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Issues with nerve block anesthesia in knee replacement surgery?
I had a knee replacement done ten months ago and ever since the nerve block wore off five days following the surgery, I have suffered with extreme nervous system deregulation that has now manifested into anxiety disorder and depression. The suffering is extreme with uncontrolled shaking for 3-4 hour periods. The conditions have triggered a panic response where my body never physically relaxes. Lost lots of weight and has caused additional health issues such as AFIB. I attempted to get an appointment with Mayo’s neurology group with a specific Doctor who wrote an arrival on this subject, but was declined support for this particular situation.
I have trauma therapy every week, Neuro feedback, brain rewiring neuro plasticity programs, excercise, detox program, TMS, and acupuncture. Nothing seems to be effective in lessening the symptoms.
Just wanted to reach out to see if anyone has experienced anything like this from knee replacement surgery or had any suggestions.
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Hi John,
Very sorry for all you are going through. Question - what was your post-op physical therapy regimen? What was your experience doing all of the recommended exercises?
All the best to you.
Joe
Perhaps you were injected with the corticosteroid Triamcinolone (Kenalog) during the procedure as well.
I had major side effects from the injection during my MUA, the most troubling were the cardiac ones. I had restlessness, pounding, racy heartbeat, pounding in my ears, sleeplessness, agitation...
The effects took awhile to wear off, and I did not seek medical attention at the time as I was done with the entire medical profession. I did keep a daily journal of vital signs and symptoms (I am a nurse). I had said I did not want that injection but the Dr. insisted.
My heart rate still has not returned to its normal of 60s/min. It remains in the 80s, though it is a normal, regular rhythm, over 10 months later. I will never forget the pounding, sustained 120s/min! I did report it to the FDA, as the literature definitely dismisses side effects, and folks are talked into cortisone shots all the time.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/triamcinolone-injection-route/description/drg-20074674
Side effects could include:
Aggression
agitation
anxiety
blurred vision
decrease in the amount of urine
dizziness
fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
irritability
mental depression
mood changes
nervousness
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
pounding in the ears
swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs
trouble thinking, speaking, or walking
trouble breathing
weight gain
Physical Therapy 3 times a week. The experience with therapy was good
Cortisone is used to decrease inflammation and pain as an alternative to surgery. I don't think cortisone is used during or after surgery though.
Even so, it's worth looking into considering the symptoms described by John. That is, was this steroid ever used to treat the knee pain? I don't see why it would be used post-TKR as TKR is supposed to relieve the symptoms of a degenerative knee joint. Still worth asking the Dr.
It is utilized during some TKR for sure, for the same reasons. What John has been experiencing does not sound like it is related to his nerve block. I would ask for the surgical report, pre-operatively through recovery, to obtain correct records of medications utilized. Just asking the Dr. will not get a full answer I bet.
Do not take a corticosteroid injection lightly, no matter how it is sold to you. It can harm the joint further, destroying bone and cartilage, and potentially damaging nerves or causing infection. It will delay the ability to have a surgical repair by 3 months as well.
Cortisone shots can have serious and lasting effects, that not everyone is willing to disclose or discuss. Who sells the shots? The surgeon. Do not let pharmaceutical companies and surgeons sell you down this avenue. There simply is not enough evidence that it helps. Kinda like how the effectiveness of arthroscopic knee repair has been debated, and not utilized as much nowadays.
https://www.jbjs.org/reader.php?rsuite_id=8ec5fdb8-0da9-45e0-b7ee-3843fb352db6&source=The_Journal_of_Bone_and_Joint_Surgery/105/12/924&topics=kn#info
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344123001425
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/about/pac-20384794