I had a total knee replacement carried out 8 days ago,there was a fair bit of bleeding after the op which the medical team monitored until it ceased several days later, i was able to carry out basic physio tasks soon after the op and had some flexibilty on my knee,since coming home 4days ago i continue to move around and can go up and down the stairs , very slowly i may add , I do have a fair amount of brusing and swelling but the pain and discomfort i am in is far worse than i thought it would be i have had pain medication when discharged but this has gone sleeping seems impossible and getting comfortable takes for ever if at all , i am feeling tearful , i am lucky that i have a caring husband who is looking after me but at 57 have always been active and independent i do understand that recovery will take some time but right now with the amount of pain i am in i feel at a loss what to do to aid my recovey
Karen.... this is a big operation and sleep is the hardest thing to come by. I found that a reclining chair was best for me. I have had the new knee for over a year and it is amazing. It just took longer than I wanted to get that way. I'm 58 and working out like a big dog now (American expression? Well... I'm American... Bernie!) Anyway... you are kicking butt. Still, that first month is hell. Stay the course.
Hi Karen!
I'm 58 & had my 2nd TKR last Monday 18th & was sent home on Thursday afternoon, so we're on about the same stage! I was sent home with 28 codeine pills and told to take paracetamol regularly every four hours plus codeine if in bad pain. I can apparently also take Ibrufen but it must be with food & to avoid if possible. I have also been given a ten day supply of blood thinning pills! I was in a lot of pain with my first TKR as I tried not to take the pills & tried to do far to much in the house, but as you'll read on this forum you have to medicate in order to do the exercises, then elevate, ice and rest! I was lucky as the hospital sent me off with an ice pack which relieves pain and swelling. I've got a couple of walking sticks at the moment but Saturday when I have my clips removed & hydrotherapy the physio said I might just be able to use one stick. This time around my knee is a lot less painful due to the pills and although I've had one melt down (you seem to get v depressed with these ops just to warn you!) it seems to be bending and straightening better than the first one did too, so not too unhappy! Poor sleep as usual but stick to this forum and everyone will help you through it😊 By the way, I'm in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Hi Karen,
I hope you are able to hurt less & sleep more very soon.
My TKR is this coming Wednesday. I will post as soon as I feel up to it.
Thanks for your information on your recovery thus far.
Hi Sassy.. Give 'em hell. Rest when you can.
Hi Karen,
I remember what you're going through so well. I am now nearly 15weeks post TKR and i can now see light at the end of the tunnel. I managed to walk 3 miles the other day and then i took another 1.5 mile later on, i was so pleased with myself. I can now walk up and downstairs consecutively without holding on to the bannister rail, get up and down off the floor and in and out of the bath and you will be able to do all these things too! I remember posting on here at 6 days post op because i was in a lot of pain, feeling down and frustrated. I didn't realise then how long the recovery took, but i do now.
If you're in so much pain, you are reluctant to move or perform your physio exercises/stretches and they are KEY to good recovery. Go to see your gp and see if your pain meds can be changed to something more effective for you. Also, ICE, ICE, ICE and ICE some more it's effective for pain and for swelling, drink loads of water during the day as this will keep you well hydrated and help with the healing process. Above all, listen to your body and be kind to yourself. Don't ever compare your recovery with anyone else as everybody heals at different rates.
Hi Karen, my wife showed me your post, I am now week ten post op. I
had been a keen sportsman all my life, ( now 67) I empathise with your
pain and discomfort as I am sure all who have had the TKR op. May I
offer you my advice
1. Get proper pain control, see your Dr or go to the Pain
Clinic ( I am on Tapentadol with paracetamol) Tapentadol is an opiate
but works for me. 2. Perseverance with physio exercises, it won't just get better on its own. 3. Expect good and bad days. 4. Believe that it WILL
Improve. 5. Keep a log of medication and exercise progress.
I slept first 4 weeks sitting up as I could not get comfortable.
That's as short a reply I can offer, Remember Summer is on its way.
