Pain months after Total Knee Replacement
Had tkr nine months ago. Was feeling good till 4 weeks ago. I started working full time and went on vacation were I walked a lot. Now my knee almost feels like it did before surgery. I limp and have a hard time walking without pain. I don't know what to do. My led will not lie straight and the pain is pretty constant.
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Hello Jeff - I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I see you have seen a pain doc - have you considered the possibility of a pain management clinic instead where they try multiple strategies? Have you considered consulting a neurologist about the pain - the way you describe the effects, it may be neurological...
Sue
Narcotics really never helped with my TKR or my RTS surgeries. An ice machine was the most helpful and oh yes physical therapy is a must. My PT who rehabbed me for both my surgeries had me in his office the day after I got home. Yes it can hurt but in my experience a good surgeon and therapist are essential to recovery. And oh yes working hard on our parts to follow exercise regimen that therapist prescribes, not fun but pays off if all your hardware is good. It’s been almost 3 years since my reverse total shoulder and 7 months post TKR and I do exercise regimen every day.
That’s wonderful to hear, we’re you on any anti inflammatories? Not sure if maybe that is my problem but I can’t take them due to my ulcerative colitis but I’m willing to make an exception for a week if it helps control this?
For my RTS I didn’t realize I was suppose to take them routinely but for my TKR I WAS ON 6 weeks of anti inflammatories alternating with Tylenol and 6 weeks aspirin Do you have an ice machine. Yes if u have colitis that does make things a little more difficult but I found narcotics didn’t do much of anything and very constipating, I still have leftovers from both surgeries. I purchased a bolster prior to surgery that my therapist recommended that helped with the swelling. I forget how many weeks out but using a rolling pin daily for 3 minutes down each side. He always does deep tissue massage and has always worked the knee cap and now he has taught me how to do that too. Utilize your therapist if they are really good they can help tremendously but not doing therapy will most likely make pain worse and probably allow scar tissue to form. I did pt prior to TKR. On my first day home was in therapist office and I was 0 degrees and was on the recumbent bike and got to 62 degrees. Hang in there it’s not a sprint but a marathon! Also eat anti inflammatory diet if you can. My pain was around for three months, I felt so sleep deprived. Went well after that for a while, pain again for short period which I was told was normal. Still working hard on endurance and continue with my stretching, exercise bike and other exercises therapist has me do. I’m still working on the marathon for both my shoulder replacement and my knee. Gotta keep up my exercises.
Good evening @dmk. Wow....I certainly am proud of your diligence with your joint recuperation. #1 for me was ice. And #2 was feeling the improvement of strength and stability as a result of daily exercises both pre and post surgery. I combined orthopedic PT with MFR. Together that was just what was needed. I am almost 4 months post TKR and have absolutely no pain or discomfort. It was the same way with my RTS. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the results of your commitments.
May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris
Thanks so much for telling your story. It seems that exercise is a recurring theme of successful recovery. How long is the "marathon"?
Chris
My therapist has encouraged me to lifetime commitment to the RTS and TKR regimen he has me on
Thank you so much, you don’t understand how much this has helped me. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one and reassured me that just need to continue what I’m doing. Again thanks for you input.
Hi I am sorry you are going through all this…. Fortunately you are in the right place….I posted something very interesting I think good to repost helped me with pain I am on 5th day here is where you can read the article… https://thebarbellphysio.com/case-study-quadriceps-inhibition-and-tens-post-knee-surgery/
Now I have good update after 10 sessions of water therapy and 6 of mfr my leg is 12 which 5 is normal so I will take it…. My bend however went from 60 to 65 we have started focusing on the bend now last session very painful even my home workout painful…. I know every time I start new exercise my knee reacts and not well so I am just pushing through …., the tense unit is helping with pain and controlling some of the inflammation …. Inflammation is what has set me backwards every time in my recovery so far…but I am optimistic that doing all that I am doing in combination will be the difference….all that we can all do is keep trying