What Causes Stabbing Pain In Knee Long After A Knee Replacement?

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 Answered on

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : my husband had a knee replacement one year ago. Very successful until the last month where he gets stabbing pain in his knee (side of knee) MD said it was inflammation and gave him a cortisone shot. This was 6 days ago and there has been no change in his situation. He is also icing knee regularly. Any ideas. There is also a lot of scar tissue around knee as he had multiple surgeries on it decades ago.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection needs to be ruled out. Also implant loose

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

Does he have fever?

Is there any swelling?

Does he have any tingling or numbness?

It is important for your Doctor to rule out infection which can cause pain, swelling, fever and redness and warmth of the involved knee.

Also implant loosening can be a cause of pain.

You may continue to ice the knee. Keep the knee elevated over 2 pillows. Perform ankle movements during limb elevation to allow for drainage of swelling.

You need to get a few tears to look for infection like CRP, ESR, Blood counts. If there is a swelling, it should be drained and tested for infection as well. Kindly discuss of this possibility with your Doctor.

Kindly respond to my questions for me to be in a better positron to help you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D