Problem with TKR Medications

Posted by ivannafeelgood @ivannafeelgood, Jun 2 9:21am

I had a single tkr 6.5 weeks ago. The opioids made me very ill. The doctor was not willing to go with Journavax (or with Iovera prior to surgery) even if I was willing to pay out of pocket. At four weeks post TKR I had Melena from the NSAIDS I was prescribed. I was hospitalized for three days, Since hospitalization I have been extremely weak. On the upside, at my 6 week exam my flexion was 140 and extension 0. My doctor excused me from further outpatient PT and said I can resume it later when I am stronger if I want to.

Eventually I will need to have the other knee done. This surgeon was brilliant and the knee itself was great, but I am not happy with his medication protocols and his inflexibility with regard to these. What are my options? Has anyone else not been able to tolerate opioids and/or NSAIDS? What was done for you?

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steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Jun 2 9:45am

My RTKR was October 1st. I had asked my surgeon about Journavax instead of oxycodone and he told me that it was too new for him to recommend as a first pick. But that was six months ago and many have now had good experiences with Journavax.

You really like the surgeon otherwise. So check in with her again and see if her view has changed.

Tracy | @fwintracy | Jun 2 12:02pm

I had two TKRs (Jan ‘23 and Jan ‘24). I didn’t have problems with the opioids but simply don’t like taking pharmaceuticals. I took the opioids the first few days and then quickly replaced them (weaning process) with cannabis gummies (I live in a legal state).

Worked for me and several other folks I know. Good luck to you. Keep working and stretching. I found they will stiffen up from time to time from weather, physical activity, inactivity, etc. I stretch every night before bedtime and it sure seems to help.

ddsack | @ddsack | Jun 3 9:00am

I’ve had two TKR’s and a reverse TSR. After the first knee surgery experience, I quit taking the opioids when I was sent home from the hospital. They made me dizzy, nauseous, lethargic and unable to function and caused constipation that was worse than the low level knee pain, plus I didn’t really feel any change in the level of pain. I felt like the prescribed higher doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen were enough for my relatively low pain level. Plenty of hourly icing probably did more good than anything the first weeks. If you can’t tolerate the NSAIDS, do you normally get any relief from acetaminophen? How bad was your pain? I would definitely press the doctor for alternatives, so you don’t have to take drugs that you react to. Can you go to your primary care physician for a more sympathetic ear?

ivannafeelgood | @ivannafeelgood | Jun 3 9:40am

In reply to @ddsack "I’ve had two TKR’s and a reverse TSR. After the first knee surgery experience, I quit..." + (show)

@ddsack I agree completely about the opioids. I still ice when I have discomfort and get some relief from acetaminophen. My shoulder pain was the worst pain I've experienced during recovery, bringing me to tears at times. I do think I will speak with my doc at my annual wellness visit about what I should do when I need the second knee done.