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Thigh pain after knee replacement

Posted , 51 users are following.

martinarvelo
martinarvelo

I know some people suffer with thigh pain after a TKR . . and I wonder how many of them actually end up with this permanently?  At the moment, the pain in my thigh usually starts about ten minutes after lying down, and then wakes me in the night with excruciating pain which literally makes me scream and tremble.  It feels as if someone is ripping the leg apart with a burning knife.  Strangely, though, during the day it just feels a bit sore to touch and stiff.  I'm worried that this nerve pain will be permanent.  since day three of the operation, I've only been given paraacetamol for the pain, and I've really reached the end of my tether and been reduced to a trembling wreck by this pain.  I had the operation a month ago, and although the walking and general moving around is better, the pain is infinitesimally worse . . any hope for the future?

7 likes, 124 replies

124 Replies

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  • tom809
    tom809 martinarvelo

    Posted

    I am having the same experience and am 4 weeks post op
    • sarcee50
      sarcee50 tom809

      Posted

      Gosh this takes me back...I am now a year post op but can clearly remember the agony of these pains and wondering why on earth I bothered with having my knee done...However now I know all that pain was so worth it....Make sure you take pain meds on time and not wait for pain to kick in I also bought an electric blanket which seemed to help as I didn't like icing it just made my knee ache more...keep going it gets better x
  • Lisa2000S
    Lisa2000S martinarvelo

    Posted

    OMG, this is me HELP! Are you still in pain G-d forbid. Any advice ?Is there a name for this?
  • Vivi_Anne
    Vivi_Anne martinarvelo

    Posted

    I am 7 years out of total hip replacement. I had never had any pain whatsoever until about 3 yeas ago. I began having pan in my right thigh. Not in my hip. My pain management doctor said it was probably bursitis. He prescribed Volteran gel. I used it about three days. All pain subsided until a month ago. My right thigh is n constant pain. The Volteran gel and a hydro odor tablet help for a while. Then the pain comes again. It doesn't seem to be from the hip but just the thigh. Yesterday it began to extend to behind the knee. Has anyone else had this happen? I'm sure an MRI is in my future but I'm curious as to whether anyone else has had this happen. Thanks.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Vivi_Anne

      Posted

      You could have a pinched nerve in your spine. Stenosis is a tricky problem as it can affect so may things. There is a muscle gthats attached to the pelvis and runs up and around through the hip and into the thigh. An MRI can tell if that's pinched or bruised. It can cause a ton of pain. Try laying on your back ....gently pull your knees up till your feet are flat on the bed. Keeping your upper body still, gently roll your knees to one side ( no pressure, no strain) slight stretch and hold to count of 5. Now slowly back the other way. Do 10 reps. You will notice a lot of give as you continue this. Slowly Increase to 15 x's and hold to count of 10. Never put any pain and pressure ing o this excercise and ice afterwards.
    • Vivi_Anne
      Vivi_Anne Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thanks. I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and have had 2 epidurals. They help a little for a while and then nothing. My neuro doc did say it was worse on the right side. It puzzles me because it doesn't seem to be coming from the hip or knee--just in between. I will try your suggestion. Thanks again.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Vivi_Anne

      Posted

      I seem to always have to take the entire series of 3. Finished my series on thursday, last. Feel so much better. Trying not to win the gold for stupid by overdoing it but it's difficult with spring coming on and lots of stuff to do that I've had to leave undone for the last 3 years due to extensive surgeries on my knee/leg. One other little tip. Increase your water intake.......decrease coffee as and soft drinks. Make sure you are not the least but dehydrated
    • Vivi_Anne
      Vivi_Anne Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Probably have waited too long for the 3rd one. I don't do much coffee--maybe one cup a dry, if that and no soft drinks. I'll hit the water more. Thanks do much. Good luck to you.
  • Ingrid54
    Ingrid54 martinarvelo

    Edited

    I had my knee replacement 4 weeks ago. As soon as the anaesthetic had worn off my thigh was painful I told them at the hospital but they did not seem bothered about it. 2 days after op a nurse asked me to stand and said she would support my leg she did not support it at a comfortable angle and I screamed with pain. The nurse said she now knew what was wrong and recommended the use of a strap to lift and lower my leg. I am in agony pain killers do not seem to help much. I don't think people believe how much pain I am in it literally reduces me go tears. I find doing many of the exercises makes it even worse. I thought I would be running round block by now but it's just not happening. Feels like something is not right in my thigh not sure what to do now. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this type of severe pain and how long it lasted. Never posted on a forum before so guess I'm getting pretty desperate to get this under control.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Ingrid54

      Edited

      Did anyone ever explain (not unusual that they dont) how they use a tourniquet to control bleedin during surgery. This can cause brusing where the blood backs up and takes a while for blood flow to retire. It can also cause pain in lower leg. When you stop and think how much damage is done during surgery its a so far the entire leg is like an open sore. Try strengthening your quads by slowly tightening the muscles in your upper leg. Tighten.....hold to 5, relax repeat 10 times. Ice and do this several x's a day. I can't imagine or understand why the nurse wouldn't support you that soon after surgery. I've been through lots of la/knee surgeries and 5 complete rehabs and have never HAD anyone tell me I was on my own. I've always had a walker and someone with a safety strap around my waist. Make sure you are icing as often as you can, take pain meds on schedule and move only as fast as you feel safe. Don't let anyone push you beyond your limits. Give this pain a couple of days and if you don't start feeling a little better contact the surgeon and discuss your situation. Don't take no for an answer.
    • sarah92365
      sarah92365 Ingrid54

      Posted

      I had partial knee replacement three weeks ago,  I have found that using moist heat on my thigh and on my shin is helpful for the pain caused by the tourniquet.  I have not found a treatment for the nerve pain on my skin on the side of my knee.  Have you experienced this nerve pain?
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 sarah92365

      Posted

      Be careful. Heat can and often causes more pooling of blood and can actually cause you set backs. I've always been adviised agains heat........it may be a short term solution but increase the length of the problem. Ice is usually the prescribed therapy
    • Ingrid54
      Ingrid54 sarah92365

      Posted

      I have pain at the side and back of knee but it is bearable. The swelling in my knee stops me getting good bend but the worst is thigh pain. Not very good with taking tablets 2 paracetamol and now trying codeine phosphate as well not that any of them touch the awful pain that I am in. Side of my knee is numb and tingly but think that is normal. The problem is it is hard to do exercises with so much pain. Hope you get on ok.
    • Ingrid54
      Ingrid54 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Have not used heat as was told the same as you. Using cold pack 4,5 times a day. Lovely to share info and experience with people in same position was getting quite depressed.. This really helping.
    • sarah92365
      sarah92365 Ingrid54

      Posted

      To be clear.. I am icing my knee consistently.  The moist heat was suggested by the doctor and is applied only to the thigh and the shin
    • susan11913
      susan11913 Ingrid54

      Posted

      Ingri Hi

      You wrote two days years ago

      I now have same as you.

      Did you get better please?

      Thanks.Sue x

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