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Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain Due To Cartilage Damage

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Posted on Thu, 3 Jul 2014
Question: Had knee surgery four years ago - Lon Paulas at Andrews Institute did the surgery... Complete ACL reconstruction along with a of couple of screws being inserted where holes had developed due to no cartilage for 25 years. I tore the ACL when I was 19 and didn't get it repaired.. All those years of the knee not having stability caused a lot of additional damage. I am at a point where I am in constant pain, but the most powerful pain medication my regular family doctor will prescribe is tramadol. The tramadol doesn't touch the pain. What do I do???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can you give me little more detail

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I agree with you that pain of cartilage damage is very bad and Tramadol is not sufficient for it. But before I advice you any thing I want to know little more detail about your problem.
1. Have you done any MRI after surgery or any x ray ? If yes please send me the report.
2. Are you having pain on rest or only when you walk?
3. are you able to use stairs or do squat?
Please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (6 minutes later)
1) No recent MRI or X-Ray
2) pain is consistent - some times not as bad as at other times, but consistent, nonetheless
3) I can use stairs, but I have to walk sideways - I can squat, but not for very long and it is a bit taxing when I rise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you should think of knee replacement

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,
I have read your answer and it looks to me that you have delayed your knee surgery for ACL quite a lot and that causes your knee cartilage significant damage. In this condition I am not sure how much pain killers are going to help you. I have following suggestions to my patient with knee arthritis like you.
1. Avoid cross leg sitting and squatting as it causes more damage to cartilage.
2. Pain killers like Tramadol or Etoricoxib gives some pain relief but no direct effect on disease. Ask your doctor if he can prescribe Eoricoxib 120 mg.
3. Taking calcium and vitamin D make pain little less.So you can take these after discussing with your doctor.
4. Steroid injection in knee also gives pain relief for some time.
5. If your pain is very bad and above mentioned drugs are not working then total knee replacement is permanent solution. It will give you good pain relief.
I hope this answer will help you. Let me know if you want to ask any other question. Thanks.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4486 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain Due To Cartilage Damage

Brief Answer: can you give me little more detail Detailed Answer: Hello, I agree with you that pain of cartilage damage is very bad and Tramadol is not sufficient for it. But before I advice you any thing I want to know little more detail about your problem. 1. Have you done any MRI after surgery or any x ray ? If yes please send me the report. 2. Are you having pain on rest or only when you walk? 3. are you able to use stairs or do squat? Please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you. Thanks .