Knee pain post total knee replacement 2001

[chuck781]

In 2001, after seven surgeries on my knee I underwent a total knee replacement.  For about two years I was pain free, and got around very well.  Then the pain, worse than before the replacement began,  I had surgery to remove an infected bursa, then several other authroscopic surgeries to clean out the knee of scar tissue.  About two years ago the pain got so bad I had to stop working.  I was put on 300mg morphine daily, and some day's the pain was so bad I could not walk.
I went to several top surgeons one in Fairfax, Va., one in pittsburg, pa.  Both thought the knee was infected but after taking fluid and a biposy there was no infection shown. Six months ago they decided that the tibial implant was loose.  I was to have a total revision in February 2010, but got sick with a brain bleed and the surgery was put off until mid June.  Since the brain bleed I was told I cannot take morphine, and can only take 5mg oxy, every six hours.  The pain is very very bad, but the doctors say any more pain medication could cause a new brain bleed, and I have to wait until mid June to be cleared for surgery, scheduled June 17.
I have looked into acupuncture and was told by the only doctor in my small town who knows about it, that it would not work well for my type of pain.  I am not seeking long term relief, just enough relief to get me through until the revision in mid June.  I have a business contact in Beijimg China who I email daily for business.  He said he spoke with several doctor friends who say that acupuncture could help and give me relief until surgery.  I live about 2 hours drive from Washington d.c., and have decided to look for someone who does acupuncture in Washington, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with acupuncture for knee pain relief after a knee replacement?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Chock,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am so sorry to hear about all the problems and pain you have had with your knee and now the brain bleed.

I do not have personal experience with acupuncture for knee pain. I do have joint pain. I have severe a SIJ (sacroiliac joint) Dysfunction. I have tried acupuncture for it. All I can tell you is my personal experience. Although the acupuncture did not effect the pain to any degree it certainly was a stress reducing treatment. I beleive that stress goes hand in hand with chronic pain. So in that respect I did feel better.

What do you have to lose? It certainly can't hurt. It is non-invasive. My PCP has patients that do claim they obtain relief from all sorts of chronic pain situations.

I hope that you will keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing...and if you try the acupuncture please let us know if it is effective for you.

I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing from you.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[Mollyrae]

I have not personally tried AP but have heard that it's been effective in relieving some of the pain. I'm not sure why the Doctor can't up the Oxycodone to possibly 15mg with NO Tylenol. It's the anti-inflammatory that will make the blood thin...not the actual Oxycodone. Have you talked to the Doctor about removing the tylenol and going just with the Oxy??

Good luck,
Mollyrae