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Jennie's Story

jenniescott@ozemail.com.au 

I had a TKR six weeks ago. The swelling around the knee is reducing and I have increasing mobility, however swelling in the ankle and foot has increased significantly with some swelling and areas of pain in the calf muscle. As well as the swelling, I am experiencing a degree of tenderness in the ankle that was not there before the operation. An ultrasound has eliminated the possibility of DVT in the leg. The surgeon has recommended pressure stockings to help reduce the swelling. Further investigation will be initiated in six weeks time if the swelling does not reduce. In the meantime I am to continue exercise and physiotherapy. One possible cause of the swelling in the lower leg is draining from a ruptured Baker's cyst behind the knee. Following abdominal surgery ten years ago, within days of the surgery I developed pseudogout in my arthritic knee (the one now replaced) and am wondering if this could be the cause of the ankle/foot inflammation. The surgery was the trigger for the occurrence of pseudogout. I have had only one mind attack, again in the knee, since that operation. Have any of you had a similar experience and if so, what was the cause and what did you do to treat the problem.