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Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

Posted by bengalady @bengalady, Oct 9, 2019

I had knee replacement 3 years ago. It is worse than previous knee pain, and getting worse as more time goes by. My surgeon (in another state) says everything normal based on X-ray. Ortho doc here says the same, and said I’m having pain and he referred me to pain clinic for possible nerve block. I want to know WHY am I having pain, although I didn’t call it pain. ROM is 100. They can’t see everything on X-ray. I want an MRI. Want to go for second opinion. Should I tell new doc I’m there for second opinion, I don’t think that’s necessary......I think that would cause some bias, ie they would just say same thing.
Has this happened to anyone ? Thoughts ?
TIA

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leslie7 | @leslie7 | Nov 30, 2023
In reply to @mollymaiden "I am new to this site, but not new to post total knee replacement pain. Never..." + (show)
@mollymaiden

I am new to this site, but not new to post total knee replacement pain. Never did get the outcome I expected and had a lot of pain around the upper and outer side or the knee cap. I was having a spinal procedure done at Pain Management and told the doc "Forget my back, my knee is killing me." He took one look, listened to me and told me he could do something for me. I set up a "genicular", as they called it. Three injections around the knee with an xray guided fluoroscope. It gave me a lot of relief and I could straighten my leg complete for the first time in several years. I later moved on to a peroneal nerve block which helped the intermittant cramping and shooting pain on the outside of the knee going down the leg. Not all of the time, but enough to stop me in my tracks. I have had periodic treatments at Pain Management with success but the injections do not last more than 6 months or so. I had xrays, and just had an MRI since the last nerve block a month ago did nothing at all. I just read the MRI report and they find no problems with the appliance, but it was obliterating some of the tissue. Well, that's where the problem is. Thankfully, the fake knee has not shifted position. I am going to seek an orthopod and then probably some PT to gain back some of the muscles I have lost in favoring that leg. Knee hurts, then foot hurts and then hip hurts. Everything seems out of alignment and the docs believe the knee is the culprit. Perhaps a good PT doc will allow me to try to guild up my quads and other large muscles to help support the weak and wobbly knee. ALSO, big discovery, a week ago, I got some kinesiology tape., which is used in the military as well as in sports. youtube has a lot of PT folks describing how to apply it. I put it on as directed for the area of my pain and instability, and it WORKED to stabilize the knee, sort of like an outside force, doing the work of stabilizing, thus allowing me to have a straight leg at the knee and walk properly. when I take t he tape off every couple of days, it still wobbles, but while it is on, I have relief and while my muscles are being built up, I think it is helping me. Building up those muscles to support that area is probably what I need to do. We'll see when I see the ortho guy. Don't give up! also, try not to PIVOT on your leg, making the knee take all of the motion. Just an observation. I hope all of this helps someone. I can only share what I know has worked for me int he past and what path I am taking now. I am 75 now and I am NOT down and out. I want to be the best I CAN be for as long as I can. I can't give up, but I can slow down and allow myself to not overdo things and hinder healing. that's all for now. Thanks for allowing me on this site. I'll be back!

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing. I thought I was the only one, who had a problem with their TKR. It's been three years since I had my surgery. I have discomfort on the left side of my left knee. When sitting for a while and standing up it can be very painful. My orthopedic Dr. says my X-rays show no issue with my TKR. My right ankle and the right side of my back hurts all the time. I’m putting more pressure on my right side when I walk. Also, walk with a cane.

REPLY
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Dec 1, 2023

I am 15 months out from a right TKR....it's still so sore and stiff by early afternoon. Although I do lots of walking and most everything, ROM is about 105 and 121 with a therapy band I totally understand. My ortho says Xray looks good but why am I still sore and stiff. Now the top of the knee hurts sometimes. I also want a CT or a MRI to see why because I'm doing all the therapy, stretching etc... yet it's still sore and stiff. I feel it's affecting my lower back more and by evening my feet are tingling. I don't know it it's from the back or the knee or both. Frustrated to say the least. I hope that you get some answers soon and I'd seek out another Dr. I have not done this as of yet. I am also going to PT soon or my lower back. I get more help from my NP than I do the orthopedic Dr.

REPLY
1 reply
knighthawk11 | @knighthawk11 | Dec 1, 2023

I am 8 months post op TKR and still having considerable pain on both sides of knee but worse on outside. I have to do 1 step at a time going downstairs as it is so painful. Very stiff in the morning too. I saw my surgeon and X-ray was fine but he said something is not right as I should not have this much pain at this stage. He ordered an ultrasound and bone scan with dye because he thinks the implant may be coming loose as X-ray does not show micro changes. I have this scheduled for December 22 so if it shows loosening then a revision is the only option which freaks me out. I sympathize with you on your pain. Hopefully you get some answers soon. Take care

REPLY
1 reply
leslie7 | @leslie7 | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @cindymattern "I am 15 months out from a right TKR....it's still so sore and stiff by early..." + (show)
@cindymattern

I am 15 months out from a right TKR....it's still so sore and stiff by early afternoon. Although I do lots of walking and most everything, ROM is about 105 and 121 with a therapy band I totally understand. My ortho says Xray looks good but why am I still sore and stiff. Now the top of the knee hurts sometimes. I also want a CT or a MRI to see why because I'm doing all the therapy, stretching etc... yet it's still sore and stiff. I feel it's affecting my lower back more and by evening my feet are tingling. I don't know it it's from the back or the knee or both. Frustrated to say the least. I hope that you get some answers soon and I'd seek out another Dr. I have not done this as of yet. I am also going to PT soon or my lower back. I get more help from my NP than I do the orthopedic Dr.

