Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

Posted by bengalady @bengalady, Oct 9, 2019

I had knee replacement 3 years ago. It is worse than previous knee pain, and getting worse as more time goes by. My surgeon (in another state) says everything normal based on X-ray. Ortho doc here says the same, and said I’m having pain and he referred me to pain clinic for possible nerve block. I want to know WHY am I having pain, although I didn’t call it pain. ROM is 100. They can’t see everything on X-ray. I want an MRI. Want to go for second opinion. Should I tell new doc I’m there for second opinion, I don’t think that’s necessary......I think that would cause some bias, ie they would just say same thing.
Has this happened to anyone ? Thoughts ?
TIA

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@madjacks

As far as flex he has not at the last appointment he said if the pain persists he would want to do a nerve study. I feel it is scar tissue the joint feels good and moves freely in the travel it does have just seems everything around it on the outer portion of joint soft tissue is the problem at night is the worst if I role in my sleep the pain is unreal if I catch myself and tighten my quads the pain is not near as bad

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@madjacks if scar tissue is a problem that of course would cause the lower flex too. 95° flex is less than most doctors aspire for. Hopefully the doctor will be able to identify the problem and be able to do something to help you.
I realize that non-essential appointments are on hold, but do you have an appointment scheduled yet?
JK

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Yes have one on May 15 it hasn’t been canceled yet

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I have persistent pain in one of my replacements. It is annoying, but the knee is still functional.

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misery loves company. Five years after my tkr the swelling has never gone down, in fact it goes up when i tried exercising in water. Now i am told it is lose. I do not walk much but bike a lot and ride a golf cart. Pain? Yes, but i know they will want to do another tkr and that was not fun. My second knee i did stem cells 4 years ago and PRP yearly. This has helped me from doing another TKR. In reality i think the PRP has helped the most. Yes, it is expensive. I have noticed some compaies have insurance for this so its up to you to do your homework.

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@pjoyner

I have persistent pain in one of my replacements. It is annoying, but the knee is still functional.

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Hello @pjoyner. Glad to see that your knee is still functional even though annoying. When did you have your knee replaced?

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@madjacks

Yes have one on May 15 it hasn’t been canceled yet

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Good morning @madjacks, I note that you had your appointment for the issues with your TKR on Friday, May 15. (I am assuming it wasn't canceled). Please relate the results of that meeting so it can be shared with others who will benefit from your knowledge and experience. How did your clinician feel about your pain and discomfort levels? Specifically, what do you know now about the facia that can cause pain as it layers and knots up around your knee? Took some time to get rid of it. Just headed out for some spring walks and it is doing very well. Somedays you lose and some days you knock it out of the park, thank goodness.

May you be free of suffering and we'll throw in a WIN.
Chris

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@artscaping

Good morning @madjacks, I note that you had your appointment for the issues with your TKR on Friday, May 15. (I am assuming it wasn't canceled). Please relate the results of that meeting so it can be shared with others who will benefit from your knowledge and experience. How did your clinician feel about your pain and discomfort levels? Specifically, what do you know now about the facia that can cause pain as it layers and knots up around your knee? Took some time to get rid of it. Just headed out for some spring walks and it is doing very well. Somedays you lose and some days you knock it out of the park, thank goodness.

May you be free of suffering and we'll throw in a WIN.
Chris

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Sorry for the delay in my response my appointment was not cancel the doctor had no options for my pain and pretty much told me it is what it is. Now let’s fast forward to today the pain has increase at night and is increasing during the day no major swelling but knee feels like it is the size of a football when walking and is very tight I am putting lidocaine patches on at night with not much relief. I am trying to set a appointment for a second opinion with a doctor at a different clinic I am a very active person and my wife thinks that’s the problem I am currently loosing my bend little by little and that is a big concern and knee is still very warm to the touch I hope I get some relief soon the lack of rest is really taking a toll on my body, mind and personal life.

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I had knee replacement February 22, 2019 and the pain in my knee is worse than before. The Doctors say the same thing to me. I have tried steroid shots on many occasions and then they go to the the steroid packs. The shots work for a few days and then the pain is back.

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I also suffer pain from a right hip replacement. Some days I can hardly stand to b.s.ar weight on it. I have more problems now. So regret the surgery.

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@madjacks

I am current 9 months post op after having a partial knee converted to a total knee I have had a issue with my bend and pain sense day one. Currently I can straighten my knee to 1 degree but my bend is only 95 once I attempt to pass 95 degrees the pain is unreal I can walk around with little to no pain but at night when sleeping on my side if feels like someone is trying to brake my knee in half side to side. I have a follow up with my doctor on may 15 2020 to see if this is getting better. I feel it is getting worse and starting to get stiffer I don't notice any fluid or swelling knee looks deformed compare to my other knee but I wouldn't expect it to look the same has any one had these symptoms. I am 47 years old and was hoping for a better out come.

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Hi madjacks, my guess is the partial knee procedure induced the usual amount of scar tissue and added to that is the scar tissue from the TKR . I was a surgeon and I can tell you that operating a second time in the same area is no picnic and almost always leads to more scar tissue than usual. Also, partial knee surgery is I think in many cases a disservice to the patient because they frequently have to be redone as a total. You said you’re “active”
Have you tried taking a week or two off?
Also, try a heating pad and wrap an Ace bandage around it to keep it tight. I also slather
Diclofenac cream on the knee at night,wrap Saran Wrap around it so it’s not messy and put an Ace bandage around that. I’m eight months out and find biking to be the best. But take some time off and back off a bit. Might help

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