(3) Tips to STOP 🛑 Ankle Pain After Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Ankle pain after a total knee replacement often presents at the front outside portion of the ankle. It may be associated with a persistent stress due to limited knee extension. Improving ankle mobility and tibia/fibula mobility may help reduce pain initially, but gaining full knee extension will ultimately resolve the issue.
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About the author:
Hi, my name is Anthony (Tony) Maritato, PT. I am a licensed physical therapist and owner of Total Therapy Solutions. I have specialized in helping clients recover from total knee replacement surgery since 2002 and have created this video to help YOU.
Total Therapy Solutions
5900 Long Meadow Dr
Middletown, OH 45005
[phone]

[@betsydoc3628]

I sooo didn’t know ankle pain was normal. I had it in exactly the spot you showed first week PO. Ankle pain was worse than any knee pain.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Common, but I probably shouldn't have said normal. Haha. I hope it improves for you.

[@chevyway77]

This pain is horrible.

[@pradeeplavania1772]

My knees are improving but my angel pain going worst I m worried

[@stephaniedodt2389]

This is a bit off topic, but I have to publicly thank you for your unfailing generosity in dispensing information to the "Knee Warriors". I underwent my RTKR Monday May 10th at 10:30 AM. Due to the information you provided, I am in a much better position with my surgery.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

WOW! I am so grateful to you for sharing that feedback. It is always hard to know if anyone is listening so the people like you who take the time to comment are what keep me going.

[@barbarawallace3608]

Thank you. It has been almost 2 years since my total knee replacement. The pain in my ankle is so severe I can hardly get by. I am going to try this exercise. Thank you.

[@cpb970002]

Thank you so much for sharing this information! I had a meniscus transplant with a high tibial osteotomy 9 weeks ago and have been struggling to ditch the crutches due to horrible ankle pain! I have mentioned this several times to my physical therapist who just says it will get better as my mobility increases. But I’m struggling to increase my mobility because of this ankle issue. These stretches have helped me so much - thank you!

[@beverleymelymick3530]

SEcond video I have seen from you - thank you very much! Just had patellar adjustment and boy oh boy ankle is sore! Different from last knee surgery :)

[@ellenkester6703]

This video was so helpful!

[@jbynoe9968]

Your explanation is very helpful.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Glad to hear that!

[@katherineswain5256]

My thereapist wants me to walk, but without a limp. It is impossible for me to walk without a limp with the ankle pain. I do have full knee extension. Wondering if it is a Tendonitis issue.

[@fallympipi7077]

I will definitely do daily. Awesome info.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Thanks so much!

[@patcohen2463]

I'm four weeks po on TRKR, and woke up this morning with that pain in my ankle. How ironic that this video would appear in my suggested vids to watch, lol! Thank you!!

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Haha, it is a little scary how these algorithms work.

[@billwareagle7047]

Very informative, my therapist was having me do these, I did not know why he was working my ankle but I do now! Thanks!

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Like the song goes... "Your ankle bone is connect to your knee bone" Haha 😂

[@billwareagle7047]

@@totaltherapysolutions should have remember that. 🤣🤣

[@amberroberts1740]

Can you do these stretches while having a knee stabilizer on?

[@Bigboyzproductions181]

This is so helpful! My fool and ankle hurt so bad…constantly.

[@fredakatwan6194]

I love the video very good thank you.

[@karenrogers3193]

Thank you for this video and information. I am 9 weeks post total knee surgery,and my ankle has been bothering me, making it painful to do some of my toe lift PT exercises. I will try these.

[@GabrielsTears]

nine months since knee replacement and mine is pain free now. It healed on its own. I did nothing special to help it outside of normal life.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

I love those stories. There is a famous quote that reads "All medicine is theater designed to distract the mind while the body heals itself.!"

[@rubyjohnston2559]

Your videos have been invaluable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge - I was so scared that I would need an ankle replacement too!

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Glad this was helpful. Thanks for the comment.

