Severe pain
Posted , 5 users are following.
I'm 5 months post TKR, I've been having severe pain and swelling in my knee, behind and down my shin, so bad I'm back on my pain meds again, I havnt done anything to aggravate it. I went to my GP as I thought after 5 months I should be getting better, she told me to speak to my PT as they know my journey, she only said it's muscles recovering as I have to start my recovery from the day I had my manipulation ( which was 27thMarch) as I had no bend for 10 weeks. Does this sound normal? She said there's no sign of DVT or cysts but the swelling is just at the top of the knee cap not all over but the pain is so awful.
0 likes, 8 replies
martha08360 natalie04381
Posted
I had a procedure done two days ago, called Nerve Hydrodissection Treatment. It seperates the compressed nerves, but does nothing for the muscles, etc. But boy howdy, It sure took 3/4 of my pain away. I still have hamstring pain, my knee still is swelling a little, and my ROM isn't up to snuff, yet. But I am working on that.. I had my TKR last day of January, so , everybody says, it gets better and better. Sorry you had to have MUA. I always felt like the PT was given me a MUA, without the anesthesia. Take care.
MAT2018 natalie04381
Posted
Natalie, In one word, yes it sounds normal to me since you have had your GP look at other possible issues. I am 20 weeks (tomorrow) post TKR and I had a MUA on the 13th of April. I am writing this as I am sitting with ice on my knee. The last two days I was back on my pain meds. I have the same pain in my knee. I find that I am just overdoing it. Do you have a fitness tracker? I am wearing my all the time and have been surprised at how many steps I have been doing. It is like I have all this pent up energy and want to move. But my knee is still not completely recovered or strong enough to do what I want it to do. I find my mind is tell me that everything I want to do is normal but my knee is reminding me that it is still healing.
Have you followed Chico Marx's discussions? He has the perfect picture that describes knee replacement recovery I have it hanging my bathroom mirror to remind me that this is not a linear recovery rather one that will be filled with ups and downs.
natalie04381 MAT2018
Posted
Hi Mat yes I have a fitbit, unfortunately with the pain I'm getting a feeling of having a brick attached to my knee it feels really heavy when I walk. I've had the stiffness which comes with it but I have not had this heavy feeling before either . Xx
arizonaone natalie04381
Posted
If your pain was manageable and then suddenly increased for no apparent reason I would call my OS to rule out any possible infection.
Not trying to scare you but one sign of infection is sudden pain and swelling in a previously well functioning joint. And I woukd still just check with my surgeon if for nothing else to put your mind at ease. .
As Mat mentioned Chico is extremely knowledgeable about all things tkr. Hopefully he will be along shortly for his input/suggestions.
Hope you feel better soon. I know first hand how it is living with constant pain after a tkr
natalie04381 arizonaone
Posted
Hi. I had the pain and swelling under control after my TKR, the swelling was all over my knee, and that had reduced a lot, this swelling is the top part of my knee cap ( if that makes sence) it is warm to touch but not boiling. Could I still get an infection 5 months down the line? I did think to call my.surgeon but my PT laughs at me saying I've got a good knee there's nothing wrong with it it's all part of the recovery, but the pain is horrible . Thank you for your reply xx
arizonaone natalie04381
Posted
My joint is warm too. When I'm on my feet for a long period it does get sonewhat hotter. Never been painfree/ not swollen since tkr in May of last year. I too needed a MUA in August. But the pain level increased greatly the last couple of months and my knee has become really stiff.
So I went to a new Ortho who ordered blood work. Based on that, my symptoms and his exam he states I have an infection.
So, yes you can develop an infection months even years after a tkr.
Your PT is not a medical dr so I certainly would not take their advice as gospel. And they should not be laughing at you. So unprofessional.
I would rather err on the side of being overly cautious than not do anything only to find out that you do have an issue. Whatever that issue may be.
anna59931 natalie04381
Posted
Hi Natalie I get that pain behind my knee and down my shin it will come and go. Think it's to do with the healing inside the knee. As all the healing is inside now. What I do is get in the bath and do exercises in the bath as it does help. Take care.xx
MAT2018 natalie04381
Posted
arizonaone has a good point about checking with your surgeon. I was told by my surgeon that I will always be at risk of getting an infection in the knee and wants me to take antibiotics before teeth cleaning and other procedures....my GP and Denist thought I didn't need to and said that other surgeon's don't recommend antibiotics but I was am going with what my surgeon recommends. The thing I always say about about the medical community is the older I get the more I realize that they are indeed just "Practicing Medicine". Follow your gut.