Posted , 12 users are following.
I am 5 weeks post Tkr. Still haven't had a nights sleep. The pain now is coming from the SCAR area. I've started to massage it with Vaseline,I was told it would desensitise the scar area, but since then the scar seems red & feels hot. I ice regularly. Does anyone else have this problem. I live in U.K. & wondered if I should use anything different to help its recovery. ....Eileen
0 likes, 22 replies
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Guest eileen15268
Posted
chris02353 eileen15268
Posted
hi Eileen. I'm 7 weeks today, I too have been really struggling with sleep. However during the last week I have been able to sleep for longer periods, maybe try a pillow between your legs to raise it a little. My scar is sensitive but not painful, I massage Alloa Vera lotion into my scar which sinks in very well and is not as sticky as Vaseline.
The pain and stiffness are still there but I must say this last week seems to be improving. I have an old exercise bike and can just manage to get all the way round and this does help. Don't do tooo much I've been told over and over a little and often. Good luck.
eileen15268 chris02353
Posted
Ah thanks Chris I will try that. It seems to be going on & on ,but there must be light at he end of the tunnel
lyn32416 eileen15268
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Vaseline is a chemical and bad for scars. Not sure why you are using a petrol based rub but vitamin E oil or lotion without parabens and organic if possible, works. Massage lightly, do not rub. Pool walking, stationery bike reverse pedalling all free the joint up. It'll improve but needs time and rest and exercise.
eileen15268 lyn32416
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thanks Lyn, gosh no wonder it' s felt worse since I put Vaseline on .... not any more, thanks for I fo
sue33011 eileen15268
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What you describe sounds very familiar. The area around he wound often becomes red and warm to the touch after a tkr, especially after a work out. Most moisturisers, particularly those containing vitamin E, will aid in heaing. As for the sleeplesness-like so many others here will tell you, it's part and parcle with this procedure, although, at seven weeks post tkr, i am finally starting to string a few good hours together.
One of the ways I found to reduce knee pain was to place a heat pack beneath the knee and an ice pack on top-worked a treat-maybe you could try it-others here may have other sugestions. It's a tough proceedure eileen, one that requires time and a positive mental outlook. I wish you well in your recovery.
eileen15268 sue33011
Posted
wow, heat and ice, ? Gosh , I ice on & off day & night as my surgeon kept telling me plenty of ice ,plenty of ice. Ii even went as far as getting a mini freezer in the bedroom
ellen57898 eileen15268
Posted
Best to you
Ellen
keith44175 eileen15268
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Milla2017 keith44175
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Keith very worrying post. I struggled with it until I started out patient physio. 4 weeks ago I was at 84 and yesterday I made 114. My leg is completely straight.
You need 90 degrees to do the most basic things like sitting and walking. How are you coping?
Typically if you haven't reached 90 degrees by 8-12 weeks the OS either prescribe intensive pt or do the manipulation under anesthesia. You are going to have to seek medical intervention. For some people flexion do come slow but 9 months is a little worrying. I don't mean to worry you but I am concerned for you.
Milla2017 eileen15268
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eileen15268 Milla2017
Posted
robin66848 eileen15268
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hope you start sleeping better.
CHICO_MARX eileen15268
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Everything sounds absolutely normal. Red, hot, sleep...yup. The redness could be irritation from rubbing on clothes and sheets. Use a loosely wrapped ACE bandage or a knee sleeve. Hot and swollen means overworking the knee. This could help on the sleep...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591
eileen15268 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thanks Chico , that sounds @ right, I am so desperate to exercise I may be over doing it. I'm 5 weeks post Tkr today do you think it's too early to be up & about much or should I be resting more .? Thanks for your help
CHICO_MARX eileen15268
Posted
5 weeks is the time most people are still on drugs (30-60 days) and doing PT to get their ROM back (8-12 weeks, 2x/week starting at week 3 or 4). Gotta ease into the post-PT exercise...it takes a long time to rebuild quads, glutes and core. Walking is always good. Use a FitBit or other pedometer...find your pain/swelling point in steps...back off...increase gradually. These may help...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/zero-degrees--517809
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
eileen15268 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Many thanks again Chico, yes I am still on Naproxen & paracetamol.i do the exercises 3 times a day but sometimes only twice . I'm not going back to physics therapist until 8th March as they expect you to do it at home. I will gradually do more.