly painful after three months, you may be experiencing chronic pain.

Post-Op Expectations after Knee Replacement

What is normal pain after total knee replacement?

Pain, swelling, and bruising are all normal after knee replacement surgery, both for partial and total knee replacements. You'll be sent home with oral pain medications after your surgery, which you'll take for several weeks after your surgery.

What causes stabbing pains in knees after TKR?

A Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that develops at the back of the knee. It's often the result of a problem within the knee joint such as osteoarthritis. “The pain is like a stabbing, someone taking a knife and just stabbing it in your knee and twisting it,” Jasper says. “You can't straighten your leg out. …

What is the most commonly reported problem after knee replacement surgery?

Knee Stiffness

One of the most common problems people experience after knee replacement is a stiff knee joint. Often these symptoms can cause difficulty with normal activities including going down stairs, sitting in a chair, or getting out of a car.

What should my range of motion be 6 weeks after TKR?

This amount of flexion allows for walking without assistance, standing, and some stair climbing (likely with support). Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will be looking for flexion as close to the 90° as possible. Stage 2 (2 to 6 Weeks)—115° flexion.

What happens one month after knee replacement?

One month after surgery: You'll probably start doing low-impact, daily activities like driving, returning to work, household chores and regular errands. Two months after surgery: Around the seven-week mark, you can likely start enjoying low-impact physical activities again.

Why does my knee replacement hurt more at night?

The answer is probably due to a few different reasons. The levels of your natural anti-inflammatory hormone, cortisol, are naturally lower at night. Staying still in the same position will also cause your knee joints to stiffen up.

How long does it take for nerves to heal after knee replacement?

Most people will experience a return in some or part of their sensation. This is probably because the nerve was simply stretched through the surgery. Or other nerves have grown and compensated for the other. If the nerve is purely stretched, experts would suggest that the nerve should recover in 6-12 weeks.

How long does stiffness last after total knee replacement?

By 6 weeks, pain and stiffness should continue to resolve, and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strengthening exercises can be incorporated. By 3 months, most TKA patients should have achieved greater than 90% of their ultimate knee motion and pain control.

What should I be doing 8 weeks after knee replacement?

By 7-8 weeks after surgery, you continue to exercise your knee and work with your physical therapist. You may add more complicated exercises to your routine and exercise for longer periods of time. You should still plan to avoid high-impact workouts to avoid putting too much stress on your knee.

How long does it take for muscles to heal after a knee replacement?

You should be able to stop using your crutches or walking frame and resume normal leisure activities 6 weeks after surgery. However, it may take up to 3 months for pain and swelling to settle down. It can take up to a year for any leg swelling to disappear.

How long does it take to walk normally after knee replacement?

Usually, about three weeks after the surgery, you'll be able to walk without crutches for about 10 minutes. Your physical therapist will push you to add more to your regimen. Generally, it takes about a year for everything to settle, the knee to regain its strength, and all normal activities to become possible again.

How do I know if something is wrong with my knee replacement?

What are the signs of knee replacement failure? The most common symptoms of a failed knee implant are pain, decrease in joint function, knee instability, and swelling or stiffness in the knee joint.

What is the best painkiller for knee pain?

Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

How long does pain and swelling last after total knee replacement?

General pain may occur for up to several weeks following a total knee replacement. Swelling typically lasts for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, but may persist for as long as 3 to 6 months.

Is it normal to have thigh pain after knee replacement?

If you recently had a total knee replacement, you're probably experiencing some pain, including pain at the front of your thigh. The quadriceps tendon, which is located above the kneecap, is typically cut and sutured back together during surgery.

Why is my knee so tight after TKR?

Knee stiffness and pain that can occur after a knee replacement may be because of scar tissue and collagen attaching to the knee implant. This is called arthrofibrosis, and it is your immune system's reaction to the new “invader” in your knee.

Can you walk too much after knee replacement surgery?

It is important to gradually increase your out-of-home activity during the first few weeks after surgery. If you do too much activity, your knee may become more swollen and painful.

What helps knee pain while sleeping?