TKR Nerve pain

[ChesterCat]

Please could you help? I had a RTKR on Jan 22. It has been healing well. I am mobile without crutches and generally okay. I have, however, had a problem from the beginning with sudden surging muscle spasms down the back of the leg. This was put down to muscle guarding. Three weeks ago I developed’shin splints’ - I have been resting my leg for more, icing and elevating. My Sciatic nerve has now started to cause total chaos. I am in agony. The pain travels down the same pathway as the muscle on the back of the leg. It is sudden, violent and unbearable. Surgeon will do an MRI but there is a 10 day waiting period. Is there anything I can do to help this?
Thank you for your wonderful site.
Debbie

 

[EalingGran]

My Sciatic nerve has now started to cause total chaos. I am in agony

I too had sciatica, and it was the worst pain ever- much worse than my knee pain.
The things that helped me were the following:
1. A U shaped memory foam sciatica cushion that took the pressure off my sciatic nerves when sitting
2. Gabapentin and Naproxen from my GP. Plus some zopiclone for sleep.
3. Once I was able to get on the floor- then pilates/ back exercises really helped.
Also massage with spiky pilates balls along the path of the nerve in the buttocks.
My surgeon said that if it didn't settle -then my MRI of the back ( which showed spinal stenosis) suggested that a steroid injection would definitely help. Fortunately mine improved with straightening my leg and I didn't need the steroids ( as he wasn't keen to use steroids too soon after surgery)

 

[EalingGran]

Good luck!It really is miserable.

 

[ChesterCat]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I will look into a cushion, I had no idea they existed. I see the physio on Monday, hopefully they can help.
Deb

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome to Bonesmart!

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The 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

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

​

If you want to use something to help heal the incision, ​

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.​

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​

6. Access to these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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

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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.