This is normal during the early stages of recovery, as the knee experiences swelling which causes temporary stiffness. This should begin to subside within the first month or so after the operation; if it continues to feel stiff or if the stiffness gets worse, contact your surgeon.
Knee stiffness is a complication that may occur. Treatment options include aggressive physical therapy, manipulation under anesthesia, surgical removal of scar tissue, and revision knee replacement. Your surgeon will decide which treatment is best for your unique needs.
Sometimes prolonged stiffness in the knee can be caused by surgical errors. If the knee implant used for a knee replacement is not properly placed or the wrong size of an implant is used, prolonged stiffness in the knee might occur.
The stiff knee is a postoperative complication occurring in 4–16% of patients with TKA,1–5 and represents a significant cause of morbidity due to pain and restricted function. Risk-reduction strategies and appropriate management options should be identified to deliver optimal care plans for this group.
It depends on the knee replacement
But the occasional twinge or moment of discomfort could well last 12 months. Occasionally it could be two years. For partial knee replacements – a much less invasive process – you can typically halve that.
Timeline for Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery
Most patients are able to care for themselves and resume normal daily activities within 6 weeks and drive within 3 to 6 weeks. Knee Replacement. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com.
Most patients can start walking while still in the hospital. Walking helps deliver important nutrients to your knee to help you heal and recover. You can expect to use a walker for the first couple of weeks. Most patients can walk on their own roughly four to eight weeks after knee replacement.
Most often, muscle stiffness will occur in the morning and last for less than 30 minutes after waking up or for a couple of days after engaging in new or more challenging exercise. Other signs and symptoms accompanying muscle stiffness are typically dependent upon the specific causes and location of the stiffness.
Total knee replacement swelling after 3 months is normal and expected, as it can take several months for swelling to completely subside.
Postoperative Factors that Can Cause a Stiff Knee
It can be due to a number of reasons, such as bleeding, infection, injury to the joint, or genetic factors. Arthrofibrosis can limit knee function and range of motion and can cause significant pain, and it may warrant knee revision surgery.
Tightness in the knee can occur as a result of injury to the tendons, ligaments, or cartilage inside the knee. In some cases, it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Anyone who experiences tightness in one or both knees should see a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
After knee replacement surgery, you can gradually resume normal activities and there are no permanent restrictions, as long as you stay within your comfort level and follow the guidance of your healthcare team.
Implant Loosening and Wear
During the initial surgery, the implant was either cemented into the bone or press-fit to allow bone to grow onto the surface of the implant. In either case, the implant was firmly fixed. Over time, however, an implant may loosen from the underlying bone, causing the knee to become painful.
Once a knee has been replaced, the soft tissue around the joint will have a lot of adjusting to, to 'relearn' how to work properly. Massage can help increase blood flow around the body and circulate everything to help speed this process up.
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.
You may expect the swelling to last 3-12 months or so, and during this period it will gradually diminish rapidly. Walking and gentle exercise will help. The bruising, which may look dramatic, but is of no clinical importance, will not last as long.
Arthrofibrosis, also known as “stiff knee syndrome,” occurs when excessive scar tissue forms around a joint, limiting range of motion and causing pain and disability. It can be a complication of knee replacement or anterior cruciate ligament surgery, with infections and bleeding as known contributing factors.
Many people will experience joint stiffness as they age. Most often this stiffness will wear off after a person gets up and moves around.
Exercise reduces joint pain and helps fight tiredness. Of course, when joints are stiff and painful, the thought of walking around the block or swimming a few laps might seem like too much. There's no need to run a marathon or swim for miles. Even moderate exercise can ease pain and help you stay at a healthy weight.
Don't Overdo It
Signs of over-exercising include swelling of the entire leg and lingering pain that stretches into the evening or into the next day.
Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for 20 to 30 minutes daily, or even 2 to 3 times daily; and walk for 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times daily during your early recovery.
It is important to work on your knee motion (bending and straightening) after knee replacement surgery. This will help you walk without a limp and get up and down easier from a chair, toilet or bed. You will be able to do this by: doing knee bending and straightening stretches as directed by your therapist.