post knee replacement pain

[Jean]

It is 16 months since my knee replacement and I still have soreness and pain around the patella when I walk. does not hurt when I am immobile or sleeping. Have had different opinions from physio, OS and massage therapists. Anyone else have this problem?

[muna]

i am 7 months post left knee replacement surgery. i still have pain when standing or walking. i underwent partial patelloctomy a month ago with no improvement in my condition. i am still doing therapy which hurts a lot. it seems that once your knee replacement does not work nothing will help.

[Rick]

Jean,
The pain you describe is similar to mine (only lower patella and tendon area in my case) I'm 7 months post TKR and still in a lot of pain when I walk. I use a cane and after exercise have to get out the old crutch.
Yesterday, I went for a 2nd opinion from a doctor that's been doing knees since 1978. He thinks it's loose and suggests a re-do, with cement this time. I can't live like this so......wish me luck!!

[Rick]

To add to my comment above:
The highly experienced doctor I got may 2nd opinion from said a little pain at 6 mos post TKR may work itself out by waiting a year or more. But, if you're in a lot of pain at 6 months...there's something wrong and waiting is not going to solve it.

Reality Check: With my remaing good knee doing most of the weight bearing I'm sure it's bound to fail unless I can get the other fixed properly.

If I'd have known of the complications of knee problems I would have worn knee pads my whole life!!!(Currently 59 years old)

[Jean]

Rick wrote:

Jean,
The pain you describe is similar to mine (only lower patella and tendon area in my case) I'm 7 months post TKR and still in a lot of pain when I walk. I use a cane and after exercise have to get out the old crutch.
Yesterday, I went for a 2nd opinion from a doctor that's been doing knees since 1978. He thinks it's loose and suggests a re-do, with cement this time. I can't live like this so......wish me luck!!

Good luck Rick, keep me posted on your surgery. I am still sore and going to physio and message therapy to release the tight muscle . I am almost 2 years post op. Saw my ortho last week and he says my other knee needs done, but I am going to wait as long as possible. Jean

[Alan50]

Had both my knees done last Nov.14 and am back at work 2hrs a day. Left knee was my better knee and is now not. My doctor says it could take up to 3 years to settle. They both get stiff at night especially the left one which feels like its binding on the left outer side below the knee ( surgeon says that he did a release on it ). Same when I walk for a while, I walk like I've been at sea for 20yrs and haven't got my land legs back.
I haven't had a complete nights sleep since they took me off the morphine in hospital.

Having said all that I take my hat off to those of you who have been putting up with the pain and discomfort for all these months / years.

Good luck and best wishes
alan50

[Good grief]

These comments are making me nervous. My mother is having knee replacement surgery in a couple of months. I think she believes it's going to be a *snap*--I keep warning her it's a long road to recovery.

[DALE]

I,M 37YRS OLD AND BEEN POST OP FOR 6 MONTHS. MY LEG HURTS FROM THE TENDENTS IN THE BACK OF MY KNEE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF MY LEG TO MY ANKLE. IT STILL SWELLS UP AND CLICKS LAD ENOUGH FOR SOMEONE TO HEAR WALKING NEXT TO ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT. SLEEP IS HORRIABLE ANYMORE. THANKS

[mike]

i'm 48 and 4 wks post-op tkr with the depuy sigma fixed (as opposed to rotational joint)and am experiencing the same symptoms as dale. Can't sleep and pain is constant> Anyone else had the same problem who can advise if they have had a positive outcome from this? I know it is early days but i am a bit worried.

[Walt]

I'm a 72 year old male. Had total replacement of the right knee in 2004. 6 months thereafter the pain was very severe. Consult with the surgeon indicated that the anchor for the patella had broken and needed repairing. Selected a new surgeon who was highly esteemed in the field. Based on his recommendation. Had revision surgery which totally replaced the same knee. During post op comnsultation several months later, it was discovered that the knee cap had necrified (died) and was breaking up. I get around but with some difficulty. The knee is constantluy swollen and stiff. Pain is my constant companion. Is their anyone else with similar problems. What are your doctors recommendations. How are you coping with it.

[Anne]

DALE wrote:

I,M 37YRS OLD AND BEEN POST OP FOR 6 MONTHS. MY LEG HURTS FROM THE TENDENTS IN THE BACK OF MY KNEE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF MY LEG TO MY ANKLE. IT STILL SWELLS UP AND CLICKS LAD ENOUGH FOR SOMEONE TO HEAR WALKING NEXT TO ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT. SLEEP IS HORRIABLE ANYMORE. THANKS

I have the same symptons, I though it was just me. I did everything I was told. Moving in bed is a nightmare as the knee clicks and seems to bend the wrong way. The knee has now started to click when I sit.

[donna]

My husband has had 5 total knee replacements and 16 open lysis procedures. Nothing seems to control the adhesians. He is going on 11 years of 24/7 pain and imobility. Any suggestions for doctors that specialize in adhesian problems? We are at the end of our rope.

