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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,280
Registered: ‎05-11-2013

Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

My TKR was 11/20.  The post-op pain is much better.  Very little swelling and my incision looks great, for a scar.

 

Of course it gets stiff sometimes. Late yesterday I was going to laundry room and got a sharp, stop you in your tracks, pain in the front of my leg, below the kneecap.  It didn't last but a second but happened a couple more times.

 

My knee is not red, swollen, warm etc.  Nothing is grinding or making a weird sound.  Sometimes it doesn't happen just has been an intermitent "holy krap, what was that" when I take a step.

 

Doesn't do it when I sit or just stand.  If it keeps up til Monday, I'll call Dr.

 

Anyone else have this after a TKR?

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 23,835
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

@CrazyKittyLvr2   Of course if it continues or gets worse call your doctor... but ...

 

with my bilateral knee replacements at about week 7 or 8 I started getting sharp pains which were the nerves regenerating  that had been cut duiring surgery........ sharp stabing pains... it went on for several weeks.... nothing else was out of the ordinary... That most likely is what you are experiencing.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,280
Registered: ‎05-11-2013

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

@SeaMaiden  Thanks.  I just went and made some lunch, no problem.

 

I tried sleeping lying down last night.  Nope.  I couldn't get my leg comfortable.  I noticed about 3 this am that I bent my knee and got a twinge.  Nothing after that.

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,776
Registered: ‎06-19-2010

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

You will feel twinges and sensations. It's your nerves healing and getting life back into them. Mine would happen mostly when I was lying down in bed. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 78,065
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

Nope, I never had any sharp pains like you describe.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,913
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

 

@CrazyKittyLvr2 

 

My wife has the same thing and at differing times. I know from my own surgical experiences(not the knee), the invasive surgeries disturb more than just muscle/bone, and connective tissue. There are also many nerves involved, and with as with many nerves , they can exhibit strange sensations at any given time.

 

I am not making any pretense of knowing what is causing this issue with you. Only know how the nerves sometimes react, even without surgery or an injury. I am sure you will address this with your surgeon if it continues.

 

 

 

hckynut

hckynut(john)
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,599
Registered: ‎05-22-2010

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

My TKR was at the end of September.  I'm told those random twinges and pains are part of the healing process.  They come and go at random times but what I do notice is sometimes during the sleep process I wake up and the knee is aching.  When I stand it is fine, lay back down and it aches for awhile.  Even with the other knee which was replaced in May I sometimes get a twinge, although not very often.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,280
Registered: ‎05-11-2013

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

@chlema  My knee aches at night too.  This pain yesterday was just occasionally when I stepped down.  It was a very sharp quick jolt.

 

Weirdly, today it hasn't happened at all.  I have walked very gingerly because I was expecting it too happen.

 

I didn't have any weird pains after my hip but every type of surgery is different

 

I feel pretty good in general but if it happens again I'll let Dr. know.

Super Contributor
Posts: 373
Registered: ‎07-03-2013

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

[ Edited ]

I have had both knees replaced and a lumbar fusion.  New joints are not unlike "breaking in" any new puce of equipment or even a new pair of shoes!  This happened to me while sleeping. As nerves begin to awaken after the trauma of surgery, some are grouchier than others. If you have continued concerns, see your surgeon. Please make sure you continue your pt and "work" your closed incision with vitamin E oil or Mederma (i liked the gel form). This helps prevent a raised scar from forming and minimizes the pinkness of the external scar. As long as the incision has fully closed, healed, and staples removed, gentle massage/stretching of the wound in multiple directions will minimize scar tissue build-up internally around the wound site.Scar tissue build up will impair flexibility, cause stiffness,  and range of motion and could require surgical manipulation to break it up. This (to me) sounds worse than the TKR! Take good care. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,280
Registered: ‎05-11-2013

Re: Question About Sharp Pain Post TKR.

@Shiloh09  I've heard of the MUA thing.  No matter what that is never going to happen.  My leg is straight, it wasn't before.  As long as I can walk, do stairs and bend over with out pain, I'm good.