Pain following a Right Total Knee Replacement

Posted by gardeningranny @gardeningranny, Sep 18, 2018

I had a Rt TKR in November 2017, have full flexion, pain free during the day. At night the knee becomes painful 5-6 on a pain scale. I have shooting pains when I move the knee, roll over in bed and get up during the night. If I get up to walk on it the pain leaves within a few minutes. It just does not like me laying down. I had a bone scan and the Impression was-There is mild abnormal active soft tissue inflammation-cellulitis-capsulitis-synovitis present involving the right knee joint. It is believed to be due to a combination of postsurgical inflammation-healing (given that the surgery was performed less than a year ago) and altered stress mechanics due to the presence of the arthroplasty. The implants are in solid. There is no infection as they tapped the knee. My Orthopedist said to wait for 6 months and maybe then repeat the bone scan. I can not take anti inflammatory drugs as I have only one kidney (donated 16 years ago). Has anyone had this problem?

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Sorry you are having these problems.
A different Dr. told me that maybe the stem cells received - Mid March may have helped with my great recovery with my July 30th TKR. Every Dr. and Phys Therapist thinks my progress is outstanding. I'll keep inquiring re this. Anyone have experience with this?

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Hi: I have stage 4 Osteo-arthritis in my rt knee--on a waiting list for Stem-Cell clinical Trial--My knee was bothering me at night; pain and felt like it was hyper-extended. I put a nice dense pillow under it, and it really helps a lot. Try it!

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@mari

Sorry you are having these problems.
A different Dr. told me that maybe the stem cells received - Mid March may have helped with my great recovery with my July 30th TKR. Every Dr. and Phys Therapist thinks my progress is outstanding. I'll keep inquiring re this. Anyone have experience with this?

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Can you have stem cells after a RTK?

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@bushy

Hi: I have stage 4 Osteo-arthritis in my rt knee--on a waiting list for Stem-Cell clinical Trial--My knee was bothering me at night; pain and felt like it was hyper-extended. I put a nice dense pillow under it, and it really helps a lot. Try it!

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I do sleep with a pillow under my knee. My problem is when I move in bed the pain will wake me up. I also keep a body pillow close so incase I do roll over there is a pillow for it.

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To add insult to injury I just found out that my orthopedist who did the surgery is leaving to another practice in a distant state.

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My situation is similar to yours in some ways but different in other ways. I’m three years post TKR and still have several issues including soft tissue pain, scar tissue, and stiffness that limits my mobility. I’ve have every test, including a scintigraphy that showed that my implant is not inflected or loosened. However, I am most comfortable in bed or with my leg raised. Like you, I have only one kidney (born that way) so cannot take anti-inflammatory meds. I have just started soft tissue massage at a sport medicine center that I’m hoping will bring some relief.

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@gardeningranny

Can you have stem cells after a RTK?

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To Gardeningranny Why not? And remember what Dr. at USC said, it's like a gallon of ice cream, put a scoop in this joint - a scoop in another joint, etc. I had five injections of PRP and stem cells put into 5 joints, wished I had asked for more. PRP is @ $500. maybe you can try that first - see how it works then go for Stem Cells. But, I would like someone to respond - did my having stem cells in the spring help with my TKR on July 30,18? Everyone : Drs. Pt, nurses and peers are all impressed with my progress, can bend knee at 130 degrees, Pt says that all that is necessary.

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I finally have a diagnosis, a radiologist misread my bone scan. My metal implant that is in the tibia is loose and I have to have a 3rd knee replacement in the right knee.

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