Pes Anserine Bursitis 2 1/2 years post R TKR
I had a right total knee replacement in September of 2022 I seemed to do fine until the beginning of this year. Started to experience pain below my knee on the medial side. After about 2 months of it not resolving I went to the orthopedist who performed my surgery he started me on meloxicam and gave me a knee support and started physical therapy. I saw him for a follow-up 5 weeks later and the pain was still there he gave me PRP injection into the pes anserine Bursa. I returned 2 weeks later and received another injection at the same site. I am now 4 weeks post last injection. I am still having pain localized to that site and sometimes it feels as though it is affecting the whole knee joint. I am continuing physical therapy but I really do not think it is helping I am a retired PT myself and I can do most of the exercises at home. I go back to the orthopedist in 2 weeks which makes it 6 weeks post last injection Maybe I should not be expecting the pain to be resolved by now but the pain since the injection into the bursa seems worse than it did before the injection. Is this still part of the healing process?
If I take an advil or anti-inflammatory am I interfering with the process of healing?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Bursitis is really hard to get rid of, isn't it? I have had it now for months and also had a TKR. My physical therapist wanted me to do more therapy exercises, but everything I did seemed to make the symptoms worse. I dropped a lot of therapy exercises that required weights and straps and standing on 1 foot. That helped, but I didn't know to stop the indoor bike. Later I learned that repetitive strain on the knee makes bursitis worse, not better. All I do now is walk slowly for short distances 2-3 times a week. Finally I was able to see the physiatrist who fixed hip bursitis for me a year or so ago. When diagnosing he didn't have to get imaging. He has been in practice for 30 years. He asked about my symptoms and then reached over and put a finger on either side of my knee and squeezed ever so gently. I yelped and he said it was pes anserine. Then we talked options and went to shockwave as a first choice for treatment. This injury is more extensive and older than the hip was, so after 4 treatments I am only mostly healed, while the hip was cured in 4 sessions. If you decide to try shockwave, know that you can't take NSAIDs or cortisone while you're doing it. Shockwave gives pretty rapid relief after the second treatment. It's not covered by insurance, but personally I feel so much better so much faster that I don't mind paying out of pocket. Best wishes to you in your search for relief!
Thank you so much for this valuable information!!
I will look into my options!!