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I had a knee replacement op 10 days ago.

Posted , 143 users are following.

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

331 Replies

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  • colin66867
    colin66867 ann02425

    Posted

    I had tkr on the 2 1 2016 and reading as many comments as I can it appears we all agree broadly on all the problems ie pain,heat in the joint, transferred pain to the shin and thigh, clicking and clunking in the joint and the overall pain and discomfort.

     i wish to share 1 symptom , my constant moaning and groaning to my wife!!I have read  lots of handy tips on positions of pillows, Alisons  tip is one over my face to shut me up. i am on week 6 and thought by now other than a bit of discomfort all would be rainbows and buttercups.I have to to tell my self if this was a car accident we we all be in a poor state,We are all different and all experience the proceedure at different levels  pain, mobility, sleep deprivation plus the whole emotional rollercoaster ride So for me  when I can I smile a lttle, and tell my self this will not last for ever even the constipation from the pain killers.

    • pam64059
      pam64059 colin66867

      Posted

      Hi Colin, Like you i had a complete knee replacement on 15/1/16.

      As well as removing metalwork to my lower knee.I though i would be up and back to driving by now,So very depressed at the moment,can just about get up stairs and down,Taking paracetamol,trying to bend and straighten knee but can just about manage 80d.I have no problem sleeping take tablet have a pillow under all of my lower leg,manage to sleep for about 5 hrs.

      pam

    • christineuk62
      christineuk62 pam64059

      Posted

      Hi Pam, chin up, its early days yet. I think you can drive after 6 weeks, depending what your consultant/physio says.

      ask your doctor for something stronger than paracetamol if you are struggling with pain.

      All the best 

      Christine 

      TKR 11/2014 

    • colin66867
      colin66867 pam64059

      Posted

      Pam, you would not believe how much 2 weeks makes I was recently at a Physio session,  another man  had his op a wk before me and a lady a wk ltr so 3 wks in total . The difference in progress was huge, in mobility, flex pain management. the only common complaint was sleep deprevation

      Each week  i see an improvement ,I take less painkillers  get through the exercise regime easier ( less groaning and face pulling) My biggest hurdle is not getting enough sleep at night. So do not give up hope just  keep on grinding it out   Colinx

  • pat53692
    pat53692 ann02425

    Posted

    Hello Ann, I am right in line with you as far as the time span of surgery. I had mine on April 18th. My knee is as swollen (and a little red) as the day it was first done. The pain comes and goes but really hurts during PT or if they want me to stretch it out strait and keep it like that so it will loosen the back part of the muscles. I guess anti iflammitories would help but I can't take them because of my stomach. But I do have the problem with sleeping under control. I try to elevate my leg and get it as comfortable as my body will allow it and take my sleeping pill. It's not foolproof because sometimes I wake in strange painful positions. But I just wanted to let you know I am right here if you want to share things that are going on with you too. So take care and good luck. Also, I will be taking advice from the people here because I'm sure they have good info.
  • pat53692
    pat53692 ann02425

    Posted

    Sorry Ann, I guess I had you sorted as the newest first
  • linda153016
    linda153016 ann02425

    Posted

    I had TKR 17 days ago and having the same problem sleeping. I also have extreme pain every time I get up from a chair or using the toilet. Is this normal at 17 days, or should I be past this pain level?

    • stephen94862
      stephen94862 linda153016

      Posted

      I was still having a hard time after 17 days. Everyone is going to have their own experience, but if you aren't perceiving improvement, contact your doctor.
    • grammie52
      grammie52 linda153016

      Posted

      Expect pain for at least 4 weeks. Bad pain. Then, it just starts to get better and by about 6-7 weeks, almost zero pain.

      I'm amazed that I haven't seen anyone that went home with a continuous movement machine. I don't know what I would have done without it. It moves the leg bending the knee all through the night which makes sleeping possible and the pain bearable.

      Ask you doctor about getting one for you. My insurance covered the cost and I'm in the U.S. with terrible Obamacare, but that was covered.

  • ruth54699
    ruth54699 ann02425

    Posted

    I am nine days post TKR, it is the lack of any sleep position that bugs me. I was great for first 72 hours then went berserk with pain, thought I might have infection. Dist Nurse came, changed dressing and thought it was 'a dit warm' so am on a weeks max dose Flucloxacillin. Thus feel ugh as well as pain. Walking gently, without crutches, is the one way to relieve pain. Feel as if I only had total of six hours sleep since the 72 hours.

    i havent seen physio since two minute session befone I left Hosp, 18 hours post-op, decided I am going to the hosp tomorrow and get someone to confirm it is ok, Bank Hol weekend Sunday but dont mind waiting.

    this forum is fantastic, it is 3.30 a.m and I shall go back to non-sleep thinking I am fairly normal. Cab drive car round car parks etc, pressure on accelerator and brake helps pain! Thanks all

    • grammie52
      grammie52 ruth54699

      Posted

      I can't believe you're driving! It's my right knee so I was told 6 weeks! I live in the U.S.

