10 days post op for knee replacement surgery

Posted , 9 users are following.

I have been in contiuous pain, which I was prepared for. Pain killers not effective. Today  Iwent out in the car (not driving) about 10 min drive to local gaeden centre, walked with crutches around for about 10 mins and have had a sharp pain every few seconds waving in and out of the upper front of my knee ever since, I cannot lay down or rest . Using ice packs and pain killers not made any difference..Any thoughts please

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Posted

    Polly, did the pain start while you were walking? Was this the first time you got into the car? I don't know that I could have maneuvered myself into a car 10 days after surgery, but then I had both knees done in one swoop. Do you see a physical therapist? Perhaps they would have some idea. I know once I was walking around there was pain and I really needed to make sure to get my thigh muscles built back up as well as the other muslcels that support the knees. Pain will be there for a while, but I'm not sure if your pain is normal or not. I don't know that normal walking would have done any serious damage, but if you twisted it awkwardly getting in or out of the vehicle, that may be the culperit.
    • Posted

      I had a goodish day the day before..no PT assessment..no twists..just thought I would try a short trip out..full of regrets now..just plain stupid..finding post op very difficult and very painful same as everyone else. Two knees in one hit, thats brave, how on earth are you coping?
  • Posted

    You are very early on this tkr journey. I managed to come home from the hospital in the car, but I'm don't think I would have been able to do any walking around at 10 days. The pain is terrible at this stage and you must find something to manage your pain and when you do, don't miss any min past if they say every 4 hrs. Don't let it catch up to you or this what you're experiencing will be the result. What are you taking ?
    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply.. I am taking 400m paracetamol..400mg Ibuprofen every 4 hours plus 50mg x 2 times day (have taken extra but afraid my GP won't give me anymore)

      Bad day  again today.. hardly slept in the last 10 days..maybe about 2 x 2 hours day and night..no kidding..managing quite well on little sleep. Play musical chairs too..move from one to the other trying to get confortable, even the garden chairs. What meds do you take?

      Take care

       

    • Posted

      I was on hydromopphine for starters and I was terrible with it. Eventually Tylenol arthritis. Now at 6 weeks just icing no pain killers. I tried out every bed, chair and couch in the house. Hang in there, you'll get there. 
    • Posted

      You were damn lucky!  Docs would NOT give me the Dilaudid; had to settle for Percocet or Norco or Vicodin which did not work for me.  Sorry that it was terrible for you but after four kidney stones, it's the only opiate that works on my pain.  Also, it's good you got off the pain killers quickly.  For me, I just feel worse on them...would rather deal with the pain.
  • Posted

    I hate to say it but...welcome to the club.  My first 3-4 weeks were dreadful as most opioids don't work for me.  10mg Percocet plus 10mg Flexeril...nothing.  I've had four kidney stones and the only thing that touches the pain is Dilaudid.  The problem is that docs will never write you a prescription for it.  Hospital only.

    So...  Get as much med relief as you can and just keep icing/elevating.  30-days out, 80% of my pain was gone and the rest was very tolerable.  This will be a long journey for all of us.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply..I have answered previous questions from Anne..I think I am on quite a low dose of pain killers.

      Take care

  • Posted

    I spent the first 3 weeks following surgery in the back of the car so that I could have my operated leg up along the back seat, it also meant I could slide myself in along the back seat without having to bend my knee too much, it was the only way I could travel anywhere comfortably, I am now at 5.5 weeks post op and can sit in the front without any issues.

    I still get various pains and aches in my leg, which from what everyone else says is normal. It takes time to recover, hang in there it's early days.

    • Posted

      Thank you for reply.. Have answered Annes message in more detail..looks like we have a long journey

       

  • Posted

    Hi Pollypoo,

    I am inclined to agree with most comments you've received from Anne, Sandra and the others.

    At 10 days, I did exactly as advised, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate (RICE). I also carried out my bed exercises (non-weight bearing) 2 to 3 times per day depending how I felt pain wise and stiffness wise.

    Re pain management - Suegeon; Physios and almost everyone on this site advised me to manage my painkillers pro-actively to allow for more effective exercises. I did this pretty well and experienced relatively low pain. The painkillers I used were Tylex; Kreal (anti-inflammatory) and the big hitter when I needed it was Oxynorm.

    When you were in the car, were there any sudden stops? Did it hurt much getting into the car?

    My advice is speak to a doctor and get stronger pain relief, take them exactly as prescribed, but rest, ice, rest, ice for a couple of days.

    The doctors are the technical experts, he/she may suggest an X Ray, which to me sounds like a good idea.

    We, on this site are the experienced experts, there are wonderful people contributing to this forum with weeks, months and years of being through this, they will support you and put you straight. But one of the biggest tips I've took from them all is 'Read your own body, you know it best'. If you are worried, talk to an expert.

    Also, there is light at the end of the tunnel, after 3 or 4 weeks, you will feel stronger week on week.

    Oh yeah, I am 9 weeks post op now.

    Take Care,

    Alan

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply..I have answered message from Anne ith meds details..No I did not hurt my leg in any way getting into car nor any sudden stops..

      I am surprised at the strengh of the pain every day all day.. trying to stay positive but give way to a few tears each day..however my mood is lifting..

      Take care

  • Posted

    Morning pollypoo....

    I'm three weeks po and still have a fair amount of pain. I believe that's a given. As you say, you were prepared for this which I can say I wasn't. I had my hip replaced three years ago and expected something along those lines of pain but there is no comparison from hips to knees. I too believe you should listen to your own body on this and talk to your doctor. Your certainly in more pain and discomfort then I was at ten days and it just seems there might be something more to it. If not, agree with everyone elevate, ice, rest, do the PT no matter what even if it's just bed pt. Make sure to stretch that leg. Try to stay positive and know it WILL get better. I was pretty discouraged at ten days but I see improvement every time I visit my PT person. I wish you the best and I hope with everyones insight you find some encouragement.

    Keep in touch...

    Brent

    • Posted

      I have replied to Anne re medication above..I think I am on a low dose of pain killers.. my GP says Tramadol in addictive..at this time I don't really care but 1x50mg one am and one pm.

      I am trying to stay positive..feel low somedays but mood is lifting..anly a few tears today

      Take care 

  • Posted

    Sorry to hear pain killers not working as they are essential for doing the exercises which are also essential to help with movements and pain, what are taking? I am 5 weeks post op and remember first time I went in car my leg/knee really didn't like the vibrations I had to put a cushion under my foot just to bear the journey home! I do exercise lying in bed first thing, after taking painkillers, the get up and ice with leg elevated while I have breakfast....then again just before lunch, painkillers, exercise and ice while eating and same in the evening... i take it easy in between taking one short walk a day, if i do more then it takes a day to recover, this has worked well for me. My advice is get the pain killers sorted! Hole some of this helps you Good luck
    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply.. have replied to anne above re medication..

      Finding exercises very difficult and so painful..

      I will try to follow your routine meal times makes a lot of sence.

      Take care

    • Posted

      It is very early days for you yet, lots of rest and I would also suggest you ask your Dr for some Tramadol if the codiene paracetamol ibuprophen mix is not working.  It is virtually impossible to exercise without the proper pain control, so stand your ground with Dr. Of course Tramadol is addictive but it is a pain relieve medication designed for this type of situation, you are hardly likely to become addicted after a couple of weeks use, if you need it that long.....! It's crazy to say things like this, it makes me mad.....hey ho I'll get off my soapbox sorry! just be firm with your Dr and keep pointing out that TKR is a v painful recovery aand exercise is so important to gain full movement and it's impossible to exercise without proper pain management, good luck X

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