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I had a knee replacement op 10 days ago.

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ann02425
ann02425

I have a continual, deep pain/ache in practically the whole of my leg. I use ice on it (frozen peas!) a great deal of the time and I take my pain killers. At night I cannot sleep because there is nowhere New I can put my leg which does not become become equally painful within a few seconds. Anybody else have this problem? Also, I had to stop taking Diclofenac a few days before the op. How long before I can take it again?

15 likes, 331 replies

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  • paul57039
    paul57039 ann02425

    Posted

    Hi Ann, I am in Oz but I think reading everyones post it is the same problems all over the World. My op was recent on November 7 so I am hoping you are running around by now. I like everyone else thought I was diferrent and would recover  quickeer than anyone else, I was wrong, the pain in bed and the frequent wake ups are quite common it seems but when I went for my first catch up with my surgeon I told him of the pain when doing the physio and said we can cure that and he prescribed the Panadol Forte (with the codeine in it ). The change was great and sleep a lot better and the pain when doing the physio considerably reduced. Why didn't the hospital prescribe them in the first place? One of the key recovery factors is to have discussions with the physio guys and tell them where you have problems, it seems there is not a muscle that exists that they haven't got an excersise to stregthen.

    Other points to mention Staple removal: not overly painfuy and most people seem to need a styrostrip somewhere, Scar looks really ugly: but it just seems to improve fairly quickly, I had a small dimple 4 mm deep next to mine and I looked one morning and it had disappeared, the whole back of my leg was a massive bruise 1 week and it was gone, Knee swelling and getting warm: 6 weeks on and still happening but looks almost normal first thing in the morning, If it doesn't swell you are most probably not pushing yourself enough. Finally my surgeon said the TKR is the most brutal routine operation that he performs so expect pain, don't rush it and never loose heart.

    • jean95756
      jean95756 paul57039

      Posted

      Hi Paul

      i just read your post and what a good description of a TKR you've given

      I'm in the UKI and it definitely the same all over the world.

      your Surgeon saying it is a brutal operation is so right I watched the video on You Tube and I'm glad I didn't watch it before my Op.

      I'm now 14 weeks post op and have the added complication of a trapped sciatic nerve

      night times are the worst with very little sleep

      although I didn't have staples to close the wound I had a long continuous stitch which dissolved.

      my scar now is so neat and a thin white line apart from one small red bit.

      i think it's just a matter of getting the right medication / plenty of rest / exercise/ and ice.

      take care and good luck 

      Jean UK 

    • paul57039
      paul57039 jean95756

      Posted

      Hi Jean,

      Glad you are going well, I forgot to mention Strong pain meds make a lot of people constipated, including me, so a laxitive on a regular basis is a good idea! I forgot to mention, 6 weeks after the op and cut the grass today (very slowly) I will suffer later cry

      Paul W.A.

    • jean95756
      jean95756 paul57039

      Posted

      Hi

      Yes the constipation is a problem but it's all part and parcel of this op 

      land I'm glad it's Winter here in the UK so the grass won't need cutting until Spring

      take care 

      Jean 

  • rick1951
    rick1951 ann02425

    Posted

    Hi Anne 9 weeks ago i had both knees done together,patello/femoral replacement ,i still use my ice packs to ease the pain.Itake paraetemol and ibubrufen together ,they seem to help the pain more.As for sleeping i havent had a full nights sleep yet i find it helps if you put a pillow between your knees and sleep on your side.I seem to wake up every couple of hours with a nagging pain i do my phisio for an hour then read etc eventially i get back to sleep but tthen wake again after a few hours.I dont know how long this sleep pattern is supposed to last ,has anyone else got the same problem.Also my knees still feel very stiff/tight dont know how long that lasts for.Why did you stop taking diclofenac?
    • susan20089
      susan20089 rick1951

      Posted

      Hi rick. I know the feeling about the nagging pain trying to sleep. I have just got out of bed and am on the sofa as it's too painful lying in bed and too disturbing for my poor husband, I never have full nights sleep and I have tried the sleeping on side with pillows but after five minutes have to give up. I get a lot of pain on one side of my back which I think is sciatica, which doesn't help. My knees feel so sore and stiff all the time. I am three weeks post op now.   Glad we all are having the same problems, it doesn't make you feel so alone.
  • Shopper222
    Shopper222 ann02425

    Posted

    I was pleased to read your post about your knee replacement.  I see it was posted 9 months ago, so assume all is now well with you.  I am 10 weeks into my knee replacement and have been surprised at the amount of pain, especially at night.  The swelling is still bad, but the physio and consultant tell me all is normal.  They are happy with the bend.  I have been quite "down" about all this.  I wonder how long all this will take and when will I be pain free.  Does anyone know?  I only take paracetemol as directed by my consultant.  I can drive now which is a great relief but walking is slow and stiff.  It is a comfort to read about other people's experiences.  I do hope you are recovered now.
    • paul57039
      paul57039 Shopper222

      Posted

      My surgeon said there is no reason to suffer excessive pain  which can be quite bad and prescribed panadol forte to assist me. Some people have a reaction to them as they contain codeine (30mg) but they do allow you to push yourself a bit further and speed up the physio. I am 6.5 weeks post op and can walk about 500 metres pain free before the leg starts to ache and stairs are also not a problem. 

