Night-time pain

Hi Jinny, I am 12 weeks po and I got cellulitis after the op, didn't appear until I was at home, but the pain and swelling plus two lots of antibiotics  stopped me from exercising the knee.  Had anti inflamatory meds after as well.  My knee  bend is ok and in fact sitting is so comnfortable that when I do stand..the tightness is horrible and have to stand still for a while to feel able to totter off!  The straightening is worrying me a little, have to have deep massage to help but I don't think my leg was that straight before the op! Nights as you mention are the worst.   Do you take any meds at night? this is the only time I do take them, 2  Paracetamol, not that they work immediatly but they sort of ease  the uncomfortable feeling in the leg.  A pillow between  legs and it is an operation in itself turning over and re arrangeing the pillow, have to throw off the duvet to acheive this.   ( I moved hubby to the back room) I did wake every hour last night and gave up about 5 and got up.   I do the same as you, sit at the side of the bed and allow my leg to get comfortable, even swinging them back and forth and also sideways.   I had my left knee done 8 years ago and can't remember having all these problems. See the consultant on the 10th so will make sure I make a list of questions I want answering.It might start off with.... WHY can't I sleep?

Unfortunately pain is as individual as fingerprints. Sounds like you might have a specific nerve that is getting irritated for some unknown reason. That is where a good electronic stimulation unit would be a big help. Other than that, rubbing a good healing type oil into the soft tissue after applying a very warm M O IST towel to the area for 10-15 minutes. After going through this recovery process several times the only very unscientific conclusion I've been able to come up with is that when you become inactive during sleep periods the blood pools at the damaged area and puts pressure on sosoft tissue areas. Elevating the leg slightly above the heart does get blood moving and helps. If you combine elevation, moist heat, massage and light excercise you might get enough relief to help unroll the affected nerve has a chance to fully heal. As has been discussed at different times, of all the areas damaged by this proceedure, nerves are the last thing to fully heal and that can take months.

I had my left TKR on March 19 this year, I developed cellulitis whilst in hospital so was in for 12 days which delayed my physio, also 9 days after discharge I was rushed in with a  blood clot on my lung, my knee is very stiff and I find myself swinging it outwards to walk up stairs, I do my excersises but pain and extreme stiffness don't help, wonder how long it lasts.