Re: TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and pain!

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I'm 4-weeks out from surgery. Your PT is right, they tell me the

same thing about comparing knees, except my worse knee is my left.

Last week when my PT was pushing my left knee into extension, trying

to hit 90-degrees, I felt something RIP right under my incision. I

thought I had popped my incision wide open. It hurt real bad and I

gave an unexpected yelp. I actaully heard the snap/rip and so did

the PT, but no blood appeared. He assured me that it was quite

common. He stated that it was a scar tissue band that had violently

ripped in two from the forced stretching. That's probably what

happened to you too. By the way, my left knee blew up over night

and was very stiff the next day.

Hang in there Donna, us double TKR's have to stick together.

Best Regards,

Alan

>

>

> Again, I need the benefit of your experience. First, some

background:

>

> I had double TKR six weeks ago tomorrow. According to my surgeon,

TP and

> you all, I am on track in my recovery. But, my right knee has been

the

> " bad " one since surgery. It is more swollen and always numb --

> particularly on the right front side. I've had the worst and most

> consistent pain in the back of the right knee. It feels like I have

> rubber bands back there that can only be stretched so far. I have

yet to

> get the knee of lay completely flat. Every time I bring this up,

the PTs

> say every knee surgery is different. I can't compare the right one

to

> the left one.

>

> Tuesday evening I was settling into bed, fastening on my ice

packs. I

> moved my right knee a bit, felt something move or snap in the back

of

> the knee and, I think, heard a crack. It happened so quickly, I'm

not

> sure. The resulting pain, lasting a few minutes, was horrific. I

> actually screamed. It took me a few minutes to straighten the knee

out.

> I went ahead and applied the ice pack and eventually went to

sleep. The

> next morning, it was more swollen and sore than it had been in

weeks,

> and I couldn't put weight on it until I took my pain meds.

>

> I called my surgeon. The physician assistant was able to see me

> immediately. He had x-rays taken, compared them to last week's and

said

> they looked the same. I.e., there was no damage to my new

artificial

> knees. He did mention something about scar tissue and the need to

> sometimes go back and deal with it through arthroscopy surgery.

But I

> think that was just speculation on his part. But it has me

thinking and

> concerned. I can't see my surgeon until Monday morning. In the

meantime,

> I had to come home and go back on bed rest, even though I had just

been

> back to work for two days. After two days of bed rest, the knee is

a bit

> better.

>

> Monday is a long time to wait to see the surgeon. I can't help but

> wonder what happened inside my knee to cause such pain and how it

will

> affect my recovery. I've seen scar tissue mentioned here, but paid

> little attention because I thought it had nothing to do with me.

>

> Has anyone had a similar experience?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR.

I went to the ortho. the other day because of slight knee pain on the outer side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the right front close to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and feeling never came back. His answer was "the feeling will never come back." So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it.

Now I never had the experience you describe with snap, crackle, etc. But to break through scar tissue (which I have) they perform a manipulation which is a process wherein the dr. puts you out and bends the knee and breaks through the scar tissue. I had complications with my TKR so I have severe scar tissue which was never manipulated. Too late now to do it. So if he wants to do a manipulation on you, do it. While there are no guarantees it will work, I would do it if recommended. I didn't and as a result only have 95 deg. bend. My leg is, and always has, been perfectly straight since surgery. But I can't bend that good especially getting in and out of the car and tight places. I am 5'11" which doesn't help matters!

Good luck and I hope you feel better each day!

Joy

-- TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and pain!

Again, I need the benefit of your experience. First, some background:

I had double TKR six weeks ago tomorrow. According to my surgeon, TP and you all, I am on track in my recovery. But, my right knee has been the "bad" one since surgery. It is more swollen and always numb -- particularly on the right front side. I've had the worst and most consistent pain in the back of the right knee. It feels like I have rubber bands back there that can only be stretched so far. I have yet to get the knee of lay completely flat. Every time I bring this up, the PTs say every knee surgery is different. I can't compare the right one to the left one.

Tuesday evening I was settling into bed, fastening on my ice packs. I moved my right knee a bit, felt something move or snap in the back of the knee and, I think, heard a crack. It happened so quickly, I'm not sure. The resulting pain, lasting a few minutes, was horrific. I actually screamed. It took me a few minutes to straighten the knee out. I went ahead and applied the ice pack and eventually went to sleep. The next morning, it was more swollen and sore than it had been in weeks, and I couldn't put weight on it until I took my pain meds.

