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Debilitating pain 6 months after knee replacement
My husband had knee replacement surgery six months ago. The knee is still swollen, hard, and very warm. He still has chronic pain. He's at a constant 3-4 level most of the time, with episodes that shoot the pain up to 9 -10 range every day -- every damned day! -- that bring him to tears. And this is a man who's had broken bones, suffered concussion, and had a total hip replacement and was back on the golf course in six weeks. He's had every blood test you can think of to rule out infection. He's been X-rayed and scanned to rule out anything else. And we're told everything with the new joint looks fine, so keep doing what you're doing and it will get better. He does PT. He elevates, He ices. He does deep breathing. We've been to a pain management specialist who's fiddled with his meds and done laser therapy. And nothing works to bring the pain down. it's not getting better. Any ideas or recommendations?
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How were you doing before they pushed your knee back? I know different for everyone but one thing still same don’t let anyone push or pull on your knees …..it is possible she may have broke through some scar tissue …. That would cause inflammation and soreness….I was told only use my own resistance….. that is For future reference…..what can you do now I definitely ice and stretching …. I can go by my own experience I had set back few weeks ago …. I iced and did stretching no exercise that caused pain … my knee needed a break … I also used rock tape which helped tremendously…. Maybe your pt can tape you take some pressure off your knee , worth a shot …..also give yourself a break we need time to heal … but keep on moving …. I am also little over 6 months out of revision…..I have my ups and downs but nice thing is I retain my flexion for most part…we are works in progress lol ….don’t give up just minor set back …..
I was doing fine. Making progress. I walked up the road about 400 feet and into a feedlot full of frozen cow pies (just to let you know I got around OK.) and made a video of my wife doing my work (running a tractor bringing bales to cows).
Three days later I could barely stay on my feet for more than a couple minutes and it hasn't changed in 3 weeks.
Rock tape sounds interesting. I've also recommended Two Old Goats, some sort of potion to rub on.
The surgeon's nurse has asked If I want him to reevaluate, while 10 days ago he said there was nothing he could do. The PT guy has tried dry needling with no change yet.
Fritz
Here is an interesting update.
Before I received the new knees I had a couple epidurals in my lower spine. Two, because the first one didn't do anything. I didn't really notice any change after the second one.
I was motivated to get the surgery because my right knee, having been overworked because of a hematoma in my left calf. It felt like broken glass in my knee and I was on crutches for weeks before the surgery.
Here's the weird part. 3 days before the surgery date my right knee stopped hurting. I went ahead with it anyway because I'd had bone on bone for 4 years.
Now, after 8 weeks or so that right knee that was doing fine feels just the same as it did before the new knee, broken glass. A friend suggested the pain in my knee was coming from my back and the epidural had worn off.
I'm waiting for an appt in 30 days with the pain specialist who did the epidural.
The knees are both healing nicely except if I'm on my feet for a short time I find a place to sit because of that darn broken glass. Could the pain in my knee really be from my back?
Fritz
6 weeks post knee replacement surgery. I definitely have that broken glass feeling. I'm not sure what you mean by having epidurals? Did they help with the pain after surgery? I wish I could have had that if that's the case! 6 weeks and I still have pain most of the time. Working with the physical therapist to improve my range of motion. I see my surgeon for my 6-week checkup today
The epidurals were for back pain. But, the knee pain like broken glass spurred me to get the knee replacements (both. One hurt, the other looked worse on the x-rays). The epidural may have helped with the broken glass feeling as 3 days before surgery the broken glass feeling went away. That's an awful long time for that epidural to kick in.
Complicated.
I'm now 11 weeks out and if I am on my feet for 5 minutes it is agonizing and takes 10 minutes after sitting or laying down before it settles down.
The surgeon says the X rays look fine.
This is the long and painful recovery I guess. I can't stand very long either. When I get into bed at night everything's fine and all of a sudden is burning for at least 10 minutes. Looks like we're both on the same page there.
Yep. They all say it hurts and takes time.
Same page? I'm a jazz fan too.
I am where you were! To follow up- did the Meloxicam, Mag., Gatorade help? I added these things last weekend; hoping to get relief. It’s pretty awful.
Thanks
Hi
I feel for him. I just had my 3rd knee surgery. 2nd revision. I had been telling my surgeon how painful it is n begged many times to do a diff test. He always said X-rays r fine. Come back n 2-3 months. I did everything I was taught. Did back to back PT after 1st TKR. They removed the joint 10 Mon later due to heat but I was also allergic to nickel. So 2nd surgery 2 Drs worked on it. They made a bigger mess. Still I had issues. Pain, burning n something rubbing inside like sawing into a muscle or flesh. I begged for an ultrasound, CT n even mri. Nope X-rays shows joint is fine. But it took me getting really pissed off at them when they said I don’t think you had a nickel allergy to it. Duh I was tested 30 yrs ago n failed nickel. So for nearly 3 yrs I listened to them. Finally they got tired of me begging n did offer a mri. The nurse told me I got blowed, because scans will show nerves etc. I saw my family Dr who said I needed PT again but not at their place I’d been goin. It took less than. Week for them to point out yes you have issues. One said my knee cap is way over to its side n rubbing on my femur which explains the sawing. They gave me a # to another surgeon n said hes amazing n fixes other Dr mistakes. I was n tears when I met him n he pointed out 3 main things. 1. The Joint was very loose to still be n good shape. 2, they put the wrong size poly spacer behind the cap which loosened up the joint to rub on my femur. N 3 they didn’t even put the right size in my leg. He took out a size 8 poly n put in a size 18. Always trust your instincts if ya know something not right, go get that 2nd or 3rd opinion. I’m so upset I had to deal with this for so long before anyone heard me. Drs need to listen closely to their Patients. We’re not delusional, this was real for me. Now I’m healing again. I had my 2 wk post op yest n the Dr was so impressed how I was able to bend w in home pt care. I’ll start back to reg pt next week. But yes listen to your body. I’ve not spoken to the other 2 Drs n like 4-5 months now. I’d prob tell them off good. They do need to take more time n listen to us, n not so into how they’re over booked. It’s not our fault. Right now w this revision it’s more painful. Even that Tourniquet feeling at upper thigh is more painful n more attacks of them. So in your case ask for another type of imaging, all they think about is X-rays but X-rays don’t show but only the component making sure its in tact. This has been a rough 3 yrs nearly but hopefully this will be last knee surgery for me. Prayers your way n Google, ask questions n ask for a diff test. Like if ya allergic to something. Even I thought could I be allergic to the glue they used. Dr said after the surgery to my Husband that he had no idea how I was able to walk. Actually I couldn’t. If I stood up, I had to wait to take a step n try wiggle my leg to adjust because of that cap thingy to reposition n take a step. Still baby steps for any step. Prayers to ya. Hope ya find peace n a solution to getting better hug 🥰
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