      The pain associated with TKR has been a shock to me as everyone that has had this surgery either forgot the pain or out and out lied! The only surgery that was more painful was plastic surgery to repair where they cut away my abdominal area due to MRSA infection. Pain does subside especially if you have therapy. The more you stretch the knee the less pain you'll have. Keep up the great work but, if you even think you have an infection DO NOT WAIT. GO TO EMERGENCY. Infections can kill you!

  • grammie52
    grammie52 ann02425

    Posted

    Not sure if you can get your doctor to order a continuous motion machine for you or not, but if he will, you WILL sleep at night. The constant movement keeps the knee from swelling up during the night and sleep makes your recovery quicker. I also recommend an ice machine which has a wrap that alliws a constant COLD air around the knee during waking hours. This also aids in healing. I'm now almost 7 weeks post op and my knee feels like I never had surgery. Therapy is a MUST. At least twice a week and do your exercises 3 times a day!

    You'll soon be saying, it was nothing!! HA HA HA

  • FEATHER58
    FEATHER58 ann02425

    Posted

    I had mine done a week ago yesterday, my nights are the worse.I wish you a speedy recovery!
  • luz89905
    luz89905 ann02425

    Posted

    I had my first tkr in March and had no problems just the regular aches and pains but was driving and going up and down stairs just fine so I decided to do my other knee big mistake Iam in so much pain had done June 21st still can't bend my knee at all the swelling doesn't go down no matter what I try pt is so painful I cry everytime of course they always say it will get better my scare is so stiff I still use a walker I'm on 2 different pain pills so much of the time just lay around in pain I have like bumps on my incision that are very tender does anyone else have this problem and what can I do ..please help

    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 luz89905

      Posted

      Hi!

      I ran into a similar situation but in the opposite order. My first (Left Knee) had TERRIBLE SWELLING and felt so heavy that I thought they just MIGHT have put in a prosthesis made of IRON!??

      My second surgery (Right Knee) three and a half months later went so effortlessly that I could move my right leg all around even in the recovery room and was discharged after just two days.

      Two knees.

      Same body.

      Same surgeon.

      Same hospital.

      VERY confusing stuff!

      I am doing fine now one year and nine months respectively from the two surgeries.

      We take our chances with each surgery, but in the end each surgery is different even though they are on our same body.

      Try wearing compression hose on both legs ( thigh high). Try laying on your bed with both legs stretched up the headboard of your bed. (Use a looped belt to help elevate them to the position.) If you can, try Ibuprofen. It does an AWESOME job in my opinion of lessening swelling.

      The Oxycodone and Hydrocodone I took with Knee #1 and then Knee#2 didn't help me nearly as well as plain old WONDERFUL Ibuprophen! You may find it to be true as well.

      Are the bumps on your incision itchy?

      Do you have a fever?

      Check with your doctor if your answers to these are "Yes".

      Please let us know how things go!

    • keith44175
      keith44175 cheryl90571

      Posted

      Trouble I have now is my knee is still very sore stiff and hard! Having a time getting it bent enough for the therapist liking thanks for responding back have a great day!
    • luz89905
      luz89905 cheryl90571

      Posted

      Thank you very much guess just have to be patient I also take oxycodone and hydrocodon also on ibuprofen yes the bumps are very itchy but I've had no fevers I will try the compression socks thanks for the tip ..

    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 luz89905

      Posted

      Have you used a different lotion or soap?

      After using Neosporin for years, I developed an itchy rash using it on my arm one day. Our son had a similar reaction. I figured they MAY have changed something in the medication.

      Rashes and itching are SO annoying! Try using Ivory soap for awhile. Our school nurse suggested that to me, and it helped. It also does an excellent job on poison ivy, too!

    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 keith44175

      Posted

      Keep stretching. I get good results by stepping up on one step with one foot and leaning into my knee bend gently, holding for a count of 30 then resting. You can hold onto the railing for safety. I continue to do this several times a day.
    • Dcweather
      Dcweather cheryl90571

      Posted

      We all need to remember everyone is different. I carried on with Ibuprofen for a couple of days after the ant-acid Lanzoprolol had run out and ended up with the most severe stomach pains I had ever had. Ended up in A&E where they suspected my stomach lining had been irritated/damaged by the Ibuprofen. Iw on't go near the stuff again!

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