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My new knee..full replacement.x

Posted , 13 users are following.

audrey16012
audrey16012

i am on day 6 and I am struggling to get the correct pain relief. Today 6 days after my op I am in Agony, I feel sad as I was able to do my exercises up until day 5 but the pain is preventing me from do anything but rest.   Is this quite normal....my leg feels like I've pulled all my muscles and an elephant is sitting on my knee, even my ankle hurts. 

I have been prescribed 10mg of morphine 2 daily am & pm and tramadol in between..not touching the pain today at all.

i have taken myself up stairs to rest as I feel grumpy..my poor family.

 

1 like, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • mommermom
    mommermom audrey16012

    Posted

    My heart really goes out to you! 💕 The first 2 weeks were a blur and I was a mess. Pain and no sleep made me weepy too. I then took action about my pain meds, found the combination that worked. I jumped on the internet to find out what would work and requested it. I not only involved my surgon but my primary care doctor as well. By week 4 I knew I was going to survive and now at week 7 I am optimistic. I discovered this forum at about 2 weeks and it was (and is) such blessing. Please take heart and speak loudly until someone listens. Keep us posted how you're doing.

  • terri90278
    terri90278 audrey16012

    Posted

    Hi Audrey, not sure what I can add that hasn't already been said, but here goes. I'm 8 weeks post op & boy do I remember those first 2 weeks. I'm shocked that your doc wants to lower your meds so soon. Not only do you deserve not to be in pain, but it's imperative that your pain is controlled so you can do the necessary exercises to get your knee bending. My doc gave me all the meds I needed. Unfortunately we couldn't find the right ones to control my pain so I lost a few weeks of bending. My pain is much less now but I've developed scar tissues & have to go for manipulation. The surgery is only 1 piece of the puzzle. The rest involves the PT & your own exercises which need to be done with proper pain control. Good luck & keep us posted.

    • Need1knee
      Need1knee terri90278

      Posted

      Hi Terri...I am also at 8 weeks and was wondering what your range of motion is that is requiring your need for manipulation? I also still cannot straighten my leg completely +6 and I bend to about 110. Trying to figure out what might be in store for me. They are having me try a leg brace to see if that helps. Thanks for any info.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Need1knee

      Posted

      I don't believe there's cause to worry at this point.  People need to understand that there are advances, setbacks and plateaus (the worst).  I started PT around week 3 or 4 and it took TEN WEEKS of PT @ 2x/week to get from -14 / +84 to -1 / +123.  Got stuck at -4 for weeks before breaking through.  I'm 15+ months post op and at 0 / +133.  It takes time and work...yes, painful work, but it's totally worth it long term.

       

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      There seems some pressure to achieve very rapid results from some professionals, but in my experience I was given a lot more leeway. Most of my progress came later too, around the 12 week stage.
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 Need1knee

      Posted

      There seems some pressure to achieve very rapid results from some professionals, but in my experience I was given a lot more leeway. Most of my progress came later too, around the 12 week stage. your bend is good. Keep up lots of stretching and the exercises which help straighten and I would be confident you will be fine. Still early days! .
    • terri90278
      terri90278 Need1knee

      Posted

      You are way ahead of me. My PT can force me to about 95 with tremendous pain. I can barely get myself to 90 (with pain). Straightening no was never a problem for me. I'm close to 0. My doc thinks I probably developed scar tissue which is keeping me from progressing more. Apparently there's a window of about 8-12 wks that manip works best so he's getting me in at 10 wks. He also said it will hopefully reduce the pain.

      Curious, when you say you bend to 110, is that comfortably?

    • Need1knee
      Need1knee terri90278

      Posted

      Hi Terri! (And Jenny! And Chico!) Thank you for responding! I feel more peaceful when I hear from you! Terry, I can sit on a flat table and pull my bent leg toward my butt and get to 110. But I still help it along. It also bends when I ride the stationery bike easily. My pt and surgeon are more concerned about my leg straightening to -0. It must be scar tissue...the pt keeps massaging it pretty aggressively... I have about six visits left with her. I guess we will see. Jenny and Chico make me feel calmer about letting time pass.... 😊

    • terri90278
      terri90278 Need1knee

      Posted

      Bending to 110 without pain, Need 1knee? Same sitting on a chair?
    • cynthia89958
      cynthia89958 terri90278

      Posted

      That happened to me too.  Meds did not suit and GP averse to prescribing more or stronger ones. Held up my progress due to severe pain and needed MUA but that has helped a lot.
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX audrey16012

    Posted

    "Time is on my side, yes it is." - The Rolling Stones

    Stop fixating on the number and do the work.  You will get there...in time.

    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Yes, time, effort and patience delivers optimum results. 16 months soon and what a difference a few weeks make. Star jumps in my head. Yippee! x
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