TKR Tremors

Posted by shell72 @shell72, Jun 24, 2023

I’m 4 weeks post op with a TKR and I’m getting a nonstop burning sensation at the incision site that doesn’t go away in less I make sure nothing is touching it. I’m also getting tremors in my knee which gets so bad, my entire body has convulsions which takes 45 minutes to stop. I’m in excruciating pain every single day and I’ve cried more in the last 4 weeks than I have in 10 years! Does this ever get better? PT is going horrible thanks to a student PT who messed my leg up the 1st week post op so that doesn’t help either. I just want this all to go away.

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@shell72 my sister had tkr about 7 weeks ago. She had the same burning pain at the incision site if anything touched it. It is definitely improving. You have every right to refuse treatment by a trainee PT or any PT you don't feel comfortable with.
When is your next appointment with your surgeon? If it is not very soon then contact them to let them know exactly what kind of pain you are feeling. Pain medicines are there for a reason if you feel comfortable taking them. If not, and you are able you could switch PT companies. Please keep in touch.

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"I'm 4 weeks post op with a TKR and I’m getting a nonstop burning sensation at the incision site that doesn’t go away in less I make sure nothing is touching it. "
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Are you not able to even put ice on it? Icing at least 20 min. several times a day is very important for at least the first 6-8 weeks and I hope you don't mean you can't/don't do it. I used ice every time I sat in the recliner to rest or watch TV, and went to bed with an ice pack as well, so it seems like I spent more time with ice than without for the first few weeks. It helped me a lot.

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The burning is most likely nerves that are beginning to wake up and regenerate. This is a very long process that changes every day as the nerves heal. Ice can be your friend. When I had an angry knee after surgery, I needed to place the ice packs carefully on each side of the incision, that provided enough cooling to help calm things. Also, if the incision is healed, there is a technique called "dry brushing", which my daughter used on her wrist after multiple surgeries - she "whisked" a very soft cloth back and forth across the scar area very gently - it seemed to interrupt the pian signal to the brain and make it more of a tolerable "tingle"

As for the tremors, some are normal as things heal, but you need to discuss severe ones with the doc.

Hang in there - recovery is a marathon, but in our eagerness to get rid of the knee pain, we tend to not "hear" all the things we will be going through to get to recovery.
Sue

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I am 5 1/2 months post TKR. The first 6 weeks the pain was excruciating; it just was. I never had tremors. I would call your doctor. It doesn't seem right that you would have to suffer with tremors in addition to all of the pain. You cry a lot; I cried a lot too! It does get better as time passes. I am doing a lot better. I am walking normally but still have some pain and stiffness.

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@ddsack

"I'm 4 weeks post op with a TKR and I’m getting a nonstop burning sensation at the incision site that doesn’t go away in less I make sure nothing is touching it. "
**********************************************************************
Are you not able to even put ice on it? Icing at least 20 min. several times a day is very important for at least the first 6-8 weeks and I hope you don't mean you can't/don't do it. I used ice every time I sat in the recliner to rest or watch TV, and went to bed with an ice pack as well, so it seems like I spent more time with ice than without for the first few weeks. It helped me a lot.

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Despite having anything touch the incision, I still ice throughout the day and night. When the nerves start to flare up, I have to put a heating pad on it. Just don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m in so much pain, I am physically get sick (throwing up) and I’m just exhausted. Can’t get in for another 3 weeks for an ultrasound to see if my quad muscle is torn- thanks to PT.

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@jazzy155

I am 5 1/2 months post TKR. The first 6 weeks the pain was excruciating; it just was. I never had tremors. I would call your doctor. It doesn't seem right that you would have to suffer with tremors in addition to all of the pain. You cry a lot; I cried a lot too! It does get better as time passes. I am doing a lot better. I am walking normally but still have some pain and stiffness.

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Thank you! Glad to know I’m not alone. I never cry but this surgery has be balling like a baby despite trying to be tough and positive about it all. Glad you’re doing a lot better! Gives me hope. ❤️

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Thank you too! You will pull out of this. It takes more time than anyone of us dreamed it would.

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@shell72

Despite having anything touch the incision, I still ice throughout the day and night. When the nerves start to flare up, I have to put a heating pad on it. Just don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m in so much pain, I am physically get sick (throwing up) and I’m just exhausted. Can’t get in for another 3 weeks for an ultrasound to see if my quad muscle is torn- thanks to PT.

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Hello,
I am having the same issues with the burning in my knees. I am 11 weeks out on my right knee and 4 weeks out on my left knee with total knee replacements. The right one seems to be getting better and doesn't seem to burn as much, but the left one is what seems to be on fire all the time. This must be part of the process. I actually got some cotton Capri leggings to keep the knees covered and that seems to have helped a bit. I also have been massaging my knees quite often to try to break up the scar tissue, which no one informed me about doing as part of the healing process. The massaging has helped out a lot to get my ROM going. I hope you start to feel better soon. I know I'm totally over this ,I just want to feel better as I'm sure you also do.

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