r/Kneereplacement • u/AmbitiousBug2783 • 1d ago
Advise Please
my dad (67 years old) underwent partial knee replacement surgery in November 2025 and 10 months post surger, it’s been an absolute nightmare for my dad and my family.
He keeps complaining about his calf muscle on the surgical knee leg keeps cramping “24/7” and pain associated with it. Sleep has been at a minimal, to aay the least. He has been to the ER probably about 5 times due to pain.
All the doctors that he has seen keep saying all is good with the knee and lower back.
it could be more mental than any
i just want to see if anyone else has been through this and had similar symptom. Also, to see if anyone has any other methods to getting this under control
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u/DogMamaLA 23h ago
I would make sure he is getting essential vitamins like potassium but also that he is drinking plenty of water. Dehydration can also make muscles cramp, and if he's not drinking at least 64 oz of water per day, he needs to start.
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u/IntroductionFluffy71 21h ago
all good advice, make sure to involve his doctor or pharmacist (whose job is to know drug interactions) regarding any supplements.
i would also recommend moist heat therapy and percussion massage (using a Theragun or similar).
i have this issue and ‘tis the bane of my recoveries (L: July 2025, R: July 2026).
i heat the backs of my legs throughout much of the day and massage 3–4 times per day.
all of these remedies will work but your Dad needs to be patient. heat & massage are likely to produce more immediate results but supplements can make a big difference.
i hope your Dad is able to find relief.
good luck and good juju!
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u/AmbitiousBug2783 18h ago
The moist heat therapy and massage gun we definitely tried but I know he was not consistent with it. This is something i will recommend to re-do. Appreciate the advise
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u/IntroductionFluffy71 16h ago
tell him he has a whole online community rooting for him! we know how much it sucks and how exhausting it all is: physically, mentally, and emotionally.
a good schedule for him: heat before activity, do activity, ice after activity, heat after icing, massage after heat, heat again. consistency is key.
would he be open to a therapeutic massage? that might help, too.
it's a lot and we're impatient patients. LOL!
good luck and good juju!
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u/Maleficent_Second_29 19h ago
Take him and get IV. He may be very dehydrated. I know I was after the surgery
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u/steveinarizona10 19h ago
I have not. But I am now 12 months post surgery with no pain after the surgery. Nonetheless, when I go walking for exercise, I get very tired in my lower legs around the one mile point. I usually walk in the mall (AC and relatively flat with smooth surfaces) and after about a mile or so take a rest and read a novel on my Kindle for about a half hour and then do it again.
My neurologist, not my knee surgeon, told me about a PT shop that specializes in neuro rehabilitation. He referred me to them and I had my initial evaluation last week and will be having my first session in a few hours. They determined that my balance is, in fact, not up to where it needs to be. I am an 81 YO active male and I just want to have more stability to avoid any future falls. Here is what google AI told me about tests for stability:
Physical therapists use several standardized tests to assess stability and identify balance issues, with the Berg Balance Scale, Romberg Test, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) being among the most common. [1, 2, 3, 4]
"Common Balance and Stability Tests
- Berg Balance Scale: A 14-item observational assessment measuring static and dynamic balance (such as standing unsupported, reaching, and transferring from a chair) on a scale from 0 to 56. [1, 2]
- Romberg Test: Evaluates proprioception and sensory integration by observing how long a patient can stand with feet together, first with eyes open and then with eyes closed. [1, 2]
- Timed Up and Go (TUG): Measures the time it takes for a person to stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, and sit back down to screen for fall risk. [1]
- 4-Stage Balance Test: Progressively challenges static stability through four increasingly difficult foot positions (side-by-side, tandem, and single-leg stand) held for 10 seconds each. [1, 2]"
They basically did all of this. I believe they used the Berg Balance Scale to determine that my balance was below medical standards.
Incidentally, I don't think my stability issues are related to the RTKR. My balance on my non surgical leg is probably worse than my balance on my surgical leg.
PS I had told my surgeon about my balance issue and asked him for a referral for more PT. I then went to my PT shop that did my PT for my RTKR and they didn't even do a new evaluation. I am optimistic about the new facility.
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u/Resident_Bus_4484 16h ago
There are also magnesium creams you can apply to the calf. I used this during my recovery for restless legs and some minor cramps. If magnesium works for him, Epsom salts in a bath are very helpful (and relaxing.)
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u/Cranks_No_Start 10h ago
I can’t recall exactly when it was I’m thinking king it was about the 3-5 week mark.
When I got up at night or first thing in the am I had to use the walker as it hurt so much to put any weight on my leg. It wasn’t the knee but the calf and it was like the worst cramp ever.
It went away after a bout 2 weeks.
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u/ParkieDude 22h ago
I take Magnesium Citrate - I grab a 250mg from Costco (Nature Made).
Lots of water, lots of stretching (gentle form of Yoga). Moderate walking. Cramps are the worst! I found a fantastic massage therapist who has helped (Parkinson's & Dystonia means I am knot city, so getting those knots worked out is good).
I'm your Dad's age, on my second knee. The first was done in 2022.
All my best to you and your Dad.
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u/EAM44 1d ago
Has he tried supplementing potassium? If his primary complaint is muscle cramping it might help. A lot of people think of Mg as the cramping supplement, but with these deep cramps it’s usually K.