Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi finally after two cancellations my knee has finally been done, 4 days ago home up and about but I had forgotten about all the pain. My husband says I am doing great, but my leg at night as litterly a pain, trying to do my exercises, had shower managed the stairs and loo which is upstairs feeling good if I could just get some decent sleep.
0 likes, 10 replies
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martinarvelo chris60619
Posted
Yes, it's the lack of sleep which makes it difficult to cope with the pain and lack of independence. Sleep would make such a difference. . . .
suziec3 chris60619
Posted
Hi I'm 9wks post op tkr & I'm still not sleeping properly. Wake at least 2-3 times a night mainly as I can't sleep on side still & am uncomfortable on my back. Still got lots of swelling & stiffness but hopefully it'll start going down soon. I keep being told by physios & specialist nurse practitioner that it's still early days. You sound as tho you're doing well, but take things easy. Look through other posts on this site, everybody complains about the sleeping. You might find your knee gets worse before it gets better Its a long road to recovery. Good luck
Eizie chris60619
Posted
Chris, oh do I remember sleepless painful nights. I'm 3 months and still have some interrupted sleep nights. How fantastic are you 4 days post op going up steps!!!! You go girl!! Further good healing to you!!
jan01779 chris60619
Posted
Hi Chris,
Sleepless nights part and parcel but it does get easier early days yet. Make sure you take your pain relieve. I found doing my last set of exercises 2 hours before bedtime helped but guess wouldnt work for everyone.
Look at posts on here. Especially the Oldfatguy and Chico Marx they have sound advice and links which really helped me.
It's a long haul and we are all different.
All the best Jan
Duckfan chris60619
Posted
Sounds like you've done well so far. I'm just entering my 9th week today. Yes the sleep at night. I found that putting two fairly flat pillows under my butt and calves very helpful. You don't want a pillow under your knee only but if you can keep your legs straight the softness of the pillow helped. Also ice when you lay down. It seemed to calm down the pain.
Also whatever you do make sure you do your heel sides faithfully. You want that knee to bend. Get lots of rest and please don't think you need to get back to normal anytime soon. This is a hard long slog. We won't feel the full benefits for a year.
Oh yeah, make sure you elevate yo keep the swelling down. I was pretty lax about that and have suffered with swelling.
Prayers for your healing🙏🙏
chris00938 chris60619
Posted
Chris, I'm so glad your knee has been done. Hope that this pain will be behind you before long! Take it easy:-)
mary12001 chris60619
Posted
Dear Chris
Mine was done 14 months ago and I'm still suffering.
I've been told it's nerve and tissue damage and will eventually heal.
It's a long haul I can tell you. I'd say your still a bit high from the anathestic which can stay in your system for months.
I only hope it hints go well for you. Let us all know your progress
X
marilka chris60619
Posted
Hi I'm in the same boat as you. I had both knees replaced 3 weeks ago and like you night times are the worse, so much so I dread going to bed. Spoke to physio today about it and she explained its the inflammatory process which is more active when your at rest and it's a common problem with people who have had knee replacements. She assured me it takes weeks but will improve and to take painkillers as close as going to bed as possible and keep on with the exercises. Good luck and here's to finally having a good nights sleep
Oldfatguy1 chris60619
Posted
You are doing to much to soon. Slow down. This isn't a sprint....its a marathon. Either do it on your own or the body will do it later on when least expected. Take your pain meds on schedule and do your exercises daily but don't overdo them. Rest, hydrate, elevate and do all in the proper time. Pain I'd the natural part of tkr. Some have more, some a little less....some for a few months and some for who knows how long. Everyone is an individual and therefore their recovery duration and pain levels are tgeircown. Don't let a Dr or therapist beat up on you because you aren't on their schedule. You will heal but not without some ups and downs. Don't let setbacks discourage you because they can happen. Nerves will take longer than soft tissue and soft tissue longer than bone. Scroll and find Chicks recipe for progress. As for me, I've had 11 surgeries plus radiation over 15 years so I'm not immune to most of the ups and downs. Due to the number and severity of surgery ill be a cripple in pain the crest of my life but that doesn't mean the next 1000 will have any problems at all.
marilyn10235 chris60619
Posted
Glad you've got your op at last Chris.
Yes the sleeping is the problem after TKR. Keep up with your pain meds, you need to stay ahead of the pain. But you know that from your last TKR.
Keep in touch
Marilyn
XX