Why does my joint still hurt after it has been replaced?

 

In most cases, patients are near pain free after total joint replacement. However, some patients will experience pain after their replacement. There are many reasons why a joint can be painful after total joint (knee or hip...or any joint for that matter) replacement. 

​

Most commonly, patients have pain after total joint replacement because they still have muscles, tendons and bones that are still theirs and able to feel pain after surgery.  The total joint replacement is designed to remove all pain from arthritis.  People of all ages can get muscles aches and pains, even after total joint replacement.  The treatment for this pain is anti-inflammatory use, physical therapy and exercise.

​

Another cause of pain in the joint after replacement, as discussed before, is referred pain from another body part.  A history, physical and imaging studies usually can determine if this is the cause of the pain.

 

Sometimes, however, the pain is from the joint replacement itself and needs to be addressed.  Total joint replacements can wear out, loosen, or become infected leading to pain.  While these are rare, it is important to be checked out when having pain after total joint replacement to try and figure out the cause of any pain. 

​

It is important to have all the information about your total joint replacement if it was performed somewhere else.  When seeing any physician about pain after a total joint replacement, remember to bring all records so your doctor can use all that information to figure out how best to treat your pain!

​

​

​​​​