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Total Knee replacement - night pain

Posted , 35 users are following.

eileen76856
eileen76856

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

64 Replies

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  • cherry75260
    cherry75260 eileen76856

    Posted

    Hi Eileen,

    I am 4 weeks post op tkr, 71 years old.  Everything you've shared is exactly like many of us on the forum are experiencing,

    Sleep, wonderful sleep, how wonderful it would be if the knee pain would stop hurting!  I think I've tried every sleep position possible to no avail.  Icing and elevating my leg, prior to sleeping, seems to give me some relief, even for just a few hours.  One thing I've also found out and that is I don't do any of my exercises 4-5 hours before I retire for the night. The stiffness you are experiencing, is part of the healing process and will be there for quite a while.

    I know that eventually the pain and stiffness will lessen and we'll be able to sleep, but patience is needed. Know that we all feel your pain.  I try to get up every hour, whether I like it or not,  and take a short walk around the house.

    Hang in there, it will get better!  Let patience be your new best friend!

    Blessings,

    Cherry🍒

  • susan70411
    susan70411 eileen76856

    Posted

    Thank you so much at least i know im not the only one going through this night time horror. I didnt have oain meds for 3 nights and it was just awful

    I got some today and what a differance

    • joan17325
      joan17325 susan70411

      Posted

      Great get the pain relief down you. You will reduce them when not needed we're not drug addicts ??????

    • susan70411
      susan70411 joan17325

      Posted

      Iknow this is a pain aleve just wont fix i need the stronger pain killer .my ortho dr wants me to take the aleves .which is ok in the daytime .but at night no way .
    • joan17325
      joan17325 susan70411

      Posted

      You got the nail on the head. Night meds etc are totally need handling in a different way. Yrsmafol was proscribed for me but I vomited for 3 days and I only took one 👹 I am one of those who just can't take meds without being sick. At the moment I am doing my 4th prescription for chest infection which for the last 3 months refuses to mend so on top of 5 weeks post op I am really feeling the end is nigh lol. However with the support of my dear husband of 56 years in surviving just 😢😢😢😢 But 2018 is going to be a good year for me 2017 was 2 legs TKR plus a bad fall with 28 stitches needed in Triage. So I must look forwardto good times. I'm sure we both will get through this ready for the summer sun on our poor legs 😊😊😊😊

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 susan70411

      Posted

      Aleve is just an anti inflammatory but not a real opiate type pain killer. It CA m take away some of the discomfort from excessive use of the leg but won't substitute for pain meds. Use Aleve in conjunction with pain meds for best results. Without pain relief and hydration, healing is hard to achieve properly.

  • ronald63091
    ronald63091 eileen76856

    Posted

    I am 82, I am afraid of exercising to much, I am using an exercising rubber band every morning to straighten and bend, I am also shifting snow and walking to the store, I am constantly circularly moving my ankle, its been 5 weeks since the procedure. I know this outdated for Eileen

     

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