Knee Replacement Pain Years Later: Causes and What to Do

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Last Updated: September 29, 2025

Quick Take:

If your knee replacement starts hurting years later, don’t ignore it. Common causes include loosening, infection, or wear. The right steps are x-rays, a bone scan, bloodwork to rule out infection, and a visit to your orthopedic surgeon.

My Story: 11 Years After Knee Replacement

Eleven years ago, I had a total knee replacement. At the time, it was the best medical decision I ever made. For ten full years, I rode pain-free—thousands of miles on the bike with no regrets. That kind of pain-free living almost made me forget how bad my knee used to be.

But this year, something changed. At first, it was subtle—an ache under the kneecap, soreness along the outside of the joint. I figured it was overtraining. Then the pain grew sharper. After rides, the knee swelled up, and sometimes the back of the joint throbbed the next day.

I went back to my orthopedic surgeon. He confirmed swelling and laid out the possibilities. They ordered:

• X-rays to check implant position and signs of loosening.
• A bone scan to look for stress or loosening that x-rays might miss.
• An infectious blood panel to rule out infection.

So now I’m waiting on the results. I’m still riding—just staying off steep hills since they aggravate it most.

What Can Go Wrong After a Knee Replacement?

• Implant loosening: The bond between bone and implant can weaken over time, causing pain and swelling.
• Infection: Rare, but serious—blood tests are crucial to rule this out.
• Wear of the spacer: The polyethylene insert can wear down, especially for active people like cyclists.
• Soft tissue problems: Pain can also come from ligaments, tendons, or bursae around the joint.

The Right Steps to Take

1. See your orthopedic surgeon right away.
2. Get imaging—x-rays first, then a bone scan if needed.
3. Rule out infection with bloodwork.
4. Adjust your riding—stay active, but avoid what worsens the pain.
5. Be patient but persistent—sometimes multiple tests are needed.

Gear That Helps Me Keep Riding

Pain from a knee replacement gone bad is never a good thing and there is little you can do for it until the surgeon figures out what is wrong but sometimes you can make it feel better with tight fitting compression sleeves. These are the best sellers and have sold thousands to satisfied customers. 

• Knee Compression Sleeves – Check price

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FAQs About Knee Replacements and Cycling

Can you cycle after a knee replacement?
Yes. Cycling is one of the best low-impact exercises for knee replacements, but intensity and mileage should be increased gradually.

How long do knee replacements last?
Most last 15–20 years, sometimes longer. Active cyclists can put more stress on them, but many still last decades.

When should you see your doctor?
Any new pain, swelling, instability, or decreased range of motion should be checked immediately.

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I’ll follow up with an update once I know what’s going on. If you’ve had a replacement and start feeling pain again—don’t wait. The earlier you get it checked, the better the odds of fixing it before it sidelines you.

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