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Revision TKR Hmm. Not thrilled with the revision yet
- Thread starter eaglemom
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SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Pain relief is always welcome. For that reason alone it might be worth trying. However, it’s a bit dismaying to know the procedure will not address whatever it is that’s causing your swelling. 
What I’m hearing, through reading your posts, is a lot of “if.” I hope the procedure works out for you.
What I’m hearing, through reading your posts, is a lot of “if.” I hope the procedure works out for you.
I agree with Susie about the ifs.
64% odds would not impress me.
My husband had RFA 3 weeks ago for his back pain and had no relief from the procedure. His doctor gave him a 50/50 chance of it helping.
64% odds would not impress me.
My husband had RFA 3 weeks ago for his back pain and had no relief from the procedure. His doctor gave him a 50/50 chance of it helping.
I also want to add that my prayers are with you. Living this long with pain and swelling must be taking a major toll. Not getting any real help for it I’m sure is beyond frustrating. With all the things medical science can fix, why not this. 
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
This all worries me. I did a little research and my findings are this "Success rates vary, but typically about 30% to 50% of patients undergoing this procedure for low back pain will experience significant pain relief for as much as two years. Of the remaining low back pain patients, about 50% will get some pain relief for a shorter period" I'm not sure I'd want to undergo any procedure with those odds.
Well he wouldn't because he's not a knee surgeon! His silence clearly indicated that!
I wish I had something more encouraging to offer you. My only thought is - have you seen a vascular surgeon at all? A lot of your problems could be explained by venous insufficiency. Read this page from the John Hopkins website https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hea...seases/chronic_venous_insufficiency_85,P08250
That was a very interesting article. It does mention Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) as a possible solution, and personally I might be more willing to consider it in the light this article mentions, but only after more time and information about my swelling. I would want to know why the swelling continues and find a plan to address that.
If it was me, I would look into this before having any more procedures. The orthopedic surgeons seem to be out of ideas and your leg has been through so much.
Maybe it’s not an orthopedic issue. A vascular surgeon would look at your leg with fresh eyes and with a different focus and mindset than the doctors you have already seen.
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@eaglemom, I have been thinking about you and your dilemma. Are any of these procedures called "laser therapy"? I have a brother-in-law that is only 5 1/2 months TKR and is having a great deal of swelling and some pain. He is a Pro golfer and is use to being in shape. He started walking long distances as soon as he got home from the hospital, goes to the gym...over does everything to the max!!! I sent him the BoneSmart way of exercising and he thinks if you are not a dr. the info is invalid. Now he has a golf buddy dr. that is doing "laser therapy" on him. I was wondering if this is what you are looking into?
OP
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The procedure is called Coolief. Its RFA with a twist, if you will. I
Interestingly after several days of icing & elevating the pain management doctor & my orthopedic surgeon have come up with yet another idea. I'm not sure on all of the detailing but rolling compression coverings have been ordered for both of my legs. The thinking is while calming the knee from the procedure I then will put my legs in these things and it will supposedly help push fluid from my ankles upwards. I believe my response was "say what?" I did think to ask about how long I'd have to do this and when I heard 4 or 5 months I think my brain stopped functioning at that point. Now I'm assuming this isn't a 24/7 deal - let me rephrase that - I can't do that for 4 or 5 months. Not constantly that is.
Procedure is tomorrow, Wed. I think I've got things in order around the house. If not we'll just wing it!!
Interestingly after several days of icing & elevating the pain management doctor & my orthopedic surgeon have come up with yet another idea. I'm not sure on all of the detailing but rolling compression coverings have been ordered for both of my legs. The thinking is while calming the knee from the procedure I then will put my legs in these things and it will supposedly help push fluid from my ankles upwards. I believe my response was "say what?" I did think to ask about how long I'd have to do this and when I heard 4 or 5 months I think my brain stopped functioning at that point. Now I'm assuming this isn't a 24/7 deal - let me rephrase that - I can't do that for 4 or 5 months. Not constantly that is.
