Posted , 6 users are following.
Dont know if anyone else deals with this too...my back has been killing me since ive had my knee replacement Aug.24,16...not only does it hurt but it just makes it even harder to try and get comfortable.I cant sit still very long or lay down very much.soooo figity.uggg any suggestions for me.Trying so hard to just feel a bit normal but its not happening.
0 likes, 16 replies
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CHICO_MARX michaela88292
Posted
Check my Sciatica section....
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Is this what you're feeling? Locked SI joints in your hips could cause pain in the lower back, hips and down the leg.
michaela88292 CHICO_MARX
Posted
CHICO_MARX michaela88292
Posted
My back problems started around 4 weeks post op. Ortho recommended a chiropractor but I had to be careful...artificial right hip and four fused vertebrae. Yup...lots of metal...about 4 1/2 pounds right now.
Found a good one. My SI joints were completely locked. We change our gait automatically to compensate for the pain. It can "throw out your back"...or hips. Combination of chiro plus some extra PT got me past it. Takes a little time. If the problem is truly SI or alignment related, you need a pro to fix it.
Waffalobill CHICO_MARX
Posted
CHICO_MARX Waffalobill
Posted
Right hip...four fused vertebrae (rails, screws and spacers)...TKR. Putting off the second TKR for at least a year...that's another almost two pounds. After 44 years of playing hockey, there's a time to pay the piper...
lolla4 michaela88292
Posted
michaela88292 lolla4
Posted
OConnor lolla4
Posted
Haven't had a TKR yet, but severe lumbar problem is definitely helped by wearing Orthoheel shoes. I didn't spend my life in heels so it was an easy transition for me to accept a kind of negative heel. Almost forces one to walk straight and easy.
Oldfatguy1 michaela88292
Posted
You probably walked any way you could to avoid pain. Then came the surgery and suddenly you are putting your body back in alignment plus still trying to avoid pain. Lots of stuff in a bind, twisted and weak. Slooooooow down. Don't try to do so much so fast. Add a lot of fluid to your daily intake. Dehydration really slows down your recovery. Ice your lower back as well as your knee. Talk to your doc and therapist about adding some simple back stretches to your regular therapy.
michaela88292 Oldfatguy1
Posted
You are sooo right.yes I really need to hydrate more...thank you.you just confirmed to me what I've been doing and not doing.
Waffalobill michaela88292
Posted
CHICO_MARX Waffalobill
Posted
Yup...but that, at least in my case, was because my hips were out of alignment. Fixable if that's the cause.
michaela88292 Waffalobill
Posted
joyfull1 michaela88292
Posted
I had this problem, too! I'm 15 weeks post op and the problem is now gone. The physical therapist told me that when one gets s TKR, the entire leg gets weak, including the hip, which affects the back. Also, I had been walking unevenly due to my painful knee. The therapist gave me exercises to do for my back which didn't do much at first but now, combined with improved walking due to my knee healing, have contributed to a pain free back. I thought I never was going to get here. I plan to continue these exercises for the rest of my life.
CHICO_MARX joyfull1
Posted
Gotta remember that traditional total knee replacement entails cutting into the quadriceps tendon, which connects the large quadriceps muscle group on the front of the thigh to the kneecap. The surgeon then moves the kneecap out of the way to access the arthritic joint. This really affects the quad muscle and it's why we all feel that the leg is weak.
Then after sitting around for weeks on end in pain, everything else (glutes, core, hamstrings) just start to atrophy leading to more weakness. That's why it's so important to follow up PT with work at the gym to rebuild all that muscle. Takes time and work. The intervening weakness (from op to around the 6 month mark) is completely normal and goes away when you rebuild your quad, glutes and core. Gotta do the work to get the results. In the meantime, just know to expect the weakness and resolve to do something about it.
Waffalobill CHICO_MARX
Posted
I lost muscle mass in quads just having my knee scoped. Had it done twice in a year. Was out of work 6 weeks first time. Then he had to go back in cause he missed something. Was out another 9 weeks. All he did was take cartiladge out and grind my underside of knee cap down a little. I could walk 3 weeks later. Give or take. Not real good but without crutches. That was a walk in the park compared to what y'all had. And it took me a long time after getting back to work to rebuild quads alone. He got me a membership to the Y to swim after I did PT. Did that for a year , 3 times a week. Went at 5 am. Did laps in the pool. Was nice.