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Elbow Replacement Pain?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/2/2022 8:12 PM (GMT -8)
I should have written this a few weeks ago but the thought never came into my mind.

Monday the 8th of August (next Monday) I will have my elbow replaced.
My concern is pot surgery pain. I am a bit of a special case because I use buprenorphine for my chronic pain and it binds to opiate receptors like glue so in order for another opiate to work, I need a very high dose.
When I had my hip replaced my pain doctor added hydromorphome at a high dose and thank goodness, it worked.
Getting a medication like that again may be a problem with the "opiate crisis" making it hard on us.
So my question is has anyone had a replacement and how bad was the pain and for how long?

Thanks in advance,

Glen
Posted 8/3/2022 7:45 AM (GMT -8)
I looked in the archives & couldn't find anything about your surgery. Back when this forum was very active it was mainly people having neck, back, knee & shoulder surgery.

I can't tell if you have discussed your concerns with the surgeon or your pain mgt dr. If you haven't I would be making some phone calls or using my patient portal today. Not sure how comfortable I would be going into a surgery not knowing how my post op pain will be handled, perhaps move the surgery back if you can't get some answers.

Good luck.
Posted 8/3/2022 8:36 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks Susie

I'm going to speak before my surgery.
I can fall back on extra buprenorphine as I have enough. They are decent pain meds but hydromorphone is better.

Glen
Posted 10/21/2022 11:47 AM (GMT -8)
Had the surgery and it was very painful.
I was given 14 Percocet five milligram which I didn't use. Being on buprenorphine it would have no effect.
I tried the hydromorphone but even that could not help due to the buprenorphine clinging to the opioid receptors..
I had a few extra buprenorphine so I used half a pill extra now and again and eventually it got better
Five weeks out and still aches.
My elbow was fused and the doctor stated he has never had to work so hard to open me up to dislocate the joint to insert the hardware. There were many bone fragments removed so maybe that's why it hurts

Glen
Posted 1/9/2023 2:35 PM (GMT -8)
Months later and still in considerable pain. I'm going to see doctor in a few weeks

My range of motion improved but the arm is unstable. It rocks back and forth.
Not happy about it

Glen
Posted 1/11/2023 7:38 AM (GMT -8)
When you & your dr were discussing this surgery did he indicate how long the recovery would take? I'm assuming you have done physical therapy, how did that go?

Perhaps it's time to see if you can get your dr appointment moved up. If it's rocking back & forth ask the dr to do any xray to check the positioning of everything.

Good luck.
Posted 1/11/2023 9:43 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks Susie
I have appointment the 26th
Physical therapy helped but the therapist said it might have to be seen as the instability is not normal in her mind.
Yes maybe it needs time to strengthen but it feels wrong for lack of a better term.
For example on the keyboard I'll aim left and the arm goes right.
I'm not happy about possible revision surgery

Glen
Posted 2/14/2023 1:08 PM (GMT -8)
Update
Sadly still painful. Maybe slightly less than before surgery. My range of motion is greatly improved but hurts when I flex.
Doctor thinks that the cement didn't bond well.
I read the operation report and when he applied the cement into the ulnar bone, it was too narrow for the syringe to shoot the cement so he applied it with his finger.
I'll never know if this is what went wrong but it's a guess.

Glen
Posted 2/16/2023 8:17 PM (GMT -8)
BTW I'm still doing PT but at this point I can do it at the gym.
The main point is to strengthen the muscle that controls the flobby or as they say, instability which is in the wrist and arm.
It's gotten better but I don't think I'm ever going to lose this instability.
The cement grouting failed. I'm not going to have revision surgery. I'll have to live with it.
Glen
Posted 3/13/2023 1:01 PM (GMT -8)
Update:

Still painful but maybe a little less. I have much improved range of motion and can eat and brush my teeth and shave.
Maybe the pain will not go away but I have no choice but to live with it.
I'm glad I got the surgery but I'm not giving it rave reviews.
Just for the ROM it's worth it

Pain relief? Hmm not so much

Glen
Posted 4/15/2023 8:06 AM (GMT -8)
Not getting better in fact getting worse.
My elbow is rocking more and it will rock violently at times.
Looks like I have no choice but to live with it or have revision surgery.
See doctor next month.
Very unhappy and wish I didn't have the surgery.

