Severe Pain 5 months after Total Knee replace... - Pain Concern

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Severe Pain 5 months after Total Knee replacement

Vader15 profile image
22 Replies

Hello All, I'm new here and i've been following a few people who've had total knee replacement. I had both knee's done (not at the same time) I had my right knee done in October 2014, then my left knee done on March 11th, 2015. It's only been 5 mos since my left knee was done and i must say the pain levels are thru the roof. Tylenol does not work! My doctor says that "It will pass".

I'm walking daily and i'm up to 1.5 miles, but an hour after i finish walking the stabbing and throbbing pain begins in my left knee.......UGH! Then i'm down for the day. As the day goes on i start too move around because (this may sound crazy) It feels kinda good when i'm moving. Anyone else out there having difficulties?

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Vader15 profile image
Vader15
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22 Replies

Hi Vadar

Sorry to hear your suffering I had o new knee replaced 4years ago I had a few problems for a couple of months but after that everything went fine. Have you been back to see your consultant or just your own doctor if you haven't seen the consultant ask to be referred .

Xxxx

JustBreathe profile image
JustBreathe

I'm sorry to hear your pain is at that level this long after your surgery.. Did your right knee not bother u as bad afterwards? I have bad knees as well. My left is in worse shape than my right, and is almost bone on bone. I really only want to do the surgeries as a last resort, since the average knee replacement only lasts for 10 yrs. I am scheduled for a steroid injection in my left knee and have an appt with an Orthopedic next week. My pain clinic is giving me the injection along with another type of treatment where they inject a "gooey" type substance between the bones... Kind of an artificial cartalidge.. It lasts for around 6 months, then has to be done again. The surgery worries me greatly. Are you in physio at all? Hope you feel better soon. Pain sucks. ~Cat

Clanger152 profile image
Clanger152

Hi Vadar15 I'm sorry to hear you're in pain at this stage after your total knee replacement. It doesn't sound right to me that you have that amount of pain. Please ask for a referral to see your consultant or even ring his secretary and request to see him that way. My circumstances are similar to yours....my first tkr was November '14 and three other was July '15, just 10 weeks ago. I can honestly say my pain level has gone down from 9/10 as in I was crying most days and nights, to 2ish! Please get it sorted out Vadar15 and keep us posted.

Love to you from me.

Vader15 profile image
Vader15 in reply to Clanger152

Thanks Juju152 and thanks for the support. Last night was a 8.5 for me, could not sleep and yes i did shed a tear or two. The pain travels from my knee thru my shin bone and some days i can't put pressure on it. I am icing, icing, icing. I'm going for my morning walk, i let you how things go.

ddcheney profile image
ddcheney in reply to Vader15

Vader15, we are just now going through this same pain. we are 4 months postop for the left total knee replacement with pain unrelieved at a consistent 8/10. hydrocodone has been the only pain med prescribed. We fight for every degree of ROM we have, but the pain is radiating the entire length of the leg up to the lower back. We have been referred to a pain management specialist and are awaiting an appointment. what did you do to get relief, I'm hoping after 3 years you'll have good insight. desperate, DC

Volatileval profile image
Volatileval

Hi Vadar, my husband had his knee replaced about 5 yrs ago and has been in pain ever since. But he is stubborn and won't keep going to the doctor, so it is his own fault. Please don't be like him - go and see a consultant, get it sorted right now! Good luck😀

Vader15 profile image
Vader15 in reply to Volatileval

Thanks, I went to my Dr this past Monday and i did another xray and he said that "Hardware looks good and there's nothing that i see's that's alarming and the pain will go away" Even after i explained too him the pain is also in my shin bone and some days i can't even put pressure on it. He just shrugged his shoulders and said " I'll see you in 3 months" My wife said that we should go see another orthopedic, I said no at first but i think i should, something is not right. I understand healing pain but this is way different. I'm going for my morning walk, Deejames left me a great reply, so i'm gonna shorten my walk today and see how i feel in a few hrs, i'll keep you posted, stay tuned.