I called my surgeon. The physician assistant was able to see me immediately. He had x-rays taken, compared them to last week's and said they looked the same. I.e., there was no damage to my new artificial knees. He did mention something about scar tissue and the need to sometimes go back and deal with it through arthroscopy surgery. But I think that was just speculation on his part. But it has me thinking and concerned. I can't see my surgeon until Monday morning. In the meantime, I had to come home and go back on bed rest, even though I had just been back to work for two days. After two days of bed rest, the knee is a bit better.

Monday is a long time to wait to see the surgeon. I can't help but wonder what happened inside my knee to cause such pain and how it will affect my recovery. I've seen scar tissue mentioned here, but paid little attention because I thought it had nothing to do with me.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/19/2006 6:10:02 P.M. Central Standard Time, jarias3@... writes:

Hi Donna,

FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR.

I went to the ortho. the other day because of slight knee pain on the outer side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the right front close to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and feeling never came back. His answer was "the feeling will never come back." So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it.

Hi Donna, I also have the numb feeling in both of my new knees. Last one was in Feb, this year. I had back surgery last year also and it's numb back there. It is weird though shaving your legs,

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Joy! Do you know how scar tissue is diagnosed? The PA only speculated about scar tissue yesterday. I got the impression that he saw nothing on the x-ray. It wasn't until I got home that I started wondering exacrly how they could tell if that was the problem.>> Hi Donna, > > FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR. > > I went to the ortho. the other day because of slight knee pain on the outer> side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the right front close> to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and> feeling never came back. His answer was "the feeling will never come back."> So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it. > > Now I never had the experience you describe with snap, crackle, etc. But to> break through scar tissue (which I have) they perform a manipulation which> is a process wherein the dr. puts you out and bends the knee and breaks> through the scar tissue. I had complications with my TKR so I have severe> scar tissue which was never manipulated. Too late now to do it. So if he> wants to do a manipulation on you, do it. While there are no guarantees it> will work, I would do it if recommended. I didn't and as a result only have> 95 deg. bend. My leg is, and always has, been perfectly straight since> surgery. But I can't bend that good especially getting in and out of the> car and tight places. I am 5'11" which doesn't help matters! > > Good luck and I hope you feel better each day! > > Joy > > -- TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and pain! > > Again, I need the benefit of your experience. First, some background: > I had double TKR six weeks ago tomorrow. According to my surgeon, TP and you> all, I am on track in my recovery. But, my right knee has been the "bad" one> since surgery. It is more swollen and always numb -- particularly on the> right front side. I've had the worst and most consistent pain in the back of> the right knee. It feels like I have rubber bands back there that can only> be stretched so far. I have yet to get the knee of lay completely flat.> Every time I bring this up, the PTs say every knee surgery is different. I> can't compare the right one to the left one. > Tuesday evening I was settling into bed, fastening on my ice packs. I moved> my right knee a bit, felt something move or snap in the back of the knee and> I think, heard a crack. It happened so quickly, I'm not sure. The resulting> pain, lasting a few minutes, was horrific. I actually screamed. It took me a> few minutes to straighten the knee out. I went ahead and applied the ice> pack and eventually went to sleep. The next morning, it was more swollen and> sore than it had been in weeks, and I couldn't put weight on it until I took> my pain meds. > I called my surgeon. The physician assistant was able to see me immediately.> He had x-rays taken, compared them to last week's and said they looked the> same. I.e., there was no damage to my new artificial knees. He did mention> something about scar tissue and the need to sometimes go back and deal with> it through arthroscopy surgery. But I think that was just speculation on his> part. But it has me thinking and concerned. I can't see my surgeon until> Monday morning. In the meantime, I had to come home and go back on bed rest,> even though I had just been back to work for two days. After two days of bed> rest, the knee is a bit better. > Monday is a long time to wait to see the surgeon. I can't help but wonder> what happened inside my knee to cause such pain and how it will affect my> recovery. I've seen scar tissue mentioned here, but paid little attention> because I thought it had nothing to do with me. > Has anyone had a similar experience?>

[Guest guest]

I have had both knees done but separately. My last one was done in

February. It has healed differently than my first one. I had some

pain in the back of the knee that I didn't have in the first one. Also

the second one has been more pain longer than the first one but not

severe. To lay your knee flat at 5 weeks I think is asking too much.

That will come in time. I also have numbness on the outside of my

knee. It's been three years for the first knee and there is some

numbness there. Not as much as the second one. My OS said I will

probably have some numbness there forever. He said they cut a lot of

nerves on the outside of the knee. My mobility in both knees is great

and I m so thankful that I have had them done. My experience with both

of my TKRs has been very positive.

