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Total knee replacement pain in buttock

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theonlysbf
theonlysbf

I am nearly a year post right TKR from the moment I awoke I have had a pain in my right buttock, I still have numbness and pain in the soft tissue surrounding the knee. I have had epidural injections and continual Physio, nothing gets rid of the pain anyone else suffered with the buttock pain post TKR 

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 theonlysbf

    Edited

    That is directly related to a pinched nerve out of the spine. If you can get to a spine center or pain management center and get an MRI it will determine where and to what extent. Either steroid injections ( im having a. Third one next week) or possibly a neurosurgeon may have to do a decompression proceedure. I had that done 6 years ago.. If it's in the beginning stages a physical therapist may be able to prescribe a series of excercises to give you extended relief.. In the meantime you might get a little help from an anti-inflammatory ( aleve , Motrin and moist heat)
    • theonlysbf
      theonlysbf Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thanks for that I have had an MRI report, "there is a potential for subarticular irriatation of the L5 nerve root at L4-5 and S1 nerve root at L5 - S1 all these featutres look long standing. The spine otherwise looks grossly normal. I had a steriod injection at S1, pain was back within 12 hours of the local wearing off. i now have a pain in my left side. I know the buttock pain is from nerve damage but i never had it before the knee replacement and woke up from the surgery with it. I wanted to know if anyone had similar issues  following the TKR.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 theonlysbf

      Posted

      I've never been able to get satisfaction with just one.......it's always taken the full series of 3. My Dr says that the pain after surgery can be caused by the prolonged limp caused by the bad knee and when therefore is installed the leg /hip/back is realigned and nerves are pinched. A. Couple of tests: lay flat on you back with a pillow under your head. Pull you feet up slowly so your knees

      a "V". Gently. Roll knees to the left and when you are as far as you can go without pain and hold for count of 10. Repeat to the right. Do this a total of 5 times increasing till you are up to 15. If you have a therapy band you can lay on your back with the band over the knees and one leg at a time stretch the band gently adding reps as you go.

    • cathyr4559
      cathyr4559 Oldfatguy1

      Edited

      Thank you for your input as well. I am taking note of these stretches/exercises and am going to try them. At this point, I feel like I'm worse than I was pre-op. So I will try anything I can to ease this pain and get a good nights rest!

  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 theonlysbf

    Posted

    Hi!

    I, too, have had pain in my right buttock both prior to surgery and afterwards.

    Try this: Take the leg with the offending buttock and gently lift it up and over so you go from a position of on your back to on your side with that leg crossing your body and toes resting on the mattress. This twist takes pressure off the offending nerve and, at least for me, buys me MUCH NEEDED relief from pain and pressure WITHOUT taking any extra medication.

    I discovered this by accident while I was stretching out my back one morning in bed!

    Hope it helps you, too!

    • cathyr4559
      cathyr4559 cheryl90571

      Posted

      I am SO glad that I came across this discussion--and even more happy to read the various types of pain relieving stretches. My PT is great about at home exercises, but also knows that not everyone responds the same way. I am going to be trying all of these! 

      Question: Following the surgery, what was the duration of the pain in your buttock? How are you feeling now? 

  • jennifer86104
    jennifer86104 theonlysbf

    Posted

    I suffered badly from a tight piriformis muscle (in the buttock) after my TKR. It also caused sciatica type pain down the leg, especially at the back of my knee. I still get mild symptoms but it is a lot better (now 20 months post TKR). I still do stretches every morning which have helped relieve it. I've also found a chiropractor has helped. 

    Your pain might have a different cause but might be worth considering if it's your piriformis. If you google "piriformis syndrome" you'll find lots of information and exercises. I sympathise. I found the actual knee, bend and eventually, straightening went well but I suffered with this piriformis for a lot longer. 

  • sueisobel
    sueisobel theonlysbf

    Posted

    Have you thought about your sciatic nerve.  You could be walking different which will have an impact on your skeleton and surrounding nerves and muscles.  Have you thought about seeing a chiropractor, they will still need to see your X-rays, but will, perhaps deal with your pain
  • cathyr4559
    cathyr4559 theonlysbf

    Edited

    I am experiencing the same isues post right TKR. I am only about 8 weeks post-op but am in so much pain and discomfort, I am questioning WHY I opted for the TKR! I have been going to PT 2x week and at my post-op follow-up appointment, the surgeon changed the PT to focus on the sicatic issues. He also said that if it didn't improve within a few weeks of PT, I'd have to get an MRI. Today I picked up the script for the MRI along with another script for pain meds. I thought that following the TKR, I wouldn't have to rely on pain meds to get through the day and/or work day. Wrong! I haven't really slept solid since the surgery. I wake up several times just trying to get comfortable and, at times in tears from the constant pain. I am distracted at work because of it and am getting increasingly discouraged. I'm sorry for anyone going through this, but I am relieved that at least I know I'm not "imagining" the pain as someone suggested. My PT told me to watch a video on TKR to get an idea of how they twist and turn your leg around. I am not suggesting this is a result of the procedure-I just want to know. I will be following this discussion to see what the end result is for you and others on here. Have you had any relief? Answers? Final diagnosis? 

  • ida21416
    ida21416 theonlysbf

    Posted

    I had a total knee replacement 6 months ago, I didn't feel any pain in my buttocks until 6 months later. The pain isn't isolated to my buttocks, but my hip on the same side as my knee replacement.

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 ida21416

      Posted

      Siatica. Happens a lot in tkr. Something to do with the change in the way you are walking and the change in pressure on tthe spine.slow down, stride hitting the heel, toe and fullbend with both legs. Rub your lower back with arnica or a menthol rub. You need to slowly stretch the lower back. One simple exercise: lay flat on you back, bend your knees. Gently till your feet are flat on the bed. Very gently move your knees from left to rright stopping at the top. Do not go far enough either way to stain thvlower back
  • linda86466
    linda86466 theonlysbf

    Posted

    I know this is an older post but my husband had a right knee replacement 4 weeks ago and is having severe right buttock pain radiating down his leg. He started physical therapy this week but I was wondering how long this might last. Has your pain resolved?
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