Posted , 9 users are following.
I still have pain & swelling from Tkr even after 10 weeks. Nights are awful too. It seems to me a vicious circle. We're told to rest if knee swells & is painful but what @ exercising, I find knee is so stiff now I'm going backwards. This can't be normal or is it ?
0 likes, 28 replies
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j68551 eileen15268
Posted
I had my TKR operation in 2014 with a post operative infection 'Jackpot'. Now, finally the latest bacteriological culture result showed 'no growth. Good news! But, bad news, the pain & swelling since the operation, remains. Standing & Walking 15 minutes max! Morning Pain & Stiffness is hard. I usually take Tramadol 0.25 mg. Never more than 50 mg! My appetite is great. I enjoy daily driving. ( Nobody walks in Bangkok) I sleep well every night. Do I want another TKR operation (revision)? No, not for the time being. Bangkok-Johnny
eileen15268 j68551
Posted
Thanks for replying , yes I've been told full recovery can take up to 2 years. I just thought it would be easing more now. Though ,having said that I guess the pain isn't quite so intense it just feels it is in the night. X
chris00938 j68551
Posted
Phew J - you've been through the mill and back with that! That is such good news about you being infection free now! I'm sorry it's all left you in such a bad condition though. But wonderful to be in Bangkok! Enjoy it!
sandra88710 eileen15268
Posted
Hi - I am 6 months & 1 week since right TKR. I have been told by physio that it will take 18 months post op before knee feels 'normal'. Never use heat or pillows! Also told that must do exercises every day for at least 1 year - housework & walking doesn't count as exercising. Walking must also be done daily. Elevating & resting knee plus ice several times daily. I am not consistent with any of these instructions. My knee continues to swell & be painful - whether sitting, standing, walking, driving, etc although is a more tolerable pain than before the surgery. I also experience that burning feeling frequently. Outside of leg still slightly numb. Lots of sciatica every day because operative leg a bit longer, gait is now different, & sitting way too much. Still glad I had the surgery. Am planning to have the left one done next this coming summer or fall. I take 1 Tylenol arthritis two times a day & use voltaren gel on my leg when cannot tolerate the pain or when running errands. Stopped all the heavy pain mess 3-4 months ago
joan17325 sandra88710
Posted
I also have read that pillows are ok Anyway I use a pillow for night time and I'm doing ok with it
sandra88710 joan17325
Posted
My surgeon & Physiotherapist absolutely denied my several requests for a pillow to help with the pain when sleeping as prevents the knee from being able to attain flatness st the back. I have learned to sleep without it.
CHICO_MARX sandra88710
Posted
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591
Yeah, my doc said no pillow under my knees but I did it anyway...only way I could get to sleep early on. Did not affect my recovery...but that's just me.
For the first two months, it's just as bad as it can get...period. It seems like there's no relief and this will never end. All of us have been there or are in the middle of it now. Hardest recovery I've ever had to do...and I've had 28 ops (mostly minor) in 17 years. Worse than my hip, back fusion and more. Gotta be strong...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521
chris00938 sandra88710
Posted
I thnk this pillow issue depends on if you sleep on your back or side. I sleep on my side and tried it one night but was more comfortable without it but some find it useful and it's not going to stop the leg straighten if they're already bent when you're on your side.
eileen15268 sandra88710
Posted
Ah Sandra, I know exactly how you feel, I'm not consistent either I try to do exercises at least twice a day but I don't always. My thinking is if I don't exercise or agravate it , it might not hurt so much. :-(
CHICO_MARX eileen15268
Posted
At 10 weeks? Normal. This is a LONG recovery that cannot be rushed.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-recovery-bell-curve--563756
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521
Hope these are helpful.
"Never give up! Never surrender!" - Tim Allen, Galaxy Quest
eileen15268 CHICO_MARX
Posted
martinarvelo eileen15268
Posted
Well, I'm afraid it is pretty normal. It's a very up and down recovery. A really good day always seems to be followed by an awful one. some of us take longer to get rid of the swelling. . I know I did. . .Exercise seems on the one hand to loosen it up, and then afterwards increase the swelling. . but it is pretty essential to keep exercising the knee in spite of swelling. Not too extreme, but not good to give up for a couple of days either.
eileen15268 martinarvelo
Posted
Ah thanks Martinarvelo, I need all the encouragement I can get. I really must try & exercise more . X