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It has now been 7 months since my knee replacement surgery. In this article I’ll bring you up to date on my progress, pain level, and even a slight setback.
I traveled in the prior month so I didn’t have access to a fitness center or a swimming pool. I continued to be active and focused on hiking and walking.
Because I was unable to bike on a regular basis, use range of motion machines in the gym, and swim, I felt my knee stiffen up a bit and I may have lost a few degrees of my range of motion.
I am now back home and exercising the way I was prior to my vacation. My knee continues to be pain-free with very minor soreness around the knee.
Pain Level 7 Months After Knee Replacement
My knee continues to click when walking up stairs and when hiking up hills. There is no pain but it is an eerie feeling sometimes to feel it click after each step you take as you walk uphill.
My knee is still warm to the touch, especially after exercise and activity. I still ice and elevate my knee after rigorous hiking or walking a lot on hard surfaces (read my ice pack recommendations). The only pain I feel is soreness around the knee. I feel absolutely no pain inside of my knee.
I can squat better than I have in the past and it is much easier to bend over and tie my shoes, pick up balls and other objects.
Minor Setback
During the 7th month, I took a trip to Australia for 6 weeks. I was able to hike and walk each day. I was able to borrow a bike 4 or 5 times and ride medium distances.
I was not able to use a gym or fitness center and there was no pool available for lap swimming. When I returned home after six weeks I discovered that I had lost a few degrees of my range of motion and that it took me a mile or so on the bike before my knee loosened up and I could pedal easily.
After a few weeks of getting back into my routine of swimming, biking, and going to my local fitness center I felt like I regained all of my range of motion. This made me even more convinced that a long term and consistent exercise program is essential in the months and years after TKR.
If you want to experience a good recovery the activity (work) is worth it.
Things I Can Do Now That I Couldn’t Do Before TKR
I have no desire to take up running or jogging but I have tried some jogging on the beach in the sand. I am able to jog slowly, without a limp and without any pain.
I had not been able to run without a limp for several years before TKR. I can also use the leg press machines in the gym (read more about my post-TKR workout). Before TKR the pain and grinding made it impossible to use a leg press for many years.
While hiking prior to TKR, I always went downhill putting my bad leg first. Now I am able to walk down steep hills and hiking trails alternating my left and right foot, which is the normal way to walk.
I find it much easier to get in and out of cars both from the driver’s side and from the passenger side.
Simple tasks like putting on my socks and shoes are much easier to do. Before TKR I could only wash my right foot by sitting on the bench in the shower. Now I can wash my foot standing up due to my increased range of motion.
I also had my first massage at a spa since my TKR. I did not mention anything to the therapist about my surgery and during the full body massage she worked on both legs and knees with the same pressure. I felt no pain, just a soothing massage.
Am I Putting Equal Weight On Each Leg When Walking?
After a good deal of practice, I’ve relearned to walk without a limp. I’m walking normally putting equal weight on each leg and I am using good posture.
Before TKR, I leaned to a side and had a noticeable limp while walking. I am putting less stress on my non-surgical knee and hip.
Prior to knee replacement, I often had pain in my non-surgical hip after strenuous exercise. Friends have also noticed that I am not favoring my leg while I am playing pickleball. I used to limp up to the net and would give up on balls hit to my right side.
Has My Weight Been A Major Factor During My Recovery?
The less weight you are carrying puts less stress on all body parts. I am glad I took the time to lose a little weight before surgery and through post TKR exercise I have been able to maintain my weight.
I feel better and I am making it easier for my knee to recover. The stronger your leg is before surgery the easier it will be to make a recovery.
My Number 1 Beneficial Exercise For My Recovery
The most beneficial exercise post TKR for me has been cycling on a regular basis. Whether you are using a stationary bike or riding like me on a traditional bike outdoors, the regular range of motion and the many repetitions has increased my range of motion more than anything except for my initial exercises immediately after my surgery.
It’s important to cycle at least every other day and to increase the distance or time you spend on the bike (read my recommendations for indoor exercise equipment).
If you’re experiencing a tough time during recovery with traditional exercise and stretching, I’d recommend you spend time on a stationary bike.
You can control the resistance level as well as the amount of range of motion you desire. Swimming is also something I heartily recommend.
It is not only beneficial for your knee but also for your overall health. Walking, stretching and bending your knee in the water can be done with very little resistance.
I would avoid jogging and running. You may be able to do some running but in the long run, it will put wear and tear on your new knee. My doctor said I would be able to jog but that he would never recommend doing it on a regular basis.
Conclusion
I’ve discovered that consistent, disciplined exercise continued into the 7th month post-TKR is beneficial for my recovery. I had a short period where I could not continue my regular exercise routine and I could tell that I regressed a bit.
I was able to get back in my routine and my knee is again making further progress, as I want it to become stronger and more stable.
I recommend that you spend regular time on a stationary bike or a road bike and increase the level of difficulty and distance. If you have access to a pool, swim and do aquatic exercise on a regular basis.