[Mary Ann]

Jean wrote:

It is 16 months since my knee replacement and I still have soreness and pain around the patella when I walk. does not hurt when I am immobile or sleeping. Have had different opinions from physio, OS and massage therapists. Anyone else have this problem?

Jean: I am only a month into and after my surgery on my right knee. I have spent many sleepless or little sleep nights since my surgery and find myself wondering why.Everyone that has had the surgery says it is normal and that with time it will go away. Now I read your comments and think what in the heck did I get myself into. I do know that my replaced knee is much stronger and dependable but why the pain so intense. It's a mystery and I wish and hope that someone will be able to explain the mystery to me.

The doctor says my left knee needs replacing also but at this time I would say, hell no.

[Johnny O]

Are there any good stories about TKR? I am at a cross roads, pills get me up and around with some pain relief. I am limited in my walking, what to do?

[Greg]

Johnny O wrote:

Are there any good stories about TKR? I am at a cross roads, pills get me up and around with some pain relief. I am limited in my walking, what to do?

Johnny I am a guy who has two half-knee (Uni-Condylar) knee replacements, and after six years, just wore the left out, and am now 7 weeks post surgery with a total knee replacement on my left. Today, I just did a long mall walk - went out shopping with my wife, and helped clean the house. We leave for vacation next week. Everything works just fine. I credit a great surgeon, a good understanding of what's required in physical therapy (you have to work hard at getting that knee and leg up to par), and also the right attitude. I am pleased with the outcome--my goal was freedom from constant pain. The other benefit is that if you have back and neck problems, these will subside with you walking in a balanced and corrected manner post surgery. Also, know that these units don't last a lifetime if you are younger than 75 -80! Good luck and get two ortho docs to review you particular situation and advise.

[Bill F]

I am 15 months post unicompartmental knee replacement. Also had osteonecrosis in joint. I have been active and was totally pain free after 4 months. At about 8 months started swelling and now knee is still swollen and painful if in 90 degree position or 180 degree position. After 4 visits in the past 6 months Dr just shrugs and says the xray looks good. I started taking relafen again which I was on before knee replacement. Any suggestions?

[Kathy - Iowa]

My total knee replacement was done 7/06, I had a manipulation 10/06. I am still on crutches, going to physical therapy, now swimming the pain is severe most of the time. Aspirations, one showed crystals others they did not get much fluid but said it didn't grow anything!!!! At my wits end.

[Pat Fremont CA]

Had both knees replaced in Dec. 2005. Thought I was doing great, but then the pain came. Both knees are swollen, a lump on the outside of both knees and swelling below the knee on the inside of calf. I have had MRI's, blood work, fluid drained and tested and they say its okay. I am not in constant pain, but more like constant hurt. I can walk okay. What really hurts is when I sit for any time and when I try to get up its is unbearable. I still have to lift myself with my arms. The pain above the knee is awful. First they said it was mussle, then tendons. No one knows and I am finally going for a second opinion. Also could be an allegy to the metal. Anyone have experience with that?

[Bob from Holland Michigan]

I had my Right Knee replaced about 6 years ago. A year later had scar tissue removed and work on the knee cap. From they day I stood on my knee for the first time I knew something was NOT right. I have gone to other surgeons they take exrays and say the knee if fine. Now it is so klunky and wobles it will hardly hold me. I am only 58. What am I supose to do. I have to take about 12 Vicoden a day just to get through it. I have had 3 brain tumors and lived through each one of them however I believe this knee is going to take me out. What should I do. I am in Constant pain day and night.

[booterup]

Yes, there are success stories folks. At age 18 I severely damaged my left knee and had to have all of the cartilege removed. This was back in the good old 1960's, when technology wasn't what it is today. I lived with this knee, bone on bone for the next 35 years until I no longer had any quality of life, no walking, couldn't sit, lay down, stand.

I had TKR on my left knee 9 years ago at the age of 53. I had no illusions as to what recovery was going to be like. It hurt like Hell. The physical therapy was grueling - I cried every time that knee was bent. But I kept at it. I was back at work on crutches in two weeks. I was walking unaided in 6 weeks, and I danced at my daughter's wedding in 9 weeks. TKR gave me my life back. I have no pain in my replaced knee. It's mobile, flexible, and wonderful.

Now, I'm faced with TKR on my right knee. Obviously, I'm going to try to stick it out for as long as possible, but I will KNOW when I've had enough and will happily undergo the whole painful process again.

TKR is not an automatic thing to make you pain free. It requires a lot of hard, painful physical therapy. If the patient doesn't go the whole routine, if he/she expects miracles without any sweat and pain, the replacement will not be successful.

I don't mean to negate anyone's pain after TKR. There can be complications, infection, allergy to the cement/glue, a whole list of things could go wrong. If that is the case, get another doctor, get second and third opinions.

But, primarily I think that too many doctors don't tell the patient the whole story about TKR, about how painful recovery is and that the patient must be willing to tough through and excercise that knee from day one after the surgery and for the rest of his life. They allow the patient to believe that this is their miracle cure that will require very little from them.

Just know that yes, there are success stories. I'm one of them.

Good luck to all - I hope you can get your pain resolved.