[@pradeeplavania1772]

Thankyou for this valuable Medio I have seviour pain in my ankle. After TKR 9 week 🎉 Thankyou so much

[@karenpiraneo5426]

I had this problem after my total hip replacement. My knee swelled and my foot. I'm in week four and the swelling is finally subsiding, but my ankle is still very sore. I will try these stretches. Thanks!

[@meenadeem]

Thank you for this video. I had lot of ankle pain still after 7 weeks of TKR. As well my thigh too. My leg is still quite stiff. I will talk to my therapist.

[@pegasus8718]

Thank you Tony for this explanation, it has been very helpful. I was wondering why my ankle was feeling uncomfortable. Your videos are so useful. I am post TKR and MUA. I am still not getting full flexion in the knee (only around 95 degrees). I experience pain, stiffness and rigidity in the back of the knee which stops full flexion. The whole knee area has a tightness to it which never relaxes. Any suggestions please would be so helpful. I do use your rolling pin for massaging and have the suctions caps you have suggested in previous videos. Thanks you so much.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Are you in therapy? I would love to hear what your therapist thinks is limiting you.

[@pegasus8718]

@@totaltherapysolutions I have had two physio’s Tony, one after the TKR and a different physio after the MUA. From the last physio I received massaging of the back of the knee to loosen up the area. This did, with the help of manual assistance from the physio, get a better flexion. Other than these observations, no other comments have been made. Thank you for your reply Tony.

[@pegasus8718]

Any further advice and help would be much appreciated x

[@wilcmm2002]

8:15 PM

[@wilcmm2002]

I had a left TKR on November 25, 2022 - am 5 weeks post-op. I have been having debilitating pain in my left ankle. Two years prior I fell and broke the fibula and tibia in both my legs. I have made my surgeon and physical therapist aware of my pain - but all they did is ignore me. I spoke to my knee surgeon and he was aware of my ankle pain before surgery. At my 2 week checkup I complained again and told him the pain was worse. He loudly stated “I did nothing to your ankle during surgery”. He never mentioned there may be a reason for this. Thank you so much for posting this. When I see him again I will make him aware that I learned about why my ankle has been so painful - from Utube. Thanks again!

[@gurjeetchohan998]

Thanks very much Tony I have same problem I started today helping me

[@totaltherapysolutions]

You will get there.

[@glynisneale7170]

Thank you so much for sharing this.. I've asked my consultant, doctor and physio why I've got this very tight area, even nearly 6 months after surgery, and I've just been told that it will go away. Hopefully now I can encourage it to go a bit quicker, and at least I know what the problem is now.

[@davidpaniagua6835]

Great video tony a lot of info just on that I’ll have to share that with my physical therapist

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Thanks for commenting. I hope it helps.

[@gurjeetchohan998]

Thanks Tony I have a same problem after walking 🚶‍♀️ helps me lots

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Awesome you found it helpful... too bad it is a problem for you.

[@vickywade7242]

That was very informative. Thank you

[@lorismills8869]

This is such helpful information! I had a talus/navicular stress injury I think from walking with a bad knee. This continued after TKR surgery till I could get PT specifically for it. This improved considerably but I have continued to have the pain you describe here. I'm 10 months out and still having so much stiffness that I lose ROM over night. I'm still fighting to get good extension which from what you say is adding to the ankle pain. I'm working on it though and feel some hope that I will be able to get rid of the ankle pain with improvement and with the exercises you mention. Thank you!

[@MMacAttack]

The calf wedge link is for wheel chocks…..what’s the correct link like was shown in the video? Thank you - great informative video

[@vk0075]

It will help a lot.. I'm facing same problem after removal of plaster cast..

[@darlenericotta7550]

THat was great to know! Thank you!

[@totaltherapysolutions]

Thanks Darlene!

[@cherylmclauchlin1942]

After having a RTK last June I am still experiencing lateral knee pain into my ankle. A Ct scan shows patellar tilt. Could the stretching and massage help this? Driving my car seems to really aggravate this area.