Volatileval profile image
Volatileval in reply to Vader15

Listen to your wife, don't be stubborn like my husband! Take care xx

MamawTiggs profile image
MamawTiggs in reply to Vader15

This sounds just like me. I am wishing I never had a tkr. My doc don't seem to care. Him and PT just keep telling me I need more and more and more PT. They also have added so many exercises for me to do at home 3xs a day. I tell them there is not enough time in one day to do the amount they have given me. I don't know since i never see the same one if each gives me 4 different exercises new every time I go in. Also my knee makes lots of noises and painful clicking if I lift my leg and shake (not hard just slightly) from left to right. OMG the pain. My leg never sounded like that before. Pain too goes down shin into ankle and foot at times too. I thought I was going crazy and they may need to lock me up. Because those I know that had it done said they have not experienced anything like I am talking. Making me feel like I am a big baby. So I get embarrassed or humiliated telling anyone the amount of pain. Night time is a nightmare. Oh and my doc doesn't believe in pain meds other than otc. It's getting to where the ibuprofen is killing my stomach but I take anyways. That or I need to take up drinking lol. This isn't to sound mean but I am glad to read I am not alone and maybe I am not a big baby or crazy. Good luck to you. I had mine done 4 months ago. Was doing awesome the first few weeks.

Suem1960 profile image
Suem1960 in reply to MamawTiggs

Hi Mamaw,

Where are you based its barbaric to leave you in pain if your Gp won't give you proper pain relief see another Dr if it's really bad go to A&E . If your Gp doesn't want to take pain relief when he's in pain bully for him but how dare he be so patronising 😡 Sorry for the rant just pissed off with the medical profession that don't understand chronic pain.

Bonitachica profile image
Bonitachica in reply to MamawTiggs

Me too been 5 months..feel same ad u....doctor says take a year...trying to go back to a factory job i been working for 20 years...why my knee was bad probably. ....1st 8 hour day...got home couldnt hardley walk..and night trying to sleep was horrible..hurting...had to take next day off...my job i have to stand on a line 9 hours.....got keep trying. Got off the bad pain medicine. .doctors got me on Tramadol....scared to take it...

deejames profile image
deejames

Perhaps you are trying to walk too far at the moment. How about half a mile and see how that goes. If its OK add on another five minutes each day. Its about finding a level your body and knees can take without too much pain . Pacing. For maximum benefit and minimum pain.

Let us know how you get on.

Dee

Vader15 profile image
Vader15 in reply to deejames

Thanks Dee. I'm getting ready for my walk and i will shorten it, i'll let you know how it went in an hour or two.

PainConcernHelpline profile image
PainConcernHelplineModeratorCommunity ChampionPain Concern

Hi Vadar15 and welcome to Health Unlocked. I'm sure you will find this forum informative and supportive.

Best wishes

Admin

judy-brown91 profile image
judy-brown91

I haven't had the knee replacement because all the people I talk to that had it done had to have it done twice. I don't want that. I take the aquatic class which is wonderful. 3 times a week with these people. It helps. But my hip is another think. Going back to the doctor. The cortizone shot messed me up with the hip Thank you.

Vader15 profile image
Vader15 in reply to judy-brown91

good morning Judy-brown91

I did the aqua class once and i should do it more especially since my wife is a certified aqua fitness instructor (lol). Be careful with the cortizone shots ok. I hope all goes well with you.

murf362 profile image
murf362 in reply to judy-brown91

Had my right hip replaced 7 years ago and my right knee 4 months ago. Knee brought so much more pain than hip and yes when I mow my lawn my knee hurts for 2 days. However I was worse before the surgery. I'm 57 and at this point I will do everything in my power not to get a left knee replacement because of the pain. Was it worth it yes. Is there pain afterwards yes but I'm not bone on bone anymore. Just take care if all your limbs and its not worth having constant bone on bone. The pain afterward can be dealt with by a good doctor diet and exercise. Good luck!

earthwitch profile image
earthwitch

After five months I'd be insisting that my GP refer me back to the surgeon - knee replacements can go wrong and need revising.

