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AVN and pain

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Posted 3/30/2012 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have AVN in both distal femurs(knees). The AVN is not in the joint and the one core decompression cured the left leg. But the right knee has been through 12 cores(cadavar bone,sea coral-everything) and the pain remains. I got diagnosed with Muliple Sclerosis at 20, a sophmore in College and the AVN came 13 yrs later. I took alot of steroids and that obviously may have contributed to AVN. The Necrosis is not progressing but I am in constant pain. I am Paralyzied in my lower extremeties and it could be from the MS or the AVN or both.Does anyone have severe pain from AVN that is stage 2 and not progressing and does not involve a joint. I do not know what to do and I hate taking these narcotics.
Posted 3/31/2012 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Indi 1!
I have AVN in both knees also. I had stage 3 in my left knee. I had core decompression in the left in Oct. and they used cadaver bone. I am still on crutches from that surgery but new bone is starting to grow. I will have the right leg done ( stage 2) when the left can fully support all my weight. I am on no pain meds only because my Dr. will not give me any pain medications. I was in a lot of pain and recently asked for relief but was denied. He thinks I need to be able to feel pain so I know sit down before my right knee collapses. I am not happy about that decision but he is a very skilled surgeon and I will suffer through this at least until my second surgery is done.

Things I do to decrease my pain,
-Ice my legs. I use ice packs and ice my legs for as long as I can stand it. Usually about an hour. I put ice packs completely around my knee to cover all surface area.
-I take hot baths and soak my legs at least 2 times per day. I then follow with more ice.
-I don't move around much. This helps but I am getting fat from lack of exercise.
Tylenol.
-meditation.

I know this probably doesn't help much because it doesn't always help me but I have no choice so this is what I use.
I am please to meet you since us AVN people are few and far between.
There are a few of us here with AVN and I am sure they will be along shortly!
Posted 4/1/2012 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Indi 1. My AVN was in the head of my humerus. Core decompression didn't work for me, so I ended up having a partial replacement of the humeral head - a brand new procedure at the time. I had pretty good success with it, still have some pain from chronic tendenitis six years later, but can use my arm normally. I'm sorry I can't speak to AVN that is not in a joint; I'd actually never heard of that before you came here.

The pain from AVN was the worst I've ever had (I have a very high pain tolerance, walked on a broken tibia and fibula for two months before deciding it wasn't my arthritis.) I agree with pmedic's strategies; I used most of them along with Lortab before my surgery, but had to get by with Tylenol when I went to work. None of it completely alleviated the pain, but made it tolerable most of the time. I had days when I couldn't finish a sentence or even a thought because the pain was so bad, though.

To pmedic: I think your doctor is sadistic and cruel. I never had trouble feeling pain through the narcotics I was given, either before or right after surgery. I just don't see that as a valid excuse for giving you nothing. I've always been blessed with orthos who understand that good pain relief facilitates healing.

Hoping both of you find some relief soon.
Posted 4/6/2012 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Judy 2, I agree. There are times when I would like to punch him in the neck! Luckily I have been able to manage so far but I dont know how long that will last as the pain seems to be getting slightly worse as the days pass.

Have a nice weekend!
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