[@JackMoga]

I just had knee surgery and with physical therapy I have bad pain in the outer and inner part of my ankle I thought it was planter fasciitis your video has sent some direction to understand. I have had bad knees' for 6 years so my whole leg is angry with the new knee cap. Anything you can send my way I would be greatly appreciate at this information.

[@susanolawale]

I just started getting these pains.. Im also feeling cramping pains

[@TooManyCars2011]

Thank you!

[@ToddDeitrick-bu5cz]

What about the inside of ankle? I had robotic toe and my ankle was black and blue the first week. I doing real good so far with PT at week 8. Bending 135. But if I as much as massage my inside arch or ankle, I’m in real pain a few minutes later. It’s hindering my knee’s progress. Thanks! Todd

[@kathyclark3168]

Flustrating it is! My PT is still on hold save for a few exercises the doc wants me to do. In 6 more weeks I go back; keep in mind I fell this past February, broke my rib and fibula and a beautiful implant in my knee. It was repaired with an all metal implant goes a bit above the knee. Your videos help; so my second surgery was knee revision. Confused?! 🤣 Thanks for this video, maybe I can get some ankle relief by doing this

[@tracypurdymartin]

So helpful!

[@POWERWING1]

What about the inside of the shin just above the ankle.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

That is often similar to a shin splint. Let me see if I can get a new video for that.

[@POWERWING1]

@@totaltherapysolutions I’m 4 months post op. Rom 0/140

[@amnashehryar3430]

I have bow leg surgery but after when my stiches are removed the back of my foot start to pain and it's the worse pain why is this happening??

[@maryd2376]

Hi Tony. 8 weeks in. My inner ankle and arch of foot and achilles are always sore. PT has not seen this before but said it is probably anterior tibialis tendonitis since my surgery and has me doing calf stretches. Not helping. Also to the very right of my tibia at bottom of knee where like the kneecap ends is very painful. Any input greatly appreciated.

[@totaltherapysolutions]

This all sounds very normal. I hear these symptoms a lot. 8 Weeks if very early for the bones and joints around the knee to adapt. I bet by weeks 12 to 15 you will feel a whole lot better. If you feel like you are doing too much, don't be afraid to rest. Watch my video on "doing too much" and you will see that some people do better doing less.

[@maryd2376]

@@totaltherapysolutions Thank you!

[@pault477]

Hi - so I have been diagnostic with plantar fascia after having TKR 9/30/20. Question- is there a possible relationship and do you have any videos on plantar. Very frustrating. Thanks.

[@larissaludwig8868]

I had a knee surgery five weeks ago, it was not a total knee replacement but a removal of a mass in my knee. Long story short I am still struggling with getting full extension and full flexion, it’s like you said in the video my knee is always slightly bent a little putting extra pressure on my ankle. I am working with a physical therapist, this ankle pain just started when I started really walking a lot again. Is it normal to have pain in your good ankle as well most of my pain is in the operated leg, but I have a little bit of pain in my good ankle. Will this go away? I am working with my physical therapist on getting full range of motion and getting my quad strength back but I’m scared

[@t-mac2566]

I've had acl surgery, my ankle is not happy!

[@darcihoman4875]

I am 10 months out of my total knee replacement and started having plantar fasciitis and ankle pain about 5 months ago. I am still having problems and also my opposite "good" leg I am having bad calf pain. Strange. Is this common?

[@antknee6579]

OK good thing I looked it up cause I thought I was going crazy lol

[@lindareid1688]

5 weeks after tkr I still have the feeling of a tight band around my ankle and numbness and tingling and sensitivity in my heel and ankle. I have Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility Syndrome. I had almost full leg extension after the op and within 2 weeks had total leg extension. My foot naturally bends right back at the ankle and I can’t feel the stretch. So I don’t think my issue is lack of stretch and extension. Do you have any other suggestions as this uncomfortable feeling in my ankle and heel keeps me awake and I’m worried it won’t resolve. My knee is still swollen but my ROM is going well.

[@animecrazy4848]

Can I put ice on it

[@janmatthews106]

Thank you so much