TKR pain worse at night
Posted , 23 users are following.
Why does my TKR pain hurt so much worse at night than during the day? 12 days post op.
0 likes, 60 replies
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Notes on TKR pain worse at night
sue180461 Lywn
Posted
4 weeks post op.. TkR sleeping is a nighthtmare i dread bedtime . got everything set up swapped my mattress for a firmer one , hubby sleeps in spare room , was more stress on me worrying about keeping him awake. no problem bending 105 deg my problem is my leg will not sit flat when stretched out . the pain is terrible , i know they say no pillow , at this moment i just want to sleep so i resorted to putting a pillow under , i take my meds esp at night . still painful . im tossing and turning all night,
walking using one crutch now , people say oh my friend was walking 4 weeks without anything , she does 3 km a day .,why do people say things like that , i seen this site and now i feel much better knowing im not alone..
i went to see my Gp yestersay to get a script , he took one look and said it looks infected and badly swollen and put me on anti biotics , ive booked for a ultrasound on 3rd jan ..will see how i go..i just hope the anti biotics clear it up , will keep you posted..
CHICO_MARX sue180461
Posted
Sleeping Tips
deborah85966 Lywn
Edited
im in the same boat. meds dont help at all. icing doesnt seem to help either anymore. cant sleep at all. week two
sue180461 Lywn
Posted
now 5 months post op , still not much relief with the stiffness and shooting pains, also i can hear and feel a click when walking and sometimes when sitting..my Dr sending me for a Ct scan , i go on 8th may, just hope nothing serious , but i reckon there is a problem somewhere otherwise why all this pain..and stiffness , will keep u posted
CHICO_MARX sue180461
Posted
Everything you are reporting will resolve over time...typically by the one year mark with some residual stiffness and clicking lasting up to 18 months. None of this is guaranteed but is generally reported. Your expectations are affecting your mind and emotions. Get rid of them. The knee will be better when it's better...period.
The stiffness will absolutely return even years later if you don't keep the knee active. This is a lifetime recovery. Sit around and the knee will stiffen up. Be forewarned.
Ask the doc for some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US, generic diclofenac elsewhere, check for interactions). Useful during the day but especially at bedtime. Excellent topical anti-inflammatory.
sue180461 CHICO_MARX
Posted
HI CHICO-MARX
Thanks for the info..your right i am thinking the worse , probably because my family and friends keep reminding me i shouldnt be feeling like this at this stage , that others dont have your symptoms .that there walking 5 km a day , i can manage 1-2 km then im in agony ..i do know about the voltaren gel , , im not supposed to use it as im on blood thinners ..but i may just give it a go , esp during the night..
CHICO_MARX sue180461
Posted
Your family and friends are idiots...ignore them. Everyone gets past this in their own time, at their own pace. Most people are feeling "more like themselves" around nine months and are pretty much done at one year. Very, very few escape that time line. We've had people on here who tried going back to work at three months and had a truly horrid time of it. Then again, there have been those lucky few with little pain and a fast 3-6 month full recovery. Again, very rare.
So you don't compare your recovery to that of anyone else, give up all your expectations and don't push the knee past where it can go at any time...else, "balloon knee". Listen to the knee. Count your steps every day...time and distance are meaningless. Chart them to see your progress. Extend the count slowly and gradually. I got to 11,000 per day at 8 months with no ill effects after my one and only "balloon" experience at 5 weeks. I'm a quick learner.
The Voltaren is topical and has few side effects. I'd Google a drug interaction checker to match it against your current meds. I do this with everything any doc gives me. Or go to your pharmacist; they have the pro software and database plus the list of all your meds right in one place. OTC AsperCream with 4% Lidocaine may also be an effective topical for you.
sue180461 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thankyou , i will take on board what youve said , appreciate the time you taken to reply.
jean02698 Lywn
Posted
I have just started wearing a knee brace to try and move my patella. However now when im turning over in bed i get a sharp pain from the knee. im thinking its the knee cap. It wakes me. I also still cant lift my leg. My doctor suspects more surgery.
sarah87162 Lywn
Posted
Because at night you are not moving around.
I had TKR 7 years ago.
When I went to bed I initially fell asleep quite quickly but would wake up after about an hour with bad pain.
It is just a question of being patient really. Something you have to go through, it does improve with time.
Sarah
joyce92867 Lywn
Posted
i am 4 weeks post op and so relieved i found this forum. i thought i was going crazy with this night time pain!!! thank you to the encouraging words that it does get better!!! i have a hot tub which gives me tremendous relief... if i could sleep in there it would be wonderful... i am in there 3 to 4 times a night!!
marian53614 joyce92867
Posted
How do you get in and out of the tub? i can barely lift my knee to get into walk-in shower.
pollydee1103 Lywn
Posted
The reason for no pillow under the knee is that while it is supportive, and we are told to elevate above heart level for reduction of swelling, use of a pillow all night can potentially keep the knee in a bent position for too long, allowing it to begin to heal that way. Orthopedic surgeons look for 180 degree straightness as the gold standard as we heal, and a pillow all night can interfere with this. If you can get the pillow under the entire leg, keeping no bend in the knee, that is considered preferable.
marian53614 Lywn
Posted
i just had TKR 5 days ago and the pain seems unbearable, especially at night. While I know it's important to drink plenty of water during recovery, I find it increases my need for the bathroom. Getting in and out of bed is very difficult, though my physical therapist showed me how to use my cane or my husband's belt to help get my "lead" leg in and out of bed with less pain. I have trouble sleeping the majority of the time anyway, but now it seems impossible to find a comfortable position that is safe. lying flat on the back with toes pointed up and elevated at foot/ankle is preferred for proper extension, but it is almost unbearable for me. I currently take oxycodone. to help with pain, but it has a minimal affect. I may resort to sleeping on a lower couch or chair in the coming nights. Any more tips that haven't been mentioned here already are greatly appreciated.