      Give it some thought and discuss it with your surgeon. Regards Paul

    • jean95756
      jean95756 Shopper222

      Posted

      I too am like you and I'm 15 weeks post op 

      my knee is still swollen and bruised in just one spot

      i have been feeling down because I'm not progressing as well as some others on here.

      i have done and still do the exercises religiously and I've also bought a little pedal machine 

      I see my Surgeon on the 31st of this month and need to ask why I still have sciatica 

      i think that is what's holding me up.

      i can drive though which is a godsend ....but walking too far is really painful 

      my painkillers are co- codamol 

       

    • tracy32225
      tracy32225 jean95756

      Posted

      Hi Jean, my name is Tracy I am an Aussie pt and had my total knee done 7 days ago under a spinal anaesthetic I too have sciatica down both legs, was not sure if this was a normal thing or if this is just me. Wondering if I can take Diclofenac for the pain relief?
    • jean95756
      jean95756 tracy32225

      Posted

      Hi Tracy

      i still have this sciatica at 16 weeks post op and it's really annoying ... I hope yours doesn't last this long.

      i'm not sure about the painkiller you asked about ...I'd speak to the doctor  I sent for a tube of 'Liotol Gel' from Amazon as you can't buy it here in the UK and it really does help to relax the muscles

      i think we are probably unfortunate with the Sciatica as not everyone gets it 

      you take care and look after yourself 

      Happy Christmas 

      Jean 

       

    • Shopper222
      Shopper222 paul57039

      Posted

      thank you but I don't react well to codeine.  I was initially given dihydrocodeine and had terrible side effects. Now just paracetamol but as everyone says the nights are the worse. I am less fed up now but it took at least ten weeks for me to get my appetite back. I can't believe it takes so long. Wish the pain and swelling would ease. Got good bend though. Hope you ok 
    • Racecar
      Racecar tracy32225

      Posted

      Hello All,  I had total knee replacement 17 days ago.  First week is the worst for pain, it gets way better after that.   I took Oxycodone for a week until it made my stomach really upset.   That took a week to get my stomach back on normal.

      Now I have pain from one hip joint, or sciatic nerve, same side as surgery ??    I asked my doctor for a different medication. They want me to come in for evaluation next week.   So I either have to take Oxy again, or go to Emergency and wait around all day.   OK, just took an Oxycodone with food , will let you know how it works.   

  • tracy32225
    tracy32225 ann02425

    Posted

    Hi Ann,

    just found your post I am an Australian Patient and I am 7 days post op total left knee replacement. I can not get comfortable either, I can't bend to 90 degrees and I feel the pain relief is not working that well. I have been sent home on Panadol osteo and Endone. I see you guys are given Voltaren (disclofenac) for pain relief did the Dr say it was OK to take that. Out here they don't seem to give that to us, I was wondering if I can take that also?

    • susan20089
      susan20089 tracy32225

      Posted

      Hi Tracy, sorry you aren't doing too well. Xx. I am four weeks down the line and know how you feel. Don't worry about 90 degree bend it's too early. I haven't got that now!   I found those first weeks pain relief was a big problem too. My surgeon put me on oxycodone (I couldn't take tramadol because of feeling sick) and also paracetamol 1000mg every four hours. Until your stitches come out it is very difficult to get a bend in the leg, but don't worry it will come. We have all been there so you will get sympathy and support on here. The sleeping is a big problem. For the first time I slept 6 hours last night, taking Nytol (don't know the equivalent in Australia) which seems to work.   I also suffer with sciatica and can't get comfortable in my bed. I now sleep on the sofa as I find the confined space helpful and can sleep on my back. My husband also gets a nights sleep as well now lol.   Don't worry, it will get better believe me.   Xxxxxxx
    • jean95756
      jean95756 tracy32225

      Posted

      I forgot to say

      its very early days for you but it does get better as the weeks go on 

      I can drive short distances now which is a big help 

      I drove at 8 weeks it would have been earlier if it hadn't been a right knee TKR

      make sure you take your medication as prescribed because in the first few weeks you will find you need it.

      i now take medication as and when needed ...not on a regular basis....as you can tell it does get better 

      Jean

    • tracy32225
      tracy32225 susan20089

      Posted

      I am wondering if this sciatica is a thing with knee replacements, I hae noted that from some of the other posts
    • tracy32225
      tracy32225 susan20089

      Posted

      Thanks Susan, I am getting a little better each day but I guess I am finding it frustrating
    • susan20089
      susan20089 tracy32225

      Posted

      Yes I have noticed this too Tracy, lots have this pronblem. I wonder if it is something to do with the way we were walking before the op. I know I was walking on a bent deformed joint and so I must be straighter now. I also get an ache all down the side of operated legfrom hip to knee. I can't sit anywhere for long.  I think after the first few weeks every day you will get so e improvement as you heal. Take plenty of rest when you can because it helps eith the healing. It is very frustrating having to expect others to do things you would normally do but just go with the flow for the time being.  I had snother's good night last night - 6 hours straight sleep which is brilliant and thanks to paracetamol and Nytol.  It can only get better xxx
    • tracy32225
      tracy32225 susan20089

      Posted

      I too am finding the nights worse had my op on the 16 dec thought I would feel a little better, I suppose being a nurse I am expecting too much. Have a new found empathy for patients who have had TKR and hip replacements.
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