Knee Replacement Issues-Help Please!

TKRs are not unusually painful for almost everyone who does exercises before and especially after the surgery. Sure it's hard but it gets better and better.

Please go get another opinion soon.

I had my tkr 23 years ago and yes I have had some pain but not horrible pain I suggest you see another doctor. I was in a car wreck and shattered 2 inches of my tibia. They fixed it with plates screws part of my bone graft from my hip coral reef graft and cadaver graft I was unable to put my full weight on it for a year almost I had PT 3 times a week at home then graduated to the clinic I did everything they ordered it hurt very bad but I wanted to walk. I did!! I kept complaining X-rays we’re done nothing is wrong over and over finally I was told I needed a knee brace. Expensive one special order and a cane as I was falling for no reason!! I moved to a new state thinking nothing could be done waited but then I had another problem don’t remember what went to an orthopedic he xrayed my knee and said the craziest thing you know it is still broken. You have been walking on a broken leg for 13 years. The only thing I can do I replace it. He did he said you will still have pain because of all the nerve damage but I can get you stability. He did. I have walked in 6 k’s and enjoyed my life even jumped on trampolines at 65 I am proud of those things!! But now I think the time for a new knee is here. And I am dreading a 3rd surgery on the same knee. Yes it will get better yes I will walk again. Better than now but still dreading it!!

You could have a trapped nerve under scar tissue
Here is an article about this issue
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/orthopedic-surgery/news/saphenous-nerve-neuroma-after-total-knee-arthroplasty/mac-20482753

Welcome @mariamermaid308, I am without words about what you have been through. It really does pay to be your own advocate and persevere through some difficult times. Hoping your 3rd surgery is a snap!

What do you think is the most important thing that helped you during your long ordeal?

I am experiencing the same problem. Had a left TKR on February 2nd. Started PT two weeks later and was pushed pretty hard to bend my knee. If I try to replicate the exercise I now hear a snap or pop and then it goes back into place. I had to stop PT due to Surgeon's orders. He wants to see if my inflammation goes down. It now occasionally is happening without any exercise that requires bending. I am waiting to go back on March 20th and have been forbidden to do PT until he sees me again. How did you get rid of this problem. I am worried I will need arthroscopic surgery to remove the tendon as he alluded to something along those lines.

I found that aquafit classes helped me tremendously by getting back my leg strength and reducing inflammation
I feel that weight bearing activities (ie walking) are the worst for inflammation which is the biggest problem. Too much inflammation causes the tendons to rub against bones or muscles in a way they normally would not if the inflammation wasn’t getting in the way of a typically gliding movement.
I got a compression stocking that has really helped keep the inflammation down so when I do walk my knee doesn’t flare up.

I agree. Aqua aerobic classes really did the trick for me. I had bilateral TKA four months apart and it helped with building strength and increasing flexibility. Even doing a range of motion workout in the water helps.

Sounds like some of you are in the at least 20% group of people that do not improve with tkr. I am over 1 1/2 years out. I am also one and am contemplating arthroscopic surgery to relieve the pain although the surgeon said 50-75% chance it will help. Plus significant chance of infection because of tkr. Have had two nerve ablations but didn’t help. There is a peripheral nerve stimulator implant that has been suggested by pain doctor. Infection would be worrisome as an electrode and battery would be implanted. Meanwhile walking, cycling, swimming, stairs are all painful. Can’t take NSAIDS, just Lyrica at night. Good luck everyone

Hello, I so sorry to hear your problem….but it sounds way too familiar. I had TKR 8/19. For 4 yrs. had pain everyday and would wake up me at night! I found out 1.6 yrs later I was allergic to the cement! Decided to go for second opinions…12 to be exact. Finally found a doctor who agreed to help me.I couldn’t bend my knee, I couldn’t walk properly, my leg was crooked. It was the best decision I made. Had partial revision and found out the original part under my patella was bent, broken and put in incorrectly! Go for your second, possibly a 3rd or 4th, etc. until you get two opinions that are the same! I’m glad I did it. Surgery was easy, felt so much better, pain minimal. P.T. Was doing its job…good luck. Irish823