Three weeks ago I have RTK replacement due my knee just being terrible. I am getting my range of motion back and extension and everyone is excited. My only concerns my knee bend well when when I am sitting and during exercises but when I am walking, still using a walker, it has trouble with bending. I was curious if anyone else has had problems with this. I know the swelling takes time but would like to just have someone to ask questions with who also had the PSA and an operation.
I’m not helpful in terms of your question, but congratulations that your recovery is going so well already
1 Like
I had a left TKR a few years ago. Although seriously painful I recovered full range of motion and extension “ahead of schedule”. I had no trouble walking per se, but my knee felt very very tight and swollen although it didn’t look swollen. There was also one spot on the outside of the kneecap that was beyond tender and if I bumped it even lightly on something even remotely hard it just about sent me through the roof. But the drs couldn’t find a reason for it. I always felt that it was connected to my PsA but no one agreed with me so I just learned to hyper-vigilantly guard that knee. This lasted until I started Humira and now just a few months in my knee feels almost like factory original 
and I can whack it pretty vigorously with no pain involved. Guess I was right.
Hope this helps and good luck!
1 Like
yes we are starting to believe this issue is PSA related as well. We are hoping the biologic helps and if it does then he will change it.
I am only 3 weeks out but the concern is my groin and outside of my hip area. I already had hip replacement as well and we checked the implant and everything was good as well.
Hi, RebelMom,
I had my right knee replaced in September and the left one 10 days ago. Interestingly, it’s a totally different experience this time. You’re doing great if everyone is pleased with your flexion and extension. Letting the walker go will come as you gain strength. Some days I can hobble around the house with a cane, some days the walker is my only choice. Don’t beat yourself up. One of my friends was still using the walker at 3 months. The exercises are important to continue often. Sounds like you’ll be back to normal soon!!!
that is good to hear thanks…my main problem is when I walk my knee will not bend and my pain and discomfort is my right side of hip and groin. I am skyritzi and mtx but cannot take right now but should be able to start week four. I don’t know what the next line of treatment will be if this does not improve for it hampers my pt exercises. my extension and bend are awesome but there are some hiccups. PT is sending notes to surgeon to let him know what is going on and asking for rhumey consultation as well.
It’s good they’ve checked the hip joint itself. Have they excluded any hip bursitis though? Groin pain does tend to be the hip joint but outside hip pain could be bursitis which has a really easy fix of a steroid shot into the right bursa sac. Just some thoughts. We have a load of tendons in that location too which could just be inflamed from the shock of the knee operation. Once you’re back on PsA meds properly that might ease up.
Congrats on the knee replacement, I hope it give you a new pain free mobility! Just curious, how long was the wait from when you were told that you need knee replacement to surgery was it?
yes I received a shot within the bursa area but it did not go anything.
i was given the approval to give myself the biologic shot today so I did this morning. I hope it does something’s
I see the rhumey on theee weeks and he might change the biologic if nothing happens. I am on skyritizi and have for over a year . i don’t like the 12 week intervals for does wear off at week 8. MTX was added but I am always off and on becuase I always get a sinus infection on it.
a lot will be talked about in the next appointments for PT has not a snag for my hip information will not allow me to do something exercises that i need to do.
i am only 3 weeks out of surgery and the range of motion and extension are awesome .
I used to be a home health nurse and saw lots of knee replacements. The physical therapist I admired the most for his experience level and know how always told our patients. “You are going to hate me and question yourself about getting this new knee. By 12 weeks you’ll love me and that new knee.” Hang in there and listen to PT., and do your exercises. Report concerns to your doc like we always do . Looking for your update.
1 Like
There are several bursa sacs and unless they hit the right one it doesn’t work. There is no general bursa area. I had a rheumy fail to hit the right sac but twice now a GP got the bullseye in one.
1 year and I chose to do the robotic surgery. We did have to move it up two months though for the knee was extremely swollen and I was dragging my leg which was putting pressure on back and new hip. I had R hip in August and was going for a year from that but the knee said no way.
My first TKR was caused by undiagnosed PsA; totally destroyed my knee in a matter of months. Despite being rigidly compliant with all exercises - and crying a lot! - I was still recovering 8 months later, when my GP finally tested inflammation markers, and I was off the charts. Through the dreaded gap while the meds loaded in, I started exercising as much as I could, walking as much as I could. The second TKR was MUCH faster in healing; felt I was doing well, sometime in the 6-12 weeks post surgery. I echo the sentiments about keeping up with the mandated exercise. Don’t lose hope.
my biggest problem right now my groin and outside hip pain. I had hip replacement in September 2024 and knee February 25 due to awlful knees and hip. They have looked into the hip and cannot find anything wrong with the implant. PT is taxing for my leg will not do some of the exercises needed. Flexion and extension degrees are good and improving. sleep from this discomfort is another story.
the ortho surgeon believes over time it will get better but I am going back to him this week to speak more clearly about this. I am going onto week four and I do believe they would like for us to move forward with PT and sleep.