Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

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!

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.

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!

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