Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 3/28/2009

Question
had bilateral knee repair on 12/05/2008. Physician said aside from osteoarthritis-femurs were congenitally deformed. Took longer to mobilize. Now if I stand to long get calf pain-have to sit down. Also now have groin pain and fleeting hip pain. Some nites have leg pain and did have restless leg syndrome before starting requip. Why I am I having bilateral calf pain with standing and constant groin pain. Walked 30 minutes on tread mill to r/o intermittent claudication and was not able to reproduce calf pain I get with standing still. Thankyou

Answer
Michele,

What you are describing is a problem that will confront most not all knee replacement patients.

The standing still will produce discomfort until the muscles have developed more strength to stand in a static position.
The time that it  will take of course will depend on the patient and their circumstances and to the degree the surrounding muscles had weakened and atrophied.

No doubt in time and that could be be several more weeks or two more months you will notice your ability to stand longer will increase without moving.

With the new prosthesis in place in both knees your muscles have been asked to support the joint itself and entire leg in a slightly different mechanical plane. Your knees have been aligned now and that  has changed  the center of axis with your knees.
In other words the muscles are asked to perform at new angles even a very slight change will put new pressure on the areas you describe.

the fact you are walking the distances you have on the treadmill are fantastic and your recovery sounds like its may be on track and, the circulation sounds good.

Give it a little more time. I believe you will see a difference soon.
With your new knees just be sure to closley monitor your bodyweight to get the most out of them and, to prolong their lifespan.

I can tell you I have gone through a knee replacement myself in 1999, you will have these ups and downs for another month or two.

It will take your knees close to a year to fully heal inside.

Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida