My friend is into his 12th week of TKR his pain is excruciating. He said his leg swells,his feet, swell,his heels hurt terrible this is both legs by the way but more so in the one he had surgery in. He said he had pain in his upper thighs, his buttocks and groun area. Been back to the surgeon several times to leave with no answers his PT had stopped all excercises told not to use direct heat. I've heard him literally cry and scream with this pain . Any advice or help would be appreciated. He had pain Ned's no help
Muscle pain is common post TKR. Some are helped by one or more of the of the following: Heat, deep tissue massage, hot tub, ultrasound, stretching, ice. Basically you will need a good physical therapist.
Is it possible he has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? Arthritis Research UK have a good article on this condition on their website.
I will have to research this as I am not familiar with it. The fact that there is pain in both legs does seem a little more than the usual post op pain ofter seen with TKR I had a lot of anterior and posterior (quad and hamstring) pain that I didn't expect but certainly no pain in the other leg
As the pain is in both legs, this sounds as if it has an origin other than the actual operation, although possibly if he had an intradural spinal injection, he could be suffering with nerve pain in damaged nerves. He needs to see a doctor other than his surgeon, as the TKR surgeon will probably not know what the problem is. If it's nerve pain, there are drugs like Lyrica which might help . .Swelling, however, does not sound like a nerve related symptom . . .At twelve weeks, there is obviously something wrong if the pain is still this intense. I hope he gets some relief. . . .these levels of pain destroy you.
But excruciating pain is possibly not just muscle related. My muscles ached and pained after the TKR, but the only excuciating pain I sufferend was from the meralgia paresthetica caused by the tourniquet. that really was something else! I'm wondering if it's nerve related in part?
Yes the pain is destroying him.He is an emotional wreck he's stressed and his pain levels are unbelievable. He's taking pain Ned's from which he gets little or no relief. He's been back to the surgeon several times the surgeon says nothing wrong. He's going for a second opinion hopefully someone will have the answers. Thanks for your response
What is their website please would like to research it
I just Google CRPS.... You can use any search engine
s your friend resting with his legs elevated. The muscle pain could be from the way he holding his body. He is favouring his poor leg, he is also most probably sitting in a different position. His sciatic nerve could be trapped, that would cause pain up and down his leg, buttocks area. He needs to up his meds, then as soon as the pain is under control, he may find he holds himself in a different manner. Overcoming the pain first will make all the difference. 12 weeks is still very early days. Sometimes the surgeons can be/seem uncaring. All they are there for is the replacement. Anything else, they appear ignorant, they are not. It's just not in their area of expertise. Why they don't say anything gosh only knows. It's too early for pain management. Go to your doctor for either meds or get stronge meds
Hi Mary
Your friend certainly is going through the mill! But he definitely needs to get his pain under control to try and move on. At 12 weeks I certainly would have concerns and would look for a second opinion and I would contact a pain management clinic attached to your hospital.
Most of us would not have survived and moved on with our PT without lots of pain meds. I am sitting at laptop with leg up in ice waiting for pain meds to kick in so I can do my stretching. Never let the painkillers wear off if your in that much pain because its much harder to claw back if you let the pain kick in fully. Note also, I say stretching not PT, nothing too vigorous as I found that it only sets me back. Gently gently is my motto. You must listen to your body and pull back if pain intensifies. I'm at 13 weeks now and its all going well, I think I am just abot par for the course from what I read here. Ice Ice Ice is my motto and drink plenty of water your knee needs it.
Cons.
Still stiff and sore if I stand or sit for too long and get 'log leg,
Still have trouble sleeping.
Still get thunder and lightning pains (Toms description!)
Thunder: Dull/throbbing pain in calf and hamstring.
Lightning: Sharp stinging pain in knee, which apparently are the nerves healing.
Pros:
The pain I suffered before the op (bone on bone) is gone.
I can walk without aid and without limp for about 30-40 minutes, after that it will let you know it is not pleased! Ice and elevate and never do it without pain meds.
I do hope that some of this is helpful
Best wishes to your friend
Ann
The Irish One!
Have you tried heat instead of ice prior to stretching. Also try using a TENS device, it will interrupt the nerve endings sending messages to your brain. They are so portable these days and whilst it may not be a cure (those pesky ends have to heal by themselves) it might just give you a little relief
He will try anything, do you get the device from a PT or GP? If not where can he get a TENS? Thanks for your afvice
The best people to speak this either the physio therapist, but I Found that the best people to ask is the chemist. There is so many models out there. There best I found was in Boots, it's battery powered, doesn't make a noise, no wires and small enough to stay stuck on your knee all day. All you have to do is press the + sign, simples
Another thing is massage his buttock area, lower back, right down to his feet. I would suggest a chiropractor, but we have to take his knee into consideration. They did marvels for me