Week 5 post op TKR
Posted , 8 users are following.
I saw the surgeon a few days ago. What a colossal waste of time. First 2 residents came in Neither one had a laptop, tablet or even a file with them. I always bring a med list and surgery list with me. They made no notes on the computer in the room about my pain, or questions I asked. They never touched my incision or even got close to it. Only thing they did was have me lift my leg up, I was sitting in a straight chair. Then try to pull it back under the chair. I told them my pain is between a 6-8 every day, even tho I go to PT 3 times a week and do my at home exercise. It is numb on the sides of my incision on one side and painful on the other. Back of my knee hurts and where my knee bends in the back. I can do stretching exercises and it feels pretty good, walk around the room and the whole leg tightens up so bad I can't bend my knee without it feeling like the skin is ripping. I ice it, wall, stretch it, get on the NuSTEP and it just goes back to swelling. I was given 5 325 of Norco right after surgery . . . A major surgery and thats what I get. and upped to 10 325 when I ended up in his office 2 weeks later in excruciating pain . The interns leave , the surgeon comes in and says "Lets see what you can do". I lift my leg again. He says it looks like 100. That's good for 4 weeks. I tell him about my pain and pain on my leg. He REDUCES my Norco to 5. I asked him how my surgery went, I wanted to know what exactly he did. He says, I fixed it. Does anyone else have all the pain in the leg BESIDES the knee?? I live for the ice. Pt says I am doing great but it sure does not seem like it. Not sleeping from pain. Any ideas or advice? Thanks!!!
0 likes, 21 replies
susane91705 purplerlover
Posted
I was just the same as you are. Its takes time to get better, months sometimes years. Please be patient and don't push yourself to soon to do things, in fact you should just be looking after yourself and your knee. Make sure you get some pain relief from your doctor. You need that, and it will help you to sleep at night. I am at 8 weeks now and find myself a lot better. I do have down days, but this forum is very good and others will offer advice, so it is helpful.
Best wishes
Suzanne
purplerlover
Posted
susane
That's the problem. My Dr, doesn't want to give me sufficient pain meds. I am on Norco 5 325. It does not help the pain. I wonder if he would do this to his Mother or family. I am up 3-5 times a night from the pain. Icing. I can only take the pill every 6 hours. I can't keep ahead of the pain. Stretching and exercising my knee don't help much either.
BUT if I am a drug user out on the streets and overdose I will be given drugs to bring me back every time I overdose, no matter how many times I I overdose. BUT a patient that has major surgery is begrudgingly given drugs that do not relieve the pain . And I have to beg for them. Sorry, I am angry. Today is a bad day. Therapist really pushed me today. knee and leg really hurting. Sorry, don't mean to be a Debbie Downer. My Mom always used to say, "tomorrow things will be better". Hoping she is right.
jenny80029 purplerlover
Posted
you are completely within your rights to tell the therapist how far you wish to be pushed. make sure when you see them next you tell them how painful it was afterward and for how long, and also how it affected your knee in terms of swelling...not to be difficult but justn to be clear on the effect. reduction of swelling is an important factor in increasing range of motion and if your knee is pushed too hard, this can be counterproductive. in USA sometimes seems expectations of progress are a bit more rigourous than here innUK but it's a balanc e between keeping things moving and respecting your knee. discuss this with the PT and if you don't feel heard maybe see another one for another opinion? they are all different.I hope you feel better soon...hard i know, but pain reduction can also be achieved by reducing stress on the knee it it might just be you are pushing things along a little too fast and hard.? I would try and get another opinion I think. record what you are doing in terms of standing, walking and exercising and ask the question of yourself and others is it possible I am pushing too hard? I hope that helps...
trees1234 purplerlover
Posted
i had my second tkr 4 weeks ago, i am going into week 5. this one has been problematic from the start, two severe post op bleeds, immense swelling and very painful.
i take paracetemol 4 x daily, ibuprofen 3 x daily i have to take oramorph c 10 mils twice during the night.
i am walking without crutches and going up and down stairs but if i do too much i can do nothing the next day, i am shattered and sleep 2 or 3 times a day, i lose a couple of days where it is so swollen.
physio said i am expecting too much and pushing too hard, to listen to my body rest when i need to and take note that its been a major procedure snd like having children no two are the same, then no 2 replacements are the same.
hope this helps
trees1234 purplerlover
Edited
i am in my 5th week with my 2nd knee replacement both completed in the UK.
i had two bad post op bleeds and compression thigh to ankle bandage for 4 days on 2nd tkr consultant said rake time, rest, listen to knee. keep moving due to dvt. physio has given me exercises. i attend weekly. my bend is over 100 my leg is straight , i am off of crutches unless im very tired, saw physio today after pushing myself to walk 2km around a shop. he said listen to your body you have had major surgery. if you get too much pain and swelling then rest, note the bench mark where the pain and swelling occurred. next time do less and then build up again. i am seeing consultant this week, i will let you know ehat he says. is Chico Marx still on here he gave me amazing advise when i had last knee done. try to find hid blogs they are very informative and useful. remember your on a long journey you will go down valleys, climb hills and then mountains but you will get there in the end at your own speed.