TKR Nerve pain

[MOBSTER]

Hi, I'm 6 months ltkr. I am suffering with a very stiff knee and lower leg nerve pain and numbness. My pcp sent me for an emg. (Came back normal). Went to pt twice a week for 4 1/2 months, got to 125 pretty quick. Now the hard part. I'm in pain...not my knee (other than stiffness which comes and goes a lot!) Went back to surgeon on November 17th he took another xray of knee and now my back. Knee looked fine, but thought it might be my back. Went for MRI on my back the 30th. Other than a little arthritis. not much else. He suggested pain management. I'm seeing a neurologist on the 17th. Has anyone else ever had this? Acupuncture?
Thanks for any suggestions.
PS I take 100mg of gapabenton twice a day, and 300 mg to sleep.(my pcp prescribed it.)

 

[mendogal]

Hi and welcome to BoneSmart @MOBSTER !

You say "in pain...not my knee" - can you clarify exactly where there's pain? What it feels like, what makes it worse? It will help us understand what you're experiencing!

Also the exact date of your L TKR. Thanks!

As most of our ortho surgeons don't directly address post op soft tissue issues, we do recommend getting referred to specialists. Pain management, non-surgeon sports medicine doctors, or physiatrists (physical medicine docs) are possibilities.

Starting with a neurologist and being on gabapentin makes sense IF it's nerve pain. If it might be a soft tissue issue, like tendon or muscle, one of these other specialists would also be helpful to consult.

 

[MOBSTER]

Hi my pain is in lower leg, front of calf. My surgery was on June 3, 2024. Had alot of sensitivity early in recovery. I was told it was the nerves reconnecting.

 

[benne68]

I'm sorry you are still in pain, @MOBSTER, but it isn't uncommon to have soft tissue problems for many months.

Surgery like this changes our body's structural alignment and muscles, tendons and ligaments need time to adapt. Many of us experience pain in our backs, hips, thighs, calves and even feet during the first year post-op.

Seeing a physiatrist or pain management specialist to identify the source of the pain is probably your best next step. Once you know the source of the pain, you can will be able to action to correct it.

Even though you are now six months post-op, I will share our BoneSmart Recovery Guidelines with you below. I think you will find some of these article informative and helpful in understanding the recovery.

KNEE RECOVERY GUIDELINES

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
the BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for TKRs
The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

Good nutrition is very important during recovery:
Dietary Tips for Recovery
Nutrition Basics

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[MOBSTER]

benne68,
Thank you so much for your prompt response. I will keep all of this in mind. I will post any updates.

 

[mendogal]

Yes, it's equally possible to be sensory nerves or muscles-tendons - or both!

 

[MOBSTER]

Hi, after going to see someone at pain management. They are suggesting I get a lumbar transforminal epidural steroid injection in my lower back. They are thinking there is some compression that is causing my nerve issues.
Thoughts?

 

[sistersinhim]

Hello @MOBSTER,
You'll notice that I have merged your two threads together, as it's best if members in recovery only have one thread. We find it much easier for everyone.
This is because:

• That way, you have all your information in one place. This makes it easier for others to go back and review your history before providing advice.
• If you start new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread. We won't miss your new question as, between us, the staff read all new posts each day.
If you need an urgent response to a question, tag a member of staff.
Tagging other members and answering tags

If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.

Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts?

A helpful hint - Many members have found it useful to bookmark their thread so they don't lose it.