Hi @grammygolfs – I have had two TKRs and I did acupuncture with both. It was very helpful will pain relief and getting off the strong meds. Full disclosure: I did not have the burning pain or the IT band tightness. Still, it could not hurt. I would try it and see if it gives you any relief. Have you used acupuncture before for any other conditions?

My injury was covered by workers comp and 5 years after my injury date they canceled my case after seeing a physiatrist for 15 minutes. I had to get a lawyer to reopen my case and since the TKR the dr's that I have seen say they wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole. They don't make as much money since they only get what WC will pay, but they also have to pay my lawyer 20% of every bill. WC insurance have set me up with an appointment at the Mayo clinic, with a wrist doctor, don't know how that would help, and then again with Salt Lake with a doctor that specializes in elbows. I am seeing a pattern here, WC doesn't want to pay out any more and they don't care if I am any better. The only complaint I have with the knee is the constant pain, otherwise I have great travel, it is one of the sport knees, so I can bend it almost as far as my good knee. I tried my tens unit on it a few nights ago, one pad on each side of the knee in the areas of most pain. Ran it for several hours at a setting that was just tolerable, it numbed the pain enough to where I was able to get 7 hours of sleep. It however did not work as well the next night, but I still was able to get 5 hours. I have sought out doctors who do revisions, they all say they won't see me.

Hi @grammygolfs, you are having just the opposite reaction to the burning, I have to keep moving or the burning increases until I can't bare it, once I move it is like a release, but then starts to increase when I stop. It sounds to me like maybe you do have a cyst, which I have been told sometimes happens, mostly behind the knee, which is where the nerves are. So as you apply pressure to the joint, fluid causes more pressure on the cyst and then applies pressure to the nerves. I hope your visit is successful and you find some answers.

Hi @calahulabuddy – I can't understand. Why do the doctors say they won't see you about a revision? Does it have to do with insurance or is it something they are seeing in your xrays? This must be so difficult. I'm sorry you are going through so much difficulty.

With acupuncture, how long did you have to wait before going?

Hi @katclub – I waited 5 weeks after surgery to go to acupuncture, but I asked my acupuncture guy about timing and he said I could actually have started just after surgery. He would have avoided the surgery site of course. Have you done acupuncture before for any other reason?

Yes did acupuncture for sciatica off and on for years! Stopped as with 2-3 visits a week it was expensive, it did help and I really like the woman I saw!

I hear you, @katclub – the expense is a big factor for me too. My insurance doesn't cover it even though I believe they should. it definitely helped me get off oxycodone faster. You would think that they would want to pay for that!

I had reflexology and acupuncture shortly after my 1st knee replacement because it wasn't rehabbing well…poor flexibility and MUCH pain. I don't know that it helped, as I had pain requiring analgesics for about 4-5 months post op. Both knees bother in certain positions and need a pillow between at nigh, which isn't so uncommon, had tight band feeling for quite a while with my 1st knee; Burning was always somewhat there, but has gotten worse the past 8-9 months. (almost 2 and 3 years post op…I'm now 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 years out). I see a neurologies in a few weeks. I sure wish insurance would cover acupuncture and reflexology.

No…I have the same experience as you. I can walk distances but cannot stand still or they burn. They're ok when I sit with feet up. I doubt it's a cyst as it's really not in the knee, but just below to just above and kind of the whole area in general; it doesn't hurt/burn behind the knee. I fear it's nerve issues. I don't want neuropathy!

Meds are big business! Seems anything homeopathic etc is not covered!

I am 12 weeks out have 133 flex and 1degee extension and was doing great. I played gold st week 11 and developed patellar tendinitis I was worried it was infected or dislocated as the pain was worse than after surgery. Saw the surgeon had exray and bloodwork all normal. Said it works take 4 weeks to improve got a brace and had to “ lay-off “ certain exercises. The burning is intense when I try to put weight on the leg and when I extend to do quad sets. If no improvement in 4 weeks will explore if it is a nerve problem under the kneecap. Very depressed as the recovery was so good. I am 69 and was hoping to be back in my horses…