7 months

zechariah

Hi all,

Well TKR was on 26th march, still struggling!
I am having hydrotherapy and normal physiotherapy, still in huge amounts of pain, they put me on Pregabalin, evil evil evil meds,
it was like my brain was made of jelly it was horrible, so I have come off of them as would prefer more pain than that!
As a result of added pressure my right knee is now giving in aswell and there seems to be no end!

I am on Butrans patch 20mg, 60mg codeine 4x day as well as paracetamol, nortryptiline and it doesnt touch it.

Sorry to worry anyone going for TKR, i know many people do feel great benefits, but, its always a risk!

woodbon

Hi, I'm sorry about the pain, it must be disappointing for you, but, six months isn't that long to recover from major surgery. Its not just the outside bits that have to heal, but the inside, which has to get used to a new joint. I expect you suffered a lot of muscle wastage before the op, and you have to build that up. Have you discussed this with your doctor/rhuemmy? It could still get more painfree! Good luck, love Sue

zechariah

I have a huge amount of muscle loss in thigh and hip, yep the pain internally is huge and I really(at the moment) regret surgery. I am 43 and rely on a wheelchair and struggle with the emotions of disability, not always but sometimes it is very difficult.
I find it difficult to talk to family, they must get bored with it, i mean how can you say "I am in so much pain" when you have been in pain for years?

a question, does anyone else after TKR suffer pain when they get to the limit of bending the knee, not weight bearing but just laid in bed?

dorcas

Hi Zechariah,

Oh I am so sorry you are still in such pain 6mths after your TKR. :shock: no wonder you're feeling disappointed. :roll:

I have had other joint replacement surgery but haven't had a TKR (although I'm told I need one sooner rather than later) so am not in a position to offer any advice, sorry. :?

what are the orthos saying? and what do the xrays show is happening? surely the orthos must be able to tell you if the replacement is looking OK.... and also whether what you are experiencing falls within 'normal' recovery?

I wish I had more to offer ... but do hope things will ease for you soon.

please remember though that when you feel that you can't share how you're feeling with family, we are always willing to listen and help if we can.

Iris x

lindalegs

Hi Zechariah,

I had bi-lateral TKRs ten years ago.

Although I have days when my knees are uncomfortable I don't regret the surgery and my wheelchair is currently collecting cobwebs in the shed.

I don't know which type of arthritis you have. Mine is RA and although they take the diseased bone away (and the terrible pain too) unfortunately you're left with the surrounding tissue which can still become inflamed and sore :roll:

Muscle strength is good for taking the pain away so I'm glad to hear that you're having hydro and physio. As your muscles have wasted so much this could be causing you the pain as you're having to build them up again.

What does your surgeon say about the pain you're experiencing - I'm assuming you x-rays show nothing conclusive? :?

I'm sure others will come along with their views but I hope this helps a little.

Luv Legs

barbara12

Hi Zechariah
I am so sorry you are suffering like this, can you not go back to have the TKR reviewed, I know 6 months is still early days, but I am sure you shouldn't be in so much pain.
I do hope it improves for you very soon, but please ask for a second opinion if it doesn't.
Barbara x

elnafinn

zechariah wrote:

I have a huge amount of muscle loss in thigh and hip, yep the pain internally is huge and I really(at the moment) regret surgery. I am 43 and rely on a wheelchair and struggle with the emotions of disability, not always but sometimes it is very difficult.
I find it difficult to talk to family, they must get bored with it, i mean how can you say "I am in so much pain" when you have been in pain for years?

a question, does anyone else after TKR suffer pain when they get to the limit of bending the knee, not weight bearing but just laid in bed?

Hi Zec

I am so very sorry to hear that you are still suffering so much. I am sure you do find it difficult to talk to family member about your pain and how it is making you feel and I do sympathise. You know that you can call in here anytime and have a rant/ bash out a message to us - sometimes that helps just to type out how you are feeling.

I sometimes feel a little guilty about my TKR's when I read how you and others have not fared so well, my mum included. Bertyboy who calls in here has been struggling post op with her knee replacement. She may have had her op around the same time as you, perhaps a little later.

I always read your threads if I see your name, as I have just done now. I wish I could think of something to say that would help you.

Luv
Elna x

salamander

hi Zech, sorry to hear about your difficulties. My mother had both knees replaced some years ago. One was fine but the other was never quite right. It didn't help that she had MSRA in that one after the op and I am convinced that infection lurked in her knee for quite some time after. Can you go back to the consultant and get him/her to look at it to make sure it isn't either infected or something has gone wrong? Ask your gp to do some blood tests in the meantime to see if there is any infection in your body. It can be the cause a lot of pain.

As to your family, it is very hard to keep repeating the same thing but maybe you should sit them down and tell them that things are worse and you have to be able to talk about it and explain what you want them to do for you. I understood eventually with my mother that she was constantly in pain but it was only when I got arthritis myself, albeit a different kind, that I have really begun to understand what she went through. It's almost impossible to explain pain to someone who doesn't have it.