Question for Chico

How long ago did you have your TKR, is the wound closed?

At seven months post op its part of my daily ritual. Hot shower first thing followed by a good massage with voltaren gel. It helps to loosen up the knee. If a walks on the agenda through the day-out comes the voltaren again!!!!I wouldnt be without it.

Hi all,   I just came home from Hospital for NKR yeterday.  The pain levels were reasonably controlled whilst in there, but now at home it seems more intense.  I am trying not to do too much walking about, but it is very hard to stay idle.  i was shocked when Chico mentioned he had his Op 3 months ago - 12 weeks - and is still in much pain. in my ignorance,  I thought most of the pain would have gone by then - it seems I'm wrong.  I don't know . much about Volterol, i did use it before the Op and did not find it very adequate, obviously the swelling doesn't help.   Regards Janet.

First, make sure you check for interactions (rare).

Got Voltaren years ago when I had my hip replaced and developed a touch of bursitis.  Worked great.  It's a terrific topical anti-inflammatory so it should work on the knee...right?  Used it on my thigh...NOT on the raw incision...waited a long time to go near that.  Thigh, behind the knee, sides...anywhere but the incision itself.  Helped with swelling and pain.  A few months later, I used it all over the knee.

Understand that I didn't have a great deal of swelling issues.  I learned early on to use a pedometer and track my steps.  After an incident involving 8,200+ steps and a hot air balloon for a knee, I learned my lesson on how to avoid the problem in the first place.  So Voltaren came in handy for me for the pain.  Worked pretty well...until I discovered that the #1 product in the world could be obtained in states like Colorado at special "stores" by people with a "special" medical card.  Let's just say that "The Lotion" is the best topical anywhere on planet Earth.

Both these items will address pain and inflammation...they will NOT relieve nerve pain.  So that tingly nerve regeneration feeling we all get that could last for a year or more...out of luck.  Eight months into my recovery, I got bilateral foraminal stenosis at L2/L3 in my spine.  Stopped me in my tracks.  Waited months to get it repaired by an LLIF (lateral) fusion (AMAZING TECHNOLOGY!!!).  Lots of diminishing residual nerve pain in both thighs for a few weeks after the op because they have to retract the nerve roots to insert "the device".  Neither Voltaren nor The Lotion helped.  Used OTC AsperCream with 4% Lidocaine to get some relief.  Found out later that there are Lidocaine patches (RX) that would have helped with the nerve pain.  Maybe next time...NOT!!!!!  

Enough surgery...enough metal.  Four and a half pounds now...going to about seven with the other knee in a year or two.  That's all I want to deal with...ever!  I am worth sooooo much in titanium, cobalt-chromium and surgical steel with the hip, knee(s) and fusions, I'm surprised my wife hasn't already put a contract out on me so she can make money off the parts.  But she's not from Brooklyn and sees things a bit differently...thank God...  Else, it's usually two taps to the head...leave the gun...take the cannoli...

Yes I too use it  extra strength one every 12 hours and it does help with inflammation 

Hi there.  After my TKR, I asked about using Voltaren gel on my knee after physio. My pt spoke with my surgeon, and he said no.  Didn't ask why, but I'm assuming it was because  of the pain meds I was taking at the time.  I currently use a pain relief gel I purchased on Amazon. It's amazing!! Works well. It's called "DEEP RELIEF Ice Cold Pain Relief Gel".  I keep it in the fridge, and massage it in as needed.  I find it works better for me than the Voltaren. And of course, there is still the good old ice packs which I also use.  I am 8 1/2mths post op.