Burning after total knee replacement

Posted by jetter @jetter, Feb 12, 2019

why does it burn after total replacement?

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I had similar symptoms after tkr and was diagnosed with CRPS by Physiatrist. CRPS is a nerve condition. Maybe seek second opinion.

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I have had burning in my knee now for 9 years, been to 11 doctors, they all scratch their heads and say there is nothing they can do. I average 2-3 hours of sleep a night due to the constant pain. Just for kicks and giggles I placed electrodes on my knee, one on the inside and one on the outside and using my volt meter, it showed 2.85 volts. I thought that couldn't be right, so I placed them on the good knee, .05 volts. I now have to research the idea of chemical reactions with the metal components of the knee, I will start with salt and go from there. I have found only antibiotics to relieve the pain, but my doctor said that he could not prescribe antibiotics for no reason, I guess he is a smart man, but that is quite questionable. I hope you can find relief, I am still searching.

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Hi @calahulabuddy - Welcome to Connect! That must be terribly frustrating to have pain like that for years and years. I've had two knee replacements and thankfully have not had anything like that kind of pain. Here is a link that may be of interest to you:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-a-tight-band-feeling-after-total-knee-replacement/
Meantime, I'm wondering: did you have a TKR 9 years ago? If so, have any of the doctors talked about doing a revision?

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@calahulabuddy

I have had burning in my knee now for 9 years, been to 11 doctors, they all scratch their heads and say there is nothing they can do. I average 2-3 hours of sleep a night due to the constant pain. Just for kicks and giggles I placed electrodes on my knee, one on the inside and one on the outside and using my volt meter, it showed 2.85 volts. I thought that couldn't be right, so I placed them on the good knee, .05 volts. I now have to research the idea of chemical reactions with the metal components of the knee, I will start with salt and go from there. I have found only antibiotics to relieve the pain, but my doctor said that he could not prescribe antibiotics for no reason, I guess he is a smart man, but that is quite questionable. I hope you can find relief, I am still searching.

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WOW...that's an interesting find-using the volt meter. I've wondered about doing acupuncture or reflexology to relieve the burning. Wondering if anyone has tried that with any success. My left knee is 3 1/2 years post op and my right knee is 2 years 8 months. Both burn ...I feel it all the time except when in a recliner or laying down (I always have a small pillow between my knees because they don't like each other at night). Standing still or just moving around the kitchen is the worst. They are better if I walk distances but I feel every step. I also have tightness/a band feeling if I sit any length of time and start walking. I have an appointment with a neurologist in a 3 1/2 weeks.

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Hi @grammygolfs - I have had two TKRs and I did acupuncture with both. It was very helpful will pain relief and getting off the strong meds. Full disclosure: I did not have the burning pain or the IT band tightness. Still, it could not hurt. I would try it and see if it gives you any relief. Have you used acupuncture before for any other conditions?

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@debbraw

Hi @calahulabuddy - Welcome to Connect! That must be terribly frustrating to have pain like that for years and years. I've had two knee replacements and thankfully have not had anything like that kind of pain. Here is a link that may be of interest to you:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-a-tight-band-feeling-after-total-knee-replacement/
Meantime, I'm wondering: did you have a TKR 9 years ago? If so, have any of the doctors talked about doing a revision?

Jump to this post

My injury was covered by workers comp and 5 years after my injury date they canceled my case after seeing a physiatrist for 15 minutes. I had to get a lawyer to reopen my case and since the TKR the dr's that I have seen say they wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole. They don't make as much money since they only get what WC will pay, but they also have to pay my lawyer 20% of every bill. WC insurance have set me up with an appointment at the Mayo clinic, with a wrist doctor, don't know how that would help, and then again with Salt Lake with a doctor that specializes in elbows. I am seeing a pattern here, WC doesn't want to pay out any more and they don't care if I am any better. The only complaint I have with the knee is the constant pain, otherwise I have great travel, it is one of the sport knees, so I can bend it almost as far as my good knee. I tried my tens unit on it a few nights ago, one pad on each side of the knee in the areas of most pain. Ran it for several hours at a setting that was just tolerable, it numbed the pain enough to where I was able to get 7 hours of sleep. It however did not work as well the next night, but I still was able to get 5 hours. I have sought out doctors who do revisions, they all say they won't see me.

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@grammygolfs

WOW...that's an interesting find-using the volt meter. I've wondered about doing acupuncture or reflexology to relieve the burning. Wondering if anyone has tried that with any success. My left knee is 3 1/2 years post op and my right knee is 2 years 8 months. Both burn ...I feel it all the time except when in a recliner or laying down (I always have a small pillow between my knees because they don't like each other at night). Standing still or just moving around the kitchen is the worst. They are better if I walk distances but I feel every step. I also have tightness/a band feeling if I sit any length of time and start walking. I have an appointment with a neurologist in a 3 1/2 weeks.

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Hi @grammygolfs, you are having just the opposite reaction to the burning, I have to keep moving or the burning increases until I can't bare it, once I move it is like a release, but then starts to increase when I stop. It sounds to me like maybe you do have a cyst, which I have been told sometimes happens, mostly behind the knee, which is where the nerves are. So as you apply pressure to the joint, fluid causes more pressure on the cyst and then applies pressure to the nerves. I hope your visit is successful and you find some answers.

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Hi @calahulabuddy - I can't understand. Why do the doctors say they won't see you about a revision? Does it have to do with insurance or is it something they are seeing in your xrays? This must be so difficult. I'm sorry you are going through so much difficulty.

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With acupuncture, how long did you have to wait before going?

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Hi @katclub - I waited 5 weeks after surgery to go to acupuncture, but I asked my acupuncture guy about timing and he said I could actually have started just after surgery. He would have avoided the surgery site of course. Have you done acupuncture before for any other reason?

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