TKR Scistica pain

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary Georgiegirl!
I hope the sciatica pain has eased and you're feeling better over the last few weeks. Let us know how you're doing when you have time.
Take care!
@Georgiegirl813

 

[Georgiegirl813]

Wished I could say that yes it is better it is 3 months now, and my sciatica is so bad, I hate complaining about my pain, I have never been this person. I Saw my ortho yesterday, he says the knee is doing well, I am still having quite a bit of pain in both of my knees, but x rays show good alignment, he is convinced it is my spinal stenosis only. Prescribed gabapentin and baclofen. Not even sure what they are, but he says it will help my pain. Non narcotic. He has turned me over to a pain management, as it is not getting better. He released me to them as he cannot help me further. I am just so frustrated, I keep telling g myself this will get better, but I am getting afraid.

 

[Layla]

Hi Georgiegirl,
I'm sorry for your frustration as you hit this three month post op milestone. I do hope your able to find some relief from the pain management team you'll be meeting with. Please keep us posted. We're here for support always.
@Georgiegirl813

 

[mendogal]

Wished I could say that yes it is better it is 3 months now, and my sciatica is so bad, I hate complaining about my pain, I have never been this person. I Saw my ortho yesterday, he says the knee is doing well, I am still having quite a bit of pain in both of my knees, but x rays show good alignment, he is convinced it is my spinal stenosis only. Prescribed gabapentin and baclofen. Not even sure what they are, but he says it will help my pain. Non narcotic. He has turned me over to a pain management, as it is not getting better. He released me to them as he cannot help me further. I am just so frustrated, I keep telling g myself this will get better, but I am getting afraid.

Gabapentin is a medicine used mostly for nerve pain. It is usually taken in the evening as it can make you sleepy at first.
Baclofen is a muscle relaxer (caution: may cause drowsiness - don't take it if you plan to drive).
Both are often prescribed for knee patients who have soft tissue problems.
Sciatica can be spinal stenosis, or it can be a soft issue impingement in the buttock (piriformis syndrome) that some members get after knee replacement.
Here's a link to an article about piriformis syndrome and sciatica.
The referral to a pain med specialist is a good next step.

 

[Georgiegirl813]

Still suffering with my sciatica pain. It has been 5 months post op on my second knee. I have had sciatica for 35 years off and on. It however has always been something zI could control
Orto referred me to pain management. Not sure this is what I need but I am complying. My orto prescribed gabapentin Z(evil drug) had horrible side affects. He also prescribed baclofen, did not like that either. It made me sweat like a little piglet, had to change my sheets every morning, and my hair was sopping wet. I did keep taking it for a while just to see if I could get some relief. I asked my doc.if I could try something different he prescribed methocarbamol, another muscle relaxers, no side affects, whohoo. Now they ave sent me to neurologist. Two mri an emg. They cannot find anything remarkable. They have not do e an xray yet. Last year's
xray showed a severe narrowing of the right Nero foraman with a disk bulge. Ok I am thinking I just need to wait and see if this pain spin turns around, with time. I am at a total loss. I know the body has a way of taki g care of itself if you just get out of its way. I am in my gym eveyother day, stretching and riding g the bike, upright as it is easier on my spine. If so.eone could respond who has some experience with this and has moved beyond it, I would really appreciate it. Feel like a crazy women with the lack of sleep.

 

[EalingGran]

So sorry. I had about 8 weeks of bad sciatica and it was Hell. Thankfully mine improved with straightening my leg, although I still get it after long car journeys.
Can you get on the floor to do back exercises/ pilates- or is the pain too bad?
That really helped me.
The only other thing my ortho suggested if the pain didn't settle- was a steroid shot onto the area where the nerve was nipped.
Hope the pain clinic can help.

 

[Georgiegirl813]

I have had three epidural, no I can get down on the floor, but not back up.

They looking at doing a electricle stimulator in my spine at this point. Not sure I am ready for that.

 

[EalingGran]

They looking at doing a electricle stimulator in my spine at this point

Sorry that the epidural shots didn't work. I haven't any knowledge of electric stimulation therapy.
You could try asking on the spine forum here on BoneSmart to see if anyone there has had this done. Or if they have any other thoughts.

 

[Georgiegirl813]

All my most severe pain, while I have had episodes for years. Never this severe. I woke up after my tkr are and have had severe sciatica for the last 5 months. I believe I will give this healing some more time, before I consider attaching basically an internal tens unit on my spine.

 

[Rockgirl4]

I feel for you and know it's so debilitating. We've been watching my father-in-law suffer more and more the last 2 years with sciatica. It worsened to the point his leg would just collapse under him. He had a procedure 2 weeks ago that supposedly fixes 95% of people, but he woke up worse than before. They're going back in Monday to try something new. He's 76 and has always been so active, but this year has about done him in. He's so demoralized over all it. I've been lucky most of my sciatica can be fixed, but I know it's just not so simple for everyone.