Swelling after total left knee replacement!!!
Posted , 19 users are following.
Hello All. Due to bone on bone arthritis I've had total left knee replacement 6 days ago. The swelling is So Horrible and painful I'd like to be placed in medically induced coma and awakened when its over! This is worse than childbirth I sware!!! Nights are worse I wish I had others who've gone through this to spend night. I'm supposed to get right knee done in July and I told my Dr it will fall off before I do this again. Feels like one of those baby Aliens will Pop through my leg any second now. Pain pills are Useless! Someone anyone, please HELP!!
0 likes, 38 replies
jr53970 angela68712
Posted
ICE ICE ICE Baby !!! its going to take time . Im 14 weeks out sleeping is better i ice and elevate as much as i can , pt 2 times a week Ibuprofen and Motrin every 4 hrs still have swelling put very little pain but i don't over do it . at first i rested and did ice machine and rom machine now its doing good rom is 120 and -10 seance the the 2ed week
La_orthopaedica angela68712
Posted
Your pain pattern after TKR is typical. Most pains stay elevated for 3 weeks, some lasting until 5 weeks. After 5 weeks, your pain will slowly subside. Stabbing pains like some ice pick jabbings are common. Numbness on the side of the knee is also typical. Work closely with your physical therapist to reduce your pain, swelling, redidual weakness and loss of range of motion. 😀
angela68712 La_orthopaedica
Posted
So should I worry about not being able to climb steps with my cane the way I could 2nd day after surgery? My knee barely bends at all and I do get what I call the lightening bolt pains besides the constant throbbing. Do you thing I'll need manipulation?
La_orthopaedica angela68712
Posted
You are still in the healing window so to speak. You bones, the prosthesis, the soft tissues are still healing. Like what i said pain typically escalates and stays high up to a few weeks after surgery. Some patients even complain about pain worse than before operation. Give it some time. Be patient. The pain and swelling will subside eventually. 😀
angela68712 La_orthopaedica
Posted
Thank you for your response. I see my. Dr today and a pain specialist tomorrow so hopefully between the 2 we'll find pain meds that bring me comfort! The pain keeps me up most of day and all night its just impossible to get comfortable. Thanks for encouragement I will stay positive and this site helps So much.
max07424 angela68712
Posted
Hi. I know what you are going through, after I had my tkr iwas in terrible pain and had to have injections just to ease the pain, i was climbing the walls, honestly i could not control the pain, it was like my knee was on fire, I had to go back into hospital, they eventually put me on garbapeten and shortec tabs along with zapain, eventually the pain settled down, it took about 5 days to take efffect and to be honest I am still in pain but manageable pain I am 12 weeks in and go to see my surgeon this Thursday, been to physio today and it does help and i also still put ice on my knee, i exercise every day but the pain doesn't get any less, I was told in physio that I could still be in pain in 18 months time, we are all different some have little pain and others like you and me have horendous pain, dont know what tabs you are on but give them I am on a try you never know but be patient it will ease eventually ,good luck and hope your pain eases. max