Glen
Posted 5/21/2023 3:39 PM (GMT -8)
Need revision surgery.
This stinks

Glen
Posted 5/23/2023 9:56 AM (GMT -8)
Hurts like heck and I regret having the surgery.
Hopefully the revision surgery is going to fixed it.
Hate going through a second surgery.
I should have lived with the pain but I hoped it would be better

Glen
Posted 6/4/2023 5:12 AM (GMT -8)
Pain is very bad
Posted 8/14/2023 8:32 AM (GMT -8)
Had revision surgery on the 31st July and hoping for the best
Wish I never had it
Posted 8/15/2023 5:35 AM (GMT -8)
Glen, sounds like the revision will be a success according to what you wrote in the PCa forum yesterday. Follow their instructions & give things time.

Take care.
Posted 10/23/2023 10:20 AM (GMT -8)
Well I have been waiting for the three months mark and it's near.
I'm not pleased. The good news is that it's more stable than before revision but it's not very stable and rock's back and forth a little bit.
The bad news is the pain. Yes it's better but still very achy and if I push down it can hurt very badly
Of course I try to not push down but it's going to happen.
I'm not going through another surgery!
Well if it gets much worse I'd have to think about it.
Bottom line is okay it's better but not what I hoped
Glen
Posted 10/24/2023 9:54 AM (GMT -8)
Glen, it sounds like you've gotten a little improvement. I guess some improvement is better than none. I hope as more time goes by there will be more improvement. Everyone heals differently, I know drs will tell a surgical patient they should be healed by so many weeks or months, that's not always the case. Keep your arm protected the best you can, that's all you do, it has to be a little aggravating at times. Anyway, I just hope things keep on improving in time.
Posted 10/27/2023 3:26 PM (GMT -8)
Not doing well. I didn't want to jink it by complaining before the three months period.
I hurt my arm very badly just by placing my cane down and saw stars.
I'll do all I can with PT and maybe my arm brace but very unlikely I'll have another surgery.
See the doctor November.
At least it's not hurting all the time

Glen
Posted 10/30/2023 10:15 AM (GMT -8)
Still painful and I think what the doctor does not account for is sleep movement.
I move a lot while sleeping and I'm sure I push upward using my predominant right arm.
There is no way I'm not going to use the arm.
It's rocking and painful but at this point I can accept it.
I'll fight having another surgery but I don't know how bad it might get.

Just blowing off steam 🚂

Glen
Posted 10/31/2023 6:50 AM (GMT -8)
Ouch, I am sure the pain was bad when you leaned on your cane. No matter how careful we try to be there is always that one time.

I'm not a dr, but I think a full recovery of a fused joint like an elbow is a little premature at 3 months. So many things to factor in, this was a 2nd surgery, extent of damage, age of the patient, this is just my thoughts.

Hopefully time will take care of a lot of your issues.
Posted 10/31/2023 7:11 AM (GMT -8)
Thank you Susie

Yes it takes up to a year for full recovery. I'm okay with some pain. My worry is instability.
In the first month or so I had no movement but now I do so that worries me.
No more revision surgery

G
Posted 10/31/2023 9:53 AM (GMT -8)
I want to be clear and stress that I'm hoping my experience will be helpful for others.
I'm not saying don't have the surgery but to be aware of the many limitations.
I glossed over them not realizing how much one has to forego.
Ten pound Max lift and reppeative lift of five pounds.
That's not a lot of weight.

Glen
Posted 11/5/2023 12:33 PM (GMT -8)
Have to add that the pain is getting worse.
If I push down the pain is very bad.
I know I must be careful but it's impossible not to accidentally use my predominant arm.
Yes I'm frustrated but I have lived with pain most of my adult life. I'm not worried about just pain unless it gets a lot worse.
Some instability but not as bad as before

Glen
Posted 11/25/2023 3:48 PM (GMT -8)
No improvement in fact it's worse.
At this point I'd say elbow replacement surgery is not worth it.

Glen
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