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Knee Problem 13 months after TKR operation

Posted , 5 users are following.

climber
climber

I have little to no discomfort on my knee with my knee although still not fully healed, however after walking 6 miles which included a climb up Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh with no pain in my knee or Back during the walk i have suffered quite badly with Lower Back Pain for the past 3 days. I try to walk heel to toe as recommended. Although i have these back pains i have no pain at all in my knees. I should also say that i have had ongoing back pains for the past 5 months. I have visited a Chiropractor, Physiotherapist and also had my back X -rayed (wear and tear). I have never had back problems in the past. I assumed that the back problems that i have encountered was due to my Gait having altered due to me trying to protect my operated knee . To try to alleviate my back problem during the past few months i have tried to walk correctly (Heal to Toe etc) also carrying out various exercises (as shown on the Internet) but nothing appears to work to ease my back pain. I must admit i am feeling a little depressed at the present time with no sign of my back pain healing. Help !!!!! has anyone got any suggestions

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • JRS11
    JRS11 climber

    Posted

    I am 11 months PO. I struggled with pain in my other knee and back until about 2-3 months ago. It is day by day for me. Give it a few more days, hopefully it will subside. Much of my pain was do to compensation.

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX climber

    Posted

    "Visiting" a chiropractor or a PT is not the same as doing the full therapy. In my case, I got a case of sciatica 5 weeks post-op. Went to my chiropractor who noticed that my SI joints were locked and my hip alignment was off causing different leg lengths. I saw her twice a week for a month and it was all resolved. It takes a while for the therapy to work. Did you do one or two visits or finish the therapy? Sometimes it just takes time to heal...

    You are totally correct about a change in our gait causing other problems. Back, thigh, ankle, foot, OTHER leg... It's all been reported on the Forum for a long time.

    Other Pain After a TKR

    You know the cause, now you have to find the solution. Anti-inflammatories could help but only short-term...like 7-10 days. You don't want them eating at your stomach lining. Try some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US...generic diclofenac elsewhere...check for interactions). Great topical anti-inflammatory you can use 4X/day...great at bedtime. There are lidocaine, capsiacin and menthol OTC pain patches or even try a cheap $25 TENS unit at your local Walmart.

    If absolutely nothing works, you'll need an MRI done by a neurosurgeon. That would likely (but maybe not definitely) show if there is an actual spine issue causing the pain. I had a case of sciatica that would absolutely not go away. Chiropractic, acupuncture, PT, pain shots...nothing. Neurosurgeon found a bone spur "crushing" the nerve root at L4. In such a case, only surgery will alleviate the pain. Mine was gone instantly...but surgery is the absolute last stop on the train. If you've tried all the other modalities without success, you might want to consider the MRI and a consult with a neuro. At least you'll have an answer.

    PS: The MRI may or may not be conclusive. In that case, a CT/Myelogram with contrast is the gold standard spine test.

    PPS: And it doesn't matter how long it's been post-op. Literally anything can cause lower back problems and this may be totally unrelated to the TKR. Keep an open mind...

  • jenny61596
    jenny61596 climber

    Posted

    I get bad lower back pain after walking two years after surgery, been to chiro, etc but still get it . I just take a panadol dont think its going away !

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX jenny61596

      Posted

      Read my post above... When that happened to me once and I couldn't find a solution, my last stop was the neurosurgeon with an MRI. Quick fix with a decompressive laminectomy. Immediate relief, no rehab, no missed work, all the pain gone for good in one day. Think about it...

  • climber
    climber

    Posted

    Chico, I had a discussion with my Surgeon on Monday and he is going to ask a Neurosurgeon to carry out an examination of my back, however my Surgeon expects it will take about 6 months before the Neurosurgeon will carry out the examination. (National Health times in U.K.) I do not have finances for private visit to Neurosurgeon

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