1JM10336 profile image
1JM10336

HI VADER. I AM NEW TO THIS AND FOUND YOUR COMMENT VERY INTERESTING. I HAD A TKR APRIL 27,2016. I LEFT THE HOSPITAL A FEW HOURS AFTER SURGERY. WHEN I GOT OUT OF SURGERY I WAS GIVEN DILAUDEN FOR PAIN THROUGH MY IV. MY DOCTOR/SURGEON DOES NOT BELIEVE IN GIVING PAIN MEDICATION - I DID GET PERCOCET 5/325 MG FOR ABOUT A MONTH & 1/2 AND THEN WAS TOLD TO TAKE TYLENOL WHICH I DID. I WENT TO PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 2 MONTHS AND DID VERY WELL AND I FELT REALLY GOOD UNTIL 3 DAYS AGO, I WOKE UP AND WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN I COULD NOT WALK. I DID CUT THE GRASS WITH MY PUSH MOWER THINKING THE MOVEMENT OF WALKING WOULD DO ME SOME GOOD. BOY WAS I WRONG! I WAS CRYING WHILE CUTTING THE PAIN WAS SO BAD AND THE MOVEMENT DID NOTHING. AFTER SURGERY I HAD THE "NORMAL" ACHES AND PAINS - THROBBING AT NIGHT, PAIN IN THE MORNING, ETC., WHICH WAS PRETTY MUCH EXPECTED. WHAT I DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE THIS MUCH PAIN 5 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY. I AM VERY ACTIVE WHICH I FELT WAS A GOOD THING TO HELP THE HEALING AND I DID FEEL VERY GOOD UNTIL, LIKE I SAID, UNTIL 3 DAYS AGO. I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPNT WITH THE DR. AND WILL BE GOING THIS COMING MONDAY AND I HAD ASKED FOR SOME PAIN MEDICATION TO HELP ME GET THROUGH THE DAYS UNTIL MY APPNT. MY DR. PRESCRIBED ME TRAMADOL. I FIGURED I MIGHT AS WELL CONTINUE ON TAKING THE ASPIRIN - I HAVE A VERY HIGH TOLERANCE TO PAIN MEDICATION AND TOLD THE DR. THIS, BUT I DONT BELIEVE THAT HE BELIEVED ME. BECAUSE OF THE ADDICTS OUT THERE, THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED PAIN MEDICATION CANT GET IT - EVEN AT THE PAIN CLINIC THEY WANTED TO TRY ALL THESE WAYS TO REDUCE MY PAIN. I AM NOT A MILLIONAIRE AND ASKED FOR PAIN MEDS AND THEY COULD MAKE SURE I WAS NOT ABUSING THEM. FOR ME PAIN MEDS ARE CHEAPER THAN ALL THESE THINGS THEY WERE SUGGESTING AND NOT BEING SURE THAT THEY WOULD WORK. WELL 2 MORE DAYS OF PAIN TIL I SEE THE DOC. WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS - THEY WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. YOU CAN SEND THEM TO MY EMAIL: JMORGESE@GMAIL.COM. THANKS.

murf362 profile image
murf362 in reply to 1JM10336

Yes I'm 4 months out and mowing the lawn with a push mower does me in for 2 days. Went back to teaching 4 weeks out because of finances. Its been rough but I'm off during the summer. Praise God. Doing ok until I mow my lawn with push mower and I'm sore w days after. I guess ill get someone to help me. The body tells me loudly when enough is enough usually I have deaf ears however now I must listen and do my body a favor.:) hold off mowing for awhile.

Blues53 profile image
Blues53

I know what you're talking about, both knees did almost five months ago and I just hear well you did just have your knees ripped apart, of course, your in pain and see you in five months from my Doctor. I take Tylenol but does not seem to help either but I walk on my treadmill for 45 minutes and just now got a recumbent bike to start using today. I stayed in the hospital for a month to get physical therapy and then 2 months PT when I got home, I'm told that I'm way ahead because I never used a walker or any aid to walk but that does not ease the pain in these knees and all I want is to know if this is NORMAL for this stage of surgery.

I sure hope your pain gets better and wishing you the best of luck.

I am 4 months out from total knee replacement and was doing great! Really! Wednesday evening my knee swelled BAD and haven’t been able to walk since. The pain is absolutely unbearable. So I’m back on a walker at a snails pace a step a minute with soooo much pain! Any answers?

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