One year ago, I had a oxford knee replacement. Since the surgery I have excruciating nerve pain. I am allergic to ibuprofen, lyrica and neurontin have been tried along with elavil. no relief. I am unable to wear anything that brushes against my knee. Recently i have had an additional popping and grinding when i bend the knee. I was told i needed a revision. My question is will my nerve pain get worse or can it get better after the next surgery. I have been to a pain clinic, spinal nerve blocks do not work. Help help help
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 54 Already Tried: ibuprofen, elavil, neurontin, percocet, tens, spinal nerve blocks, ice, heat, physical therapy
Hi there. I'm sorry that you are having a problem with your knee. Let me try to help.
I am an Orthopedic Surgeon and would like to help answer your questions. Please understand that the information that I provide is for educational and informational purposes and is not treatment or meant to substitute for being treated by a live physician. I get online once a day and therefore please bear with me if you post and I haven't responded yet. I will in do time. Please do not accept until you have had your question answered in a satisfactory fashion.
How old is the knee replacement?
Have you had this type of pain since the replacement? If not, how long after the replacement did it start?
Why did they say you needed a revision? It is loose or infected?
It sounds like you indeed have nerve pain of neuropathic origin. Do you have a diagnosis for this pain? It sounds like an element of complex regional pain syndrome or also known as fibromyalgia.
They have given you lyrica and neurotin which are both used to treat CRPS.
You seem to have exhausted all of the modalities include nerve blocks and injections.
The crepitus and mechanical symptoms of your knee should resolve after the revision surgery but it really depends on why the revision surgery is being done.
However, it is not certain whether the nerve pain will resolve. It really depends on why the nerve pain started in the first place. If you could clarify when it started and what initiated it that would help.
I think determining the cause of the nerve pain is the number one priority for you. Until you have a good answer then asking whether it will resolve from the revision knee surgery or any other kind of surgery will be somewhat futile.
In this situation finding the answer would involve seeing other specialists than a pain clinic. Perhaps a physical medicine and rehabilitation or rheumatologist - you need to find someone in your area who has an interest in nerve pain.
If you could provide additional information I will check back later today to respond. Thanks.
Experience: Orthopedic Surgeon