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One knee replacement and will never have another one!
Hello to all of my fellow knee sufferers! I had a TKR in 2020. I had a very rough time after the surgery…..allergies to pain meds etc and had to only take Tylenol! PT for six months following surgery. My knee (right) is still painful and stiff, even after the replacement. I had this done at a top Boston hospital with a surgeon that came highly recommended. However, his answer to me with all of this pain and stiffness is “It will never be the knee that God gave you.” Oh, great!!! My left knee is bad but I could never go through this surgery again. I have had cortisone shots to the left knee which are no longer working and recently received three gel shots, which did not help. Both of my knees are so painful! Should I seek out a dr who deals with pain? I don’t know what else to do. Other than these knee issues, I am in good health and am 75 years old (although, other than these knees, I don’t feel like I am 75!!!!). Any suggestions or help would be deeply appreciated! I have tried knee braces, creams, ointments, Voltaran, Advil, Tylenol etc. Nothng has helped!!! Thank you, in advance, for any input! MaryAnn from Boston
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Can you ask to be referred to a pain clinic that may be able to help you. They may even have a peer support group that you could attend - either in person or on line. We, have that system here in the U.K. and it works very well….
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3 ReactionsThank you for that suggestion!
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1 ReactionI have been putting off a TKR because of stories like yours. This might sound nuts but I have watched so many videos to help and what has helped me more than anything is strengthening my glute muscles. It is not a cure-all, at least not so far, but you can get immediate relief by doing about 20 of the glute exercises as needed. I learned this off of youtube by a physical therapist. My knee hurt so bad and the pain at night was awful. I had all the shots too and Dr. said it was bone on bone. I had a bad experience with the Iovera treatment and wound up cancelling my surgery. This was 5 months ago and I have not rescheduled and doubt I will. It doesn't hurt to give it a try and when nothing else works you have nothing to lose. I too am 75 and do have other health problems but get around fine except for the knee pain. I take tylenol very rarely and do use kt tape occasionally. I played golf today and I'm hurting a little more than usual but I will ice it tonight and get back on the glute exercises and will feel a lot better. I hope you give it a try
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5 ReactionsHi Lindielulu,
You and I are very much alike. I am 76 -I had a partial knee replacement on my left knee in 2010 and it is still going strong and very much like “the knee God gave me” in function and lack of pain. However when my right knee became very painful bone on bone due to osteoarthritis I was not cleared for surgery because I had several abnormal EKGs and the cardiologist would not clear me for “TKR elective surgery”. So I have been doing PT with strengthening my glutes and calf muscles and the pain has diminished considerably. I don’t take any pain medications other than natural herbs. Exercise is the best medicine there is. It has so many health benefits and is so good for everyone.
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6 ReactionsThank you very much for that advice. I do exercise but not as often as I should. I will start to focus on the glutes, thighs and calf muscles.
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1 ReactionI hope you the best in whatever you decide.
I waited 2 years more than I should have to have my TKR.
My doctor had to scrape out the dead tissues and some good tissues off my bones. Including to reshaping the bones for the apparatus to fit properly. This totally traumatized my body. My pain was totally excruciating started in recovery room. I lost 25lbs in 10 tens due to the pain. 😭.
It was after about the third week before I was able to take any pain meds due to nausea and couldn't eat. If I had to do this over again, I know that would be a big NO for me.
I had a partial on my left knee about 3 1/2 years ago and bounced right back.
But this full knee, ain't no joke.
Praying through it 🙏.
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4 ReactionsThank you so much! Like you, I was in so much pain that I lost 18 pounds in a week due to no appetite. It was excruciating! I am going to try another cortisone shot next week to see if it helps. I just don’t think that I could ever go through another knee surgery ever again! Thank you for your prayers. MaryAnn from Boston
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1 ReactionYou are the first person that can relate to me with a bug weight loss in a few days after surgery.
That kind of pain is the worse. Childbirth is easier, and I had twins fully natural, no meds. No comparison.
Keep praying 🙏 through it.
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4 ReactionsThe information I got was NOT to focus on the thighs unless it is pre-surgery. The PT said when you exercise the glutes and the thighs, it cancels out the focus on the glutes which is where you want to focus. It has made a significant difference for me. I'm not sure about the calves, that is probably ok. Sure hope it helps you
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4 ReactionsIt sounds unreal, doesn't it? I had so many doubts about the glutes program but I was desperate. I didn't know about the calf muscles but I'll try that too. I rarely take pain meds and it's tylenol if I do. What kinds of natural herbs do you take? I tried taking turmeric but it didn't agree with my digestive system. I may try a smaller dose.