Stay fit, keep the pounds off and eat wisely. My goal is to have two matching legs and two matching knees. I know I have plenty of work ahead of me but the first 7 months of recovery show that I’m on the right track.
I hope this article has helped you plan your recovery from TKR.
3 weeks out of surgery and was a bit discouraged,until I read this post.Thank you so much for posting.
One of the recommended post surgery exercises is very painful to do,therefor I skip it.
Yep, if an exercise bothers you it isn’t for you. I’ve adapted my exercises to make sure they aren’t causing pain, I just want to strengthen and stretch the muscles. We’re all in the same boat. Some days will be frustrating while others will be positive. Stay focused on the long term.
thank you I am 7 months out and biking like crazy….biking has been the only thing that keeps my range of motion……I still ice after exercise and have a puffy quad above knee that I hope comes down in size to match other knee…..thx for the positive posting Nancy
Thank you very much for the 7 month insight. The clicking is scary. But I feel great.
Thanks for giving me hope that I am on the right track. I am in my 5 th month since surgery and am now noticing a big improvement….range of motion, swelling reduced and stiffness. Think I was very impatient but did the exercises , Physio, massaging and Hydrotherapy. I now find hydro exercises are really benefitting my knee. I am due to go overseas on holiday in 2 months time so am hoping walking will be ok. Dreading the long flight Australia to London though. I have enjoyed reading your journal…..thanks for sharing .
The hard work pays off, it just takes a while! I agree with the water exercises – a low-impact way to exercise and stretch. If you’re feeling decent in month 5, I’m sure you’ll be ready to travel in month 7. I traveled/flew with the approval of my doctor and I wore compression socks on my legs. Wishing you continued progress in your recovery!
So happy to have discovered your blog. I am 9 weeks post TKR and am struggling with range of motion. So far only 106 degrees and that’s after lots of massage of the tissue surrounding knee. I was not prepared for the reality of recovery including time commitment to exercise and PT. Your blog is helping me stay positive and accept that it’s going to take time – a lot of time and yes pain, to be normal again.
I am 3wk,5days post-op on a TKR (left). This follows a THR (right) in late Feb.
Your comments are very encouraging.
I have 2 questions.
1. How did you manage pain? I had stopped the meds last week but woke this morning in excruciating pain, so I’m back on them ( for now).
2. I think my sleep position is causing the problem. What sleep positions were best?
Thanks
Hi Carol,
I too am 9 weeks out from TRK
and I measured 106degrees.
I feel a bit discouraged although my PT is encouraging that every one heals at their own pace.
Hang in there and I will too!
I am a side sleeper but after TKR I found I could go to sleep without pain by sleeping on my back. I used two head pillows at first but now only use one pillow. I am entering my 6th week and am trying the pillow between legs to sleep a little on my side but find the sleeping on back to be the best for knee comfort. Had a few days of restless legs but that has subsided. Had to take extra strength Tylenol during that time and took the Tylenol about an hour before going to bed and had a good nights rest. Presently I can rest well on my back wityout the Tylenol. I see my doctor in about a week and am looking forward to driving again. Its been hard depending on others to get me to my Physical Therapy and doctor appointments. With all the pain to deal with and meds to take for pain those first 4 weeks I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel as the pain subsided and people are telling me I am walking good with no limping. Ive been making my list of needs for over a week and cant wait to go shopping again.
These are such encouraging words to read. I had bilateral TKR surgery 21 days ago. Sleeping has been a nightmare ( no pun intended) I am moving quite well but feel such tightness and stiffness in my knees as I do all the stretches, I feel like my knees are going to split wide open! I am faithfully doing the physio prescribed and soldiering on. Only using crutches or power poles to walk with and walking for chunks of time unaided by anything. Yet somehow I feel discouraged and impatient 🙁 my knees are bending to 110 degrees but sometimes I feel like they’re never going to bend more then that. Does it get easier to bend when the incisions are totally healed? Am I just being ridiculous in my expectations , or is this normal stuff to be going through?
I had TKR 4 months ago. When I sit, I have noticed that my knee gets stiff. After I move around a little bit I’m OK. I ride a stationary bike, do leg presses, and other recommended exercises 3 times a week. Is stiffness normal?
Yes it is, but ask your doctor if you think it’s serious.
Also 7 months out on my left knee. Progress has been slow but steady, especially after three months. I agree that continuous exercise, to the degree tolerable, is so important. I still work on flexion a few minutes each day (currently 132) and especially on my hamstrings which have always been tight. I’ll alternate outside cycling and hiking almost daily. There is no internal pain but the knee can get stiff and sometimes sore around the soft tissues. Cycling is the best thing to relieve discomfort. I do get increased soreness if I stand for long periods on a hard surface. Went cross-country skiing again yesterday for the first time in 2 years. Five miles at a good pace with no pain, although a few out-of-shape muscles. The first few weeks were questionable but now it was definitely worth it.
I had similar stiffness. Couldn’t be happier with the decision. Glad to hear you think it’s worth it as well. Thanks for visiting!
