Feeling hopeless
Posted , 7 users are following.
I wonder if anyone can help. I had my first tkr a year and a half ago I have recently found out I had a resurface on that knee cap. I had my second tkr over a year ago and that knee cap was not resurfaced. I can walk without pain but I am left with extreme pain in both knees going up and down stairs and going from sitting to standing. After having numerous cancellations I saw a consultant on Wednesday, he told me as resurfacing has made no difference there is nothing to be done I am just one if the unlucky ones who are left with pain. I feel devastated after going through all the pain of the op and doing all the exercises I am left living on codeine and laxatives. Does anyone have any advice?
1 like, 7 replies
dolores84206 janice73464
Posted
If I were you I would see another Dr. and get another opinion. I am sure there has to be something they can do for you. I feel so sorry for you. No one should have to live with such pain. Good luck to you and keep us posted.
laurel65763 janice73464
Posted
I had scar tissue interfering with movement and comfort. I couldn't put my foot down without extreme pain, unexpectedly my knee will catch and lock causing sharp pain. I find concentrating on straightening my leg before stepping up or down eliminates the pain.I have also noticed that when I ate wheat products the resulting inflammation in my knees would be disabling because the pain was so great. Inflammation has been linked to many diseases including arthritic symptoms. My LTKR was May 2017. I have to have the right knee done next. You can try reducing inflammatory foods including sugar, wheat, root vegetables etc. there is detailed info on the Internet to determine if you have a sensitivity affecting you. Leg warmers help and I do daily stretches sitting in front of a portable heater ( winter here ) and that helps loosen my left knee. Post op complications had me in a wheelchair for 9 months. I'm just starting to walk with crutches but have to rebuild muscle and stamina. If it's legal where you are, some people have had joint pain relief from cannabis paste applied around knee. I hope you find relief.
Oldfatguy1 janice73464
Posted
I would Definately get a second opinion. You never know when its a Dr that doesn't know how to correct such issues that shuts you down when you have problems. As far as spending the rest of your life on pain meds and the side effects, I am there on that one. My problem is PVNS, a rare tumor and a lot of subsequent surgeries..
To help you with the constipation problems try using class and mirilax plus increase your water intake. This will be a.c. more gentle, natural way of doing things. Very hard on the system to use harse laxatives on a regular basis
eileen88018 janice73464
Posted
Hi Janice I'm 12 months TKR and I'm in a lot of pain constantly been backwards and forwards to my consultant and he's now told me there's no more he can do it's all nerve damage and that I'm just one of the unlucky 20% that it hasn't worked for so i know how you feel.
dolores84206 eileen88018
Posted
Eileen, I think you should also get a second opinion. If you have nerve damage, the one who is responsible is your surgeon! Maybe you have a law suit! Hope you get some answers & relief, just don’t accept that answer, “Nothing more can be done”. Find yourself a good competent doctor!
marilyn10235 janice73464
Posted
Hi Janice, I agree with what's been said. Are you in UK?
Surely if the pain is in both knees the fact that only one patella was resurfaced is irrelevant.
Definitely go back to your GP & ask for a second opinion from another Orthopod! Try to find a more sympathetic one!! Finding a doctor you would like to be referred to over here ( 🇬🇧
can be troublesome unless you go privately, but can be done with the aid of your GP!
I am prescribed Fybogel as I take CoCodamols, the Fybogel really helps & the orange flavour is quite nice. Better than laxatives, kinder on your system as it's a bulker rather than laxative, & drink plenty of fluids, water, juice or tea but coffee is a diuretic best not to drink too much of it.
The only other thing you could try is a referral to a Pain Management Clinic, esp as it is impacting your life!
Even as a long shot try either Chiropractic or a sports injury massage. A good Chiropractor or Osteomyoligist will assess you & tell you if there is anything he/she can do to help with this. Maybe, maybe not but certainly worth a shot. Anything that brings relief a gotta be worth a try!! The Osteomyologist I see really really helped me when I was waiting for my TKRs. Esp 8 months after the 1st TKR, whilst on the list for 2nd, my psoas muscle went into spasm, I thought I'd done something to my back or hip, then the left knee locked & I couldn't straighten it, that was agony! She managed to sort it for me so I could go on until the 2nd operation. Unfortunately the psoas issue lasted until the 2nd op, on & off, as it was affected by my gait!!
Keep trying to find someone to help, look at alternative treatments too, I found a lot of relief with acupuncture, which you can also get on the NHS, & is a proven treatment for chronic pain. Honestly it doesn't hurt when they insert the needles, if you're squeamish don't look!!
I hope you get some relief soon.
Marilyn
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janice73464 marilyn10235
Posted