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PAIN
IN THE TOTAL KNEE
Patients do have occasional pain after total knee
replacement even if their total knees are healed flawlessly.
( see the chapter: Life with
total knee)
How frequent is the knee pain after total knee
replacement?
Several studies show that between 5 -20% of all patients
still have had moderate to severe pain in the total knee several years after the
surgery. Only a minority of these patients, however, were eventually operated on anew.
Where do the patients perceive the pain?
Pain in and around the patella (kneecap) is very frequent.
According to many studies, patients with resurfaced patella have almost equally often
kneecap pain as patients without resurfaced patella.
Diffuse knee pain is often observed in total knee infection
or loosening.
Pain in the lower thigh or beneath the knee is observed in
loose total knee prostheses with long stems, reaching into the thigh- (femur) or shinbone
(tibia).
Pain in the total knee associated with effusion in the
joint occurs in worn out polyethylene components.
Pain
radiating
from
outside
the
knee
área
to
lower
leg
and
foot (big
toe)
occurs
in
compression
of
peroneal
nerve.
Pain from the hip and lumbar spine disease may
also irradiate into in the total knee joint area.
Individual causes of pain
Pain in the non resurfaced kneecap
The not resurfaced kneecap may cause anterior
knee pain ( pain in the front of the knee). After the additional operation -resurfacing of
the patella, however, the pain may continue. Also the resurfaced kneecap may cause
pain in the front of the knee.
Pain from impingement of the kneecap in the
unicompartmental knee prostheses
Worn out polyethylene liner in the patellar prosthesis
Badly balanced kneecap that dislocates and subluxates
Painful clunk in the kneecap
Pain from the extensor (quadriceps) tendon if the surgeon
moved the attachment of the tendon on the tibial tubercle (a prominence in front of
shinbone) .
For more information visit also the chapter Other complications of total knee surgery
Patellar clunk syndrome
Is a painful clunk that appears when the patient flexes the
total knee joint to 45 degrees. The clunk is caused by fibrous nodule that formed in
the joint capsule.
See more in the chapter Other
complications
of
total
knee
surgery
Loosening of the total knee
causes diffuse pain in the knee associated with walking and
other activity. Usually the pain develops slowly years after the total knee surgery.
Laboratory tests are normal.
For more information visit also the chapter Loosening of the total knee.
Total knee infection:
causes diffuse pain, often associated with effusion in the
knee joint, in some patients even with sinuses. Sinus is a small opening in the operation
wound that secrets pus-like liquid. Laboratory tests show elevated values of ESR and CRP.
For more information visit also the chapter Infection of the the total knee.
Before you take any action please read the DISCLAIMER
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complications
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