lower back trouble?

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mona

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I am 22 days post op and my leg is GREAT ! My leg has healed well, I have very good ROM, don't take pain pills beyond Tylenol (after about 2 weeks the side effects kicked in so I tried without - I DO NOT RECOMMEND stopping painkillers, you definitely need them to stay on top of it all - the exercises etc)> BUT , I now have lower back pain I've never had and I can't seem to get rid of it. It was on the right (knee done was left) , now it's left. Am I doing something wrong? I dont use a cane much at all. I try but there's no leg pain. I try to walk with 2 canes but just for around the house I seem okay. Maybe this is a mistake.. has anyone had lower back pain after surgery? Is it just a coincidence or maybe I'm favouring one side or something. anyways, tips welcome.
And for everyone with less recovery time than me, I must say the leg is doing well and I don't regret it for a second. BUT .. I sure don't want to trade one pain for another. Thanks !
 
Hello Pet, I feel your pain. I'm waiting for a TKR and doner tendon operation. The past 3 years not only has the pain been in my knee but also seem to go to my lower back.... sounds familiar eh! Anyway It really did drive me potty, so I told my wonderful doctor and had MRI's etc etc. It seems that years of walking incorrectly to compensate for the knee and sped up 'Degenerative disc disease', most older people suffer this, but it does tend to put discs into a bulging position which causes pain. Can I suggest that you ask your doctor for a lower back xray (just noticed your in Canada, so get an MRI as well, seeing that our health care is free!) There are great solutions for this and your doctor will suggest what is right. How Old arer you? and what province are you in?.... Kim
 
Yes you can get pain for favoring one side..I did, because I walk witha limp and took some getting used to...Your 22 days you prob should be on something more then tylenol, maybe there is something else you can take....I am 3 mths and it does get better I know peple dont like to hear that...lol blah blah blah but it is true, Hang in there .If you rom is good Im happy for you keep that up...Keep us posted on your back anf take it easy...
 
Mona, are you in therapy? If so, ask your therapist to check your gait. Also they can give you exercises to strengthen your core muscles and work on balance which should help with lower back pain. If you're not in therapy, see if you can get your surgeon or primary doctor to order it.
 
Another good thing to do is see a chiropractor to re-adjust your spine.
 
What a great forum ! I went to PT Thursday (back pain wasn't as bad) and she did suggest gait problems. I am doing lots of pelvic tilts. Also back on naproxen. I wonder if I dont have a bit of flu or something because i did feel so much better a few days ago. I even went to a wedding 16 days later and stayed 7 hours - thanks to Oxycocet. So I know things will get better but I'd best get on this back thing. Im 60 years old and want to be active ! I feel it's in my future . Thanks for all your kind responses.
 
Mona,
I'm sorry you are having this problem but glad you brought it up. I wanted to ask about sciatica. I am waiting for my TKR on my left knee in Sept. but for the last couple of years have had a problem with my discs, too. Rather than hurting most of the time it causes a tingling, pins and needle feeling going down the back of my right leg and especially in the right foot. One specialist told me it was caused by my bad left knee causing me to walk and stand wrong. I don't know if it will go away after my TKR or not. This doctor prescribed the generic of Relafen for me to take and after a week on this the sciatica will go away. Good luck -- I hope yours is gone soon!
 
Mona
My PT said she thought the hurt I get in my back sometimes is because I am not paying attention to my gait.

I think she is right.
 
Mona,
I'm sorry you are having this problem but glad you brought it up. I wanted to ask about sciatica. I am waiting for my TKR on my left knee in Sept. but for the last couple of years have had a problem with my discs, too. Rather than hurting most of the time it causes a tingling, pins and needle feeling going down the back of my right leg and especially in the right foot. One specialist told me it was caused by my bad left knee causing me to walk and stand wrong. I don't know if it will go away after my TKR or not. This doctor prescribed the generic of Relafen for me to take and after a week on this the sciatica will go away. Good luck -- I hope yours is gone soon!

It might and it might not. It might just lessen. My money's on it almost all going away! If it doesn't, go see a chiropractor. He can adjust your spine and get those sneaky discs to behave themselves. They can get better, you know!
 
After I had my left knee done I had such low back pain that I had to get traction therapy and ortisone shots in my lower back. I am back to about 90% of where I was before surgery. It was due to weakened muscles on my left side due to my altered gait and inactivity due to pain.
 
Mona:
What are pelvic tilts? How do you do them. My husband, 74, is suffering such terrible back pain due to the same reason as yours. He is getting epidural injections, but so far they have not worked.
 
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