Jump to this post

I’m also suffering from stiffness and soreness after three years of a TKR. I’ve been to two different physical therapists and I’m still having the same issue. Even when I stand for a long time my leg becomes stiff and when I sit for a long period and stand up I have extreme pain
below my kneecap, it doesn’t happen all the time when I sit. My orthopedic doctor is very frustrated with me and doesn’t take the time to listen to my issues. I don’t know what to do. I’m also still walking with the assistance of a walking cane

REPLY
js2022 | @js2022 | Dec 11, 2023
In reply to @mollymaiden "I am new to this site, but not new to post total knee replacement pain. Never..." + (show)
@mollymaiden

I am new to this site, but not new to post total knee replacement pain. Never did get the outcome I expected and had a lot of pain around the upper and outer side or the knee cap. I was having a spinal procedure done at Pain Management and told the doc "Forget my back, my knee is killing me." He took one look, listened to me and told me he could do something for me. I set up a "genicular", as they called it. Three injections around the knee with an xray guided fluoroscope. It gave me a lot of relief and I could straighten my leg complete for the first time in several years. I later moved on to a peroneal nerve block which helped the intermittant cramping and shooting pain on the outside of the knee going down the leg. Not all of the time, but enough to stop me in my tracks. I have had periodic treatments at Pain Management with success but the injections do not last more than 6 months or so. I had xrays, and just had an MRI since the last nerve block a month ago did nothing at all. I just read the MRI report and they find no problems with the appliance, but it was obliterating some of the tissue. Well, that's where the problem is. Thankfully, the fake knee has not shifted position. I am going to seek an orthopod and then probably some PT to gain back some of the muscles I have lost in favoring that leg. Knee hurts, then foot hurts and then hip hurts. Everything seems out of alignment and the docs believe the knee is the culprit. Perhaps a good PT doc will allow me to try to guild up my quads and other large muscles to help support the weak and wobbly knee. ALSO, big discovery, a week ago, I got some kinesiology tape., which is used in the military as well as in sports. youtube has a lot of PT folks describing how to apply it. I put it on as directed for the area of my pain and instability, and it WORKED to stabilize the knee, sort of like an outside force, doing the work of stabilizing, thus allowing me to have a straight leg at the knee and walk properly. when I take t he tape off every couple of days, it still wobbles, but while it is on, I have relief and while my muscles are being built up, I think it is helping me. Building up those muscles to support that area is probably what I need to do. We'll see when I see the ortho guy. Don't give up! also, try not to PIVOT on your leg, making the knee take all of the motion. Just an observation. I hope all of this helps someone. I can only share what I know has worked for me int he past and what path I am taking now. I am 75 now and I am NOT down and out. I want to be the best I CAN be for as long as I can. I can't give up, but I can slow down and allow myself to not overdo things and hinder healing. that's all for now. Thanks for allowing me on this site. I'll be back!

Jump to this post

My tkr from 4 yrs ago is hurting me much like your pain. Going to try k tape which I used pre tkr and need to find a PT that understands fibro. Too many repetitions of stretches makes me hurt more!!

REPLY
rjalette | @rjalette | Jan 17 8:29pm

I have the same problem. No doctor will listen to me. any suggestions

REPLY
kr1 | @kr1 | Jan 18 6:53am

I am 8 months out from TKR. I still have a lot of soreness and stiffness in my knee and leg. When I am up on it for any length of time it gets worse but if I lay down for too long it hurts and I feel like I have to get up, then it do s feel better. It’s like I can’t win! Seeing my surgeon in March, hope he can help

REPLY
knighthawk11 | @knighthawk11 | Jan 18 7:46am
In reply to @knighthawk11 "I am 8 months post op TKR and still having considerable pain on both sides of..." + (show)
@knighthawk11

I am 8 months post op TKR and still having considerable pain on both sides of knee but worse on outside. I have to do 1 step at a time going downstairs as it is so painful. Very stiff in the morning too. I saw my surgeon and X-ray was fine but he said something is not right as I should not have this much pain at this stage. He ordered an ultrasound and bone scan with dye because he thinks the implant may be coming loose as X-ray does not show micro changes. I have this scheduled for December 22 so if it shows loosening then a revision is the only option which freaks me out. I sympathize with you on your pain. Hopefully you get some answers soon. Take care

Jump to this post

Just wanted to post an update. Bone scan came back and everything was fine with the implant so basically my surgeon said the chronic pain is just soft tissue and may or may not resolve in time. Because I did 6 months of physiotherapy and it didn’t help much he said no point in doing that. I am going to ask my family doctor for a referral to another specialist to see what they can suggest. Also going to get an ultrasound to see what that shows in the soft tissue.

REPLY
spenser1965 | @spenser1965 | Feb 16 11:08am

I had TKR in late 2015. I have full ROM but continue to have stiffness and swelling on the knee. Doctor indicated I had Lymphedema. It appears that small lymph glands are everywhere and surgery can upset our lymphatic system permanently. Second opinions confirmed the Lymphedema diagnosis. Over the years, especially in the summer, I still have major stiffness and swelling in my knee and also my lower leg. However, I have full range of motion in my knee. My walking on a swollen and painful knee/leg has caused major back issues. I tried anti-inflammatory medications, however I am highly allergic to sulfa. Ice and leg elevation is a temporary fix. I have also tried acupuncture and lymphatic massages. I would never recommend a TKR to anyone!

REPLY
kneenee | @kneenee | Feb 16 1:03pm

I would demand MRI and whatever test show more inside there. I assume you did all exercises, pt, etc.?

REPLY
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