On Oct 19, 2006, at 3:45 PM, Donna wrote:

> Again, I need the benefit of your experience. First, some background:

>

> I had double TKR six weeks ago tomorrow. According to my surgeon, TP

> and you all, I am on track in my recovery. But, my right knee has been

> the " bad " one since surgery. It is more swollen and always numb

> -- particularly on the right front side. I've had the worst and most

> consistent pain in the back of the right knee. It feels like I have

> rubber bands back there that can only be stretched so far. I have yet

> to get the knee of lay completely flat. Every time I bring this up,

> the PTs say every knee surgery is different. I can't compare the right

> one to the left one.

>

> Tuesday evening I was settling into bed, fastening on my ice packs. I

> moved my right knee a bit, felt something move or snap in the back of

> the knee and, I think, heard a crack. It happened so quickly, I'm not

> sure. The resulting pain, lasting a few minutes, was horrific. I

> actually screamed. It took me a few minutes to straighten the knee

> out.  I went ahead and applied the ice pack and eventually went to

> sleep. The next morning, it was more swollen and sore than it had been

> in weeks, and I couldn't put weight on it until I took my pain meds.

>

> I called my surgeon. The physician assistant was able to see me

> immediately. He had x-rays taken, compared them to last week's and

> said they looked the same. I.e., there was no damage to my new

> artificial knees. He did mention something about scar tissue and the

> need to sometimes go back and deal with it through arthroscopy

> surgery. But I think that was just speculation on his part. But it has

> me thinking and concerned. I can't see my surgeon until Monday

> morning. In the meantime, I had to come home and go back on bed rest,

> even though I had just been back to work for two days. After two days

> of bed rest, the knee is a bit better.

>

> Monday is a long time to wait to see the surgeon. I can't help but

> wonder what happened inside my knee to cause such pain and how it will

> affect my recovery. I've seen scar tissue mentioned here, but paid

> little attention because I thought it had nothing to do with me.

>

> Has anyone had a similar experience?

>

>

" If God brings you to it He will bring you through it. "

[Guest guest]

All I had was a partial meniscectomy and I have numbness. I think it must be really hard for anyone but a microsurgeon to avoid nerves.

I have a completely dislocated clavicle (dislocated at the sternum end, with arthritis at both ends), but nobody will operate on it because too many important nerves & blood vessels run right behind it.

Real flesh isn't neat like the drawings. If only it were ...

Ann S.

Re: TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and pain!

In a message dated 10/19/2006 6:10:02 P.M. Central Standard Time, jarias3tampabay (DOT) rr.com writes:

Hi Donna,

FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR.

I went to the ortho. the other day because of slight knee pain on the outer side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the right front close to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and feeling never came back. His answer was "the feeling will never come back." So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it.

Hi Donna, I also have the numb feeling in both of my new knees. Last one was in Feb, this year. I had back surgery last year also and it's numb back there. It is weird though shaving your legs,

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann, I couldn't believe that some of you have numbness I had a Hip replacement six years ago and a Knee replacement done five years next Month on my right side the numbness is on the front of my right leg and the right side of it just below the new knee My younger Sister would say it was all in my Head :-( I thought that having these two operations I would be able to walk without my cane but I can't affraid of falling ,I have arthritis in both my feet and they feel like blocks oh like you said you have to live with it but I wish I didn't have Bursitis and scar tissues in my new hip That's where it hurts I have to live with that also .Well you take care and have a nice day :-) SusieAnn <ruby2zdy@...> wrote: All I had was a partial meniscectomy and I have numbness. I think it must be really hard for anyone but a microsurgeon to avoid nerves. I have a completely dislocated clavicle (dislocated at the sternum end, with arthritis at both ends), but nobody will operate on it because too many important nerves & blood vessels run right behind it. Real flesh isn't neat like the drawings. If only it were ... Ann S. Re: TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and pain! In a message dated 10/19/2006 6:10:02 P.M. Central Standard Time, jarias3tampabay (DOT) rr.com writes: Hi Donna, FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR. I went to the ortho. the other day because of

slight knee pain on the outer side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the right front close to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and feeling never came back. His answer was "the feeling will never come back." So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it. Hi Donna, I also have the numb feeling in both of my new knees. Last one was in Feb, this year. I had back surgery last year also and it's numb back there. It is weird though shaving your legs,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/20/2006 10:54:38 A.M. Central Standard Time, mbwebman@... writes:

If anyone wants the link to the TKR videosend me an email and I'll send it you.Best Regards,Alan

Hi Alan, send me the link OK? I've had both done but would like to see what they actually did to me. I appreciate it.

