Burning after total knee replacement

Posted by jetter @jetter, Feb 12, 2019

why does it burn after total replacement?

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@kapkalkac

TKR 2/26/19 & am experiencing this burning sensation on the inside of the knee and under patella like a smile. PT doesn’t seem concerned. I have swelling in the knee. 3-1/2 weeks out I am at 115 degrees unassisted and 5 degree for straight.
After reading I am feeling like burning is natural snd not problematic?

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You are at 115° flexion after 3 1/2 weeks surgery?....i am 7 1/2 weeks from surgery and assisted flexion can get at 107° and 0° extension. I have another 4 weeks PT
My age is 78. I don't know what flexion I can get on my own, but I am hoping for more. My lower leg and knee get so hard it feels like a wedge at the lower part if the petellar tendon but after it gets warmed up I can walk pretty well. Good for you

About the burning in another post...I had the horroble burning stinging sensation around my knee which was worse during the time my leg was at rest. After 4 weeks, it tapered off. My other knee kneeds to be replaced but I'm going to have a solid case of amnesia before that happens.sounds like you had the best of outcomes as you could have. Best to you

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It probably is nerve irritation. I had the same thing.

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I have had 5 major knee surgeries. 1st TKR Dec 2013, developed arthrofibrosis. Surgeries 2014 and 2015 to clean out scar tissue. Revision October 2018 for arthrofibrosis. Then major change. Had revision surgery 12/10/2019 by Henry Finn, Director of Orthopedic Surgery at Chicago Weiss Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Hospital. Dr. Finn's process was to apply low dose radiation to the bone and scar tissue a couple of hours before surgery followed by a complete revision with a hinged implant. I am now 3+ months out from surgery and have been experiencing burning pain around the patella and radiating up a few inches an down the length of my leg. I had my other knee replaced in 2004 without issue but I am feeling a similar burning pain in that leg also, although not as intense. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what it might be?

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@jmacvol

I have had 5 major knee surgeries. 1st TKR Dec 2013, developed arthrofibrosis. Surgeries 2014 and 2015 to clean out scar tissue. Revision October 2018 for arthrofibrosis. Then major change. Had revision surgery 12/10/2019 by Henry Finn, Director of Orthopedic Surgery at Chicago Weiss Memorial Hospital and University of Chicago Hospital. Dr. Finn's process was to apply low dose radiation to the bone and scar tissue a couple of hours before surgery followed by a complete revision with a hinged implant. I am now 3+ months out from surgery and have been experiencing burning pain around the patella and radiating up a few inches an down the length of my leg. I had my other knee replaced in 2004 without issue but I am feeling a similar burning pain in that leg also, although not as intense. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what it might be?

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Hi @jmacvol, I moved your discussion and combined it with anongoing and active discussion of a similar title, "burning after total knee replacement." I did this so you could read through some of the previous posts made by Connect members with similar experiences as yours and so those members would see your post and experience as well.

@jmacvol, I have not heard of applying low-dose radiation to a knee prior to surgery. Was this an attempt to clear out some of the scar tissue and other stuff prior to surgery? Is there any redness or swelling with your burning pain, especially in your other knee?

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TKR on November of 2018: same burning pain around knee cap & up the inside of knee. Was toldl the pain would subside but can take up to a year. At the one year mark still hurts, same pain then was told it could take 18 mos to 2 yrs. Now after 16 months still the same pain. I have scheduled to get a second opinion on 4/26. Worried about the visit because of the virus but want the pain to stop. Ice helps numb it but only for a short time less than 1 hr. Can't walk around with an ice pack on my knee. Please any suggestions or advice is very welcome. Thx

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@barrett727

TKR on November of 2018: same burning pain around knee cap & up the inside of knee. Was toldl the pain would subside but can take up to a year. At the one year mark still hurts, same pain then was told it could take 18 mos to 2 yrs. Now after 16 months still the same pain. I have scheduled to get a second opinion on 4/26. Worried about the visit because of the virus but want the pain to stop. Ice helps numb it but only for a short time less than 1 hr. Can't walk around with an ice pack on my knee. Please any suggestions or advice is very welcome. Thx

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Hi, @barrett727 Welcome to Connect.
I have had two TKRs but have not experienced the pain you are referring to so I cannot advise, yet many others here have. Have you read back through some of the posts?
We are patients also, sharing our experiences and often what has helped us. You do need to get a second opinion, I hope the appointment you have scheduled now will stay on schedule, and the new doctor will be able to help you. When the time comes I hope you will let us know how it goes.
JK

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This is my second TKR on the same knee.I have burning at the back of my knee and still have tighten. Is this normal after 3 months.

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I am six months out from right TKR and have terrible burning on the inner side of my knee and under the kneecap. Dr. Says it will take about a year for the nerves to regenerate. I also have numbness on the outer side of my knee. The burning is more intense after any kind of exercise. Ice helps. I also use Voltaren cream. Dr. Says it will help with inflammation. Dr. Also suggested Gabapentin, but I have heard mixed views on it, so I have decided not to take it. Good luck!

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@angviv

I am six months out from right TKR and have terrible burning on the inner side of my knee and under the kneecap. Dr. Says it will take about a year for the nerves to regenerate. I also have numbness on the outer side of my knee. The burning is more intense after any kind of exercise. Ice helps. I also use Voltaren cream. Dr. Says it will help with inflammation. Dr. Also suggested Gabapentin, but I have heard mixed views on it, so I have decided not to take it. Good luck!

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Good evening @angviv, Am I reading this correctly, you are waiting for a year or so for the nerves in those areas to regenerate. That may be what is causing your discomfort.

However, I would suggest that you get a bit of an understanding of fascia and how it works in your body. The fascia is almost like a thin sheet over all of your body parts including muscles, bones, vessels, etc. It should remain fluid and move gently in and out of areas within your body. When it becomes "stuck" or restricted, the pain accompanies that area until the restriction is released. Fascia is created in layers. I mentioned that because sometimes when you get one layer unstuck, you encounter another one. Let me give you a couple of links to more information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW0lvOVKDxE&feature=share
https://myofascialrelease.com/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Has this added to your knowledge of what is going on with your knee? What other questions do you have? Are you taking any medications specifically for nerve regeneration or pain?

Be safe and protected.
Chris

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@angviv

I am six months out from right TKR and have terrible burning on the inner side of my knee and under the kneecap. Dr. Says it will take about a year for the nerves to regenerate. I also have numbness on the outer side of my knee. The burning is more intense after any kind of exercise. Ice helps. I also use Voltaren cream. Dr. Says it will help with inflammation. Dr. Also suggested Gabapentin, but I have heard mixed views on it, so I have decided not to take it. Good luck!

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I use both & ice does help but you have to do it many times a day. I have neuropathy (18 yrs) been on gabapentin for 12 yrs. The burning pain is on the inner side above the bend & all around the knee. It's been 17 months (surgery was 11/19/18.) The dr keeps moving the goal line as to when the pain will stop. I can bend the knee fine 115% inflection. It's like a constant head ache & worst if I stand or shop to long 1 hr or more. My knee replacement is the Stryker triathlon. I have a second opinion appt on the 4/21 but in light of the stay home orders I may reschedule. Just wanted to know if anyones dr figured out why the burning pain & how they cured it... thanks Jeanne

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