Procedure is tomorrow, Wed. I think I've got things in order around the house. If not we'll just wing it!!
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Wishing you well and hoping your procedure is a success. 
OP
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Thanks everyone. The procedure went almost as planned. I did meet with a vascular surgeon along with my knee surgeon and the pain management doctor whom did the procedure. We've done the procedure and I'm to elevate & ice with simple ADL's for at least a week and a half. After that it will be in a pneumatic compression therapy. I heard the word lymphedema with no cause. Frankly I've not even thought about or processed that. One step at a time.
The procedure isn't a walk in the park as they say. Of course they usually do this prior to any TKR's so that was different. Also was told, like I didn't know, I have excessive tissue in the knee. Well duh. I have 5 punctures all of which have bruising around them. The knee itself is ok, but tired. Does that make sense? I was able to shower today and that certainly helps one feel better.
I will say the severe calf pain I was having prior to the procedure is gone. I've had no muscle spasms - and I've not taken any flexeral to keep them at bay. Yea! I also feel as though my pull back range is more, but the go forward isn't. I fear that's going to be my problem.
He wanted me using the walker and I have been when I'm up. I just walked through the house without it and found myself wobbling. Yes, I'll use the walker. Time for lunch, ice, elevation and a nap.
The procedure isn't a walk in the park as they say. Of course they usually do this prior to any TKR's so that was different. Also was told, like I didn't know, I have excessive tissue in the knee. Well duh. I have 5 punctures all of which have bruising around them. The knee itself is ok, but tired. Does that make sense? I was able to shower today and that certainly helps one feel better.
I will say the severe calf pain I was having prior to the procedure is gone. I've had no muscle spasms - and I've not taken any flexeral to keep them at bay. Yea! I also feel as though my pull back range is more, but the go forward isn't. I fear that's going to be my problem.
He wanted me using the walker and I have been when I'm up. I just walked through the house without it and found myself wobbling. Yes, I'll use the walker. Time for lunch, ice, elevation and a nap.
Good news that you got through it and are back home and moving around OK. Hopefully, this will be completely successful!
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Update - procedure was Wed. and this is Sat. Thus far no muscle spasms or calf cramping. That's been wonderful. If I say my leg feels like a leg I hope everyone understands. Without the spasms the knee itself feels better. Now, if I could only get more extension. (Still have swelling.)
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My odd question for the day: is it counter-productive if while I'm elevating & icing to have a heating pad on my thigh? My discomfort is deep thigh muscle pain, so I thought the heating pad would help it. Am I thinking correctly here? I know not to put heating pad on knee.
The knee today is same as yesterday - however with the wonderful colorful addition of bruising. Nothing bad, but definite bruising.
Thanks everyone.
The knee today is same as yesterday - however with the wonderful colorful addition of bruising. Nothing bad, but definite bruising.
Thanks everyone.
As long as the heat is well away from your knee it should be fine.
I mistakenly got a heating pad too close to the back of my knee (it was under my thigh) and my knee didn’t like it at all!
I mistakenly got a heating pad too close to the back of my knee (it was under my thigh) and my knee didn’t like it at all!
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Thanks. This thigh muscle is really hurting. I'm not going to ice and just use heating pad and muscle relaxer and see what happens. At least I'll get a nap!!!
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This thigh muscle pain is very bothersome. Of course walking is way off because of the tight quad. I'm thinking part of it is my IT Band and have tried some very gentle stretches, to no avail.
Frankly I'm pretty miserable with this. Thoughts? Idea's? Suggestions?
The pain starts approximately 2 inches above the knee, in the center of the thigh and radiates outward laterally.
I've had numerous knee procedures and never have I had something like this.
Frankly I'm pretty miserable with this. Thoughts? Idea's? Suggestions?
The pain starts approximately 2 inches above the knee, in the center of the thigh and radiates outward laterally.
I've had numerous knee procedures and never have I had something like this.
