Total Knee replacement - night pain
Posted , 35 users are following.
Hi, I am 73 and had a total knee replacement 3 weeks ago. I can only sleep sat upright on the sofa as if I try to go to bed the pain is too extreme. Can anyone advise. Although I am doing the recommended exercises, my knee is still very stiff and painfu but the swelling is going down. I lived on my own and am feeling quite low at the moment as I thought I should be feeling some benefit by now. Is this the same with others?
3 likes, 64 replies
louise61336 eileen76856
Posted
I had total knee replacement in December and I still have so much discomfort at night that I hardly get any sleep at all . I ran into someone today who had surgery about 7 years ago and she said she remembers it took her about 6 months till she could sleep. I know how you feel. I'm going back to work in a few days and it's going to be very fifficult.
drewski1954 eileen76856
Posted
Sorry to hear about your pain. I am 3 weeks into my knee replacement and I still am feeling pain. Not nearly as much as before, but the pain is still present. Keep the faith and it will improve. Nighttime is the hardest for me- cannot sleep even after pain meds. I have had library books dropped off and just read at night and then nap and then read. Everyone says it will get better- I am hoping that soon I will be able to stop taking pain meds and be able to sleep soundly.
Mep eileen76856
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Quartertil eileen76856
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Hello, I'm 6 weeks from bilateral knee replacement. And I too am very down and miserable. Having a both legs done, I thought was smart. However I can't rest at night and my left knee is causing so many problems. I have physical therapy 3 days a week and I know they are jelping, but when I leave it's 10 times more the pain. I have been removed from the pain meds (Narco) every 4 hours because it makes me nauseated and lost of appetite. Searching for a little relief. My spirit is so sad.
maritza1832 eileen76856
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hi Eileen i know how you feel im 43 just had a total knee replacement a month ago i recommend to do you exercises especialy your streches put i e every 2 hors for 30 min elevate your leg dont worry about getting into you bad i had the same problem i was sleeping in the sofa drink your pain killers on time dont let pain get hard and wear worm joggers when the weather get bad so you dont feel so much pain the sweeling takes time to come down i still have me a little swalling try to sleep during the day if you get tried its hard to sleep at night cause the pain but u could ask your doctor to give u something to help you sleep i know is hard im going threw it knee and people say after 3 months you're start feel a little better i'll put u in my prayers hope u feel better
drewski1954 eileen76856
Posted
lequita_15916 eileen76856
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I still hurt and have s hard time being comfortable at night. I do as much house cleaning as I can but nothing like before.
Most times I hurt after therapy for a day. I really hurt most of time right below my hips.
Oldfatguy1 lequita_15916
Posted
You are much too early in the process to be pushing too hard. To slowly and steadily. Take pain meds on schedule and an hour or so before doing therapy. Rest is as important as therapy. Hydrate, drinking lots of water will keep your soft tissue loose and flexible allowing you to stretch more freely.
You will be tired for so.etime. rest every chance you get and by rest I mean sleep. You shouldn't even be trying to do housework at this point. Get some help from family and friends. Over exertion will only cause setbacks in the recovery.
Slow and steady....slow and steady....slow and steady
jenny80029 lequita_15916
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susan70411 jenny80029
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joan17325 susan70411
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Welcome to the night pain club xx. I was told by my consultant that NOT taking any pain relief tablets for the first 3/6 moths isn't an option. I had my right leg done Jan 2017 and my left leg 5 weeks ago. Both operations recovery have been different. My pre op assessment group talk warned us NOT to judge our recovery on other people or even our previous ops. So hang in there. GO MRS slowly. Do take all of the pain killers and if they not working see your GP discuss temp pain control with them. I did because I vomit with meds. I take 2 paracetamol and 2 28mg of codeine whuch worked better for me than co codamol. The surgeon told me TKR the most painful invasive operation well above any other op. I forced myself to watch the operation on you tube. It certainly gave me a greater understanding if where or why the pain is so great after these operations. It does get better. But be kind to yourself it's STILL early days yet. Ice regular especially before bed TAKE your meds on time Do your exercises gently Drink plenty if water. Good healthy diet. If it gets to much for you Get into a comfy chair and cat nap plenty. Last time it was 6 months before I felt human Big hugs for you xxxx
susan70411 joan17325
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joan17325 susan70411
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You will just don't be hard on yourself forget time. And to those patient's who brag about how quickly they recovered with magnitudes of super bends playing golf housework Keep bloody quiet and get if these forums as you obviously don't need it. Unless to brag which is of no bloody good to us nightime gurus 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢???????😚😚🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏
Oldfatguy1 joan17325
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I've said it frequently, friends and family can be huge help if the really want to be but they can also be huge pains in the a** if they start that litiney of people that were do I g all sorts of unimaginable feats in record time. Just smile and silently give them the finger. If it sounds to good to be true you can b e t it is. I've been through 5 complete rehab and never found the magic button to push and get it done faster and less painfully.
joan17325 Oldfatguy1
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Exactly. I've lost count of " friends" who tell me of their Aunty etc had no bother and are running around etc. When it's said to me now. I smile and say "That's nice " Then silently curse like a trooper 😁😁😁😁
ronald63091 joan17325
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mary1002 joan17325
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Weather has not helped, live in northeast, snow and temp reading 10 below this am.
I think I have to resort to sleeping in my recliner to avoid stretching and pulling this muscle when sleeping. When I tell you it woke me out of a sound sleep and I was screaming with pain. I live in an apartment and I almost expected a neighbor to pound on my door.
ny feedback would be helpful.
ironwoods ronald63091
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Oldfatguy1 mary1002
Posted
My recliner became my best friend for weeks and weeks. I decided rest was more important than how you got it. Try using vitamin E oil massaged into the entire knee area. Then wrap in saran wrap for an hour or two. Be sure and need the Dr advice and hit the pain meds. Then gently do the heel slides but don't exaggerate the motion. Be very gentle and it will all get better but may take a little time. Damaging the knee is really difficult. I fell the day after my revision and twisted the femur into at a 20° angle. They had to put a hip to knee plate in next to the bone and fix it in place with 8 long screws . all of that and no damage to the prosthesis.