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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
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