TKR 5 weeks ago. Have bad sciatica Now. Does this happen?
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I had a TKR almost 5 weeks ago. I have been taking plain Tylenol as narcotics make me very sick. It has been difficult but 2 weeks ago I was walking with a cane only in the house. Since then I have developed moderately severe low back pain going into both hips. It is very difficult for me to walk & is not getting better. The doc prescribed a muscle relaxant which I take at night & finally helps me sleep...but I don’t take it during the day as I live alone & need to drive myself. Anyone else have this problem after surgery? Any suggestions on what I can do? Just want to cry when I can barely walk.
0 likes, 38 replies
martha08360 Cathysf
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Cathysf martha08360
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mapsmada Cathysf
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Cathysf mapsmada
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jackierae Cathysf
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Cathysf jackierae
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Oldfatguy1 Cathysf
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You might try a good chiropractor and get some treatments. This isn't that unusual. One of the natural issues that arises, we all try to avoid pain so we get our bodies in a mess by limping, twisting our backs, sleeping curled and coiled then all hell breaks loose when we have the surgery and start trying to get back to normal. The sciatic nerve goes into the buttocks, down the leg and into the foot. The key is to release the pinched nerve. In 2007 mine got so bad that steriod injections weren't doing me any good. I had an MRI and immediately was scheduled for a decompression surgery. I went in on a cane, pain pills, stooped over and in terrible pain. When I woke up after the surgery the pain was completely dissipated and I came home the next morning. BTW, stenosis is the most often used term for this. Ask your primary care doc to work with you on pain meds. With all the stuff on the market they can surely find something that you can take. Aleve is my anti inflammatory of choice of OTC meds. As I am sort of thinking on the fly here, try ice packs on your spine. That helps with the swelling. I use the blue gel packs that can be purchased in most pharmacies or discount store. They are pliable, refreeze quickly and are not messy like ice cubes. Just be sure and wrap them in a pillow case or towel as they can cause burns if applied directly to the skin. Truthfully , it sounds like you need to get to a sports medicine pain clinic so you aren't wasting a lot of time experimenting. For right now ice and don't do anything to cause the spine to take a beating, things like walk excessively,lift heavy objects and if you do lift use your legs not your back.good luck and know you aren't alone with this problem.
Cathysf Oldfatguy1
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Thanks for the information. I have been icing both my knee & back. I’ve thought about a chiropractor but I would not be able to lie on my stomach with this new knee. Will see about a referral as the pain is not getting any better.
Oldfatguy1 Cathysf
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I wouldn't worry about that. My high school tennis doubles partner is a Chiro. He tells me he can perform in any position. I'm assuming he's talking about manipulation. They can use bolsters and other resources to keep you comfortable.
debs23 Cathysf
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Hi. I had a partial knee replacement at end of January. Over the last 6 weeks I developed dreadful pain in hip and back within sciatica. I saw my consultant who tefero me to a spinal surgeon. I had an MRI and it shows I have a prolapsed disc at the base of my spine. I'm having an epidural steroid injection tomorrow in the hope that this will help. Maybe ask for an MRI to determine what is going on. Good luck.
Cathysf debs23
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nabilmoz Cathysf
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I am 9 weeks after my operation but still have pain also.. my doctor prescribed sleeping pills which i took at night during first 6 weeks. I never had pain in lower back and I'm not sure how to advice on your pain.
But after joining this group i realized that its almost the same for everyone and only after six month's that we might start feeling real recovery..
Patience my Dear and time heal us all
Cathysf nabilmoz
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michelle50265 Cathysf
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They Fail to tell you how difficult it really can be. Why would they? They want that money. If i would have known I would have NEVER done this. (TKR). Non stop pain for almost 11 weeks. And I am a pretty tough cookies.i can't handle the pain everyday between 5 -8. Had scar tissue , had a manipulation(MUA) last week.bend is better and walking better but still in pain
Tired of hearing it's normal.
Cathysf michelle50265
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😞😭 I had my 1 month check up last week. Was told “it is normal”. 😭
Oldfatguy1 Cathysf
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Earthquakes are normal too but having your house destroyed by one doesn't make it more enjoyable. Surgeons are a callous lot anyway so don't let them get you down. My nephew is an infectious disease doc. He said his surgery rotation in med school was the most brutal part of his education
michelle50265 Oldfatguy1
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I'm just upset because he doesn't give a rat's ass in fact he's upset because I'm not healing the way I should like it's my fault and I'm doing everything and sme to make my knee better. they tried to put it back on you because everything didn't go perfect. I'm not trying to be negative I am just so over like I said going on almost 11 weeks of solid pain at home trying to clean my house simple stuff the pain is about an eighth even the simple stuff is hard so want to be off in elevating I work a while then get off of it. It is so frustrating
Oldfatguy1 michelle50265
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nabilmoz Oldfatguy1
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