After knee replacement surgery

I had a partial knee replacement 7 months ago and still have quite a bit of knee pain. Surgeon said my pain should be gone. Anyone else have prolonged pain?

Hi @leh09, and welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this thread so you can meet others who have had knee replacements. I'd like to introduce you to @dawn_giacabazi, @beatricefay and @niazumbanut as well as others particpating in this discussion.

@leh09, have you discovered any exercises, remedies, etc. that relieve the pain?

I had a total knee replacement about 2 months ago so can only speak about that. Sorry to read you are still having pain after 7 months. What has helped with my pain is time to let it heal, physical therapy, painkillers and rest. Doesn't your surgeon know the source of your pain? I wish you good luck with your healing. @beatricefay

Hi, I'm 2 mths past. Doing exactly what you're doing. What kind of pain reliever do you use? <br>My pain really starts bothering me around 4pm ish. <br>I ice it but not as effective as in the past. Any ideas on easing the pain and swelling?

Others I've met who had TKR were pain free quicker than 7 months so we are<br>among the minority. How is your range of motion? Mine is poor, around 70<br>degrees, due to scar tissue, arthrofibrosis. I've contacted the Mayo Clinic<br>to see if there is anything they can do after my 3 surgeries. I had TKR on<br>December 13 2013, revision to remove scar tissue on September 2014 and<br>again on Dec 2015. I'm in pain every day. I hope to hear from them soon.<br>Before my 1st revision Surgery I became pain free all of a sudden. One day<br>I woke up pain free. Keep taking your meds and I wish you good luck.<br>

two years have passed and still have pain. Did stem cells on the other knee.<br>

I had my first total knee replacement at the age of 47 years. For the following 6 months, I had spasms 5-6 times per night that would wake me up from a deep sleep. I would be sitting upright and screaming before I was even awake. I was exhausted! My surgeon would look at the x-ray and pat himself on the back for what a good job he did. After two rounds of traditional PT he eventually performed a closed manipulation but with no relief of the pain. Finally he recommended an EMG. I asked to try acupuncture first. After 6 sessions of acupuncture, my pain was gone and never returned. I also had an osteopathically trained physical therapist who used manipulation rather than pushing past the point of pain. My gait was absolutely normal when we finished.
I believe that each patient is different. I am a prolific scar tissue maker, so traditional PT only produces more scar tissue; decreased range of motion and more discomfort.
I did have to have the knee revised after 11 years, and I still do have pain in the soft tissue around the knee. I have been diagnosed recently with fibromyalgia. I take Ibuprofen 800 mg twice a day for pain and anti-inflammatory benefits.
I wish you well, but I doubt if your surgeon has ever had his own knee replaced!

Thank you for your story. I had been thinking of acupuncture and am happy to hear that you had success with it. I've likened orthopedic surgeons who do TKR as cabinet makers. "It fits so what else do you expect?" Thanks again.

Yes....my TKR was 2 years ago. I can only walk about 1/2 block before pain starts. If I have to be on my feet for over 45 min.i have back pain also.By 3:00 daily the area 3in.above & 3in.below my knee (and the knee) swell. I had P.T. for 15 months.(including water therapy) My first 11 months of P.T. were extremely aggressive! I only realized this after changing P.T. Doctor. He was shocked by the aggressive approach used by previous P.T !!  So....he worked gently on my knee.Starting with very light massage until he felt I was ready for deeper massage.( I felt ready before he agreed ) After 4 months he felt that there was nothing more he could do for me and said that I needed my Knee replaced.     I hope to have replacement in early Spring of '17. "My" P.T. has assured me that his approach starting the day after surgery will be TOTALLY different than the months I spent undergoing aggressive P.T. with my first surgery.     My daughter works for a group of Doctors who only treat pain.Fortunately,I live in Illinois where medical marijuana is prescribed.She has witnessed remarkable pain relief in her patients who have chronic pain.In her words "Mom my patients look so much better after just 1-2 months,Pain Meds. are so unhealthy for our bodies & medical marijuana is a natural healing method !"      She has seen patients get relief from a prescription drug called Marinol but not to the miraculous degree as with Medical Marijuana ! Some patients choose "edible" products and have great relief also ! These Physicians treat pain with multiple methods including surgical implants that effect the body's pain centers.<br>

I am very much in favor of medical marijuana but the politicians have their heads in the sand in Virginia. I'd rather medical marijuana than opiads any day.