Had TKR 4 and 1/2 months ago
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi everyone, I had a TKR 4 and 1/2 months ago and I thought my knee should be great and all healed by now but as I am reading some of your experiences I have come to realize it takes a long time for a full recovery. I had my TKR was up on a walker doing pt two hours later was released on second day. I came home and like everyone else had problems sleeeping beause I was not a back sleeper and there was no way I could sleep on my side at that point. I had my pt come to my house. I used a walker for a week and then I was walking on my own. My doctor wanted me to go to an outside PT because they can do more so I went for approximately 4 weeks about 2 to 3 times a week and then my PT said I really didn't need PT anymore. My knee felt great I was bending it to the degrees they wanted so they released me. Now I was still on pain medication and I was still not totally pain free but my knee felt great. About 3 months after the TKR I fell and went down hard on both knees. Since then I have been having trouble with my TKR. It gets stiff very quickly. I retain fluid anyway and have a hard time with swelling so I am guessing that this is cusing trouble for my knee. I just don't know what to do at this point. I was doing so well and now not so well. It seems I have gone bakwards. I am no longer on pain medication from the doctor I take tylenol when I have pain. I am not sure what I should do. I have read everyones postings and that shows me that everyone is different when it come to reovery. I guess because of the fall I should just keep doing my exercises and try keeping my fluid retention down and see how things goes over the next few months.
0 likes, 20 replies
Alison_Weaver jacqueline95689
Posted
Hi Jacqueline, sorry your having such a bad time, hope things get better soon.
one thing I don't understand about your sleep problem, I asked, queryed about sleeping position, as Iam one of those silly people that can only sleep in one position, and that's on my right side,
was advised while in hospital with tkr you can sleep in any position after, and that it's only people who have had a hip operation that have to sleep and lay on there back.
and all the people in my ward we're told and advised the same.
we are in the U.K.,
my brother just about to have a tkr in a private hospital, in the UK, also advised can sleep in any position.
what I did was put a small cushion between my knees for comfort.
jacqueline95689 Alison_Weaver
Posted
I was told I could sleep in any position it was just to difficult and painful for me to do that. Even with a pillow between my knees. It took a while for me to be able to sleep on my side but I am now and sleeping much better thank you.
natalie1989 jacqueline95689
Posted
Hi Jacqueline I totally understand I was sleeping on my back for 2-3 weeks only because my knee was so heavy swollen and wouldn't of been able to get on my side due to the pain I'm now 6weeks in and can only just sleep on my side with my good leg propped underneath I am so much comfortable now as before I was getting a numb bum lol and sores on the back of my ankles
Irish_Al jacqueline95689
Posted
I am 7 months post op, TKR. To combat night pain I iced heavy last thing before bed I felt it helped.
It will get better regardless, with time.
Take care,
Alan
ihavenonickname jacqueline95689
Posted
Ouch! You tkr is telling you that the fall resulted in an injury.. you should have an xray to be sure that the tkr is firmly in the place where the surgeon put it.
I am concerned that you may cut back on your hydration thinking that this will redice the swelling. Drink water all day. You need to protect your kidneys.
Acetaminophen is a good anti inflammatory BUT all doses must be separated by 6 hours in order for this drug to cleat the liver.
And elevation above your heart while packed in ice for as long and as often as possible.
And consider a neoprene knee compression sleeve.
Hope you recover fully and soon
kind regards
judith