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Total leg skin pain still 21 days after left knee replacement

Posted by zoobird1 @zoobird1, Mar 9, 2023

I had total left knee replacement February 16 and had much bruising from the top of my thigh to my ankle. I understand this is normal and the visible bruising has almost faded but my skin is so very painful and very sensitive to touch. It hurts as much as the knee area even with Naproxen, Tylenol and 5 mg of Oxy.
Is this typical?
Thank you. Beth age 69

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cindymattern | @cindymattern | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @vinran "Can you tell me what the Gabapetin is used for in your case. I see no..." + (show)
@vinran

Can you tell me what the Gabapetin is used for in your
case. I see no mention of neuropathy. Was it just for the
sensitive skin?
Thanks.
Vince

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Gabapentin is a anticonvulsant which is also used for nerve pain. Lyrica is as well used for nerve pain. I took it prior to my TKR for pain in my neck but went off due to taking pain meds after surgery but started it back when I started having those Nerve issues when they were coming back to life in my leg. Nerve zaps are a real thing. It also helps with neuropathy due to issues as well if you experience any of that. The sensitive skin does get better as the healing process takes place but being so early in your recovery it may still be sensitive. I am now wearing jeans again and sometimes if my knee is sore I have a compression sleeve that I wear over my thigh/knee/calf area that helps immensely.

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2 replies
vinran | @vinran | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "Gabapentin is a anticonvulsant which is also used for nerve pain. Lyrica is as well used..." + (show)
@cindymattern

Gabapentin is a anticonvulsant which is also used for nerve pain. Lyrica is as well used for nerve pain. I took it prior to my TKR for pain in my neck but went off due to taking pain meds after surgery but started it back when I started having those Nerve issues when they were coming back to life in my leg. Nerve zaps are a real thing. It also helps with neuropathy due to issues as well if you experience any of that. The sensitive skin does get better as the healing process takes place but being so early in your recovery it may still be sensitive. I am now wearing jeans again and sometimes if my knee is sore I have a compression sleeve that I wear over my thigh/knee/calf area that helps immensely.

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Thanks.

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zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "I am at 5 1/2 months and had no bruising however yes, my skin was very..." + (show)
@cindymattern

I am at 5 1/2 months and had no bruising however yes, my skin was very sensitive to touch and I had to wear sweat pants for what seems like forever. I was taking 900 mg Gabapentin at bedtime but am weaning off to see if it help with the neuropathy. My ROM is 115 and with the band can pull it to 123. I am to where I can do pretty much what I want however if I overdo which I do many times my leg will hurt for several days after ie...rode my bike 4 miles Sunday, stretched my leg and walked about 3000 steps as it was a quieter day. It's Tuesday and I'm still paying for it. I'm told all this is normal but it is frustrating for sure not being able to do the things I want. Hopefully by December (will be 13 months out) I'm good as I'm going to Universal and there is much walking. Keep doing the PT and the nerve issues will subside. You can take Gabapentin for that but keep in mind it must be weaned off of and not just stopped.

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Thank you! That’s impressive you’re so active.
I take fluoxetine and nortriptyline for nerve issues resulting from bursitis and neuroma surgeries. I did try Gabapentin for that years ago. I’ll keep that in mind.
I so appreciate your encouragement! Yesterday at PT my ROM was 125.👍🏻

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1 reply
zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "Gabapentin is a anticonvulsant which is also used for nerve pain. Lyrica is as well used..." + (show)
@cindymattern

Gabapentin is a anticonvulsant which is also used for nerve pain. Lyrica is as well used for nerve pain. I took it prior to my TKR for pain in my neck but went off due to taking pain meds after surgery but started it back when I started having those Nerve issues when they were coming back to life in my leg. Nerve zaps are a real thing. It also helps with neuropathy due to issues as well if you experience any of that. The sensitive skin does get better as the healing process takes place but being so early in your recovery it may still be sensitive. I am now wearing jeans again and sometimes if my knee is sore I have a compression sleeve that I wear over my thigh/knee/calf area that helps immensely.

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You are so helpful! Thanks again.

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zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @evon "I had similar situation on my lower leg (which was where my bruising was). It slowly..." + (show)
@evon

I had similar situation on my lower leg (which was where my bruising was). It slowly disappeared as the bruising resolved but, like you, I didn’t find oral pain meds helped at all. What did help was a prescription for Diclofenac ointment 8%. Give it a try. Worked for me. I had my surgery Jan 20th and it’s been resolved for some time now. Best wishes.

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I used diclofenic prior to surgery. Great suggestion as an option when my wound closes. Thank you!

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2 replies
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @zoobird1 "Thank you! That’s impressive you’re so active. I take fluoxetine and nortriptyline for nerve issues resulting..." + (show)
@zoobird1

Thank you! That’s impressive you’re so active.
I take fluoxetine and nortriptyline for nerve issues resulting from bursitis and neuroma surgeries. I did try Gabapentin for that years ago. I’ll keep that in mind.
I so appreciate your encouragement! Yesterday at PT my ROM was 125.👍🏻

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That is an amazing ROM!! Mine is only 125 if I use a band and 115 with no band to help on my own. Hopefully will continue getting better as swelling goes down. I can't take nsaids so I have nothing for swelling and was told it could take a year. I couldn't take fluoxetine due to constipation issues (I went 5 days) but I did feel good when I tried it.

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cindymattern | @cindymattern | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @zoobird1 "I used diclofenic prior to surgery. Great suggestion as an option when my wound closes. Thank..." + (show)
@zoobird1

I used diclofenic prior to surgery. Great suggestion as an option when my wound closes. Thank you!

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I use diclofenac gel on my leg as well once the would closed and continue to for swelling since I can't take oral nsaids.

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evon | @evon | Mar 14, 2023
In reply to @zoobird1 "I used diclofenic prior to surgery. Great suggestion as an option when my wound closes. Thank..." + (show)
@zoobird1

I used diclofenic prior to surgery. Great suggestion as an option when my wound closes. Thank you!

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For sure - I avoided incision area & it helped that most of my pain was in lower leg, ankle area & footb

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1 reply
zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 15, 2023
In reply to @evon "For sure - I avoided incision area & it helped that most of my pain was..." + (show)
@evon

For sure - I avoided incision area & it helped that most of my pain was in lower leg, ankle area & footb

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I thought the diclofenic gel was just for joints. Did it help your lower leg pain as well?

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1 reply
zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 15, 2023
In reply to @continentalred "I think you might be having nerve related pain. As the nerve endings repair after surgery..." + (show)
@continentalred

I think you might be having nerve related pain. As the nerve endings repair after surgery they can feel quite active and painful
Hydromorphone did not work for me but Lyrica which is for nerve pain was a life saver. Ask your doctor

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Thank you so much!

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