Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Knee Pain After Knee Replacement?
Question: I had a knee replacement 4 yrs. ago. about a month ago the pain in my knee when I sit or stand or get up or down in a chair or toilet is really bad. x rays show replacement is fine . my dr said it was musal,and tissue inflammation. went to another dr. and he said I had tendenitis.and sent me to pt. therapist said I don't have that. my replacement is chrome cobalt. I have been told that sometimes flakes come off cobalt and get into muscal and tissue. how do I know if this is it? is there a test for it? please help me because it is getting worse. in therapy they are using ice and heat. not helping. what do I do the dr. that did the replacement said it is tendernist. please help.
Brief Answer:
Flakes of cobalt can be seen on X-ray.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have been examined by two specialists and they think that it is due to inflammation. The flakes of cobalt would have been detected on X-ray. Since the X-rays are normal you need not worry about the flakes coming off.
Your graft is intact. Do a hot fomentation at least thrice daily and elevate your legs as much as you can. By “elevate,” I mean having your feet higher than your hips. This will help in reducing any swelling.
The other causes can be neuropathic pain, internal scarring (arthrofibrosis), loosening of the prosthesis, patellofemoral instability, etc. A direct clinical examination and investigations like arthroscopy are needed to identify the exact cause in case the pain is persistent.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Flakes of cobalt can be seen on X-ray.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have been examined by two specialists and they think that it is due to inflammation. The flakes of cobalt would have been detected on X-ray. Since the X-rays are normal you need not worry about the flakes coming off.
Your graft is intact. Do a hot fomentation at least thrice daily and elevate your legs as much as you can. By “elevate,” I mean having your feet higher than your hips. This will help in reducing any swelling.
The other causes can be neuropathic pain, internal scarring (arthrofibrosis), loosening of the prosthesis, patellofemoral instability, etc. A direct clinical examination and investigations like arthroscopy are needed to identify the exact cause in case the pain is persistent.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
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
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
