My friend had this. The surgeon decided it was nerve pain and prescribed medication for that. She was immediately able to cut back on pain medications and her therapy proceeded quickly. She said the surgeon told her it doesn't happen often, but that it did happen to her.

Are you familiar with the signs of opioid addiction? It can be quite insidious.

I'm very sorry to hear about your sister's difficult recuperation. I hope it goes better for her asap.

Is there any reason to doubt the competence of the surgeon? Where was the procedure done?

I'm not sure I agree with your characterization of surgeons as being somewhat withdrawn because many I've known have been the opposite. Instead, what I've seen suggests that the specialty tends to attract outgoing people with enlarged egos who often think they are God's gifts to the world of medicine. They may shy away from dealing or hearing about problems but most should have sincere concern for patients and their welfare. Calls should be returned reasonably promptly and your sister should be able to speak to the surgeon, not a PA.

Good luck to her.

I am sorry to hear of that. Mine was such a breeze with absolutely NO PAIN that I cannot imagine what she is going through. I hope she finds some relief.

Perhaps it's time to get a second opinion? A friend of mine went through the same thing: a lot of pain after her knee surgery, done by a top doctor here. She wound up having a consultation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, which specializes in orthopedic issues. She had some sort of procedure done there (I don't know the details) and shortly after that was pain-free.

Is she taking *enough* pain medication? Everything will take longer if the patient isn't able to tolerate doing exercises adequately, alone and with the PT. When I had my hips replaced, I was told not to be overly concerned about using pain meds for this very reason. It would be extremely rare for anyone who has never had any addiction issues to become an addict in the few months of recovery from joint surgery!

I did have a LOT of pain following a cortisone injection in my spine...because the MD decided to also 'break up a knot' of muscle tissue that he discovered near the spine. I had ten nights of walking the floor after that. NOTHING touched that pain -- not morphine, not codeine -- I was about to try fentanyl when it finally let up! Did your sister's pain increase after the scar tissue work?

While following all the other courses mentioned, can you change the PT?

I was speaking to my brother yesterday about this, as he had his done a few years ago. My knee is giving me a lot of pain, and I'm seeing the dr on the 12th. In the meantime I can barely navigate up and down the 3 flights of stairs; when I do, it's one step at a time, and not carrying anything heavy.

He regrets getting his done, he's been in constant pain since. He gave up golf and running and only bicycles now. I know of others who have had it done and they're thrilled.

She might ask her MD about a prescription for 5% pain patches. They are similar to Salompas patches 4% over the counter. They are 4x6in and they stick on like a big bandaid. Takes pain away in about 10 minutes. No addiction issues like oral meds. They are left on for 12 hours. Have worked great for me with chronic back pain. My insurance covers them, so less costs involved then over the counter patches. The prescription one is 1% stronger, not enought to make a noticeable difference. She might try them right before a PT session.

The nerve pain mentioned previously seems like a possibility. I blew out my ankle a few year ago and while it is now reinforced with an amazing amount of stainless steel or titanium, it doesn't hurt or ache unless I overdo. But it does hurt to touch it.....so much so that I can no longer tolerate pedicures or socks that extend past the ankle. It fees like it is on fire!!

I would also agree with Elmer's assessment of the surgeon. My orthopedic guy was excellent and took a lot of time to explain the procedure and aftereffects thoroughly both in the hospital and at his office with follow up visits.

I had knee replacement 2 summers ago. I had pain, but not like what your sister is having. I have a high pain tolerance, but when I needed the pain pills you can bet I took them. I had surgery in May and by Sept, I was going up a flight of stairs (slowly) to work. I have zero pain now.

That being said, when I went to PT there were 2 ladies that my appointments over lapped with and both of them had pain as you described. The PT reported this back to the surgeon(s.) It's important that the Doctor & the PTs communicate.

If the surgeon is unresponsive to her complaints, then she should get a 2nd opinion, and the least perhaps another xray on the knee. There are numerous reasons for her problems.

