agony at 5 weeks tkr

Hi Jayne

i'm at 22 weeks now, but I seemed to go backwards at 5 weeks after doing a longer walk on pavements with a camber towards the kerb.  I then had to go back to doing circuits of the little green I the Middle of my estate.  Unfortunately, I still get a lot of pain under the knee cap, and I have trouble straightening my leg now so I'm thinking that my consultant might suggest manipulation(like I had on my other one), which I'd be quite pleased about to be honest.

Everyone is different and some luckier than others.

Tramadol is a very good painkiller, but it can make you dizzy.

I wish you all the best.

Patsy

Don't get down, at 5 weeks I wanted to shoot myself! I'm at 8 weeks now and doing sooo much better. I do PT twice a week and I also go to a massage therapist to work on my leg, foot to hip and that has made me turn a corner. I still have stiffness/pain especially at night and when I wake up. It does get better although slowly. I don't do my exercises at home and I know I should and I could probably be further along. Hang in there, relief is around the corner. Good luck!

Oh Jayne you poor thing.  It's not good that you are on your own either. You shoukd try and see another GP and really lay it on the line regarding pain.  I am back on Oxycodone because in hospital I couldn't tolerate tramadol.   I take 2 paracetamol as well four times a day.  This seems to keep pwin under control.   Have you your six week follow up soon?  You could speak to the consultant about it and ask him to speak to your gp.  You need pain relief regularly in order for it to build up constant relief all day.   I still get that inside knee pain at 10 weeks.   I know how you feel because I had problems getting my pain meds right as I have sensitive stomach.   They can prescribe cyclazine for any sickness too.   I wish you well xx

Dear Jane, it is hard for you and I agree with the comments about your Doctor. He should be prescribing pain relief for you. It is still such early days for you. I an 20 weeks and still sometimes take pain killers and my doctors have never refused me pain relief. If you take them regularly it should help. I know a friend asked me at about 5 weeks was I glad I had it done and at that point I wasn't sure but now several weeks later I would say yes I am. Things will improve for you as well :-)

Your GP needs educating! You need proper pain control so that you can keep moving more and strengthen your knee. If you can use over the counter drug paracetamol i would suggest you take the maximum safe dose every day in the meantime and go and talk to your pharmacist about additional medication. I take 3 different types of pain relief and physio encourages this for as long as I need it (3 weeks post op double PKR and mainly pain free)

Another thought occurred to me. You mentioned how tired you are and I think most of us find that is so. Apart from the shock to the body of such a major attack there is the lack of sleep , pain, and the fact that every stupid little thing we try to do is like climbing Everest. I know that if iI were on my own I would never bother to cook and I was wondering if you are looking after yourself nutritionally! If not get yourself some easy to prepare supplements! Perhaps its not relevant and you're a cordon bleu! Ive resorted to sleeping tablets and they really help

Hi Jayne

It sounds as if your pain is not under control. I too had extremely weak muscles and I am just starting to feel some strength in them now. It has taken a lot of work but I do remember at 5 weeks the agony of exercising. It might be worth having your knee checked out in case this pain has an alternative cause like a bleed. My friend had that and she had not experienced pain like it she said. But if your pain meds are not sorted 5 weeks is still early days and yesterday at 10 weeks I was very sore. Insist on pain meds. Codeine made me sick at first but i tolerate it better now. Keep us posted! You are not alone. X

Hi Jayne, I too went through the same stage you are at. I was getting bad quad pain and outer knee pain. As you know it's regular exercises, pain control and ice. I came through it and I am now 8 weeks and much better. Still lots to do, but each week brings a new challenge. Keep positive and it will get better.

take care

Robert

your such early days , and need your pain meds , tell your pt about yhe pain they may have an answer for you , and tell your gp to have the opp then he will know what has talking about , i still have pain 12 months on , not the kind that stops me doing things but it nags me , , this opp is hard to deal with and can take up to 2 years so dont worrie , your doing just fine , the over counter creams are good , volterol 12 hours very good  , keep smiling