Knee Pain After Surgery - Ointments?

[1971DBday]

I am going to follow-up with my ortho as well but after a long day of walking I am still experiencing knee pain after a minor knee surgery for torn cartilage and knee mice.

I'm going to ask my ortho if a cortizone shot will help but I also want to pack an ointment as well. Any recommendations?

 

[bratgirl]

I would wait on the shot. I had similar surgery in September. Was doing well. We went to Disney at Christmas and of course I did a lot of walking. When I got home my knee hurt. Went to Dr and he suggested shot. I did not get it that day. I scheduled it for later. I saw my PT person and she said not to get it yet. After a few weeks of doing my regular schedule and exercises, the pain went away. Wait on shot if you can. I am now 7 months out of surgery and knee feels great. Good Luck

 

[utterrandomness]

I had a really bad experience with the cortisone shot, so I have difficulty recommending it to anyone. It didn't help me at all and actually made the pain worse for a few days. If you do get it, I recommend taking it really easy for the rest of the day. Don't be tempted into overdoing it by the absence of pain from the freezing. I've heard that too much activity on the day of the shot can cause the cortisone flare that I experienced. That being said, the shots really work for some people.

As for an ointment, do you mean a rub on anti-inflammatory like Voltaren Emulgel? If so, it worked really well for me. I have arthritis in my knee and I took a road trip last summer, which meant pain and stiffness from sitting too long in the same position. The Voltaren Emulgel made it a much more pleasant experience. I would definitely recommend giving it a try. I haven't tried any of the other ointments, so I can't really weigh in on them.

 

[heidibilotti]

there are a couple of options. I have some torn tendons in my foot, I have done the cortisone shot and would never do it again, it just didn't work. My doctor used a compound pharmacy and I have a prescription cream that works ok. The best I have found is Traumeel pain relief gel. It is homeopathic and can be found on line and at natural food stores (PM me if you want the name of the store). It works really well and fast and usually takes care of aches and pains well. Good luck and have a great time

 

[ttintagel]

I have family members who get relief from Voltaren, some who use Aspercreem, and others who swear by arnica. None of them do much for me, but YMMV.

(Bad joints run in the family.)

 

[M5ward]

Okay...I gave up...finally. I have read this thread at least four times and finally looked up "knee mice". I thought it was an auto-correct error; imagine my surprise when I found out what it really is!

 

[StrwLady]

Bio Freeze is amazing! I buy it from Amazon.

I have osteoarthritis in both knees and I am under the care of a pain management specialist. One thing he prescribes is Lidoderm lidocane patches. You wear the patch 12 hours on and 12 hours off. It numbs the area. You might want to ask your Dr about them.

Have a great trip!

 

[kaytieeldr]

StrwLady - does BioFreeze smell like Mineral Ice? Or like Icy Hot/Aspercream? Or does it not smell at all? Thanks in advance!

 

[StrwLady]

StrwLady - does BioFreeze smell like Mineral Ice? Or like Icy Hot/Aspercream? Or does it not smell at all? Thanks in advance!

It does have the same smell but it dissipates quicker then then others do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thank you! I was asking because I actually like that scent (can't stand the others, and in my mind, if it doesn't smell at all it can't be working).

 

[StrwLady]

Thank you! I was asking because I actually like that scent (can't stand the others, and in my mind, if it doesn't smell at all it can't be working).

I use the biofreeze more than just my knees. One time I was having a little trouble with my asthma. Later my shoulder was sore so I put some biofreeze on it and soon realized I was breathing better. So now if I'm having minor trouble, besides using my inhaler, I will put some on my chest. I have even used it on my forehead for headaches.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Excellent thread!! I'm recovering from total hip replacement surgery and in the process of healing from this, the arthritis in my knees is acting up from the therapy. AND....I have a trip planned to WDW in October. So now I at least have some suggestions for topical meds to help out with the soreness or stiffness I "may" from all the walking.

I'm hoping by October things will have "quieted" down. But if not I have ideas what I can use.