New knee has created other medical problems

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi

10 weeks post op TKR on right knee and lately have been having the most awful pain in my lower back on the right side.

This morning around 5am went in the kitchen for a walk round because I couldn't sleep due to pain and discomfort and the pain in my back was gushing. I had to sit down and rest. Today I felt weak and have flu like symptoms.

I would never go into this so lightly ever again. I never thought I would end up like this. I think they discharge you too early from these NHS Choose and book private hospitals. 3 days and you're practically thrown out. Any problems go to A&E or your own GP.

Somebody I know had hers done on the NHS and she was in for nearly a week.

Anybody else feel like this - just can't seem to get well

2

Mary

I am 13 weeks po had both knee done the end of January sometimes I don't think I am doing good but people around me say I'm doing great. Two things I can offer get a heating pad and some over the counter sleep aid ( no pain meds added just sleep aid) a good night sleep will work wonders. Good luck .

3

3 days is the norm for tkr! I had it done in local nhs hospital! All the physios and nurses all said 3 days to me! Im at the same stage as u and agree its hard! Iv got pains badly in other leg and hip! Iv took kalms a herbal treatment the last 2 nights and it has really helped! Iv slept much better i cant believe it! Try them if you get a good nt sleep you will cope better in the day! Im also walking at least 20 mins a day to strengthen leg! Very important! I would use ice packs on anywhere you have pain! All chiropracters and physios always say ice! Good luck! Iv got physio tomoz hope iv got my bend ok! They are so strict!

4

Mary, we all walk differently after a TKR, it's inevitable. I've found that my chiropractor has been invaluable. Soon after each of my replacements I was back to her at least once a week for a couple of months. She was able to keep that back ache at bay.

Also, here in the states 3 day stays in the hospital are the norm. I actually went home the next day with my second one. Hang in there, take your pain meds and rest when you can.

5

Even private hospitals "kick you out".  There is no need to keep you in any longer.  With the proper medication you can do very well, if not better, at home.

the reason it does not hurt when in hospital, is because you are doped up to the eyeballs.  You have to take medication when you leave. If you are in pain and say nothing how are the doctors supposed to know.  If what you are already on is not enough, then ask for more.  You are not able to recover properly if you are in pain.  Everything freezes up and your rehab goes backwards.  Ring your doctor, go get something stronger

6

Think about how you walked before the operation.  Lop-sided! Limping? Favouring one side over the other??? Now you have had your replacement you are having to learn to walk properly.  All this poor muscles that were used and abused and got used to a certain position now have to get used to being in the right position, hips, spine, back of thighs, calves, even up to your neck.  Think about it and it will start to make sense.  What you are feeling is normal, but only you can get better, it is as much a mental thing as physical.  You have to learn to be positive.  Your limbs have a new lease of life.  Think of your pain as a healing pain.  If you are in too much pain then take painkillers.  People can give you all the sympathy in the world.  We feel your pain, but that is not going to heal you, at the end of the day it is up to you.  You need to start feeling positive. Do your exercises, buy some essential oils; there are so many mood lifting oils out there.  Comfort food, and a comfortable sofa and something to do all go to aid in your recovery

7

I also had back pain after my tkr - it's because your body is realigning itself now that your knee has been rebuilt. Your leg is probably slightly longer now  - it will take time for your body to adjust, and things may hurt as they're shifting. Your physiotherapist or a good chiropractor can be really helpful. Good luck! 

8

It is so unfortunate that your doctor does not follow through. The last thing my doctor said to me when I left the hospital was if you have any problems do not go to an ER .....call us.  And I have a couple of times!

Also, if you do not get your gait back quickly you will,  unfortunately,  have hip/back problems.  I hope you are getting out and about?

In in the US we are encouraged to return home as quickly as possible.....cuts down on infection!  

I am am sorry you are going through this

9

Great info n very supportive. I'm in tar 5 weeks now. I try to walk down the block every day even though it feels awkward. Knee just doesn't want to bend the way it should through normal walking. Been having trouble with bending the knee, up to  80-90degrees, depending on inflammation.  I've gotten a few apps for positive reinforcement n relaxation. I have a lot of anxiety when going to pt, due to previous almost intolerable pain. I've read a lot about passive vs aggressive ROM.  So my new somewhat adjusted attitude helps. But still have that little gremlin in the back of my head who is not so encouraging. Do the exercises n your best, eventually all will fall together 

 

10

This is all very educating--wish I had a doctor to consult when things go wrong. We fired each other. 

