Posted , 6 users are following.
I am almost 4 weeks post op of total knee replacement. I am walking around the house without any assistance but use a cane when I go out per PT. The other night I had the worst sharp pain shoot down the outside of my knee that I was in tears. I screamed and woke up my husband because it hurt so bad. It only happens when lying down and I move it a certain way. Is this normal or has anyone else experienced it?
0 likes, 12 replies
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kim2003is tammy67842
Posted
that doesn't at all normal to me!!! Unless it was a sudden muscle spasm which can be very painful, I cant think what it could be and recommend seeing your Physio or Consultant asap!!! Hope you get it sorted!!!!
tammy67842 kim2003is
Posted
I am going to call them on Monday. I know that I should have some pain because of the loosening of the replacement. THANKS
jean02698 tammy67842
Posted
I had this kind of pain with my first left TKR. It occurred when i rolled over in bed. I had to make sure i had a pillow between my knees and move slowly. Since the replacement TKR no problem. The problem in my case was the knee cap wasnt stable.
tammy67842 jean02698
Posted
that is when it happens to me. Did you go back to the Dr or what did you do
jean02698 tammy67842
Posted
Tammy...I had a second TKR in Sept....8 months after the first one...new surgeon. The knee was replaced as the leg was crooked, knee cap stabalized. I have metal posts both above and below the knee. The surgery was 31/2 hours. There was a lot of internal stitching. i was in the hospital for 6 days. Im almost 9 weeks, I work out at the gym. i didnt go to physio as i knew all the exercises from my first surgery. I rarely have any pain and can walk without a limp. I couldnt do leg raises after my first surgery and now i can. my surgeon told me that a revision is a 2 year journey.
tammy67842 jean02698
Posted
i have the new verilast knee replacement that last over 30 years. Only certain Drs are certified to do these type. I can walk much better now than before my surgery. I rode the stationary bike last week in PT better than I could before my surgery. It may be where the knee is loosening so I will call the Dr tomorrow. It is just a weird feeling hearing the implant loosening sometimes.
CHICO_MARX tammy67842
Posted
At four weeks into a year-long recovery, any pain like that could be interpreted as normal. What did you do that day? Did you walk too much? Bend down the wrong way? Did you inadvertently hit the knee on a piece of furniture? Did you "tweak" it by pivoting on that knee during the day? Soooo many possibilities and it's very likely that you cannot identify what exactly caused this pain.
So now... Is the pain gone or just lessened? Did you ice and elevate? Take your pain meds? A sharp pain like that is most likely caused by a single, usually unknown incident. Most of us like to do more than the knee is able to do and then we end up with pain or a swollen "balloon knee". Very, very common. If you rest and elevate, take the pressure off the knee, is the pain diminished or gone? If it's getting better, then I would chalk it up to something you did to aggravate the knee. Any situation like that should resolve in a few days of rest, ice and ibuprofen.
If the pain persists and is still sharp a week later, then I'd see your orthopedic surgeon to get it checked out. Remember, a TKR recovery is NOT linear...there are advances, setbacks and plateaus...ALL are normal. Here are some other examples of ancillary pain post-op...
Other Pain After a TKR
Remember that it's only been a month and that the worst part of this is the first 90 days. Time, work and patience are your tools. Be good to yourself, listen to the knee and just give it time to heal. Unlike a hip or shoulder, you CANNOT push a knee to recovery. Let go of any expectations and just heal.
tammy67842 CHICO_MARX
Posted
the inly thing I did different that day is step down to get out the door to sit under the carport with my family as my hubby got the meat ready. I think maybe its because it was a bigger step than I usually take. It only happens when I try to roll over in the bed or move it a certain way in the bed. I sleep with a pillow between my legs.
CHICO_MARX tammy67842
Posted
Early in the recovery, the knee is very susceptible to all sorts of trauma that we wouldn't necessarily think of. Remember that all the surrounding musculature that usually supports the knee is dead...D-E-D...dead. As you get your ROM back and are feeling a bit better, you will have to rebuild all those muscles...
Post-Op Exercising
This is mandatory so you can walk correctly again, regain your balance and be able to climb stairs like you used to. No kidding...the muscle rebuild will take months of determination and work.
If you thought that a TKR recovery was a piece of cake, welcome to the real world. I told my bandmates that I'd do a 4-hour gig that weekend. Really? I was soooo delusional. Get rid of all your expectations...just take it slow and heal.
jill49814 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Such good advice Chico !
im 16 months out of TKR ,but remember it all too clearly, the pain for those first 3 months, especially at night. Only problem now is when i need to step up on a high step. my muscle in thigh is so weak!
CHICO_MARX jill49814
Posted
Use the exercising link in the post above. Gotta get all that strength back. At 14 months, I was doing stairs two at a time without holding onto anything. The work absolutely pays off.
And yes, those memories will recede into the past...just takes a while. I'm over 3 1/2 years post op and loving it.
luci44152 tammy67842
Posted
I am also nearly 4 weeks post tkr and get similar pains every now and then, really sharp and stabbing. They generally appear down the centre of my knee. I have been adding it to all the other weird pains! Relax and ice.