Three weeks into total knee replacement questions.
Posted , 5 users are following.
Yesterday marked three weeks since I had my knee totally replaced. I’m three weeks into PT and anytime I do anything throughout the day (little bit of walking, go to the grocery store, meet girlfriends for lunch), I am in excruciating pain that evening. I’ve had more bad days than good, but I’m astounded by the fact that the pain still wakes me up in the middle the night. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m better than I was three weeks ago there’s so much more I can do for myself and I am making progress. If I don’t take a pain pill (tramadol) I cannot get back to sleep. I do not want to become addicted but I can’t tolerate the pain at night time. Please advise. I’ve had more bad days than good, but I’m astounded by the fact that the pain still wakes me up in the middle the night. If I don’t take a pain pill, I cannot get back to sleep. I’ve tried taking 500 mg acetaminophen. Doesn’t touch the pain at all. I do not want to become addicted but I can’t tolerate the pain. Feeling a little overwhelmed, and defeated. Please advise.
0 likes, 5 replies
sarah87162 MLTMI
Posted
I give you my own experience.
I had TKR 7 years ago.
I had trouble sleeping for ages afterwards.
Initially when I went to bed I went to sleep.
Then about an hour or so later I would wake up and not be able to go back to sleep again.
I think during the day you are moving around but at night the leg and knee get stiff.
Try sleeping on your back with a pillow in between your legs. I seem to remember that helped me.
This is still very early days for you so do not give up.
Not being able to sleep was a huge shock for me as well.
Take care and hang in there.
Keep in touch.
Love Saarh xxxx
MLTMI sarah87162
Posted
thx you.
I’m just so over this.
kim2003is MLTMI
Posted
Three weeks is no time at all since your op and I don't think any of us on this Forum would be at all surprised that you are still in pain at this stage of your recovery. Being woken at night by pain is very common and can last for some time to come (sorry to give bad news) so dont worry about taking your Tramadol and hang in there. You're unlikely to get addicted to it in the short term, especially if you're taking it as a necessity. You will find your usage will gradually diminish over time. Most people seem to find that they have milestones where they wake up one day and suddenly notice something no longer hurts as much or is as stiff, or is just easier suddenly. 3 weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of recovery and you said you're already doing more than you could 3wks ago so just keep remembering that. Good luck and a speedier recovery! 🤞🤞🤞🤞
CHICO_MARX MLTMI
Edited
You are 3 weeks into a typical year-long recovery. After being on here for four years and reading over 30,000 posts, I can say that you sound very normal for your point in time. The first 60-90 days are always the worst with pain, swelling, sleeplessness and more. Take your meds ON SCHEDULE as they build up in your bloodstream to their intended, effective level. Skip doses and you get a more roller coaster effect due to the half-life of each drug. Don't do that. Stay on schedule. If you are not getting enough relief, talk to your doc. Tramadol is at the bottom end of the opioid scale; you may need something better for a week or two. Forget about addiction...you will be off all the meds very soon.
In the evening, ice and elevate...a lot. If the swelling and pain is that bad, back off the exercising. You CANNOT push a knee to recovery like you can with a hip. It will just swell up on you. If you are walking, time and distance are irrelevant...it's the STEPS that put the load on the knee. Get something that counts and charts your steps. Increase gradually. Took me 8 months to get up to 11,000 steps a day.
Once you are past the worst of it, you will have to start the mandatory muscle rebuild as your quads, glutes, core and more are basically dead. Here, you have to build endurance before strength in order to walk correctly, regain your balance and be able to do stairs alternately like you used to...
Exercise Program
Click on my name, Discussion and then See All. I have about 30 of them out there on all sorts of topics including sleep. Remember... You have just started your recovery. Get rid of all your expectations and comparisons. Own your recovery...time, work and patience are your tools. Good luck...
Sgt.lindalee MLTMI
Posted
Hi MLTMI, The fact that you are aware of addiction and suffering through pain for fear of it, tells me that you are lower risk to have addiction issues...take your meds when you are supposed to, if that seems too often, you can take them just at night (it does build up to a maintenance level when taken regularly, which can help for the first months)but, you can take less for peace of mind....you will start to need it less, or go longer without it and then you start cutting back...the truth is taking it will help your recovery, pain drains you physically & mentally, leaving you feeling defeated and frustrated....lack of sleep can cause all kinds of issues, none of which are good for recovery...at the very least you can set up a taper plan now...take it as prescribed, then only at night(or start here), then only as needed, lower dose, spaced further until no pain or can switch back to OTC...Talk to your Dr about any questions & follow your treatment plan...Best Wishes for speedy recovery💒☮🍀💟🌈♾🐾🎶