crps after full knee replacement

[Me1979]

I have crps have Have my knee replacement October 12 I am 43 and I am in so much pain and wish I never did this So do I go on disability now And suffer I was a runner and a hiker no I can not walk much I was always on the go and never stop gained wait and very upset or this I want my life back Can some o e help me un what to due pain management Dr 2 weeks I tired of taking meds

[Blackknight1989]

Oh I know. I have early onset poly-osteoarthritis (stage 5) and had my first knee replacement at age 33 in 2004. Total 20 plus surgeries between ‘98-‘14 with the bilateral total knees in ‘04 and ‘14, bilateral total hips in ‘08 and ‘09 and bilateral ankle arthrodesis (fusions) in ‘12 and ‘13. By far and the reason I spaced the knees out 10 years is the pain was almost too much. I recommend calling the doctor and getting one of the new pain protocols prescribed. One positive of the opioid epidemic is the advances in pain management. I acted like a spoiled baby after my first knee and the old saying “the squeaky wheel gets the oil,” applies so if insured in the US you can get along with the meds a specific pain management protocol that also incorporates acupuncture, massage and supplements but in general you will just have to gut it out. Truly I sympathize and wish you the best! Oh and go to OA.org for info on pain management if in the US.

[usr2022 in reply to Blackknight1989]

CRPS is not osteoarthritis

[usr2022]

Have you seen another orthopedic for a second opinion about your knee replacement surgery?

Since your surgery was less than 3 months ago, you can recover from CRPS, if proper treatment is done fast.

I suspect you got nerve damage during that surgery, you should seek second opinion from experienced specialists; orthopedic, neurologist/neurosurgeon.

What are your symptoms?

[usr2022]

Here is one good medical source that describes CRPS:

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fact Sheet ninds.nih.gov/complex-regio...

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A Stanford Pain doctor that deals mostly with CRPS patients has a very good video on youtube about CRPS:

youtu.be/rETMdjNnVk8(Not working as expected?)

Vivianne Tawfik, MD, PhD is a board-certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine physician who specializes in the treatment of complex chronic pain disorders including chronic post-operative pain, complex regional pain syndrome and peripheral nerve injury.

Slides for the video above: rsds.org/wp-content/uploads...

Neuroimmune interactions in chronic pain: From clinical clinically-informed basic science.

Part 1: youtube.com/watch?v=oyFap5g...(Not working as expected?)

Part 2: youtube.com/watch?v=0YrutiU...(Not working as expected?)

Part 3: youtube.com/watch?v=6uYwOvJ...(Not working as expected?)

Part 4: youtube.com/watch?v=w8Uf8LV...(Not working as expected?)

____________________________________________________________________________

Dr Pradeep Chopra - Pain doctor

Conditions That May Be Associated With CRPS

youtube.com/watch?v=NPbNrKb...(Not working as expected?)

Slides for this presentation can be found here: bit.ly/3ma6OvR

CRPS topics addressed in the presentation:

- Thoracic outlet syndrome

- Common Peroneal neuralgia

- Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

- Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome(POTS)

- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

- Ulnar nerve subluxation at elbow due to Osborne ligament laxity

- Small Fiber Neuropathy

Optimizing Wellness in CRPS

youtube.com/watch?v=EFjRv8y...(Not working as expected?)

Slides here: rsds.org/wp-content/uploads...

[Blackknight1989]

Thanks for the info usr2022. Both my ortho’s just told me to suck it up. He’ll I had no idea it had an official diagnosis. My experience both times was the pain was the worst I’ve ever dealt with and lasted nearly half of my rehab time or about 3 months. I’m glad I had them replaced NOW but felt just like the OP after both. As always a good recommendation for a second opinion but for those of us in our 30s or early 40s it seems the abnormal pain is a consequence of having the TKA at the younger age. Thanks for the education!

[Trenholm]

knee replacement is painful. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about medication. I found ice packs really helpful. They reduce the pain a lot without side effects.

[Curry16]

My husband was in awful pain for couple of months but persevered with exercises along with good pain relief hes now 5 months in and has been signed off by his surgeon and physio but you will NOT cope without painrelief this early on but maybe its worth speaking to uour surgeon

[Hidden]

Me1979, I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

I have no experience with knee replacement but I have with permanent chronic pain from injury.

You mention formerly being a runner and hiker and wanting your life back.

What I'm going to say may not be what you want to hear in regards to yourself.

However, this is my experience over decades after a car accident.

I used to be very strong, jogging for fun after all day physical work, never had back problems/pain in my life, until accident injury.

Post accident, I tried physio, chiropractor, massage, then in the 90s for a neck spasm, one panadeine forte (it took the edge off for 30 minutes & then my neck pain came back worse).

The only success I had was with theraputic accupressure/massage for relief (but costly) and to keep working, an anti-inflammatory called Voltaren, it rid me of all pain. Until it burnt out my gut and affected my heart.

Anyway, originally, it took me around a decade post-accident to accept (and deep down I don't think you ever do) that I would never get my former strength and fitness back.

Besides costly theraputic massages for immediate pain relief, I find water therapy the only way I can exercise without increasing pain afterwards, and it also takes the edge off my pain for 24hrs.

So, Me1979, after you've finished with all the drs/physios/pain therapists/pills/whatever else the medical profession suggests -remember water therapy in a heated pool can provide relief, exercise, and make life a bit more bearable.

I wish you all the best for the future.