Lack of sleep following TKR

good morning sweetheart.

After reading your post I can read the desperation in your voice

All the symptoms do go away but there is no set time limit.Everyone is different.Keep doing the exercises even though you think they are doing no good.2 weeks is no time I slept in my reclining chair for 4 weeks surrounded by books ipad and remote controls cos I was only cat napping Oh and a flask of tea as well and some chocolate for when the pain was really bad OK it didn't take the pain away just tasted good LOl Anyway I have had both knees replaced the first one was so bad they had to build the knee socket up with the stuff dentists use for fillings ( hope it doesn't drop out ) lol Second one 6 months after the first cos I wanted all of the pain after the operations to be gone and get on with my life

Its 2 years down the line since my first operation.

You do get better. You can turn over onto your operation side eventually and you will invent the best way for you to do it I tended to put my opposite arm on the headboard and pull myself over at first

The pins and needles in your foot eventually you will get used to it but keep exercising the foot They have cut the nerves in your knee takes time for them to come home lol

They shave a lot of muscle that surrounds the knee when they operate and that never comes back

You now are a member of the 2am cant sleep club but i often just check my phone etc then turn over and go back to sleep and some nights I only have to get up for a wee lol

But the bonus now is I can bend to take the washing out of the machine bend and pick things up off the floor etc and the persistent pain when i walked has gone Start a bucket list of things you're going to do when you're fit or Shopping spree you deserve it after all the pain The only people who understand are those who have had it done According to my consultant he says its the most painful after operation pain one can have Keep your chin up I`m off for my brekky now hugs x

Hi there! Lack of sleep is a very real, frustrating part of recovery. I am 10 weeks out from left TKR, and am still struggling with sleep. I can't give you advice, but I can share my experiences and what worked for me.

I found that elevating the leg above heart level worked well for me and reduced the throbbing significantly, which enabled me to get a few hours sleep.

With regards to sleeping on my side, my surgeon said as soon as I felt comfortable to do so, I could. For me, that was around 3 weeks. I still can't manage more than about 1.5 to 2 hours at a time, as my knee starts to throb from the pressure. I purchased a piece of memory foam to put between the knees, which has worked well for me. A pillow was too big, a towel too hard. I tried several things, but the memory foam has worked the best.

Feeling down has also been a very real experience for me too. The frustration of loss of mobility, coupled with the continued discomfort has me crying often!!

Good luck with your recovery. It's a long road, but it does become more bearable as time goes on. For me, it helps just knowing I am not alone in my experiences and feelings.

it will be 6 weeks Mon since my surgery to this day i still have trouble sleeping its annoying its like i have restless leg syndrome feels like pins and needles and nothing can seem to touch my leg .. but i can now sleep on my side now but still restless and after trying to sleep all night your knee is so stiff in the morning because you don't move it for hours.. also the bruising will go away i thought the same thing wow my foot was so bruised but it does clear up.. good luck on your recovery it!s long and slow process i keep hearing

hello, you sound like you've been though ALOT...im so sorry! i am almost 10 weeks post double tkr. I have trouble sleeping more than an hour or two at a time. After the first 2 weeks i started using a very thin pillow under my knees....it seemed to help as i didnt stay in any position for very long. i also did some strengthening exercises, ice, then soaked in tub before bed. Hope you can find what works best for you. Good luck!

Hi Mechele, Wow, TKR 3 years after BC is a lot to contend with. I guess I was fortunate and had a 10 year gap (lol)

As for sleep, try not to worry about it. I had only 2 hours sleep too for the first few weeks. I remember the sense of elation when I managed 5 hours! I took a bottle of water, a banana and a couple of biscuits up to bed with me plus a good book and the ipad. Nap when you can and find something to do if you're awake. It works better than fretting that you can't sleep and trying to stay awake all day doesn't seem to help at all. I kept a diary of my recovery too, so that I could measure my progression and I downloaded some free Futurelearn courses to do.

To make things more comfortable I found a flattish, soft pillow under the whole of my leg (not just under the knee, but from just under bottom to foot) helped immensely. I needed 2 shaped like a T as I have quite long legs.

You will get through it. The first 2 weeks are the worst, the next 2 are rotten and then it starts to get easier, but we progress at different rates so don't panic if you're experience is different to anyone else. Good luck!

Here ya go...

Post-TKR Sleep

So totally normal. Will resolve in time...

I'm 12 weeks out right tkr..for the first 6 wks I lived in the recliner, elevate,ice and pain meds, it will get better..I now can sleep in bed with foam between my knees and still pain meds once in awhile and Melatonin!!

Good Luck!

Hi I also battled with sleep i eventually got sleeping tablets but i didn't have your heel pain. I wonder if you put a pillow under your your calf, well a little below it, maybe the pillow under your heel is aggravating it? it really does take awhile to be almost normal, just hang in there and keep on doing your excercises, very important. I honestly cant remember when i started to sleep on my side, but I did find sleeping on a recliner much better than a bed. I'm 18 months post TKR, there are very few people that manage to be feeling great after a year never mind two weeks. wishing you all the best.

Gaynor

hi

i am 3 months post op

have heaps of pain and swelling

have not slept in 3 months even with medication and sleeping tablets

lying on my side causes my knee to burn.

lying on my back causes me to snore

Doctors says it can take up to 12 months if so id probaly have jumped off a bridge by then