total knee replacement

Hi Chris

I had TKR right knee roughly 12 weeks ago. 3 days hospital,7 in rehab. When I came out 10 days later I was still on TRAMADOL which is a very strong one. My doctor only took me off it around 4/5 weeks ago. So dont quote me but i think you need more. At the present time Im trying to wean myself off a bit but im taking maybe 6 co codamol 2 at a time through the day. Also 2 NAPROXEN which is stronger and goes with co codamol early morning and late at night.

Hi Chris, take painkillers for as long as you need them, this is major surgery and recovery takes a long time, see your gp for meds, maybe you can juggle meds, stronger painkillers when needed and milder ones when resting. We don't get a medal for coming off medication early. While your taking meds for pain you won't get addicted to them,its only if you take them when not in pain it could be a problem . good luck

I am so sorry that you are experiencing such pain. To be only taking 2 pain pills at night seems ridiculous. You need to go back to the doctor and increase your pain medication. At the very least every 4 hrs. I ice continually. That helps a lot. Are you doing PT? If you don't move, the joint scar tissue can build up and severely limit the range of motion of your knee. Sleep is when you do your best healing.

I live in the States, and had my left TKR done on Jan 4. I had very little pain and very good range of motion. So I had my right TKR on Feb 9. There was much more pain,but last night was a very good night in terms of sleep. I will get my stitches out Tuesday and get an x-ray done. I am limping slightly but unaided.

In this day and age you should not be having the problems that you are having. Good luck to you Chris.

Hi Chris, sorry to hear you're struggling, it really sucks doesn't it!!

In my experience, (2x TKR within 7 months of each other!) 6 weeks is too soon to be on such a tiny amount of pain relief. I'm 16 weeks out from TKR #2, and it's only in the past week /10 days or so that I've really reduced the amount of pain meds I've been taking.

How are you managing with your exercises if you're experiencing such levels of pain? Struggling, I bet. My "advice" such as it is, is to go to your GP, cards on the table (no brave face!) And discuss pain management. There are loads of options, not all meds suit everyone, so it can take a little time to get it right, but please don't think you've got to struggle through with no respite from the pain, there's no need to suffer in this day and age with all the Doctors have at their disposal!

Good luck, make sure you're resting and hydrating well, and see your GP as soon as you're able.

Hi,Chris,I am 11 weeks post revision TKR. I agree with the advice you have been given by the forum so far. Try to keep as comfortable as possible with painkillers regularly,ice,mobility and rest with the leg up. I still take Tramadol plus Ibuprofen through out the day and Amytriptaline at night for nerve pain....it has the added bonus of making me sleepy so sleep is no problem! It is a long haul for some and forums like this help,if all you do is read the posts.

I s u guest seeing your primary care Dr for pain meds. They are generally head and shoulders above surgeons when it comes to mix and matching pain meds. In the meantime, go back to the frequne icing and elevation at night as your type pain is very common and disturbing. A lot of it comes from reconditing the body to walk properly from months or maybe years of limping. Take your time when walking. Slow down and stride heal, toe bend. Increase your fluid intakes (water) and rest. Most people want to get back to normal they start Ruston g and doing too much to soon. You have been through a lot......be sure and be kind to yourself and rest every chance you get

Hi Chris,

Had two done within 8 weeks. Left one in November last then right one in January.

Second one is now just 6 weeks ago and have reduced my meds by half. Now on 1 solpadol four times a day. Solpadol is 30 mg of codeine plus 500 mg of paracetamol. Similar to do-codimol.

You are not on enough if your only taking at night.

Remember what you were on in hospital and go from there.

Tramadol doesn't seem to work for me but the lesser codeine/paracetamol is great. I can feel the pain leaving within half an hour.

Still have stiffness and the numbness on the outside part of your knee will remain forever to no detriment.

Best thing I had done. My knees seemed in perfect order up to 18 months ago then absolute pain. I told the consultant I didn't want to mess about with injections etc and wanted them both replacing. Fantastic.

Agree with others take co coda mol if needed 2 every four hours for a week until things settle then cut to every six hours and back to morning and night - don't suffer - it slows healing down but don't get addicted either. Could try solpadol or paracetomol in day when things improve. That worked for me and every now and then I still went back to co coda mol occasionally - but if it's swelling causing pain you need anti inflammatory - it's tough but will gradually improve hopefully in another six weeks you will be coming out of the woods

You can take ibuprofen for the pain.

Certainly take them with paracetamol but I am not sure if you can take them with co codamol. Is there a good local chemist you could ask?

Sarah

Hi Chris 

i'm 6+ Weeks post op with my 2nd TKR and like you following my first operation 18mths ago and found it very painful  and l was was not prepared for it. 

My GP was very unsympathetic but eventually agreed to prescribe Tramadol with good effect l also took cocodamol regularily..

It does get better and l was prepared for the discomfort this time. 

My advise to anyone Is to take pain relief regularily to keep on top of the pain. 

 

Hi Chris. I am 3 weeks post-op TKR right knee on Tuesday.

I was originally taking co-codamol for the first week but they did little to control the pain and I was changed to tramadol the second week which helped a lot, particualarly when combined with ibuprofen which I was able to recommence once the anticoagulant therapy finished.

I follow the advice on here and find ice, elevation and my exercises really do help.  One setback was when my husband accidentally fell over my ankle and the pain was excruciating. for a day or so but has now eased off. Hoping no damage is done and will find out I hope when I see my physio on Tuesday.

As others say try to stay positive and as one poster on here said remember the pain is "good" pain now not the horrible bone on bone osteoartritic pain pre-op.

Its hard but sort out your meds and everything will look brighter!