I work with orthopedics and I recently had shoulder surgery. I have tried lyrica, it worked but you do have to use it for a while to build up in your system. I have also tried flector patches, those work without the effects of narcotics but I found the therma care heat patches worked better. The best thing I have seen that helps after knee and hip replacements is a new topical gel called Voltaren gel. These do come in sample tubes so you can ask your provider for samples.