Post Operative knee replacement, ongoing pain, please help

[4weddings]

My husband who is 70 had a total knee replacement 6 weeks ago and the pain seems to be intensifying rather than diminishing.  He had a childhood injury to this knee, then another operation 13 years ago but is crying with the pain most of the time and has gone from ordinary pain killers to needing morphine.   He has physiotherapy 3 times per week, also hydrotherapy and acupuncture, they all say he is making some progress but very slowly and keep telling him exercising will relieve the pain.
He can walk around the house for short periods without either crutches or a stick so has some function but the pain seems unrelenting and is affecting his life quite seriously (and mine).
He says the pain now is worse than prior to the operation and I am wondering if this is normal.   It is so painful he cannot do the exercises as he should and the knee is very swollen and tight.  

He has seen the general practitioner who is managing the pain but I am wondering if this is how it should be or if something is going off track and we should be seeing the surgeon for a follow-up.  Thank you if anybody can help me.

[DeeDee1661]

I am 51 yrs. old.  I had TKR Oct. 2010.  I did extremely well in PT, and my knee was doing great up until Aug. 2011.  I started experiencing swelling/inflammation and pain.  Went back to OS in September, and he gave me a cortisone injection, which I experienced an adverse reaction and my knee really got swollen.  OS drained it...lots of fluid pulled off the knee..and did some blood work.  Went for a bone scan to rule out infection, and decided to do a synovectomy Dec. last year.  The synovectomy did NOT help.  My knee is still inflamed and painful.  I visited a rheumatologist June this year, who determined through blood work that I have inflammatory arthritis.  He said the TKR or something must have triggered it.  He put me on a drug used for rheumatoid patients called sulfasalazine.  After 2 mos., my knee is pretty much the same.  Has anyone else had this problem with TKR?  I hate it...painful to walk or stand for very long.  

[mps57]

Hi I had the same thing in my left knee with an infection and revision. I lost 50% of my range of motion and have pain everyday. How are you doing?

[buz388]

Well here's my story and I'm sticking to it! I'm a retired vet of 26 years and after 4 surgeries on each knee we elected to do my right knee first (Feb 2012).  The surgery and post PT of 12 weeks went well and toughed out the pain so to speak but now I am experiencing terrible pain at the base o f  the knee where the implant meets the bone so to speak.  I walk on the tread mill and utilized a stationary bike three to four time a week and that tends to keep the knee's range of motion going for me.  I find myself taking three to four trips to my wife's garden tub (jets assisted) and this seems to help with swelling and tightness.  Now, I'm probably going to return to the folks in Nashville who did the surgery and inquire as to this new and intense pain. Hope I didn't bore you!  Buz - Suwanee GA

[dg52770]

My mom had bilateral surgery 4 weeks ago. She had knee replacements 8 years and 10 years ago. However, 6 months ago she got an infection in both knees and nearly died. She had the replacements removed and was in a wheelchair unable to move for 16 weeks. She then had the bilateral. She was doing well but is struggling with pain management. Her mobility is at 108 percent in one knee and 120 percent in the other knee. Today she was rushed to the hospital due to high blood pressure and symptoms similar to a heart attack. They have run multiple tests but it appears that the stress from the pain might be what is causing her symptoms. It is amazing what they do not tell you related to pain management. You do meet many people who tell you that they are so much better after surgery but the truth is that the pain never seems to go away.

[TheRupp]

I have just had a revision of a knee that was replaced 3 Years ago. I am a 53 Year old Male. The original knee was the incorrect size for my anatomy and was damaging the soft tissue inside the leg. The new one is absolutely fine, three weeks in I can bend 110degrees + ,no significant pain, little swelling, the scar is tiny and progress is on target.
Surgeons are human, all bodies are different, get a second opinion.

[1happycat]

Thank you for the suggestion of Stopain and/or ActiveOn.  I had my right knee replaced 3/10.  Four weeks later I was back at work and I still love my new knee.  However, I had the left knee replaced 3/11 and I don't think the pain has ever stopped.  I had to have it scoped after 3 months due to excessive scar tissue growth. I also have lymphedema in the left knee which has contributed to the problems.  My surgeon says there is a new scan, but it cannot be done before 18 months outside of surgery.  Sometimes the pain is unbearable.  I hope these rub-ons work.  Thanks.