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Update: I did call the doctor who did the procedure. I was told that pain had nothing to do with the procedure. Take pain medication.
I had already taken myself off the pain medication he'd prescribed because I knew I needed to take flexeral and that medication doesn't mix with flexeral. So I was doing Tramadol for pain and flexeral for muscle soreness, heat on my thigh and ice machine on the knee. It has slowly gotten better. The pain is mild but still there.
Fast forward to today and his office calls. The nurse wanted details about the who, what, when, where of the pain & what I'd been doing. Her answer was "its not your thigh its your hip, you need an appointment to have your hip looked at." I politely told her my hip was fine - her response - don't you want to see him for hip pain? No I don't. I finally ended up saying he was a pain doctor, and my understanding was I was to see him after a diagnosis from my GP or surgeon. She told me in no uncertain terms that he is a doctor and can diagnosis a hip issue. She said something else then it dawned on me to ask if she'd even looked at my chart, of course no. I told her there were x rays and MRI reports of hips, back and knee - my hip is fine.She apparently had nothing else to do because she really wanted to go on and on. I finally said what I'd like to do is continue what I'm doing and wait and see since its better. Her comment - why don't we make you an appointment for a hip exam. I wanted to reach through the phone and grab her. I said no I was going to wait. Her final comment was - you need your hip examined. I just said thank you for your concern and I hope you have a good day - and hung up.
Is it me? Or was that not odd? She never mentioned the procedure or how I was doing with that. Needless to say it didn't leave me with a good feeling. The doctor is ok, but his staff just doesn't give me confidence.
I will say the thigh is better, its soreish (is that a word?) and if I put the heating pad on it it obviously feels better. The verdict on the RFA is still out. The knee itself does feel looser - but I haven't gained any extension at all. We'll see..................
I had already taken myself off the pain medication he'd prescribed because I knew I needed to take flexeral and that medication doesn't mix with flexeral. So I was doing Tramadol for pain and flexeral for muscle soreness, heat on my thigh and ice machine on the knee. It has slowly gotten better. The pain is mild but still there.
Fast forward to today and his office calls. The nurse wanted details about the who, what, when, where of the pain & what I'd been doing. Her answer was "its not your thigh its your hip, you need an appointment to have your hip looked at." I politely told her my hip was fine - her response - don't you want to see him for hip pain? No I don't. I finally ended up saying he was a pain doctor, and my understanding was I was to see him after a diagnosis from my GP or surgeon. She told me in no uncertain terms that he is a doctor and can diagnosis a hip issue. She said something else then it dawned on me to ask if she'd even looked at my chart, of course no. I told her there were x rays and MRI reports of hips, back and knee - my hip is fine.She apparently had nothing else to do because she really wanted to go on and on. I finally said what I'd like to do is continue what I'm doing and wait and see since its better. Her comment - why don't we make you an appointment for a hip exam. I wanted to reach through the phone and grab her. I said no I was going to wait. Her final comment was - you need your hip examined. I just said thank you for your concern and I hope you have a good day - and hung up.
Is it me? Or was that not odd? She never mentioned the procedure or how I was doing with that. Needless to say it didn't leave me with a good feeling. The doctor is ok, but his staff just doesn't give me confidence.
I will say the thigh is better, its soreish (is that a word?) and if I put the heating pad on it it obviously feels better. The verdict on the RFA is still out. The knee itself does feel looser - but I haven't gained any extension at all. We'll see..................
I don’t know how she could continue to argue with you about your hip when you kept saying it was fine. 
And even if I did feel it was a hip issue, I wouldn’t be getting a diagnosis by a pain doctor!
There are specialties for a reason!
And even if I did feel it was a hip issue, I wouldn’t be getting a diagnosis by a pain doctor!
There are specialties for a reason!
Well, that nurse is a prime example of someone not listening to you or checking your chart before talking to you! You was stuck on the hip and that's all she was going to hear about! Good for you hanging up and not being talking into something that would have been a waste of time and money!
