9 Weeks Post Op-Pain is not getting better

[tmuna62]

Hi Everyone-
I just found this site and it is wonderful! It is so helpful to know other people have gone thru what I am going thru! I had TKR on the left knee 9 weeks ago. I had alot of swelling after surgery, which put me back-but went to an edemia clinic for 1 week which helped! I still have 2cm swelling on the knee. I have alot of pain below the knee cap. I went to the doctor and and xray's show that the plate is at an angle. He said the muscle is still weak and that is why the plate is at an angle. Has anyone heard of this? The pain is still bad-almost everytime I put weight on it-And I am limping when I walk. I go back to the Doctor in 2 weeks-but I am so frustrated. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

 

[Judles]

Welcome tmuna! So sorry you're having
Such pain! Why wait the 2 weeks , if something is loose in there,
Your surgeon should be checking you out ......like NOW!!!
Why don't you make an appointment with your OS! The. Sooner
You get seen, the sooner you will have peace of mind & hopefully
Less pain! Good luck & let us know how everything goes!

 

[Nana55]

I agree. I don't think I would want to wait for two weeks if something isn't right in there. From your post, it sounds like he knew the results of the x-rays so what is he waiting two weeks for and what did he tell you the plan would be.?

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to BoneSmart, tmuna62, so glad you joined us. But I'm sorry to hear you are having problems.

I'm not sure what "plate" in a knee replacement your doctor might have been refering to that would be impacted by weak muscles. Did he mean the kneecap itself?

Did he order specific physical therapy for you to do in the two weeks while you wait to see him again? If so, talk to the therapist about what you can expect to see change in that time.

If you have no therapy, I would not wait 2 weeks to go back and get a better explanation of what he thinks the problem is. The only other "plate" I can imagine is the flat platform attached to your lower leg bone. It doesn't seem to me that part of the new joint could be impacted by weak muscles.

 

[Josephine]

By plate do you mean the part I've indicated with a red arrow? If so, it shouldn't be at any angle. Side to side and back to front it should be at right angles to the axis of the tibia (lower bone) like this ..

If it really is angled (as opposed to just being a poor xray) then it would account for your pain. Muscles should not have any effect on the placement of the implants. Once they're in, they're in. You should get it assessed by a second opinion from a competent OS who would decide if intervention is required.

 

[hedgep]

Hi, THis is my first reply, except to my own questions about pain. I too have pain right below the knee cap. My OS said it was due to the large nerve that was cut in two and that SOME people will have pain from that. I am 8 wks today and it is still there. It is especially tiresome at night, as it stings constantly. So I am still on pain meds. They had me on prednesone twice, which helped the swelling but not the nerve pain. Don't know if that helps, but this sight sure has calmed my "nerves". ha

 

[rungout]

I too have had continued pain at 7 weeks post-op now. My knee clicks and I was told by the PT that this would always be but may lessen. I feel like my lower leg and foot is slightly turned in from what it was before. Maybe this will eventually clear up too or maybe I'll just get used to it. The doc told me to continue taking my pain pills (darvocet and muscle relaxers) but they make me feel yucky hence the name Rungout :0
Good luck

 

[Jamie]

If it really is angled (as opposed to just being a poor xray) then it would account for your pain. Muscles should not have any effect on the placement of the implants. Once they're in, they're in. You should get it assessed by a second opinion from a competent OS who would decide if intervention is required.

This is what I was thinking too, Jo. I couldn't imagine how it would be angled unless it was improperly placed or had moved. Hopefully tmuna62 will obtain a second opinion (from someone totally independent of the first surgeon's practice) soon and find out what is really going on.

 

[Jamie]

Rungout and Hedgep.....it is not uncommon to have the type of pain you are talking about at this early stage in recovery. Hang in there with the pain meds, ice and elevation and I think you will find it improving in time. Recovery can take quite a while! I know it's hard to be patient. Clicking can lessen too as the ligaments and muscles all get used to the new knee. Mine did.

 

[tmuna62]

I want to thank everyone for their help! I am going to get a second opion and I appreciate everyone's thoughts. This site is so wonderful! Thank you!

 

[Jamie]

So happy to hear this, tmuna62! Please let us know how things go. We care about you!!!