[Guest guest]

Hi guys

although I do not have knee pain now post TKR 8 weeks ago

I have pain on the outer aspect of my right leg that seems to go along the fibula

It only occurs when I get into bed at night and it stops me from getting to sleep

Often during the night my leg will " JUMP" off the bed and the pain is enough to wake me up

It sort of muscular, sort of nerve, sort of bone pain

Anybody else out there have something similar in the past and how did you treat it apart from pain killers

I have to go to see my OS on Tues for post op review and I hope I do not forget to mention it

(bilateral TKR 10 years ago and re do of R TKR 8 weeks)

-- Re: TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and pain!

Hi All,In respect to numbness from TKR, I had a bilateral 1 month ago. Ihave small areas around the inciisions that are numb, but nothing tooextensive. My surgeon said that these numb areas were a possibilityand that it was a crap shoot if the feeling would ever come back. Iappreciated his honesty. However, these areas aren't very extensiveand shouldn't cause me any problem with walking, etc. I do understandthat some people do have more extensive nerve damage, but have any ofyou actually seen what a TKR operation looks like? I found a link onthe web to a streaming video of a full TKR. It's amazing that thereisn't more nerve damage created with the way they fillet the knee toinsert the implants etc. If anyone wants the link to the TKR videosend me an email and I'll send it you.Best Regards,Alan> All I had was a partial meniscectomy and I have numbness. I thinkit must> be really hard for anyone but a microsurgeon to avoid nerves.> > I have a completely dislocated clavicle (dislocated at the sternumend, with> arthritis at both ends), but nobody will operate on it because too many> important nerves & blood vessels run right behind it.> > Real flesh isn't neat like the drawin gs. If only it were ...> > Ann S.> > Re: TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and> pain!> > > In a message dated 10/19/2006 6:10:02 P.M. Central Standard Time,> jarias3@... writes:> Hi Donna,> > FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR.> > I went to the ortho. the other day because of slight knee pain onthe outer> side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the rightfront close> to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and> feeling never came back. His answer was "the feeling will nevercome back."> So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it.> Hi Donna, I also have the numb feeling in both of my new knees. Last one> was in Feb, this year. I had back surgery last year also and it'snumb back> there. It is weird though shaving your legs, > > > > > __________ NOD32 1.1817 (20061019) Information __________> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.> http://www.eset.com> > > __________ NOD32 1.1817 (20061019) Information __________> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.> http://www.eset.com>__________ NOD32 1.1819 (20061020) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com__________ NOD32 1.1819 (20061020) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

Yes I have them too. The only thing that works are the pain pills. Sorry I cant help you more. But they sure hurts when it happens.Shirley Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] TKR -- snap, crackle and pop and> pain!> > > In a message dated 10/19/2006 6:10:02 P.M. Central Standard Time,> jarias3@... writes:> Hi Donna,> > FYI - I am 2 years exactly post-surgery for TKR.> > I went to the ortho. the other day because of slight knee pain onthe outer> side. While there, I asked him about the numbness on the rightfront close> to the bottom of the scar. It has been numb since day 1 of surgery and> feeling never came

back. His answer was "the feeling will nevercome back."> So it seems that those of us who do have that sensation live with it.> Hi Donna, I also have the numb feeling in both of my new knees. Last one> was in Feb, this year. I had back surgery last year also and it'snumb back> there. It is weird though shaving your legs, > > > > > __________ NOD32 1.1817 (20061019) Information __________> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.> http://www.eset. com> > > __________ NOD32 1.1817 (20061019) Information __________> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.> http://www.eset. com>__________ NOD32 1.1819 (20061020) Information __________This

message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset. com__________ NOD32 1.1819 (20061020) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset. com

[Guest guest]

" Often during the night my leg will " JUMP " off the bed and

> the pain is enough to wake me up

>

> It sort of muscular, sort of nerve, sort of bone pain "

>

> Anybody else out there have something similar in the past

> and how did you treat it apart from pain killers

Hi

They sound like muscle spasms. I have them too (they are

common with osteoarthritis of the hip - I'm having a THR

next month) and they tend to occur more when I am resting. I

don't do anything for them, but you could ask your doctor

for a muscle relaxant drug. Pain killers won't work, as I'm

on morphine 24/7 and still get them

[Guest guest]

Hi Don, Thanks for telling about the numbness in the total knee replacement I had mind five years the day after Thanks Giving on the right side and its still numb I always thought it was just me and I always wonder if it was from my Hip replacement on my right side six years ago Well I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery .Well you have a nice weekend. SusieDon <donavp@...> wrote: I can only answer the numbness that you mention and other haveresponded too. I am facing a TKR toward the end of Nov. However Ihad polio when I was very young. Later (still a boy) I had kneesurgury because of leg length differances. This involved twooperation abut two years apart. I had numbness in my operated kneefor almost 20 years. Slowly over that time the feeling came back. Itwas in the front just under the knee cap. Others have mentioneddifferent areas. All of this numbness is a result of cutting nervesduring the operation. It can't be avoided and is pretty much luck onwere and how much numbness results. Minimal invasive surgury wouldmean less or little numbness but them nerves are everywhere andprobably at different locations

from person to person. Like fingerprints. So if you live long enough you will get feeling backDon

[Guest guest]

I think sharing our experiences is very helpful. I know from reading

other's experiences it has helped me see that some of my concerns are

shared by others. Also my OS said I may never loose the numbness.

