Calf pain after TKR

Posted by afladland @afladland, Jan 23, 2023

I am 5 weeks post op from TKR on my right knee. From the very 1st week, most of my pain is in my calf. It seems to be getting worse with every week. It is especially painful when I am sitting or driving. The only thing that gives me immediate relief is when I get in a hot bath. At my 4 week check up, I have virtually no swelling and my ROM is where its suppose to be. It is such a deep ache in my calf with numbness in my foot. Ultrasound showed no blood clot. I've been from my surgeon to a vascular specialist and now referred to a neurologist. Has anyone had this issue?

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bobmac | @bobmac | Jan 26, 2023

In reply to @rennie "Continual knee, calf, and foot pain for almost 2 years post TKR. Nerve conduction study shows..." + (show)

I suspect that I have that problem. One yr tkr. Hope they find a good solution and please post the results. Best wishes!

cisconurse | @cisconurse | Jan 27, 2023

Wow, in and out of bath at 5 weeks, impressive.

jcllarsen61 | @jcllarsen61 | Apr 10, 2023

I am three months from my TKR. I’ve experienced extreme calf pain. It has made it a miserable experience. I’m hoping I can get some help soon, from reading other comments. I’m not feeling so sure.my knee feels better but my quality of life is not. I don’t know what to think.

brescher | @brescher | Apr 12, 2023

In reply to @loreleiks "I also experience extreme calf pain following my TKR and then several weeks after surgery. Speaking..." + (show)

I have also started taking GABAPENTIN, 1300 mg throughout the day.. they are 300 milligrams per pill.
It seems to help with the nerve pain, but I also wonder about the Sapheous nerve as I read the article from Mayo Clinic about that…. I got my second opinion from the CLEVELAND CLINIC, that was never mentioned…. But they just said nerve pain…. Makes me wonder. I said it was a bad decision I made to have a TKR, my husband says …. It was the correct decision just not the outcome we were hoping for.
I am approaching 5 months out!

continentalred | @continentalred | Apr 13, 2023

I am 7 months post op and I did have calf pain in the earlier months. I also have a Bakers Cyst which (was found on the Ultrasound) so that was causing me some pain in my calf.
I also feel that at 3 months you still haven’t regained adequate muscle strength in your quadriceps so your lower leg is taking the load.
Try to avoid too many weight bearing activities (like walking) and go the aquafit classes or ride a stationary exercise bike ( with very little tension)
Things wil get better for you. I know it is frustrating but I think most of us are impatient. I know I was but it you think about the intensity of the surgery and what was done there is no way that things are healed on a cellular level in 3 months.
My surgeon told me it takes about a year to recover.

jacp | @jacp | Apr 14, 2023

I am 11 months post op TKR and still experience pain and swelling in my knee, I haven't been taking any pain medication on a regular basis and rest up when I need to. I do get calf pain and cramps a couple of times a week and have used muscle gels to massage and relieve the cramps. It took me a long time to recover and I feel am still working on strenghing muscles around the knee, I'm still not sure if I have done the right thing getting a TKR

brescher | @brescher | Apr 15, 2023

In reply to @jacp "I am 11 months post op TKR and still experience pain and swelling in my knee,..." + (show)

My nerve pain is in my upper tendon area. Just below the knee…. So regret my decision….
Gabapentin is not really working but may see about upping the amount I take
……
Brescher …. Just want my life back…

kmacky | @kmacky | Apr 15, 2023

In reply to @brescher "My nerve pain is in my upper tendon area. Just below the knee…. So regret my..." + (show)

I was taking gabapentin for knee pain and stopped immediately when I read about a class action lawsuit- this drug was FDA approved as an anti- seizure drug- not for pain management. I would advise you to research it and try to find an alternative. Good luck on your progress. Hope you find some relief.

brescher | @brescher | Apr 17, 2023

In reply to @kmacky "I was taking gabapentin for knee pain and stopped immediately when I read about a class..." + (show)

Just read about the GABAPENTIN….. Very interesting, ….. thank you for pointing that out….
May I ask what you used for nerve pain…. I am approaching 5 months…

kmacky | @kmacky | Apr 17, 2023

In reply to @brescher "Just read about the GABAPENTIN….. Very interesting, ….. thank you for pointing that out…. May I..." + (show)

I requested cortisone injection- but can only use it every 4 months- it is supposed to soften our bones. It worked for about the first three months. When the rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed I was using prednisone and Meloxicam for the pain and inflammation and it wasn’t very effective. Now I just use tramadol on my worst days- about every 4 days I take 2.

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