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Hypersensitivity Nerves After Knee Replacement
I am 10 weeks post op after my left knee replacement and only 90 degrees of range of motion. I have been in physical therapy 3 times a week but still major scare tissue of which is limiting my ROM. I have gone through a knee manipulation to break off scare tissue but no luck and need to be scoped to remove such scare tissue. The reason for not moving forward to the scope is that I have major swelling, hypersensitive nerves, fever on the knee and major pitting edema. I have been tested to make sure of no infections going on as well as tested for CRPS or RSD....both coming back negitive. The Doctor refuses to move forward with scope until the current trauma is under control. They looked at using a procedure called "COOLIEF" but do not think that I would able to make it through the procedure due to the needles injected into my knee and my current hypersensitive nerves over the top of my knee. In the mean time they suggested to start a med called Gabapentin to help control the nerves. I have been off work for 10+ weeks and hoping the new meds will kick in the next couple weeks then 4 more weeks of down time for the scope to remove scare tissue and recovery. Just reaching out to see if anyone has experienced such post surgery issues that I am encountering from knee replacement. Thought and suggestions are much appreciative!
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@hoover I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but I don’t. I have had two TKRs with no real problems beyond not reaching the full ROM I would like. Are you confident of your doctor? If you are then you need to trust what he/she is saying. Otherwise I would get a second opinion.
I hope you can resolve this problem. It’s terrible to have an elective surgery like a TKR and end up in so much discomfort. .
I will be interested in hearing how this turns out for you.
JK
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1 ReactionThank you for your kind words! Actually going to my Family Physician today to get set-up for a second opinion. Hate to do it but my life needs to get back to somewhat normal. Thank you!
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1 Reaction@hoover I have Had significant nerve pain after my double TKR. Particularly at night, nerve pain throughout my legs would keep me awake. My doctor first prescribed gabapentin at 100 mg and that did nothing. At 300 I Was finally able to sleep. Hope it helps you
Thank you! Actually started on Gabapentin a couple days ago. I saw my Family Physician and you can take up to 900mg a day and to the max of 1800mg. The Gabapentin will buy me some time as I will be heading to Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale very soon.
Again, Thank you kindly for reaching out😊
It’s nice to discover the sensitivity I feel in my TKR area is normal. I am 6 weeks out and the slight pain but mostly sensitivity is my main problem. I do find relief by wrapping a bandana loosely around the knee before wrapping and Ace bandage over that. Otherwise the bandage stretches, moves and irritates. I massage the knee and will try sone of the products mentioned here. So far I am -3 for leg extension and believe this may be the best I’ll do. I was not faithful with exercises early on considering my efforts to survive the pain, etc.
I’m walking quite normally with no assistive device though I used a walker for about four weeks. I look forward to walking briskly and hiking but that may take a few months. I’m 80 years old and pray I’ll look back and say the surgery was worth it.