Medial collateral ligament (MCL) pain after TKR

Posted by mjhalso @mjhalso, Feb 9 4:14pm

I'm 6 weeks post op Right TKR.
I have pain that activates from direct pressure or activity in what seems to be the Medial Collateral ligament. This is similar to pain I experienced before the surgery. It feels like a stabbing pain when I do flex exercises and sometimes when at rest or when icing. My surgeon just reassures me that it will pass. I'm wondering a brief course of prednisone might help. Wondering if anyone else has had any similar type of problem. Thanks!

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 9 8:10pm

@mjhalso I'm sorry you are having pain, it seems like when we fix one thing, something else begins to act up.

Please remember that, no matter what your expectations going into surgery, 6 weeks is very early days in your full recovery. Aches and pains in random places are not unexpected because surgery chnages your body mechanics.

Have you had MCL issues in the past? What does the surgeon say? Most are reluctant to use steroids during recovery (roughly 3-4 months in the case of a large joint) because they can interfere with healing. Can you manage with Tylenol?

shark | @shark | Feb 10 11:43am

My personal opinion (I am not a medical person) coincides with Mentor as she stated above; 6 weeks post is going to routinely see all kinds of random "pains" in the shin, in the patellar tendon, on both the medial & lateral aspect, etc. Nerves are sealing up, getting reactivated maybe, the implant and the surrounding tissues are "settling in" and you will have a number of twinges. JMHO Best wishes to you.