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Suggest Remedies For Severe Pain And Swelling In Knees After A TKR

Posted on Mon, 30 May 2016

Question: I had a total knee replacement November 18, 2015. My therapy went well. I can bend the knee 105 degrees but I am still having a lot pain and swelling at the sight. There is no visable redness, but the area does feel warm to the touch. I normally sleep on my stomach, but now when I try to do so, it feels like I have a huge water blister at the sight and when I try to turn or get up the pain is terrific. If I lay on my left side (it was the left knee that was replaced) I have trouble getting the leg comfortable. If I attempt to lay on my right side, the left leg feels like it is made of concrete. (The left hip was replaced on December 10, 2013). I really do not want to continue to take pain pills, but sometimes I am forced to do so. My X-Rays show that the hardware is in place. I am going to return to my Surgeon's office this Friday, because the pain is not getting any better.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Knee replacement has pain due to inflammation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. There can be many causes of pain in a post operated knee replacement. Most common cause is inflammation. Other cause is infection. So I would suggest you to get following tests.
1.CRP, ESR
2.WBC count
If their is any inflammation or infection then it can be diagnosed by these tests. If it is positive then you need to take antibiotics for two weeks with NSAID like Brufen or diclofenec.
Some time knee pain can be due to neuropathy also. You can take Pregabalin M at night time for this.I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (30 minutes later)

I have been on several antibiotics since January 29, 2016. I had been diagnosed with H Pylori. In addition, I had an endoscpopy and upper GI done on 3-18-2016 and took a large dose of Amoxicillin prior to that procedure. I cannot take NSAIDS because I have had Gastric Bypass Surgery. I am also a diabetic. I do know that they have extensive blood work, but I am not certain what a CRP or ESR are, can you advise me. Currently in addition to my Onglyza for Diabetes I am taking pain medication as needed and Paxil as well as Levsin.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CRP and ESR are marker of inflammation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Although you are on antibiotics still there are different antibiotics for abdomen and knee problems. CRP and ESR are blood tests and these are done for checking if their is any inflammation in your body.
Diabeties can also cause neuropathy. It can also cause pain in knee joint. Paxil is a anti depressant, mood elevating drug but it is not a pain killer. Levsin is a antispasmodic drug given for abdominal pain.
For knee pain tablet Etoricoxib 90 mg is a good drug. Some time knee pain can be their for six to twelve months after knee replacement due to un known causes specially in Diabetic patients. In such cases tablet Pregabalin M is useful .
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar