16.5 months post TKR

Mine was 2.6 years ago. More pain since the surgery than before. Saw a specialist, he didn't help. Finally to a pain specialist. Had a pain blocker inserted in my back in September, still no relief.

I am sorry to hear you are having problems. I too am having awful problems. I am 8 months post partial knee replacement and mine has never got better - although i have full ROM, i have constant pain front and back (terrible on stairs) and an awful tight digging feeling in my knee, like someone is digging a shovel blade under it. The knee is constantly tender (feels bruised) to even a very light touch and it swells with exercise or just being on my feet all day. The knee is way worse than before the op and i now also gave awful hip pain and groin pain.

I am only 46 and was very fit before the op. I have done all physio diligently, followed any and every piece of advice, use the exercise bike, walk and do strengthening exercises every day, despite the pain. The consultant says he doesn't understand it as x-rays all look normal. They did an arthroscopy just before xmas to check for infection - nothing, and they said the implant seems 'fine'. My knee is even worse since the arthroscope and the consultant can only think it must be all be due to ultra-sensitivity to the surgery in my soft tissue. His only advice the is using TENS and acupuncture (both of which i am doing with a private physio to no improvement). My knee clicks and clunks constantly and my private physio thinks the patella is not staying in the groove. I am seeking a second opinion as i don't believe my knee is 'fine' and tracking properly.

I am so depressed as nothing helps and now my hip is so painful too. No-one seems to know how to help me and i feel so hopeless and desperate. It was the worst decision of my life. Before the op i was still managing to hike, cycle and even jog occasionally despite the pain from my arthritis, but now post op i walk round with a limp and a stick. I don't know anyone else who has experienced what i have (and neither does my consultant). I am a 'mystery'. I feel very, very alone.

I'd also add that things were bad from the start - really excessive swelling, horrendous thigh and groin pain and scary levels of bruising. My mum says i looked way worse than her post op and experienced far more pain and difficulty, even though she had a TKR and was 70!

I hope your problems resolve. I think i am going to have to resign myself to a life of pain and misery. Sometimes i think i would like an amputation as it would be better than living with this. Sorry to be doom and gloom.

i think they should ban the operation, the surgeons treat it like 'next' they have signed paperwork to cover themselves when the operations are rubbish. The patient gets all the blame and the surgeon relies too much on physio rather than the operation, i think mine was done with an hacksaw, it swelled like a medicine ball. I have done hours and hours and hours of physio and my knee as the same range of movement as it was a few weeks after the operation, about 30 degrees. the head physio was nasty too, basically i have been told to be grateful for what i have now got. Sorry for your situation, I hope your knee improves!!!!

I feel like every one of you has written my story. I am 14 months post bilateral TKR and nobody has been able to help me. Tightness is so severe that it affects every part of my body, including my mental state. I feel like I am on a roller coaster that will never end. Have had good days that I think are finally the beginning of better days and then suddenly, back to pain, depression and sadness. My surgeon told me that he has never seen this (somehow I doubt that) and doesn't know what to do. Sent me to a pain clinic, where after two appointments. I was dismissed and told that I was doing everything that can be done, meaning massage, exercise, meditation, etc. None of this helps and I am about to lose my mind thinking this will now be my life. My family doctor is of no help, despite the fact his wife has had this surgery. Maybe the surgeons need to read some of these posts to recognize that their actions are not all positive and to stop telling us that at three months we will be dancing. I am trying to stay positive but the longer this pain lasts, the harder that is. They want to keep throwing pain medication at me, but that will lead to a whole other issue. I am very upset that this pain will not go away. My ability to walk was hindered before the surgery, but I was not in pain. Now I may be for the rest of my life. The doctor figures if I can walk better, the surgery was a success. The pain is of no consequence to them in their claim to successful surgery.

NHS patients don't matter!!! My NHS TKR surgeon prefers private patients because he can charge more so im told!! I feel for every one on this discussion, never give up!!!!!

Don't have TKR at Huddersfield!!

it's sad to read these stories. off to Boston for a second opinion sometime soon but I will try COOLIEF first.