I almost 7-months post-op with TKR on my left. Overall, I’m happy with everything and am living pain free……….prior to TKR I could hardly walk. I’m young (42) but had the knee of an elderly person. I feel like my progression stalled because I also had to go through 4 weeks of radiation on my knee to kill a tumor. The past couple weeks I’ve had swelling issues from the knee to my foot. Enough where it’s noticeable!! But I feel that if I keep on my exercises, elevate my leg and ice that it does helps. I sit 9-10 hours a day, so I try to walk the office at least once an hour.
Glad you’re happy with your decision. And you had an addition obstacle to overcome with the tumor. I bet your age helped you bounce back more quickly than us older patients. I know work can get in the way of recovery, so it’s good to hear you’re staying active and taking breaks. Thanks for reading and the comment!
I had TKR 7 months ago I have some stiffness at times, the only thing I notice is some unusual discomfort when pulling upwards taking off a shoe or boot. Wondering if that’s normal.
I’ve experience stiffness, especially when I’m not active for a few days. Can’t confirm discomfort when taking off a shoe, but wouldn’t rule it out. Everyone experiences a little different results. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks so much for this blog. I am 7 months TKR and under home confinement due to Covid-19. I had access to two gyms…a CrossFit gym and the YMCA, Between the two, I had made great progress but now that i don’t have access to the equipment as before, I have had some regression is range. I am walking/hiking and can go 4-5 miles, but it does do a number on the inflammation. I’ve developed a soft pouch of fluid to the right of my knee cap that I’m sure is due to all the walking I’m doing. I also do have my bike on a trainer and am biking, but not as much as hiking/walking. I thought I might be further along by now but after reading your blog I feel much better that I’m doing well under the circumstances. Thank again for this post….it really helped me!
Thanks for the comment! Glad to hear recovery is going well. At 7 months, I felt pretty good, but looking back the joint was still healing. The improvements were slower but it took until 1 year to reduce most of the inflammation. Best wishes.
nice writeup — this is good realism, and good to read except for those lucky ones (e.g., my wife) who recover pretty quickly and had loose-ish and flexible joints to begin with
my second TK has seemed quite a bit later and slower and more discomfort and tighter RoM than the first one from a year ago, which was tough enough
TK2 is at 6.5 mos as of this week, and has turned some corner or other; I am working it harder at driving up stairs, working it, stepups, over and over and over
biking has always been okay, and RoM and extension meh okay (my wife could squat on her heels after a few months, iirc)
but drive force and energy and comfort are key for me, and approaching month 7, here we appear to be
my own doc (DWard, NEBH Boston) says 22 mos is the endpoint, fwiw
Very interesting I was doing great going up the stairs no problem lots of walking. Suddenly the stairs was very difficult as if something had moved or changed inside the knee. It is seven months since tkr I had my X-ray and check up. Any advice. Mary. Dublin
Hello Ken and All,
I am 8 months after TKR and happy to find Ken’s blog with everyone’s comments too. I was searching because I too have swelling from my thigh to my ankle, occasional sharp pain just below my kneecap (at the top of my shin). I walk a lot: mainly short spurts, sit for a few moments and walk again for about 45 minutes daily. I must confess that I do have a stationary bike but have been unable to raise the seat, which as is, the seat causes uncomfortable stress on my knee, so I haven’t been using it. But after reading Ken’s comment that he found biking to be one of the best exercises, I will ask the superintendent to take at look at the seat and see if he can raise it for me. It’s good to learn that I do not stand alone in this process. It sure does take time to heal! – Soma
Hello all. I’ve enjoyed reading all your posts which seem to agree with my recovery, but I thought I could add a little to it.
I’m now about 7.5 mos post (R) TKR. I’ve had steady improvement during that time and able to go up stairs normally (L-R) for the last 3 mos and can now go down stairs (L-R) with mild pain when the knee “clunks” audibly. In the last two weeks, however, I’ve had more pain when driving while taking my foot off the gas for braking. Not too bad on my car with automatic since I can use my left foot if needed, but harder with the manual transmission, especially in town. I just had an appointment with my surgeon this morning to check it out and he thinks it is scar tissue that will eventually get better. I can feel a grinding sensation when holding my finger tips to the outside of the knee close to the patella. I exercise a lot so I may take it easier and limit my activities to walking and biking. He recommended taking Aleve two times a day for a week or so as well some icing after activities. He gave me the OK to go on a 5 day driving trip next week, so I hope it holds out during spirited driving on mountain roads.
I’m 7 months after bi lateral knee replacements and have found this blog and accompanying comments a real lifeline! Due to Covid lockdowns have been unable to see my surgeon since I left hospital, but thanks to the internet have not felt alone.
My right knee has always felt tighter on the surface than the left, although it bends well.
Have just started aqua aerobics again and that seems to be helping better than any other exercises I have done. Would also recommend cycling though, has also helped enormously.
What I have learned from reading about tkr is that no two experiences are the same, yet someone, somewhere, will have had a similar experience.
Glad it could help! Thanks for the positivity and for visiting!