Help with pain after 3 months of TKR

Posted by fran102 @fran102, Mar 8, 2023

It has been 3 months since I had TKR and still have terrible pain behind my knee. I finally got my ROM up to 115 and can bend my knee when walking although I still have to use a walker. I’m going to get a second opinion because my surgeon has been totally unhelpful. Does anyone have any recommendations on coping with the pain and is this normal? I feel so frustrated and scared I might be this way for the rest of my life. It’s pretty much nonstop pain. I go to PT 3x a week for 2 hour sessions and they have helped me with ROM and knee strengthening but have so far to go. They are trying to get me a Dynasplint. Has anyone ever used one and does it help? Thank you so much for any advice you can give me. I’m so depressed! I had no idea it would be like this.

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fran102 | @fran102 | Mar 21, 2023

Seems like time is the only way to get through this! Thinking I might try Tumeric to help with inflammation since all of the anti inflammatories I’ve tried cause me to have stomach problems. Has anyone tried it and was it helpful? I’ve started to use heat on the back of my knee and that seems to be helping with pain. Finally got a second opinion and feel much better. Wish I’d gone to this doctor in the first place. Appreciate all of your comments and suggestions!

zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 22, 2023

In reply to @fran102 "Seems like time is the only way to get through this! Thinking I might try Tumeric..." + (show)

Glad you’re feeling a bit better. I’m five weeks out TKR, still very sore over most of my leg and can’t tolerate NSAIDS well either. I’m considering pulling out the heating pad for the back of my knee. What did your second opinion doctor say?

fran102 | @fran102 | Mar 22, 2023

He said it will probably take me a year to be back to normal because of the condition my leg was in prior to surgery. Said the most important thing was PT and to keep at it. My ROM is now 118 and he was very glad I turned my original surgeon down on the manipulation. Said that would have been a huge mistake. I hope you will be having less pain soon. I guess we just have to learn patience but that’s hard to do sometimes. Take good care of yourself!

fran102 | @fran102 | Mar 22, 2023

In reply to @sandei "I used a dynasplint after my tkr....it didn't help me much. The PT worked better and..." + (show)

Thanks! Looks like PT, time and patience is the only way to get through this.

sandei | @sandei | Mar 22, 2023

It takes a while to get over tkr. just hang in there. Time and pt works and month by month will show improvement. Ice and elevation helped me also

zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 22, 2023

In reply to @fran102 "He said it will probably take me a year to be back to normal because of..." + (show)

Thank you. Wish you the best!

gypsybythesea | @gypsybythesea | Mar 23, 2023

In reply to @fran102 "Seems like time is the only way to get through this! Thinking I might try Tumeric..." + (show)

So how did you get the second opinion referral? I see my doctor April 10, and something has to give I will be 4 months out and sleeping is a luxury I really no longer know. my knee is so stiff, and the pain. My doctor is saying IT Band syndrome. I take Tramadol and Xanax at bedtime, I get a couple of hours relief, the pain is lateral and behind my knee too...

fran102 | @fran102 | Mar 23, 2023

I located a doctor connected to a university hospital and made an appointment. Took awhile to get in but it was worth it. If you’re dissatisfied it’s important to get a second opinion. I hope you feel better soon!

brescher | @brescher | Mar 24, 2023

In reply to @gypsybythesea "So how did you get the second opinion referral? I see my doctor April 10, and..." + (show)

I am also 4 months out and still so much pain…. I am still doing my at home therapy but pain is still excruciating…. Motion and and walking is good…
Going to get a second opinion on my condition on April 27. Hopefully by then things will have improved…. So very disappointed at this point!!