12 Days Post TLKR... Severe Calf pain
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone!! You all helped me out so much when I had my TRKR last June, you helped me get through a very tough time and I thank you again for it. Well, I'm back after having my left knee done hoping you all are wel!
After having this knee done I realize that last year was a walk in the park compared to what I am going through now. Ever since I woke up in recovery I have had severe calf pain from my knee down. So severe the first few days I couldn't bump it against anything nor could I put any weight on it, the pain was so bad it actually put me in a full blown panic attack twice in the hospital. They sent me for an ultra sound to make sure there was not a blood clot. The best way to describe this pain is like when you have a Charlie horse and the cramps that you are left with afterwards only permanently . My boyfriend has gently massaged out the calf so it wasn't so tight anymore and we will heat it and ice it but that gentle massaging actually left me with a big bruise. I will wake up in the middle of the night to out of the blue during the day in tears for hours because of this pain. Please please tell me this is normal and somebody out there has had the same sort of problem. Thank you so much.
Shelley
0 likes, 5 replies
Guest Shelley53
Posted
Hi,
iwas exactly the same same with my second knee replacement 6 months after the first. The pain in my calf was indescribable, went into spasm every time I slightly moved it , the worst at night with no relief, constant cramp. Very short muscles, stretching is the only answer and it does slowly get better. Have you seen your doctor to inquire about muscle relaxants, at the time I didn’t really know what I was dealing with, really frightening as didn’t happen with first . Nine months on I’m still improving but slower than the first as they say every knee is different.
Hang on in there you really have my sympathies, worse than child birth😩😩😩
Shelley53 Guest
Posted
OH God Jackie... That's exactly how I describe the pain to people... Id rather give birth over and over than this pain... It can come out of nowhere and next thing I'm rocking and sobbing and it's not a pretty sight. It's been scarily frightening.. I get my staples out tomorrow and am hoping I can get more answers. The scary thing is I haven't been able to do my exercises ... Anything that bumps the calf or uses it too much, lays me out. I guess I should book my first physio for this week as I'm sure he'd be able to help. I'm so thankful you responded. I've been so frightened. Thank you Jackie!
CHICO_MARX Shelley53
Posted
Talk to the doc about adding a muscle relaxer like Flexeril to your pain meds. Worked for me. Also, Voltaren Gel (RX in the US) is a great topical anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. OTC Lidocaine patches may help too.
Just know how typical you really are. I have read over 4,000+ posts on here and those who had a #2 months after a #1 report in great numbers that the two recoveries were completely different from each other. Look like you've joined their club.
Also, maybe some of this will help as you move along with your recovery...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/other-pain-after-a-tkr-641040
Since your calf pain started immediately after surgery, I would go the med route as the types of pain in the above link start to appear over time.
Shelley53 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Oh Chico I'm so glad you are still on this forum... You helped me through some pretty dismal times last year and I don't know if I ever thanked you enough for that. And here I am back and feeling worse and more depressed with this second TKR and it's so hard because I really thought this one would be a walk in the park. 2 weeks tomorrow is my anniversary date and staples come out... Now I'm panicking how I will even get to the office without barely being able to walk with putting weight on that calf... Not the knee it's the calf😂 Hugs
CHICO_MARX Shelley53
Posted
Very rarely, some people have reported that some docs "nick" a nerve during the procedure. So that might be the cause of your pain. If it's increasing, the doc has really got to address that. One problem is that they just love handing out Gabapentin for nerve pain like Skittles. The danger is a new warning out that concerns mixing Gabapentin with opioids...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nerve-pain-gabapentin-warning-648196
I'd use that knowledge when you talk to the doc. I've never liked the nerve meds because of their side effects and interactions. The questions for the the doc are: what's the root cause of the pain, what can be done to relieve it and what time frame are you looking at. You should demand all those answers before leaving the office. If you need a cane getting there, use a damn cane. Simple.
Panic doesn't do one whiff of good. Just upsets the mind and imbalances the soul. Deep breath...get your ducks in a row and get to the doc. Try the topical stuff in the meantime. Calm your mind and approach the problem more dispassionately. Yes, that's tough to do when you're in pain but, in truth, it's a scientific problem that needs a scientific solution. Do what you can for the pain for now until you get your answers but do that calmly and resolutely. Control your mind...control your pain. Let us know what happens with the doc.