For example, spacers are the wrong size, an allergy to the metal, loosening of the implant, the alignment may be off... there are many reasons. They can ONLY be determined by the doctor.

My surgeon was/is fabulous. He took lots of time with me and explained everything. For the last visit for the knee, he asked me again, if I had any questions and assured me if I thought of any later to call the office.

As it turned out, I was back the next summer for a new hip. He jokingly said that I just missed him. LOL

I hope your sister gets some relief soon!!

Several years ago I had my ACL repaired and I had nerve damage and subsequent neuropathy for years afterwards. I still have some residual effects twenty years after the fact.

So sorry your sister is still suffering...I had a total left knee replacement back in 2012 when I was 65...didn't take long to recover with little pain...my brother had his knee replaced recently using a robot or whatever they're called, he went home the next day, I couldn't believe it.

I'm sorry your sister has to deal with this. We go into TKR thinking that all will be well afterwards so it must be doubly disappointing when it isn't. I had double knee replacement at HSS in NYC and only had minor issues. I was in the hospital for 4 days and then in-patient PT for 5 more. A week after coming home we had a bridal shower for my son and his fiance and I stupidly over did things which resulted in swelling inside one knee and significantly setting back the progress I had made in PT. When I went for my post-op consult the surgeon said if I didn't improve he'd schedule me for scar tissue surgery. Luckily I managed to avoid that.

I don't know how you're going to convince your sister to speak with the surgeon but you're right that she needs to do so. Most of my post-op conversations were with the PA but on 2 occasions I insisted on speaking with my surgeon. The PA was reluctant to 'bother' him but when I insisted she did have him return the call. I hope your sister gets in touch with the surgeon.

I had mine done almost 6 years ago. Best thing ever. I had absolutely no problems with it. I can climb stairs, no problem. My leg was bent and bowed. The surgeon straightened it. I had no idea he would be able to do that. After my surgery, I joined a FB group for total knee replacements. If I had joined before surgery, I would have never had it done. So many people with so many problems. I think if anything helped me, it was being in good physical condition before hand, being highly motivated because before I was in so much pain....had been in a wheelchair 3 times and dependent on pain meds, and having an excellent surgeon, who specialized in sports medicine. I had 90°bend when I left hospital and 111, when I started PT about a week later.

Wow, so much good advice here! Thinking about it again, I'm not going to send this post to her as she might be pretty ticked at me for posting about her situation--I think I had just grown rather worried and frustrated about her lack of good progress and wanted to put this to all of you nice people. I hope I represented sister correctly: other than her knee problem, she's in decent shape and in her late 50s, and did not use a walker before surgery. She really did have to have it done as she needs to find a job now (long story I won't go into,) and was having a great deal of pain. I drop my thoughts as I talk to her, subtly, and hope she might follow up on a few. But I think what bothers me the most is that the pt is surprised at ds's slow progress. I had the chance to watch one of the sessions before I went home and she definitely knows her stuff. Dsis likes her as well. As for the docs, she told me she likes the p.a. better than the surgeon as he has a much better "bedside manner" and is happy to talk. I must say, dsis drives me nuts in that she doesn't ask quesions--we're polar opposite in that way.

As for drugs, she's still taking vicodin (they had originally given her oxy, which made her very crabby,) at night and often during the day before exercises. She has to time it so it doesn't affect her ability to drive and she's very careful about that. While I hope she doesn't have to take them much longer, they are necessary now so that she can do the excercises; she has tried to get on a stationary bike but still can't get all the way around with the pedal. I'll just keep hoping she has a breakthrough, and try not to think about the ruined knees I've read about. But I sure do appreciate hearing of all your experiences.

As an aside, my nephew sent a photo today of all the drugs he cleared out of other sister's house, the one who died of cancer last spring. Combined with those used for Mom with her restless legs and her death, (she lived with sister,) it was an astounding amount. He is so glad to get that stuff out of the house.