11

Sweetie, we all have gremlins, and those gremlins just love to give us bad advice; eat that extra piece of cake, dont go to the gym today, let's not bend the knee as it is going to hurt.  We know what to do, so kick itinto touch and make a friend with Patience.  Patience is the word of wisdom, that gentle voice in the back of mind, say if you do this slower, you will be able to do it better. Patience tells you to take a deep breath and go for it (at your pace).  We all heal differently and at different rates, just because the physion tells you you are supposed to be 90 degrees, does not mean you HAVE to be there.  It is not a case of "I can't, ikt hurts too much (that's the gremlin). It is a case of you beable to do 85 degrees.  If it means that much to you, sit on a chair and place your bad leg behind your good leg and gently push, when you get to the point where it starts to hurt, just hold it there.  The hardest part is to relax, by holding your leg in that position for a little while, your brain will realise that hey its not so bad, and you start relaxing, it is a physical feeling, you can actually feel the tension dissipate.  This is when you push a little further back and hold.  This comes in handy when you are in all sorts of places, even at your local restaurant, sitting on a bus, choices are endless.  If you consciously did this for a week, you would be surprised at your progress.  You don't really need a physio, but at 5 weeks there is a "statutory" amount time you have to have guidance; just to make sure you are doing the right things.  Once you have the hang ot what you are supposed to do, stop going. You are slowly but surely getting your life back and on your terms.  You knee may not be functioning as it should right now, but the important thing is; the joint itself is stable, believe me, I have tested this theory!! it is the surrounding areas that need building up. Diet also comes into it, certain vegetables and foods can irritate your joints (or where metal meets bone). Buy an essential oil like neroli, or patchouli, rose, Bergamot(bit too strong for me), You are supposed to dilute when using, but just put a spot on the tip of your nose and sniff.  It lasts for ages and may help with your anxiety.

Don't be hard on yourself, you are doing the right things and it is still early days, a normal broken bone takes 6 weeks to heal, you personally have to take into consideration the nerves, that have been severed and soft tissue re-aligned/ re-attached and general abused, there will still be a little debris floating around.  This will affect the way you feel, but there are ways to cope and you are doing alright.

Have a good day

12

Find another doctor sooner rather than later, they need to be there for you, make sure they understand all there is to know about replacements and ALL the after effects (of which there are many!!)

13

Aw sueisobel your post is brilliant. It has really helped me! Thank you so much. Im 11 weeks today. Iv got physio this afternon and was nervous as havent been for 3 wks and gosh they really concentrate on my bend! I had 86 then and im sure iv got 90 now! But what you said about all the healing of everything and everything being in place is just what my specialist said last thurs! The bend wil come. Your post just reaffirmed this for me! So thanks great advice

14

You are most welcome, good luck with the physio, when she pushes your leg back, just relax, take your brain off to somewhere nice and let her push. If its only for a few minutes you will get that extra degree.

15

I am in the USA and was discharged the next day. Had a lot of pain for several weeks but it all worked out

16

Hi, Mary. I'm at about the same place in recovery as you for my TKR. I get that awful back pain and some sciatica especially when I first get up. I think it's a combination of our body coping with the "abuse" from such major surgery, PT and just learning to walk straight again. Heating pad and or ice help. When I do get up from either sitting or bed, I take a minute to straighten up starting from knees through that nagging back then walk around, (straight up, no hunching!)a bit to get warmed up. 

The short hospital stay is common in US - 24 hours for PKR and 48 for TKR. A big reason for the short stay ( beyond the obvious insurance issue) is minimal exposure to potential infection. And that's a really good thing.

Good luck with that back pain and recovery but don't quit doing excercises...that don't exacerbate the back pain. I still do a lot of self talk when all I want to do is kick back and watch TV when I should be on the bike, stretching, etc. 

17

Hi just been to physio i got 90 %on bend but no more. The physio said i must walk with my crutch and i shouldnt have given it up as i wasnt helping leg the way im walking because im holding it a bit stiff! Got to take their advice but feel like i may of delayed it a bit! Oh well. He also gave me a few more exercises to help. Gosh what a long process!

18

Yes, I think it's part of the deal. I find I need to be more aware of my posture n sitting positions. We r learning a whole new way to walk so I think other parts of our body r being affected as well. I find stretching helps a lot n heat

19

If you walk with a crutch it means you are not walking properly, that you are not weight bearing.. By using a cane you are weight bearings nod using your muscles and are using the cane as extra support.  90degree bend is pretty good, it's not to be sniffed at.  How much muscle wastage do you have.  If your knee is stiff have you tried sitting in the bath.  You are relaxing so would be able to bend your knee.  Try the swimming pool.  It's strange that your physio hasn't suggested sending you to a hydropool.  A swimming pool full of warm water, the sides are graduated with all sorts of swimming/floating aids to help you.  You are right, it is a long process, don't lose heart.x

20

I also had horrible sciatica. My physical therapist put heel risers in the shoe of my other leg to even out the change in length. Things have been better since then.