Knee replacement lack of sleep

Hi Brent,

Sleep deprivation is the pits!  I am 7 weeks post op RTKR and am just now able to sleep 6-7 hours with no interruptions from my leg.  I still experience tightness and numbness, but it isn't enough to disrupt my sleep.  I also think that once I got off of my pain meds, I was able to sleep. Give yourself a bit more time before you resort to night meds, even those have unwanted side effects .  

The first 4 weeks were the roughest for me, weeks 5-6 have shown the biggest improvements.  My knee still feels like it has a 20 pound weight around it, but I know this will improve over the next few months.  Stick with this forum,  it's a great place to find the answers to most of your questions .  Hang in there, we all feel your pain and sleepless nights ! 

Many blessings,

Cherry 🍒 

I know its hard to believe its such a universal problem when its happening to you but lack of night sleep is why you shouldn't worry about grabbing a nap anytime you can during the day. The body needs rest to heal. You might try 10 mg of melatonin at bedtime. Its natural and helps some relax and isn't habit forming. One form is the type you let dissolve under the tounge. Slowly it will improve

Hi Brent,

?Sorry to put a 'downer' on your Physio's enthusiasm but if you have a sleep problem at 4 weeks, if your knee is all of the things you describe you are NOT ahead of schedule, any schedule .......... you are just running the course. End of !

?You might even have 135 degree bend, you might have 0 flexion, but with lack of sleep and all the other issues you describe you are just running the course. Your Physio clearly has no idea what he/she is talking about.

What you describe is perfectly normal .... remember you HAVE  been butchered.

?If pain is an issue I used a prescription drug - CoCodomol 30/500, (I had no choice in this pain killer as I have a heart arrythmia and am on warfarin for life, so all the exotic over the counter stuff is no use to me)  take them as shown on the paper in the packet and it will help with pain and help a bit with sleep.  You may even be like this a week 8 or beyond.

I also am assuming you are frequently, elevating, resting and keeping ice on the knee.

?Good luck.

I used to move my knee about for a few minutes, it helped.

I would not personally go for the sleeping tablets because I think the knee needs to be moved about a bit at night and they might knock you out so much you don't move it. Resting during day, i.e. afternoon nap might help as getting over tired doesn't help. Acceptance that this is normal may help. Relaxation techniques, lavendar oil on pillow helped me.

It is hard but common. Elevate and ice all day along with the exercises! As the knee settles down it will be easier! Good healing to you!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........................

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591

Avoid the RX stuff if you can.  Try these ideas first.