9 months post op TKR - Still experiencing pain

Posted by whitewords @whitewords, Feb 26 7:08am

Nine months post-operative, I continue to endure excruciating pain. Lying on my side is particularly agonising, accompanied by intense pain. Approximately three months ago, I underwent a medical aesthetic procedure (MUA). Upon emerging from surgery for that procedure, I experienced a near-fatal episode of pain, which reached an unbearable level until the administration of a nerve blocker provided temporary relief.
Despite engaging in physical therapy three times a week and performing home exercises while keeping my leg elevated, I have yet to find a lasting solution to my pain. The constant discomfort has taken a toll on my mental well-being, leading to depression. I am desperate for a respite from the relentless pain.
I am scheduled to undergo surgery on my other knee in the near future, with the hope that it will yield a more favourable outcome.

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ronma | @ronma | Feb 27 3:01am

I'm truly sorry to hear about your ongoing pain and difficult recovery experience. Nine months is a long time to endure such intense suffering, and it sounds like it's affecting every aspect of your life.
The fact that you've been diligently following your physical therapy regimen three times weekly, plus home exercises, yet still experiencing excruciating pain is concerning. The MUA procedure and that severe pain episode you described sounds particularly traumatic.
Depression is a common but serious complication when dealing with chronic pain, creating a difficult cycle that can actually intensify the pain experience. Your mental wellbeing deserves just as much attention as the physical symptoms.
Before your upcoming surgery on the other knee, you might want to:

Request a comprehensive pain management consultation if you haven't already
Discuss with your surgeon whether there might be complications from the first surgery that weren't detected
Ask about alternative pain management approaches like specialized nerve blocks, different medication combinations, or even pain psychology

It might also be worth getting a second opinion from another orthopedic specialist, particularly one who specializes in complex knee recovery cases.
How has your surgical team responded to your reports of continued severe pain? Are they acknowledging the severity of what you're experiencing?

mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Feb 28 6:36pm

Hi Romna, I am so sorry for all that you are going through with such disabling pain and depression. I had a TKR in 2020 in a top Boston hospital, with one of their best surgeons, and I experienced much of what you are going through now. I had reactions to several pain meds and was told to take Tylenol. The pain from the surgery was excruciating!!! I couldn’t sleep at night and had a very hard time doing home exercises because of the pain. I had never experienced depression before this surgery, but believe me, terrible depression came! I couldn’t eat and lost 18 pounds in a couple of weeks. My husband was trying to help me but it was very difficult for him to see me like that. My left knee is bad right now, but I just cannot see myself going through a surgery like that ever again. My dr wasn’t all that sympathetic…….just told me that it is “the roughest surgery anyone can go through”. The knee that was replaced is not in great shape….pain and stiffness. The left knee is not good at all, but I will *never* put myself through that surgery again. Like you, I went to PT twice a week for six months. My PT person was wonderful and encouraging and really helped me (physically and emotionally). I am so sorry for all that you are going through right now. Wishing you all the best with healing and a reduction in pain, along with depression. I know exactly how you feel. MaryAnn from Boston

hsminc | @hsminc | Mar 1 6:30pm

I hope you have chosen a different surgeon to perform the total knee replacement on the other knee.
Your situation is very unusual and my suspicion is the surgery and especially, the surgeon!!
Is your surgeon a high volume orthopedic surgeon that ONLY performs hip and knee surgeries? You do not want a general orthopedist, who performs all different joint replacements.
How does your surgeon choose “replacement parts” ? ? You want an engineer or someone technologically sophisticated choosing parts.
In the meantime, find an experienced revision hip and knee surgeon.