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A new pain killer that seems to work

Posted , 6 users are following.

joansgarden
joansgarden

Well, new to me anyway. I ha never heard of it before yesterday.

Background: I had right knee TKR 15 months ago with manipulation 12 months ago. I was supposed to get the left TKR but had SUCH a horrible time with the first I never went back. Yesterday I went in though because I have always had pain with the TKR on stairs and now it was getting more painful and seemed a little puffy. It bends very well - probably a good 130 degrees which is great after thee 3 months I was stuck at 90.

Anyway surgeon had changed his tune a little. Said it was just as well I hadn't come back for the left TKR because he refused to do it until I crawled in and begged him for it. Said I would likely have all the same problems because both knees had had previous major surgeries. So I guess that ideal of a 5 mile hike is off the cards for a while.

He said that the right knee nowstill had scar tissue and that he had straightened it out so there were alignment issues and maybe the tendons got moved around and perhaps stretched suring the surgery (I'd say no doubt about that!). The muscles I use on stairs are different and so the problem with the stairs is that those muscles are rubbing or pulling on the tendons. He said the area was still inflamed.

To get to the actual point of this, I know that people on this forum are always delaing with pain. He gave me this prescription for Voltaren cream and I used it last night. It worked really well!! I found an article on it that said it was like Ibuprofin in a gel and that because it was applied locally it didn't give the stomach problems that the pills do. It's not Ibuprofin - I think it's much stronger. There were many warnings about it interfering with blood pressure meds, and I think mine did because I couldn't sleep and my pulse w s racing all night - but the pain was gone smile. Too bad, another miracle drug that I may not be able to use. Vioxx was wonderful too. If you don't have heart or gastric problems though, it could be very helpful.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Gaby21
    Gaby21 joansgarden

    Posted

    I've been using the Volterol gel for weeks it's brilliant. Xx
  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo joansgarden

    Posted

    It seems to me that different drugs work for different people. I habve had voltaren for pain in the past, and I found it did no good whatsoever, although in tablet form it is definitely a bit more efficient.  so glad it's helping you though!  It's often a case of trying different things and if one doesn't work, another one may.  Ibuprofeno has absoutley no effect on me, bt paracetamol (tylenol) is Ok for headache. . .not for a TKR though!
  • john_04330
    john_04330 joansgarden

    Posted

    Yes Joansgarden  I used voltarol on my knee before it was replaaced. Worked well,usually for 4/5 hours. Intend to use it on my unoperated knee once Ive got this one sorted. Very good stuff for anybody who not heard of it.

    john

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 joansgarden

    Posted

    I had TKR nearly 4 years ago. I had had previous major operations on both knees which were not done by the consultant who did my TKR. However the consultant who did my TKR was still willing to do it and has given me an excellent result.

    I would recommend him to anyone to be honest.

    Sarah

    • joansgarden
      joansgarden sarah87162

      Posted

      Since you are calling him a consultant I'm guessing you are in England, and I am in the US, so can't go see him - but I'm really glad you found someone so good!
  • Lame_woman
    Lame_woman joansgarden

    Posted

    Actually, this is diclofenac gel. I took diclofenac tabs for ages, but the potential side effects are grim, including kidney failure. I came off it 3 months before my TKR because it wasn't working and tried Tramadol. This is OK, a bit spacey at first, but OK.

    I've been told oral NSAIDs like ibuprofen & diclofenac are forbidden immediately after TKR because they slow up healing, but the gel is Ok unless the problem is deep in the tissues. It was useless for my hip, but great for a sore elbow. Haven't dared try it on my knee though.

    • joansgarden
      joansgarden Lame_woman

      Posted

      Well I can't use it because it sent my heart rate off the charts. I did try a very small amount (1g) a week later and even with that I got a racing pulse for a while. No doubt about it though - it really dealt with the knee pain. It's supposed to be for knees elbows etc where the problem is close to the skin. Fingers too I would guess. It was prescribed for my knee so I would think if you could tolerate it, it would be fine to use on your knee.

      I thought hospitals wouldn't use ibuprofen because it is also a blood thinner and they are always worrying about bleeding.

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