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knee replacement -lack of sleep

Posted , 18 users are following.

nikki55182
nikki55182

Evening all, had a total knee replacement 4 weeks ago and still can't sleep. I used to sleep like a baby but now wake up every 2 hours. Am totally exhausted, I am only 45 but this is one tuff ride. Any advice on how to sleep more comfortable and why I may have a pain in the arch of my foot.

Thank you

3 likes, 57 replies

57 Replies

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  • CanadianSharon
    CanadianSharon nikki55182

    Posted

    Tucks, it will get better....the lady in the room with me had one replacement done in. April and the other in July .  She is 86.  You are obviously in great shape, and health and I'm sure that's why your dr. Wanted you to do this.  I also live alone and and I agree the being alone  part doesn't help when we have downer days.  Remember there is always someone online to chat with.  When you Britts are sleepng, I'm still awake in Canada.  I do believe that this surgery is worth it.   I guess like so many others I didn't think it would be so hard to recover...  It's not just the knee it's everything rose our bodies went through because of the surgery.  There's. Great bunch on this forum, so keep in touch.  Xo
    • carol45436
      carol45436 CanadianSharon

      Posted

      My physio sad yesterday that I must remember that it is a major op with enormous mental and physical trauma, She said not to expect any serious recovery until after Christmas. That will be over three months. 
    • jennifer86104
      jennifer86104 carol45436

      Posted

      Yes, my consultant told me I wouldn't like him for at least 6 months after the op. You just don't want to believe them do you? 😊
    • carol45436
      carol45436 jennifer86104

      Posted

      You havr a very honest consultant. Mine just said that he thought I had the determination to do it. Didn't know what he meant then because I hadn't found this site!
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 carol45436

      Posted

      Being a yank I am a little confused by you Brits health care terminology. Over here we have our primary care physician( PCP )which is our go to doc for everyday care. The PCP refers you to the specialist, which in the case of TKR is an orthopedic surgeon. Once the surgery is complete and the next day after surgery the physical therapy team come s in and drags you out of bed and starts the motion routine. The hospital stay is 4-5 days with pt 2x's daily every day. Then depending on tour condition, either in home pt with a visiting therapist, 3x's weekly or in a pt's clinical setting with all of the advanced equipment. Generally 3x's weekly for 60 days, then reduced to once or twice weekly for 60-90 days. Seniors on medicare are given a dollar amt that can be spent in a calendar year. The term consultant is the one professional that I am unfamiliar. What is this individuals education and what is their responsibility?
    • jennifer86104
      jennifer86104 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      The consultant I refer to is the orthopaedic surgeon. You seem to get a lot more physio sessions than here although, judging by others' comments it varies from area to area here in the UK. I had physio each day while in hospital (I was in for 6 days). I was given exercises to do 3 times daily at home then saw a physio at the hospital after about a fortnight. I had 4 or 5 sessions with him at roughly weekly intervals. I now attend a weekly knee class where a group of us works with one physio. This is for 6 weeks then I see my individual physio for a final assessment. I had a check up with the surgeon or member of his team after 2 weeks, then 6 weeks. I see him again after 3 months then annually I believe. As I say, not sure if this is the case everywhere in the UK. I can also contact my GP for any problems that occur - our everyday doctor. Interesting how care differs. 

      Jen 

    • carol45436
      carol45436 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Hi there, our gp is your pcp. He or she refers us to a consultant, in this case the orthpaedic surgeon who decides if and when we need surgery, The hospital stay seems very similar with the physiotherapists etc. Actual physio once home seems to differ slightly depending on area but generally it takes place at the hospital. Because at the moment neither ny husband nor myself are driving I get free transport. After this week (going in to week 4) I am down to one session a week in the hosptal gym. That is called the knee clinic. Of course all of this is paid for by the state. What on earth is the dollar for? Does it buy much? Hope this helps.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 carol45436

      Posted

      Charges for therapy are based on 15 min intervals. If you have 30 mins with the therapist you might be billed @ $30 per 15 min. If you get iced afterward, a flat charge of $18 per 20 min. I always went home and iced so I could save my money for the hands on therapy. Medicare pays a flat amount which is less than the billed amt. so it gets a little confusing as to how much you really spend until the billing period is over. I believe you are allowed around $2800 annually for physical therapy. I'm sure everyone is completely confused but don't feel bad because most of us over here are in the same boat
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 carol45436

      Posted

      Its really very simple as far as the process. The patient never does any of the paperwork. You pay your premiums and get a bill showing that everything's paid. The big advantage, no delays in service. From the time you see the surgeon you may only be 30 to 45 days out from the operation. No one has to worry about taking 6 months or more. Pluses and minuses to every system. We get to choose our own docs for everything and when you hit 65 you don't have worry about PCP referrals, you can make your own appointments with whomever you please.
  • CanadianSharon
    CanadianSharon nikki55182

    Posted

    In Canada it's a little different, probsbly more like the UK system.  I waited about two months for my surgery (I did get in on a cancellation then), but I wanted a particular surgeon.  A couple others I could have had about six weeks after seeing them.  The only cost I am incurring is for my physio because I have that extra coverage I'm going to a private clinic.  Basically it's costing me 20.00 a visit.  It seems a little unfair,  but those who do not have extra benefits get free treatments at the hospital.  I go to a private clinic, but by doing this those who don't have extra benefits (only government health care) get looked after too and the rest of us do private and it keeps the systems from getting bogged down. my extra benefits are free premiums as part of a retirement package through my work.  I just have to pay partial expenses, I.e. Drugs are paid 85 percent, dental 90 percent. I am very grateful for this coverage.
  • debbie02705
    debbie02705 nikki55182

    Posted

    early days nik , it is one tough ride , and i did it twice in 4 and a half months , 10 weeks post op with knee 2 , and i still stir in  the night , but not wake up enough for it to bother me any more ,ive found that to lie on your back was the easier way to sleep , i normaly sleep on my front but i found i was turning over and ending up in s much pain every time i turned , and to top it, im having night sweats ( all day too ) so when i went to push the covers off with my legs ,i get horrid horrid pain , think its to do with the weight of the new knees , so i started to sleep on my back , i just get in bed and close my eyes till i fall to sleep , some times it takes a while but it works for me , good luck 
  • ann82393
    ann82393 nikki55182

    Posted

    I am 6 weeks post op, and having sleep problems many nights, especially if I have worked my leg muscles hard. Wake up 2-3 times. Sometimes I can get relief with massage, but mostly pain med is the only thing that helps. Not comfortable lying on either side for more than 5 min, pillow or not. Pain moves around, but hip and ankle are most often. 
    • deb06149
      deb06149 ann82393

      Posted

      Hi I am 10 weeks after my TKR. I get no more then 2 hours of sleep. I use a bed pillow between my legs which doesn't last very long I can't sleep on either side or my stomach. I never was a back sleeper. My knee constanly aches all day, at night is pain. My foot on the operated leg has begun to swell so it hurts to have shoes on. Physical therapy is brutal. Is it just me or do others have this problem some days it just brings me to tears

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