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Debilitating pain 6 months after knee replacement

Posted by canls @canls, Apr 21, 2019

My husband had knee replacement surgery six months ago. The knee is still swollen, hard, and very warm. He still has chronic pain. He's at a constant 3-4 level most of the time, with episodes that shoot the pain up to 9 -10 range every day -- every damned day! -- that bring him to tears. And this is a man who's had broken bones, suffered concussion, and had a total hip replacement and was back on the golf course in six weeks. He's had every blood test you can think of to rule out infection. He's been X-rayed and scanned to rule out anything else. And we're told everything with the new joint looks fine, so keep doing what you're doing and it will get better. He does PT. He elevates, He ices. He does deep breathing. We've been to a pain management specialist who's fiddled with his meds and done laser therapy. And nothing works to bring the pain down. it's not getting better. Any ideas or recommendations?

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vgen | @vgen | Aug 24, 2022
In reply to @heyjoe415 "I'm not so sure the majority of people have pain after a TKR. I'm glad I..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

I'm not so sure the majority of people have pain after a TKR. I'm glad I didn't come upon this forum before my surgeries! The people who are satisfied don't go out of their way to post.

Ultimately it's up to you. I was happy with the results of the surgeon and the Stryker process. FWIW, the PT told me that patients who had the TKR using Stryker recovered faster. I'm a good example of that. I'm very satisfied and all pre-surgery pain is gone.

Best of luck as you make your decision. I suggest more research before you make a decision.

Joe

Jump to this post

That’s what the surgeons say. Not everyone has pain following a TKR. People with lasting pain have louder voices.
Lets hear from more good results.

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ezas123 | @ezas123 | Aug 24, 2022

Hi i agree robotic assistance is the way to go …. I had my knee done 9/21 without robot assistance my knee ended up being two sizes two big ….with robotic odds are get exact fit…. My revision on 7/22 was mako robotic asst. ….,I am thrilled with the revision …. Keep getting better and better

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dmk | @dmk | Aug 24, 2022

At any age getting a replacement going to physical therapy prior to surgery is well worth it, in my case insurance paid for it to do exactly that strengthen the muscles. Worked awesome. As my surgeon stated hip replacement easiest to rehab from, TKR next, with RTS being the most difficult to rehab from. All true had my RTS IN 19 and TKR in 21. TKR so much easier to rehab from.
I am believer that the physical therapist has to be an excellent one just like a surgeon

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ezas123 | @ezas123 | Aug 25, 2022

All this advice excellent…, you need a team to help you through surgery …. I have a mfr therapist right now still handling edema, my pt also amazing adjust and tweak’s things as needed and last a chiropractor I just added to help me with my walking, for over a year I have been stuck at a 65 flexion my whole body off …. I thankfully have found some amazing Dr and therapist that are making all the difference …., if anyone in pa needs referral for any good therapy I be more than willing to share information..,,

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Aug 25, 2022
In reply to @vgen "Very helpful. I have gone to 3 Doctors for evaluation. One uses Stryker method. The other..." + (show)
@vgen

Very helpful. I have gone to 3 Doctors for evaluation. One uses Stryker method. The other Doctors who don’t use the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant say the surgery is just as good without the robotic assistant. i felt why not use the best.
At this point I hesitate to have surgery. I don’t have pain in everyday walking. But right knee bows out and is making my walking off and gives me pain in foot. And I cannot go up steps without
I am worried i will have more pain after surgery as many people do.

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I'm not convinced that the majority of people have problems with recovery. That said, every situation is unique. I was bone on bone in both knees and in daily pain just walking. The new knees are pain free. I did exercise for a full year with a trainer and went into the surgery in very good shape. That made the recovery much easier.

All the best to you.

Joe

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fritter | @fritter | Feb 7, 2023

Wow, 6 months. That's terrible. Can we get an update?
I had both knees replaced 10 weeks ago. About 2 1/2 weeks ago the therapist pushed my right knee back farther than usual. It didn't hurt and felt odd because of that. The other knee has been stiffer and resisted on the bending as expected.
The next morning the right knee hurt before I got out of bed. I can still barely walk 150 feet before the pain gets unbearable. I ask the surgeon and PT what happened the answer (which is no answer) is always to do my exercises and it will get better. It only gets worse. I could have kept the old knee because it feels just like it did before the surgery.
I wonder what actually happened in there and is time all that can improve it? I continue with PT and exercises and it hurts like heck.

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2 replies
lucy155 | @lucy155 | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @fritter "Wow, 6 months. That's terrible. Can we get an update? I had both knees replaced 10..." + (show)
@fritter

Wow, 6 months. That's terrible. Can we get an update?
I had both knees replaced 10 weeks ago. About 2 1/2 weeks ago the therapist pushed my right knee back farther than usual. It didn't hurt and felt odd because of that. The other knee has been stiffer and resisted on the bending as expected.
The next morning the right knee hurt before I got out of bed. I can still barely walk 150 feet before the pain gets unbearable. I ask the surgeon and PT what happened the answer (which is no answer) is always to do my exercises and it will get better. It only gets worse. I could have kept the old knee because it feels just like it did before the surgery.
I wonder what actually happened in there and is time all that can improve it? I continue with PT and exercises and it hurts like heck.

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I suggest you be assertive with telling your surgeon that SOMETHING is wrong...Your pain is worse after a PT manipulation. At the very least, you should be seeing your surgeon in person for an examination and confirmation that you are ok. It will replace the worry with confidence that you will be improving. I have had a TKR and it's been a blessing. I never even think about it. Works perfectly. Hang in there, you will be ok. Best wishes

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1 reply
fritter | @fritter | Feb 8, 2023

Thanks Lucy,
I will contact the surgeon's nurse through Mychart again with the update that every session of PT makes things worse. The surgeon replied before that there was nothing he could do and to stick with PT. I have/had utmost respect for the guy. He has a great reputation. If I get no explanation why the big turn around I will go elsewhere. He approved of the idea in sort of a cynical way (but I don't believe he actually was). I will reply here with updates in case it might help someone else.
Thanks again, Fritz

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continentalred | @continentalred | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @lucy155 "I suggest you be assertive with telling your surgeon that SOMETHING is wrong...Your pain is worse..." + (show)
@lucy155

I suggest you be assertive with telling your surgeon that SOMETHING is wrong...Your pain is worse after a PT manipulation. At the very least, you should be seeing your surgeon in person for an examination and confirmation that you are ok. It will replace the worry with confidence that you will be improving. I have had a TKR and it's been a blessing. I never even think about it. Works perfectly. Hang in there, you will be ok. Best wishes

Jump to this post

I am wondering if you are having nerve related pain. Are you taking any medication like Lyrica that address nerve pain. It helped me significantly
You could have a neuroma (nerve trapped under scar tissue)
Here is an article that speaks about that issues
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/orthopedic-surgery/news/saphenous-nerve-neuroma-after-total-knee-arthroplasty/mac-20482753

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mpirruccel | @mpirruccel | Feb 9, 2023

Your pain could be from an impinged popliteal tendon which is right around the knee. I had to find about this on my own then get ultrasound image to officially diagnose it. I am 18 month s out and still in pain constantly ☹️. To see a surgeon about cutting the tendon and getting rid of scar tissue. From all my reading it seems about 1/5 people have significant issues after a tkr.

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