Iontophoresis after total knee replacement

Sorry Cindy I haven't had cortisone infused this way.

Bigger question though - why do you need anti-inflammatories after a TKR? How long ago did you have the TKR? I ask because swelling can be persistent, vary greatly between patients, and can linger for many months. Sure there is a LOT of swelling right after surgery. But with PT and icing that should go down pretty quickly. Again, patients react differently.

I imagine the swelling limits ROM. Have you tried ice and elevation? - the "Hurt Skurt" on Amazon is a great icing sleeve.

I've had both knees replaced with great results. I'm 69 y/o now but have been athletic all my life. I did take NSAIDs after surgery to keep inflammation in check, but not an option for you.

You can also check your diet, even if weight isn't a problem. Plain ol sugar, especially the refined stuff you find in everything, causes inflammation in the entire body. I don't know why.

Three months ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I was very surprised as I'm not way overweight. But I stopped drinking my daily can of regular coke - 7 teaspoons of sugar per 12 oz. I weighed 188 (I'm 5'10") before stopping, and I now weigh around 172, almost 4 months later. I had a body scan done, and the weight loss was all fat. I actually gained some muscle mass (I'm at the gym 7 days/week.)

I do have arthritis and inflammation in my shoulder, and getting rid of almost all of the refined sugar helped the pain so that I'm not always taking NSAIDs or Tylenol..

Look at your diet, see if there are ways to eliminate refined sugar, and watch carbohydrates. I also significantly increased the raw fruits and vegetables I ate everyday, and did a lot more cardio work on the stationary bike and rowing machine.

I'm rambling, but I'm always a little curious when people tell me they have chronic inflammation and swelling many months after a TKR. It can take one year to heal completely. Another thing I found useful was easy pedaling on a recumbent, stationary bike after my PT ended.

All the best! Joe

Thanks Joe....I am I am almost 16 months out. I finally was send to a sports medicine guy and the quad muscle above my right knee has scar tissue and inflammation and is 2 1.2 times the size of the one on the left and does not move easily so it's pulling and creating stiffness and soreness to where I use lots of Ben gay in the evening, My ROM without a band is at 120 and I do everything I did prior to surgery except run and jump as the told me not to. I have iced, used heat and I ride a bike every day (stationary) and stretch. I was pre-diabetic at one time as well and know limiting sugar does help which I have done. I can take Tylenol but have to be careful with meds because if constipation is a side effect then it happens to me (I can take Naproxen sparingly). He injected fluid into the quad muscle my first visit and sent me back to PT. They are doing scraping (that hurts), cupping with the suction cups (that hurts too lol), massage and various exercises. It's helping but he added the iontophoresis to help get things down and move easier. I'm sure hoping I a one of those people that takes 2 years to heal. I'm doing everything that is right and I just don't get why it is taking so long. Took me 9 months to get an answer for the pulling and it was 2 secretaries suggestions that got me in to see the sports medicine guy who did an ultrasound and showed me the issue comparing it to my left leg as my Dr. did nothing except say my x-ray looked great.

Sorry Cindy I haven't had cortisone infused this way.

Bigger question though - why do you need anti-inflammatories after a TKR? How long ago did you have the TKR? I ask because swelling can be persistent, vary greatly between patients, and can linger for many months. Sure there is a LOT of swelling right after surgery. But with PT and icing that should go down pretty quickly. Again, patients react differently.

I imagine the swelling limits ROM. Have you tried ice and elevation? - the "Hurt Skurt" on Amazon is a great icing sleeve.

I've had both knees replaced with great results. I'm 69 y/o now but have been athletic all my life. I did take NSAIDs after surgery to keep inflammation in check, but not an option for you.

You can also check your diet, even if weight isn't a problem. Plain ol sugar, especially the refined stuff you find in everything, causes inflammation in the entire body. I don't know why.

Three months ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I was very surprised as I'm not way overweight. But I stopped drinking my daily can of regular coke - 7 teaspoons of sugar per 12 oz. I weighed 188 (I'm 5'10") before stopping, and I now weigh around 172, almost 4 months later. I had a body scan done, and the weight loss was all fat. I actually gained some muscle mass (I'm at the gym 7 days/week.)

I do have arthritis and inflammation in my shoulder, and getting rid of almost all of the refined sugar helped the pain so that I'm not always taking NSAIDs or Tylenol..

Look at your diet, see if there are ways to eliminate refined sugar, and watch carbohydrates. I also significantly increased the raw fruits and vegetables I ate everyday, and did a lot more cardio work on the stationary bike and rowing machine.

I'm rambling, but I'm always a little curious when people tell me they have chronic inflammation and swelling many months after a TKR. It can take one year to heal completely. Another thing I found useful was easy pedaling on a recumbent, stationary bike after my PT ended.

All the best! Joe

Had bilateral TKR 7/23/19. Had terrible hyperextension of both knee afterward and in 4/1/21 had rods put in right knee which made my leg an inch longer than the other. I’ve had pain and numbness the entire time. There is some swelling still. I’ve had lots of PT! I have trouble doing stairs, standing and walking even short distances now. My pain mgmt doc said some people will have chronic pain the rest of their lives. I guess you are like me. Sorry. I wish there was something more to do. On hydrocodone 10 at least 3-4 times day and night.

My ortho told me that as well however I kept pursuing answers. I'm still sore over the knee itself but the fascia in my quad muscle is getting better and I can move it easier. I can do stairs (I have a two story) but my problem is as the day goes on and I am doing more it is sore and stiff but by morning is better and more tolerable and I don't notice it till later in the day. No way could I do hydrocodone especial that often as it really constipates me to the point of no return. I had to do a bowel prep 9 days after my surgery and won't do that again. I hope that things get bette for you as I'm sure you are miserable. I haven't had all the issues you have had. Praying you finally get where you want to be.

Cindy,
I had iontophereisis after wrist surgery and it helped, but that is dealing with much smaller muscles and tendons. I had it at PT after knee surgery (ACL/MCL not replacement) and it did nothing - doc said there is too much tissue/scar tissue for it to penetrate when done at safe levels.
Have you tried Voltaren/Naproxen gel or cream instead of BenGay on the knee? It is an actual NSAID, but most of it stays right in the tissue, so no stomach issues and limited affect on kidneys and/or liver.
One thing I learned using anti-inflammatories - even topical ones - is to do it consistently - they are more effective if used a few times a day instead of waiting until I ache.

You have had a long haul, but you'll get there! Kudos to you for not giving up.
Sue

My ortho told me that as well however I kept pursuing answers. I'm still sore over the knee itself but the fascia in my quad muscle is getting better and I can move it easier. I can do stairs (I have a two story) but my problem is as the day goes on and I am doing more it is sore and stiff but by morning is better and more tolerable and I don't notice it till later in the day. No way could I do hydrocodone especial that often as it really constipates me to the point of no return. I had to do a bowel prep 9 days after my surgery and won't do that again. I hope that things get bette for you as I'm sure you are miserable. I haven't had all the issues you have had. Praying you finally get where you want to be.

Constipation...take magnesium citrate, probiotics, eat fermented foods, sourkraut, kombucha...so helpful.