Bone-on-bone knee pain and RLS?

[LanaCSR]

I don't want to limit this question for Joolsg because I welcome advice and experience from others, as well. But, Joolsg, I saw a post you replied to about 3 months ago in which you said, arthritic knees will definitely trigger RLS. I have had osteoarthritis in both knees for years and bone-on-bone knee pain and been recommended knee replacement for quite a while now. The current meds my neurologist has me on have kept my RLS at bay even during some flare-ups of my knee pain. Recently, though, my knee pain has almost doubled in severity, and I am having slight sensations of RLS during the night. Ugh! You also mentioned in that post from 3 months ago that: knee operations will trigger a worsening of RLS for most people but it should settle with the help of meds. I wanted to ask you did you mean only temporarily or will RLS be worse from now on after getting knee operation/replacement? I have seen a knee surgeon who does robotic surgery on the knees which cuts recovery time after the surgery way down compared to an open knee replacement done in the hospital. Right now I am trying to lose the weight he requires me to get down to before he will perform knee surgery on me. But I'm just wondering if my severe increase in knee pain could have anything to do with my RLS acting up again or could it be something else? I can't think of anything that has changed in my life except for the knee pain getting worse. Does anybody out there have any experience with this or can offer their thoughts or advice?

[Joolsg]

I can only report what I've seen on help sites and in RLS reports and RLS textbooks. I have no personal experience of bone operations. It seems that operations involving knees, hips, feet and legs can trigger RLS in those who've never exerienced it before. Sometimes it settles. Sometimes it doesn't. I haven't seen a proper, detailed trial.

Similarly, those with RLS who have these operations report a temporary worsening.

There are many factors involved. Some may experience RLS because they're given opioid pain relief and as they reduce the drug, they experience opioid withdrawal RLS.

There could also be a problem with anti nausea meds given with anaesthetic. Most worsen RLS so unless the patient tells the anaesthetist in advance to use an RLS safe anti nausea medication, that could also be a reason why people report a worsening of RLS.

I suspect, like all things related to RLS, some will experience a worsening, others won't.

I hope it goes well and your RLS remains stable.

[LanaCSR in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you, Joolsg, for your speedy reply! I also, unfortunately, have lower back pain. And I wonder if that could be triggering my RLS because it has also gradually gotten worse over time. And I don't know which to address first, if either will help my RLS as well as the knee and lower back pain. It sucks getting old...lol.

[Madlegs1 in reply to LanaCSR]

My partner has had two knee replacement ops. One manual, one robotic.

First one was bone on bone. She couldn't walk with the agonising pain.

Never had RlS, either before or after the ops.

Did have bad reaction to oxynorm ,post op.

Otherwise very happy bunny, so she is!

That's all I can offer. 😎

[Munroist in reply to LanaCSR]

if your back pain is due to nerve issues, for example prolapsed discs pressing on nerves from the spine, then the resulting aggravation or neuropathy could possibly be making your RLS worse or triggering an existing condition. It’s possible that addressing the back problem might help, it certainly shouldn’t make it worse and the rest of your life will improve anyway. I have back issues which I believe have contributed to a worsening of RLS, however I can’t say there is a clear connection between the amount of discomfort and the quality of my sleep. Things like diet and exercise seem to have greater effects.

[Seak in reply to Joolsg]

That is so helpful I had my right knee replaced 9 weeks ago and my rls has been much worse it has started to settle now but in the first 4 weeks it was horrendous

[Aujamw]

I can't offer any information as to whether arthritic knees cause a worsening of RLS but I have had bilateral knee replacements while suffering with RLS. With the first one--I had terrible unexplained pain which my physical therapist defines as nerve pain. Eventually I was given medicine for nerve pain which helped tremendously. The second time around I went on Gabepentjn in combination with my RLS meds and I seemed to do much better. . Good luck and I do recommend you have that knee replacement!

[LanaCSR in reply to Aujamw]

Thank you, Aujamw!! That was encouraging!

[DicCarlson]

Well, interesting post. I too have knee pain in both knees. Dramatic increases in the pain after most Covid vaccines and boosters. Most recently I decided to initiate a concerted effort to strengthen and stretch the key muscles of the legs. You tube is great for videos. I have been sleeping with an Earthing Pad on my bed for more than a year and recently took it off to flip the mattress. A few days later my knees went into overdrive pain!

I also made the connection of seasonality of the knee pain. I think I've decided it had to do with bare skin on the sleeping pad (no bed clothes in summer, more in winter). So, I reinstalled the pad and slept with mostly bare skin and added a grounded pillow case.

The end result is WAY less knee pain (read inflammation) and my sleep tracker gave me a score of 93 out of 100, with a lot more deep sleep than I've had in many months. I'm only on day 2 of this regime so the jury is still out.

Great book - Pain Free by Pete Egoscue

Earthing resources and products...

earthing.com/

[EWTPA]

Before surgery, you might consider consuming plain gelatin (or even Jell-o) for awhile, which has helped some folks to restore joint cartilage.