I had a right knee tkr (Minus patella) 5 yrs ago and have never been able to walk pain free or without knee giving way. & use of walking aids. Had a manipulation 12mnths post op with vry small benefit, extensive physio. Still cannot stand/walk for at least 5 mins until knee settles & can weight bear.Physio says mega adhesions present.Knee swelling constantly. Due to immobility/ medications put on weight but am now reducing. Went back to consultant who said - loose weight & go swimming and use walking stick in other hand. Sadly not a water babe as had.2 nr drownings. Opiates knock me out completely. Using an expensive over the counter cream/painkillers at the mo,which helps for an hour. Am in constant pain & having to grab sleep whenever. Help!!!
Sorry to hear of your predicament. Firstly, have you been prescribed Naproxen? It's a commonly used anti inflammatory drug used for joint pain etc and isn't an opiate. Has revision surgery been suggested?
I had a TKR 16 months ago and although initially all seemed fine, I now have continuous pain and only 90 degree bend. Consultant has said I have( like you ) lots of scarring and has offered me revision surgery which I am considering.
Losing weight is tough - but can be done with diet and not much exercise. It will make a massive difference. Keeping pain under control is very important for quality of life. You need to push for a scan, di
fferent medication and some surgical action if needed. It is not acceptable in this day and age to be in pain for so long after an operation - when the whole purpose of the op was to improve the situation.
I have a misalignment, as well as scarring around the patella (possibly due to the misalignment & inflamed tissue all the time) - when they say "revision" - don't they mean do the whole thing again? I see my consultant in less than two weeks (a different one one from the one who did the operation by my choice) - he mentioned revision, I looked it up, & scared myself so much!
I feel for you. I am only 6 months post right TKR & have been riddled with problems - but I won't accept leaving us in pain is the answer. I too walk with a stick outside now, still take painkillers & the blessed thing gives way a lot - fight back, I know they consider me a problem - but I am determined to sort it out. Yesterday, someone told me about a cream they use, he is going to email the name to me, when he does, I'll reply back to you - he says he walks pain free for the 1st time in years (no TKR's, but was on a waiting list & taken himself off it).
Hi Veronica
I too would like to know the name of this cream - can you let me know when you know please.
Thanks
Gail
Will do - I think he said it was a gel, around £14 a tube & it lasted for ages (not Volterol). I'll email him to gee him up!
Yes Veronica,they do mean it all over again and more! The thought is very scary and I am giving it a loy of thought. However,it's causing me problems at work (midwife) and I am rather depressed. The doc said I might need a smaller joint if I have revision...this knee has always felt too big for my leg! I am 60 in August and don't want to feel like a cripple for my last years at work and into retirement. You sound like you too are having a tough time.
Mine is 6mm too large at the leg side (not knee cap) - but they said I would have to have a full revision too - for the life of me, I can't understand why they can't "make good" to the part that isn't fitting! I don't want long term pain, like you, I have become very down, I was always the life & soul of the party, but I have no enthusiasm for anything - every day is a challenge. I am early 60's, & want my life back again - my work was in entertainment & broadcasting, including voice-overs, but I have taken so long off now, I will certainly be forgotten (I'm freelance) - I admire your choice of proffession, lovely rewarding job. I'm not going to let the pain & stiffness go on - I shall make a "quiet" fuss!!
6mm is big....has the new joint moved since the op or was it too big to start with? Midwifery IS a great job but needs a fit person,especially working on a birthing unit where women are encouraged to be mobile and use the pool and birth anywhere but the bed!
This is nearly difficult to read. I'm so sorry that you are having such a rough go at it, and that it's been going on for 5+ years. I understand the situation in the water. But is it possible to get in only chest deep and jog in place in the pool? You could even hold onto the side. I use this as a warm up. Also, what about an exercise bike. I've not biked in years and thought this would kill me. But I can easily sit on the bike, have it in the lowest resistance, set it for 15 minutes and go at it while watching the news. Seems like the biggest obstacle is weight. I'm there with you and am trying to do whatever it takes to get that under control.
Got an app to see GP in practise nxt wk to request help. Water is really a big issue for me and have only a shower. I've got approx -85 degree bend at last measure and being determined tried out my sis in laws bike - with no joy. Couln't even use the bike at Physio.I do regular exercise everyday to keep my leg strength up, tho it's really painful. Am literally at screaming point.
I was only seen by a physiotherapist at 6 weeks, & discharged. The more I excercised, the more pain I was in - so it was a gut feeling - that, & the pockets of swellings that appeared above & below the strange crease line across the knee. I went back & asked if it was fluid, more x-rays were taken, eventually an ultrasound, & that confirmed the misalignment. The consultant radiologist measured the misalignment at the time. I had to go back to the consultant, who said "6mm was within the acceptable guidelines for misalignment" - it was then I asked for the 2nd opinion!! So, to answer your question, I have no idea if it was too large to start with, or if it moved! It could be either, as the 1st two "bucklings" of the leg were really painful. Wish I had kept my own knee!
Hi Veronica - The cream I use is called Flexiseq but not available on precription presently. It's been the best medication so far, tho sadly because of the painmanagement in the past - I now have stomach problems. Hubby reckons I'm finely tuned! I wish now that I'd not had the previous temporary "Scopes" which I feel hasn't helped with the tissue damage - an it was all because of being 53yrs old!
Hi Gail - try Flexiseq @ it's really good.Not cheap, and alas not on prescription just yet.
Hi Caroline, your absolutely right.Temporary quick fix scopes haven't helped. Just wondered if a leg brace might help......just trying to avoid op treatment. Having said that theres a Consultant in Wrexham who taylor designs prosethic TKR joints, tho not sure if that includes revision ops.
I think that is what he said! A gel that went straight to the joint, & not the blood stream. I'll give it a try. Thanks for that!
Hi Nicky, I agree 6mm is too far adrift for TKR. I must admit my knee joint has always felt heavy, tho x ray indicates it's a good fit, however NHS joints can vary considerably, especially when its related to "Local Funding" .
Hi Nicky, I haven't heard of Naproxen. Will ask the GP nxt week. When I met with tkr consultant, the suggestions he made were to go swimming/loose weight/use walking stick in other hand and he'd see me back in 2 years!! There are many different types of tkr and finding the correct one for you is very important (not just keeping within local NHS policy guidelines) I'm currently researching the many different "brands" used and understand that there are research teams from Oxford who are looking into them.Maybe worth checking it out on the interent. There are also "papers" produced by research/consultants reviewing recent developments, including an award winning consultant from Wrexham who uses computers to specifically design a tkr to the patients own bone/body structure. Not sure if this includes revisions, as my tkr has already a 9" scar.Have sent msge to him and awaiting reply
Me too please veronica (name of cream) my TKR is doing fine at 12 weeks - so wish this was your experience too! Its for my other knee which is getting v painful now but I really don't think I could face another op! Hope your second consultant can help and reassure you. I've mentioned in previous posts the research prosthesis I have is called Attune, made by DePuy, and its speciality is that its size is very adjustable to each patient and it gives a wider than normal range of movement. Keep strong, so feel for you! good luck