1. < Joint Replacements

Pain months after Total Knee Replacement

Posted by cgbi @cgbi, Jul 12, 2019

Had tkr nine months ago. Was feeling good till 4 weeks ago. I started working full time and went on vacation were I walked a lot. Now my knee almost feels like it did before surgery. I limp and have a hard time walking without pain. I don't know what to do. My led will not lie straight and the pain is pretty constant.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @jeff101 "Hello, I have not been replying to any posts cause I feel it’s useless. As far..." + (show)
@jeff101

Hello,

I have not been replying to any posts cause I feel it’s useless. As far as I go I did see a pain md and all they wanted to do was put a spinal stimulator in my back. I won’t go into details but I was 85% healthy before my knee went bad and the TKR to being in constant feet and back pain and decreased sexual response after the operation. My issues are not coming from DN or PN. I wish I could have seen a more qualified MD before I went through with hell resulting operation. You tell me!

Jump to this post

Hello Jeff - I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I see you have seen a pain doc - have you considered the possibility of a pain management clinic instead where they try multiple strategies? Have you considered consulting a neurologist about the pain - the way you describe the effects, it may be neurological...
Sue

REPLY
dmk | @dmk | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @angelacol "Good day I need some help, I have been on opioid pain medication for a long..." + (show)
@angelacol

Good day I need some help, I have been on opioid pain medication for a long time for pain I was having in my knee. I recently had knee replacement surgery and they prescribe me more however it isn’t working, they have tried to up the dose and I’m still getting no relief which is causing me issues with getting started with rehab. At this point I have given up and stopped taking the medication they have been giving me,My doctor did say he was going to send me to a pain specialist if what I was being prescribed didn’t work but just wanted to ask if anyone else has been in the situation and what was recommended?

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Narcotics really never helped with my TKR or my RTS surgeries. An ice machine was the most helpful and oh yes physical therapy is a must. My PT who rehabbed me for both my surgeries had me in his office the day after I got home. Yes it can hurt but in my experience a good surgeon and therapist are essential to recovery. And oh yes working hard on our parts to follow exercise regimen that therapist prescribes, not fun but pays off if all your hardware is good. It’s been almost 3 years since my reverse total shoulder and 7 months post TKR and I do exercise regimen every day.

REPLY
2 replies
angelacol | @angelacol | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @dmk "Narcotics really never helped with my TKR or my RTS surgeries. An ice machine was the..." + (show)
@dmk

Narcotics really never helped with my TKR or my RTS surgeries. An ice machine was the most helpful and oh yes physical therapy is a must. My PT who rehabbed me for both my surgeries had me in his office the day after I got home. Yes it can hurt but in my experience a good surgeon and therapist are essential to recovery. And oh yes working hard on our parts to follow exercise regimen that therapist prescribes, not fun but pays off if all your hardware is good. It’s been almost 3 years since my reverse total shoulder and 7 months post TKR and I do exercise regimen every day.

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That’s wonderful to hear, we’re you on any anti inflammatories? Not sure if maybe that is my problem but I can’t take them due to my ulcerative colitis but I’m willing to make an exception for a week if it helps control this?

REPLY
1 reply
dmk | @dmk | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @angelacol "That’s wonderful to hear, we’re you on any anti inflammatories? Not sure if maybe that is..." + (show)
@angelacol

That’s wonderful to hear, we’re you on any anti inflammatories? Not sure if maybe that is my problem but I can’t take them due to my ulcerative colitis but I’m willing to make an exception for a week if it helps control this?

Jump to this post

For my RTS I didn’t realize I was suppose to take them routinely but for my TKR I WAS ON 6 weeks of anti inflammatories alternating with Tylenol and 6 weeks aspirin Do you have an ice machine. Yes if u have colitis that does make things a little more difficult but I found narcotics didn’t do much of anything and very constipating, I still have leftovers from both surgeries. I purchased a bolster prior to surgery that my therapist recommended that helped with the swelling. I forget how many weeks out but using a rolling pin daily for 3 minutes down each side. He always does deep tissue massage and has always worked the knee cap and now he has taught me how to do that too. Utilize your therapist if they are really good they can help tremendously but not doing therapy will most likely make pain worse and probably allow scar tissue to form. I did pt prior to TKR. On my first day home was in therapist office and I was 0 degrees and was on the recumbent bike and got to 62 degrees. Hang in there it’s not a sprint but a marathon! Also eat anti inflammatory diet if you can. My pain was around for three months, I felt so sleep deprived. Went well after that for a while, pain again for short period which I was told was normal. Still working hard on endurance and continue with my stretching, exercise bike and other exercises therapist has me do. I’m still working on the marathon for both my shoulder replacement and my knee. Gotta keep up my exercises.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @dmk "Narcotics really never helped with my TKR or my RTS surgeries. An ice machine was the..." + (show)
@dmk

Narcotics really never helped with my TKR or my RTS surgeries. An ice machine was the most helpful and oh yes physical therapy is a must. My PT who rehabbed me for both my surgeries had me in his office the day after I got home. Yes it can hurt but in my experience a good surgeon and therapist are essential to recovery. And oh yes working hard on our parts to follow exercise regimen that therapist prescribes, not fun but pays off if all your hardware is good. It’s been almost 3 years since my reverse total shoulder and 7 months post TKR and I do exercise regimen every day.

