Kim,

I'm sorry your knee is hurting.  I've heard that the knee is difficult
to get over, but it just takes time and lots of PT.  I don't know but
when I had my thumb surgery around the incision was numb and painful to
the touch for many months.  It is where the nerves had to be cut.  I
think maybe yours will get better with time as mine did.

I hope someone comes by that has had a replacement that be more
supportive than me.  I would think though that time will be a good
healer for you.

debbie m.

Two months post surg is still REALLY early.

It takes a long time to recover from a surgery as extensive as joint
replacement, and the knee is one of the larger joints.

I had my knees replaced twenty years ago, at a time when poeple were
kept in the hospital for 4-6 weeks post op. I was told then that it
takes at least three months for bone to heal. I was also told to keep
expecting improvement for up to a whole year following the surgery.

Times are different and surgical techniques as well as  the prosthesis
itself have improved. Bottom line though is that the body needs time.
The fact that you are able to ride a stationary bicycle and do the
things you do is great.

Just give yourself time.  
    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Hi Kim
About the numbness around your knee.  I have had two knee replacements and
when I asked the surgeon about the numbness he said they cut a nerve there
and it will always continue in a lesser degree.  I hope that sets your mind
at ease.  Can't tell you anything about the pain as it should be reasonably
good by now.  They do say that it takes most of a year to get the knee back
to normal
Lorrie F

I had mimimally invasive Knee Replacement the end of June 2005, which
means they replaced my knee without cutting the muscle or tendon.  My
recovery was fairly quick delayed only because I had to go off my meds
and my RA symtoms came back with a vengeance.  I'm 55 and my RA is
undercontrol (so far) with medication.  The pain I had during recovery
was basically from the RA and not the knee replacement.

My physical therapist said my recovery was very quick relative to the
traditional knee replacement so I think that it's not unusual for
recovery from traditional surgery to take some time.  As far as the
numbness, I have that as well but I believe that it is from the surgery
cutting through nerves.

When I take more time to recover from illness or surgery I try to
remember that with RA (and the meds we have to take) it takes longer;
but that I will recover.  Everyone I've talked to who has had TKR said
it took time; but in the end they were very very happy they did it.  I
would talk to your doctor if you think you have too much pain. (Is it
the RA or the Knee that is troubling you.) I would also see if your
hospital has other people you can talk to about your surgery.

Good luck.
Elizabeth

Hi Kim.  Actually 2 months is still a short time to feel fully alive and
functional again after a TKR.  Keep doing the exercises and be patient.  I
was told by my home health nurse after I had my TKR 5 years ago, that it
takes an *average* of up to 2 years for everything to heal completely
(muscles, nerves, ligaments).  I still have pain around my knee, but it
appears to be from Fibromyalgia.  And, I still have a slight numbness at the
side of my knee.  That was 5 years ago.  I think you will recuperate just
fine if you don't expect too much too soon.  Nanny