Banner Health Services    Pain after surgery   Gregory H.
Sirounian, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with
Banner Estrella Medical Center.  Question: I had knee
replacement surgery. So why is my knee still hurting?  Answer:
Pain after knee replacement surgery—whether early after the
operation or years later—can be from a number of different
causes and not necessarily related to the operation itself.
However, pain also can be the first signal of a problem in the
joint, so your first step should be to visit your orthopedic
surgeon to discuss the nature of the pain.  It is normal for
patients to experience pain and stiffness after surgery,
especially during the first few months. Even years later, with
an artificial knee that is functioning well, some patients will
experience periodic aching and soreness. This pain is related to
the muscles and tendons around the joints and often responds to
simple treatments, like exercises, anti-inflammatory medications
or injections. Sometimes, knee pain can come