“End stem pain” after total knee revision due to PJI

Posted by fnpbaker123 @fnpbaker123, Sep 13 2:25pm

I am one year out from right total knee revision due to a prosthetic joint infection ( long story)! Was doing well until about 6 months ago when developed pretty severe shin pain when walking. Ortho said it is “End Stem pain” take ibuprofen- even with ibuprofen pain is still there! Told I likely have to live with this-anyone have any experience with pain due to long stems?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

fancyo1950 | @fancyo1950 | Oct 3 7:23am

I had revision knee surgery on Aug 15 and three weeks after surgery I got this awful pain in my shin, they say it's because of the rod they placed in the tibia stem. My leg needs to heal around this stem. The rod is long. I had a nuclear bone scan and my leg is very very inflamed. They say to give it time. Meanwhile I'm in constant pain. Ice and elevate. I walk with a cane outside and it's painful to walk very far. Does any of this sound familiar?

lkunze5 | @lkunze5 | Oct 4 7:29am

Yes I also have had this. It helped for a few months to go back to using a walker. I would say the acute phase lasted about 7-8 months and now I get occasional aches or twinges a few years later. The bone gets stronger thru micro fractures, as I understand it. That is where the pain comes from. As much as I hated going back on the rollator it was the only way I could function and get to work