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← Return to Iontophoresis after total knee replacement
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Iontophoresis after total knee replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jan 1 12:10pm | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "Sorry Cindy I haven't had cortisone infused this way. Bigger question though - why do you..."
Joe, your story is wonderful and I’m happy for you, but in reality 1% of the TKR people on here quite simply fit in your category. So my point is, there are masses of people that do not have the results you had.
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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.