knee replacement is still painIful after 2 years.

Posted by lmiller216 @lmiller216, Jul 26 10:22am

Is there anything that can be done if a knee replacement is still painful after 2 years? I have seen the doctor several times and he says it is fine, that he did his job. It is just as stiff and sore and the knee that hasn't been done.

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@lmiller216, have you had reimaging of the knee. A standing x-ray would be a good start.
The surgeon may have done excellent work, though placement of the hardware is sometimes difficult and hardware can move.
The surgeon "sounds" defensive, you may need an opinion from someone outside the institution where you had the surgery.
At the least you sould see a pain specialist for evaluation. There is a procedure where the pain nerves from the knee are ablated.
It's difficult to be aggressive with your health when you are having pain especially where it affects your mobility. You were right to return to the surgeon, now it's better to seek the help of other medical professionals. You might look at your surgeons patient evaluation to see if other's have needed revision surgery after knee replacement.

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@gently

@lmiller216, have you had reimaging of the knee. A standing x-ray would be a good start.
The surgeon may have done excellent work, though placement of the hardware is sometimes difficult and hardware can move.
The surgeon "sounds" defensive, you may need an opinion from someone outside the institution where you had the surgery.
At the least you sould see a pain specialist for evaluation. There is a procedure where the pain nerves from the knee are ablated.
It's difficult to be aggressive with your health when you are having pain especially where it affects your mobility. You were right to return to the surgeon, now it's better to seek the help of other medical professionals. You might look at your surgeons patient evaluation to see if other's have needed revision surgery after knee replacement.

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I am still sore and stiff and it will be 2 years this September. I did get a second opinion and after he did a CT scan everything was good. I also did the genicular nerve block which didn't help meaning an ablation would not help as it is not a nerve issue. I did it to prove it was not a nerve issue. My issue is that it's taking long to heal and that the muscles and things still get very sore and stiff. It does help to ride a bile a mile in the morning and evneing (stationary). Also continuing with PT at home as far as leg lifts, pulling heel to butt for ROM helps as it stretches the thigh. Definitely seek a second opinion. Mine is slowly getting better but it's taking me some time.

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For the two people experiencing pain two years after a TKR - have you been assessed for the presence of scar tissue from the surgery? Scar tissue can form quickly after a TKR if rehab exercises aren't done or aren't done properly or frequently. Please don't take that the wrong way. I would ask either your surgeon or a talented physical therapist if they think there is scar tissue present, and if so, what the treatment would be.

And please know that scar tissue is difficult to deal with once it's formed. I don't mean to be doom and gloom, but pain after two years is rare.

I wish you all the best.

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@cindymattern

I am still sore and stiff and it will be 2 years this September. I did get a second opinion and after he did a CT scan everything was good. I also did the genicular nerve block which didn't help meaning an ablation would not help as it is not a nerve issue. I did it to prove it was not a nerve issue. My issue is that it's taking long to heal and that the muscles and things still get very sore and stiff. It does help to ride a bile a mile in the morning and evneing (stationary). Also continuing with PT at home as far as leg lifts, pulling heel to butt for ROM helps as it stretches the thigh. Definitely seek a second opinion. Mine is slowly getting better but it's taking me some time.

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My surgery will be 2 years July 31 and my knee have become more painful and stiff. I recently had Covid and wonder if that has anything to do with it. I plan to ask my primary care doctor about this next week.

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@heyjoe415

For the two people experiencing pain two years after a TKR - have you been assessed for the presence of scar tissue from the surgery? Scar tissue can form quickly after a TKR if rehab exercises aren't done or aren't done properly or frequently. Please don't take that the wrong way. I would ask either your surgeon or a talented physical therapist if they think there is scar tissue present, and if so, what the treatment would be.

And please know that scar tissue is difficult to deal with once it's formed. I don't mean to be doom and gloom, but pain after two years is rare.

I wish you all the best.

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I will ask my primary care doctor about scar tissue and go from there. Thank you for the information. I did go to 9 weeks of PT and do a few PT exercises every morning. I wonder if the Covid I had last month has somehow made it even more painful and stiff.

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@lmiller216

I will ask my primary care doctor about scar tissue and go from there. Thank you for the information. I did go to 9 weeks of PT and do a few PT exercises every morning. I wonder if the Covid I had last month has somehow made it even more painful and stiff.

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Sounds like you did enough PT after surgery to avoid scar tissue. Covid can do some weird things to us, and that would be a good question for your Dr.

If you aren't doing these, some simple non-weight bearing squats also work. Just stand up with feet at shoulder width, grasp your hands together in front of you and bend using your knees. Do about 10 reps or however many you can. Rest and repeat two ore times. Or sitting down, extend your legs out straight and clench the quadriceps muscles for 30 seconds.

Please let me know how you are doing - and all the best to you!

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It’s been 3 years since my knee replacement I also have a 2 year old hip replacement on the same side I’m having pain and soreness in the knee it has never felt right 2 doctors have shown me the knee on X-ray and they claim it’s normal I’ve stopped going to doctors as that don’t know what to do I’m discouraged I’m 79 years old. Arthritis has been my main health concern

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@lmiller216

My surgery will be 2 years July 31 and my knee have become more painful and stiff. I recently had Covid and wonder if that has anything to do with it. I plan to ask my primary care doctor about this next week.

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I'd ask but I had no issues after having Covid and I had it twice. I did recently decrease my Gabapentin that I actually took prior to surgery and I am going to go back to what I was taking and see if this helps. I also recently started Repatha which I'm told can cause some muscle/joint issues but so can any cholesterol med. Are you still doing the PT exercises? I need to be more faithful with mine even almost 2 years out, I will also say at the beach yesterday my knee and right heel hurt after walking in the same but I'm told walking on Sand works out different muscles

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I have exactly the same experience!
If you get any helpful advice, please forward.
Thankd

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