Partial knee replacements, and synovitis

This is not medical advice.

These are answers to questions asked on social media health and fitness platforms. All are of course anonymous, and not medical advice. Just sharing anecdotal stories. Some numbers, dates, and details have been changed to prevent searches.

My answers are in italics.

Question #1

Anyone here gone through partial knee replacement and still feeling pain 1 year after? My husband underwent partial knee replacement in January 2022 (early 40s — very young for knee replacement surgery but he’s had knee issues since he was young). He can’t do physio as he has pain in the knee.

Anyone else experience the same? Any suggestions on how to go about this?

Yes, in my experience, partials were a good idea initially, however the whole joint is still connected. I’ve seen some successful ones, without pain, and I’ve also see some that did not provide the pain relief of a total replacement. My theory is that the partial side experiences trauma from surgery, and the entire knee "feels it."

That is my theory, pure speculation from the many partials I’ve seen that are unhappy. We take surgery for granted, but the body still perceives it as trauma.

I have people ride the stationary bike 5x/week, 2/30 minute sessions a day, as pain free as possible, and lots of strengthening. Assumed you've already tried that.

I have seen partials that needed to have the entire knee replaced.

Hey Mike, thanks for your thoughts! He hasn’t actually - his physio exercises include squats and floor mat exercises using resistance bands. He also walks ~50 mins total/day to the train and work. But you’re def right about the entire knee feeling it and that’s what he’s experiencing, not to mention feeling like the nerves are on fire. Hopefully it eases soon, he’s trying not to do additional activities to hopefully not aggravate it (we played beach tennis which wasn’t intense but probs not a good idea).

Yes, walking is an impact activity with very little ROM. Bike unweights the joint, with lots of ROM.

Not saying don't walk, just that the joint might prefer the bike.

Question #2

I had an arthroscopy for synovitis 8 weeks ago. Been going to PT, about 12 days ago I started developing a brand new pain (YAY) on the outside or lateral aspect of operated knee.

Saw the therapist today after not seeing him for 3 weeks, told him all about this new pain and he wants me in the gym doing the bike for 45-60 minutes at least 4 times a week but preferably 6 times.

He wants me to strengthen my quads which totally makes sense bc they’re super weak, but how in the hell will this not further aggravate this new pain?

I’m going to do it bc he’s the professional and I’m clueless but idk, I’m concerned.

Anyone dealt with something similar?

I can't second guess someone or give you medical advice, especially since they are seeing you in person, maybe just perspective.

If I’m seeing a similar patient, I would encourage that same bike protocol, I would just keep the resistance lower if it hurts. And I would be making sure that people’s pain had not increased after those trials.

I have seen similar IT band or lateral ligament irritation, again, pain free stationary bike has helped other cases.

I massage those areas, but not all PTs like massage. I never do more than 10-15 minutes of massage, because I want people up and working, and we aren’t supposed to just do massage. But I do think it helps with any soft tissue -itis.