Jump to this post

Good evening @dmk. Wow....I certainly am proud of your diligence with your joint recuperation. #1 for me was ice. And #2 was feeling the improvement of strength and stability as a result of daily exercises both pre and post surgery. I combined orthopedic PT with MFR. Together that was just what was needed. I am almost 4 months post TKR and have absolutely no pain or discomfort. It was the same way with my RTS. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the results of your commitments.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

REPLY
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @dmk "For my RTS I didn’t realize I was suppose to take them routinely but for my..." + (show)
@dmk

For my RTS I didn’t realize I was suppose to take them routinely but for my TKR I WAS ON 6 weeks of anti inflammatories alternating with Tylenol and 6 weeks aspirin Do you have an ice machine. Yes if u have colitis that does make things a little more difficult but I found narcotics didn’t do much of anything and very constipating, I still have leftovers from both surgeries. I purchased a bolster prior to surgery that my therapist recommended that helped with the swelling. I forget how many weeks out but using a rolling pin daily for 3 minutes down each side. He always does deep tissue massage and has always worked the knee cap and now he has taught me how to do that too. Utilize your therapist if they are really good they can help tremendously but not doing therapy will most likely make pain worse and probably allow scar tissue to form. I did pt prior to TKR. On my first day home was in therapist office and I was 0 degrees and was on the recumbent bike and got to 62 degrees. Hang in there it’s not a sprint but a marathon! Also eat anti inflammatory diet if you can. My pain was around for three months, I felt so sleep deprived. Went well after that for a while, pain again for short period which I was told was normal. Still working hard on endurance and continue with my stretching, exercise bike and other exercises therapist has me do. I’m still working on the marathon for both my shoulder replacement and my knee. Gotta keep up my exercises.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much for telling your story. It seems that exercise is a recurring theme of successful recovery. How long is the "marathon"?

Chris

REPLY
1 reply
dmk | @dmk | Dec 7, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "Thanks so much for telling your story. It seems that exercise is a recurring theme of..." + (show)
@artscaping

Thanks so much for telling your story. It seems that exercise is a recurring theme of successful recovery. How long is the "marathon"?

Chris

Jump to this post

My therapist has encouraged me to lifetime commitment to the RTS and TKR regimen he has me on

REPLY
angelacol | @angelacol | Dec 7, 2021
In reply to @dmk "For my RTS I didn’t realize I was suppose to take them routinely but for my..." + (show)
@dmk

For my RTS I didn’t realize I was suppose to take them routinely but for my TKR I WAS ON 6 weeks of anti inflammatories alternating with Tylenol and 6 weeks aspirin Do you have an ice machine. Yes if u have colitis that does make things a little more difficult but I found narcotics didn’t do much of anything and very constipating, I still have leftovers from both surgeries. I purchased a bolster prior to surgery that my therapist recommended that helped with the swelling. I forget how many weeks out but using a rolling pin daily for 3 minutes down each side. He always does deep tissue massage and has always worked the knee cap and now he has taught me how to do that too. Utilize your therapist if they are really good they can help tremendously but not doing therapy will most likely make pain worse and probably allow scar tissue to form. I did pt prior to TKR. On my first day home was in therapist office and I was 0 degrees and was on the recumbent bike and got to 62 degrees. Hang in there it’s not a sprint but a marathon! Also eat anti inflammatory diet if you can. My pain was around for three months, I felt so sleep deprived. Went well after that for a while, pain again for short period which I was told was normal. Still working hard on endurance and continue with my stretching, exercise bike and other exercises therapist has me do. I’m still working on the marathon for both my shoulder replacement and my knee. Gotta keep up my exercises.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much, you don’t understand how much this has helped me. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one and reassured me that just need to continue what I’m doing. Again thanks for you input.

REPLY
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Dec 7, 2021
In reply to @jeff101 "Hello, I have not been replying to any posts cause I feel it’s useless. As far..." + (show)
@jeff101

Hello,

I have not been replying to any posts cause I feel it’s useless. As far as I go I did see a pain md and all they wanted to do was put a spinal stimulator in my back. I won’t go into details but I was 85% healthy before my knee went bad and the TKR to being in constant feet and back pain and decreased sexual response after the operation. My issues are not coming from DN or PN. I wish I could have seen a more qualified MD before I went through with hell resulting operation. You tell me!

Jump to this post

Hi I am sorry you are going through all this…. Fortunately you are in the right place….I posted something very interesting I think good to repost helped me with pain I am on 5th day here is where you can read the article… https://thebarbellphysio.com/case-study-quadriceps-inhibition-and-tens-post-knee-surgery/
REPLY
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Dec 7, 2021

Now I have good update after 10 sessions of water therapy and 6 of mfr my leg is 12 which 5 is normal so I will take it…. My bend however went from 60 to 65 we have started focusing on the bend now last session very painful even my home workout painful…. I know every time I start new exercise my knee reacts and not well so I am just pushing through …., the tense unit is helping with pain and controlling some of the inflammation …. Inflammation is what has set me backwards every time in my recovery so far…but I am optimistic that doing all that I am doing in combination will be the difference….all that we can all do is keep trying

REPLY
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