Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR

Same with me 11 months out docs look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Wish you the best.

I hope it gets better.

I had two pain blocks injections before surgery , one in upper left thigh and one in area left of the knee. Not sure it was the same kind of shots you had as I was told mine would only last for about 3 days and that’s exactly how long they lasted before the pain really started.
I’ve had no numbness in my knee area and I therefore would recommend the shots as it was great not having any pain for 3 days at least. I’m 6 weeks out from surgery . My problem is still “ constipation”
I take the stool softeners regularly , Metamucil, eat lots of fruits and have a glass of prune juice. This all together usually works but I’m still not back to normal.

Before surgery all I took was a glass of Metamucil in the morning and night and then I was always regular.

I’m not taking any pain pills now so that can’t be it.

I just want to get back to
The way I was before surgery.
Now I’m either constipated
Or if I take all the stuff I said then I’ll have diarrhea .
I’m miserable to say the least !
Has anyone else had this problem. ?

I know it’s normal after surgery but this is 6 weeks out.

*

I had Iovera last August 2 weeks prior to TKA…it was advertised as painless but had extreme pain during and for 2 hours after procedure. Ironically, i had nerve pain following the TKA and believe that Iovera treatments contributed to the nerve pain.

A quick update on my post from 2022 - the numbness and tingling I felt for a few months post-op is gone, and it was gone within 6 months.

A number of people also hear their implants make a "clicking" noise well after surgery. This could be due to weak muscles supporting the knee, primarily the front and back leg muscles.

I did pre-op exercises w/ a trainer to strengthen my leg muscles, and kept going post-op. No noises from either knee.

Joe

Joe

I've had both knees replaced, but opioids don't work for me, so I got by with Ibuprofen and Tylenol (and a nerve block for the first three days), and liberal use of ice. I also stuck close to all the rehab exercises, at least 2x/day for at least two months.

On the subject of constipation, agreed that pain pills aren't the cause, as you're not taking them.

I've suffered from CIC since turning 65. I take an Rx, Motegrity, and it helps, but is very expensive. It can be purchased on costplusdrugs.com at cost plus 15% with a prescription.

When it gets truly bad I take Dulcolax (bisacodyl). That works, too well. It's an all-or-nothing situation. And the body builds up tolerance to it. So proceed with caution please.

I hope you find some relief. Being constipated is very uncomfortable. All the best to you.

Joe

@kathi65 I gave up on the THC/CBD as didn’t really touch the pain intensity and inhaling impacted asthma (surprisingly was able to breathe easier short term but long term worsened). Edibles also no REAL relief as pain too intense.

I asked Dr for MRI of R thigh as had ablation over 4 months ago for bone on bone lower left intense knee pain greatly increased after PT & surgeon grossly manipulated knee after refusing surgery due to comorbidities.
He had issues with needle midway through. Never had any thigh pain until this procedure. Problems immediately and when I returned and detailed the deep burning, swelling, intense pain, he became dismissive and said see a pain doctor! As thigh pain has deepened to worse than original knee pain (which also had zero relief) reading up on complications, I asked last week about MRI. Didn’t hear back. Left another message yesterday. Nothing. Called today… told make appointment- soonest is mid September to see if he’ll order it!!!! WTF?!?
Also had spinal heat ablation in February- they had to “switch machines” mid session! No relief. They kept telling me “give it another week”! That was 2/3/26.
They also won’t have appt until September.
I’ve the worst luck.
Suffering SUCKS

I had the femeral nerve block prior to my first knee surgery. I couldn't lift my foot off the ground and it felt like fire crackers going off in my leg. I couldn't get in my bed for weeks and had to sleep in a recliner. The pain was unbearable if I turned a certain way. Wound up in PT rehab for over a week. After I went home started PT, boy was that painful, but I know how important it is to your total recovery. Little by little the pain got better. Afterwards went to local PT center and did water therapy in heated pool, I am severely arthritic, and have found water therapy to help the most. Two years it took to heal the nerves, I still have a deficit, but can walk and lift my leg. Two years later, had the other knee done, when they said they would do a nerve block, I refused and told them it took 2 years to heal my leg last time and I didn't want to wind up in a wheelchair. They told me what awful pain I would be in, I said I'm in pain all the time, thanks but no. Everyone is different, the outcomes are varied and progress seems to be personal. I have had 7 joint replacements some went well and progressed quickly, others not so much. I hope you find some relief for your condition keep trying and hopefully something will help. Good luck.

@imanon
I too, tried it for arthritic pain prior to my surgery which I haven't been called back yet with a date. And it did not help me either.