OPERATIONS WITH RLS

[birdman74]

Has anyone suffering from severe RLS undergone a hip or knee operations? I have had both hips replaced and have just got home from having a knee replaced.. It is quite apparent that nursing staff do not know very much about RLS and the effect that it has on the healing process of such operations. The so-called irresistible urge to move either leg becomes a constant uncontrollable tensing of the muscles of the operated leg leading, in my view, to increased swelling and pain. This results in the patient not being able to carry out all the exercises they give you to a program that they obviously find that most patients can manage. I would add that my normal medication is a daily Neupro Patch plus Codeine late afternoon and late at night but I am having to augment this with Paracetamol and Ibuprofen as painkillers. Any other observations please.

[Madlegs1]

Yours is a common experience for people after operations.

I wondered if it was withdrawal from post op opioids, but your experience is contrary to that.

I really can't offer any help.

Possible to email Dr Buchfuhrer at

rlshelp.org

Its a tiny yellow icon on the opening page. Just be brief and state the facts of your situation. He normally replies within 48 hrs.

Alternatively check his QnA pages -- the search facility only takes you to a page- then you have to go through all the faff on thst page. But you'll get a lot of info anyway.😜

Good luck.

[birdman74]

Thank you Madlegs1. No mention, in the posts of people suffering from RLS who have had hip and/or knee replacements, regarding the intense tensing of the bad limb muscles and the resulting swelling but then we all appear to suffer differently with this condition. Without this tensing and, more importantly, the swelling I feel that I would have been more able to move the joint and bend my knee further than I can. Still, its early days yet and I have time to work on the problem - at least I only have the normal RLS now and the tensing has eased up. Thanks again.

[Hidden in reply to birdman74]

RLS may be associated with surgery, this may be due to the effects of the anaesthetic, which can last longer than commonly realised, or the use of opiates for pain control and subsequent withdrawal.

There are quite a few "complications" of joint replacement surgery, including inflammation (swelling) for various reasons, irrespective of whether you have RLS or not.

If you had swelling after surgery, it's considerably more likely to be due to a surgical complication rather than RLS. Hence also, the "muscle tensing", also a possible consequence of inflammation.

It sounds as though the issue has now resolved itself, but you shouldn't assume that because you have RLS that you're immune to other other conditions, nor should you assume that all your symptoms are due to RLS.

There is a considerable risk of infection with joint surgery!

If you have further problems, see your doctor.

[Allyp69]

Yes, after hip replacement I found the ankle sock for DVT unbearable at night...thought they might help but made it worse. Gradually improved but it's a condition I just have to live with and have never taken prescribed medication as worried about side effects etc..Hope you get some improvement.