That is a minor side effect compared to the pain being gone I think.

On Oct 21, 2006, at 12:47 AM, Suzanne Snyder wrote:

> Hi Don,

> Thanks for telling about the numbness in the total knee replacement I

> had mind five years the day after Thanks Giving on the right side and

> its still numb I always thought it was just me and I always wonder if

> it was from my Hip replacement on my right side six years ago Well I

> wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery .Well you have a nice

> weekend.

>

                                        \

         Susie

>

> Don <donavp@...> wrote:

>> I can only answer the numbness that you mention and other have

>> responded too. I am facing a TKR toward the end of Nov. However I

>> had polio when I was very young. Later (still a boy) I had knee

>> surgury because of leg length differances. This involved two

>> operation abut two years apart. I had numbness in my operated knee

>> for almost 20 years. Slowly over that time the feeling came back. It

>> was in the front just under the knee cap. Others have mentioned

>> different areas. All of this numbness is a result of cutting nerves

>> during the operation. It can't be avoided and is pretty much luck on

>> were and how much numbness results. Minimal invasive surgury would

>> mean less or little numbness but them nerves are everywhere and

>> probably at different locations from person to person. Like finger

>> prints. So if you live long enough you will get feeling back

>>

>> Don

>>

>

>

The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

[Guest guest]

One of my knees is also numb on the right side also. And I've heard the same from two others. As far as my snap, crackle and pop in the back of that knee, it's still sore. I see the surgeon tomorrow. Based on my visits with the physician assistant and physical therapist, I won't be surprised if the the diagnosis is scar tissue. If so, I believe you work with the PT to break it up. If that doesn't happen, then it's arthroscopic surgery. If it gets to that, so be it. After double TKR, it shoudn't a big deal. I just want to be 100 percent recovered this time next year. Everything I read says it takes three months to be fair, a full year for a full recovery. I now have more realistic expectations. I also overdid this weekend and suffered for it --- yet another post-surgery learning experience. This experience makes you humble. Suzanne Snyder <juneflower63@...> wrote: Hi Don, Thanks for telling about the numbness in the total knee replacement I had mind five years the day after Thanks Giving on the right side and its still numb I always thought it was just me and I always wonder if it was from my Hip replacement on my right side six years ago Well I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery .Well you have a nice weekend. SusieDon <donavpsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: I can only answer the numbness that you mention and other haveresponded too. I am facing a TKR toward the end of Nov. However Ihad polio when I was very young. Later (still a boy) I had kneesurgury because of leg length differances. This involved twooperation abut two years apart. I had numbness in my operated kneefor almost 20 years. Slowly over that time the feeling came back. Itwas in the front just under the knee cap. Others have mentioneddifferent areas. All of

this numbness is a result of cutting nervesduring the operation. It can't be avoided and is pretty much luck onwere and how much numbness results. Minimal invasive surgury wouldmean less or little numbness but them nerves are everywhere andprobably at different locations from person to person. Like fingerprints. So if you live long enough you will get feeling backDon

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

i had a tkr about 6 weeks ago === for the firsts 3 or 4 days i was having very little pain -- then i went through a period of having pain -- but to tell you the thing that was the worst for me was that i have a problem with a slow digestive tract to begin with and the pain meds (which i am always on anyway because of chronic headaches) constipated me.... it was my own fault -- i did not keep on top of the issue until it was bad --- so my worst experience was getting past that -- not my knee!! that may sound funny but it is true -- i am going to have my left knee done in feb and i can't wait -- today i was stunned because i felt pain in my knee and thought oh i have done something to it -- then when i thought about it i realized that it was the leg that had not had the replacement..... my new knee is so much sturdier than it was pre-surgery.... i feel like when i get the other one replaced i will be a new person and will once again be able to getting out and enjoy walking and other things i have missed out on for quite some time. the pain of a bad knee will last forever and just keeps getting worse -- the amount of pain you will experience post-op will go away and you will be so happy you went through it! take care, alice