1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

TKR pain worse at night

Posted , 23 users are following.

Lywn
Lywn

Why does my TKR pain hurt so much worse at night than during the day? 12 days post op. 

0 likes, 60 replies

60 Replies

Prev Next
  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 Lywn

    Posted

    I had TKR 6 years ago. I remember the pain been worse at night.

    I think what happens is during the day you are moving about a bit but at night you are lying still in one position and the knee gets stiff and painful.

    Sarah

  • Hopkins227
    Hopkins227 Lywn

    Posted

    I will be in my 4th week of recovery as of tomorrow from a TKR. My knee is stiff 1st thing in the mornings & it is still sore as well as the front of my thigh & the front of my shin. It seems like the back of my knee hurts as well. It doesn't feel like when I walk my knee always bends. My knee hurts when walking & it sometimes cracks or pops. I do my home excercises daily along with walking with my cane instead of walker. When I'm laying down I prop my leg on a long body pillow but it seems my knee doesn't want to straighten completely & when I do straighten it; it sometimes shakes. I'm concerned with that. Is that normal? I tend to tense up when I'm walking as well. The inside of my knee also pains. Nighttime is the worse. I can sleep on my side a very short time. I was told I could use a pillow between my knees but the pressure from the pillow between my knees hurt the inside. I am tired of sleeping on my back. It is so uncomfortable after awhile especially if I have my knee elevated. I also ice. Is anyone else experiencing these issues. I also am no longer taking narcotics only Tylenol.

    • jenny61596
      jenny61596 Hopkins227

      Posted

      I am now 3 months post op and my knee still gets stiff during night and a bit of pain. I found 8 wks was when I had an improvement , but night is the worst , if I couldn’t sleep I would just watch tv and sleep during the day ! But I was still taking strong pain meds and you are not . It is important to get your knee really straight , force it flat on the bed a bit all through the day . It’s as important as bending it so persevere. 
    • Hopkins227
      Hopkins227 jenny61596

      Posted

      Thank you for that information. I will keep trying. The pain while trying to keep it straight is sometimes unbearable.
    • jenny61596
      jenny61596 Hopkins227

      Posted

      If need be take a stronger pain killer and a bit of stretching it at a time , even whilst icing . I was told if you can’t get it straight then you will walk with a limp . Concentrate of relaxing muscles , you may need a few days of a nerve pain killer like Lyrica to help . 
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Hopkins227

      Posted

      Only 4 weeks, "Kneebie"?  Normal, normal, normal...oh, did I mention it's all normal?  The good thing is that you're past the worst of it.  All the really bad crap is gone by week 12 when you should also be done with PT.  These will help at home...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053

      #3 will straighten your leg out.  Gravity is a law and it must be obeyed.  Having a pillow to scream into and getting everyone else out of the house helps a lot.  Next comes rebuilding your dead quads, glutes and core...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527

      What???  You thought this would be easy?  Silly wabbit...  Help with sleeping...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591

      You might need better meds for a while.  Tramadol (Ultram) is the usual transitional drug between the heavy duty opioids and the OTCs.  For sleep, there's the OTC diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl).  Docs can prescribe some Trazodone which also helps with sleep.  I can't take the Ambien or Lunestra.  Woke up from a smoke alarm at 3 am.  I knew it was 3 am because I was staring at the clock on the microwave while I was cooking bacon in my sleep.  True story.

      A TKR recovery takes time, work and patience...all three.  One month post-op is very early in a process that takes a year.  Accept it, own it.  It's tough right now, but it does get better gradually...imperceptibly.  Measure your progress month to month not daily or weekly.  Post this on your fridge...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

       

    • Hopkins227
      Hopkins227 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thank you. I was beginning to worry that I was doing something wrong.
    • Hopkins227
      Hopkins227 jenny61596

      Posted

      Thank you. I will have to ask my doctor for a nerve pain killer.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Hopkins227

      Posted

      The only "wrongs" are pushing the knee beyond what it's capable of at any given time.  The result is obvious swelling and pain.  Big STOP sign.  Learn the lesson once; never repeat it.  The second is not doing the work required first to regain your ROM and then to rebuild your muscles to support the knee.  Lying around hoping it gets better does nothing.  The recovery takes a lot of focused work  Stay strong...never quit...just don't push the knee too far.  For the vast majority of us, a full recovery takes a year.  Plan on it...embrace it...own it.  STAY STRONG!!!!

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Hopkins227

      Posted

      Nerve meds are a very touchy subject.  Gabapentin (Neurontin) can cause huge weight gains in a very short time...like 20 pounds in a month.  For me, Lyrica never did anything.  Both have side effects you may wish to avoid.  Do the research.  Also, look up interactions with meds you're already taking.  Docs know nothing; PHARMACISTS know it all!!!

      On the OTC side, there's Aspercream with 4% Lidocaine or straight-up Lidocaine patches.  Remember, a lot of this is very temporary.  You may want to avoid systemic meds although they have been very helpful for some people.  Do the research...talk to your doc...make a choice.

  • wpshark
    wpshark Lywn

    Posted

    Hi Everyone. Reading all these posts has made me feel much better, Thanks

    I had my op on 5th March and it is now 5 weeks and 2 days post op. I walked without crutches or anything from day 6!! Sort of forced myself to try to walk and move normally but had to be sensible about the pain, stiffness and limited mobility. I care for my wife full time so not many options available.

    I did my exercises and then some more......some good ones to do are to use the crutches as a fulcrum and then swing your leg and straighten the knee . But oh the night time pain!!! I still take Shortec twice during the night. Usually fall into a coma at around 10 and then wake up 11.30 or 12 in agony. 10ml Shortec and oblivion for an hour or so. Wake up in severe pain and take another dose. That sees me to 7 am when I get up . Hang in there peeps, it has to get better.

    PS I am sure my hamstring and calf were damaged during the op. I had severe bruising all the way down the back of my leg from the top of the thigh down to my ankle. Still experiencing bad pain there. Anyone else?

    • maggiemaybe
      maggiemaybe wpshark

      Posted

      My surgery was 14 days ago! I got up early because of the night time pain. It’s horrendous. I am on my own and find the forums such a help. I send thanks to all on the forum for their take on TKR. I do not feel quite so alone!
    • sarah87162
      sarah87162 maggiemaybe

      Posted

      Yes night time is the worst it was for me.

      I had TKR 6 years ago. A successful operation but it does take time to recover.

      Try sleeping with a pillow between your legs.

      Hope that helps

      Sarah

    • maggiemaybe
      maggiemaybe sarah87162

      Posted

      Thanks Sarah! My cushion is permantantly in bed with me! I’m trying to stay still in one position at the mo. All the movement isn’t conducive to being in pain! Live & learn. Thank you for replying to me. 🙃

  • maggiemaybe
    maggiemaybe Lywn

    Posted

    Hi Lywn, I had TKR 2 weeks ago today. The nurse rang me on my second or third day at home and said to me “elevate your leg”. Of course, I cannot  while sitting in an ordinary chair but my recliner does just that. Even so, a fortnight on, I am in more pain than previously. The nights are the worst. I didn’t realise just how hard this is! Hope, as some time has passed since your question, you are feeling full of beans. Hugs x
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.