LJ
Hi Karen. I had right knee partial replacement last October and left knee full replacement 11 days ago. I'm 51. I have trouble with pain meds so only on paracetamol. Have the same problem at night spend most of the time trying to get comfortable. Can get some sleep on my back but hate it. Wasn't prepared for the frustration and feeling down the first time round. Not down so far but frustrated and bored already. Just want to be back to normal. It does get better and every little achievement is great like being able to put Ted stockings on by myself, walking up stairs and having a bath (bliss). Bend not great as both knees are so different and tkr feels very different from partial. This forum is great really helped me out last time. Lots of good advise and encouragement. Wishing you a great recovery and hope you find a way of sleeping soon. Tracy
Karen, my experience is pretty much the same is yours except for the bleeding situation and I'm glad that has resolved. I started PT one month before my surgery and continue it to this day. I am four weeks post op. It is absolutely essential that you have a regimented program even though it is very difficult. I think my surgical team is top notch and their protocol is very strict. Up and walking immediately and out of the house to PT within the first couple days . I still take pain medication as needed and use an ice machine that they started in the hospital. For the first two weeks I wrapped my leg and slept with the machine going all night long. I still use it as needed to control the swelling. Swelling causes pain. My leg and scar both look great, discoloration is completely gone. My husband has been has also been my caretaker.... Don't know what I would do without him.
What do you mean your pain medication has gone?
Karen
Being only 8 days po I want to be truthful with you . This is a long process. One thing I will share with you right after I got out of the hospital I was sent to a rehabilitation place I ask my mom to buy me some Arnicare gel it will get rid of the bruising very quickly it freaked my PT out how fast my bruises dissapeared and you know that will reduce the pain.Also right after surgery you have pain gel shots that they put in your knees for pain and when it wares off it seems like you have taken 5 steps back. I had both my knees done at the same time so my story is a bit different, but i have learned alot from these forums . Ask your doctor if you can take an over the counter sleep aid with no pain meds in it, and buy a heating pad. The more sleep you get the faster you will heal, ice during the day for swelling and heat at night for pain and stiffness. If you need more info just ask. Best of luck to you we all know what your going through.
Hi l am afraid you are only at the beginning of a very long and slow road,l am 14 wks post op and l have only just in the past 2 wks am having more sleep,forget about the word sleep for the first 6 wks then if you are llucky you might grab a bit here and there for me it took to 12 wks till l could say it's improving.l am still taking pain relief that l was put on for my knee, after my exercises if l have tried to leave the extra pain relief off l am in agony.l am 65 and have gone bk to work as a carer three wks ago, l am managing as l do plenty of exercises twice a day. I think the trouble is that we are not informed enough, my consultant said it will be painful that's it, like you l cried and cried and cried till l thought this is the worse experience of my life,my family and hubby did not know what to do to help as l was sometimes inconsolable, l had horrendous bruising but l took Arnica brilliant, keep elevated, icing, and going by what you have said you are doing great,Pse just be patient and don't let yr painkillers run out take religiously at the right time. I can now see the light the knee is just a bit sore but my main pain is my calf and upper thigh,it hurts also behined the knee at the crease keep us posted remember we are all in this together,thank goodness for good hubbies take care.
Hi Karen. Did I understand your post correctly saying that your pain medication is gone? If so pls work with your doctor to get more. I am 15 weeks out from my TKR and I still take 1/2 Norco a few times a week as I become more active. My doctor is fine with that as long as that's all I need. I could never have gone without meds at your stage postop.
I couldn't sleep on my side for at least 6 weeks after surgery even with a pillow between my legs. I ended up getting a tempurpedic mattress topper which helped support my leg more.
Keep your chin up. It will get better. I had breakthroughs at different times of my recovery and that kept me going. I still have to gauge how much I can do in a day but I am very happy with my progress.
Mary, I said the same thing about her pain medication. Also I used my cold therapy machine for 4 weeks after my surgery, for hours at a time. What a relief!
Hi Sky
Thank you for your reply it was so positive i know i expect a lot of myself and want get back to normal activties asap plus looking at returning to work in 6 weeks however i realise i must take things a little slower and know its only been a week since my op . Got some more meds today so the pain has eased a little as you say i am kicking butt i always have had a bit of a fighting spirit and think this will stand me in good stead for my road to recovey .
Get pain meds as needed and don't let them act like it's coming out of their pocket or you are suddenly going to become a drug addict or that you are a dealer and selling them on the street corner. Take the med on schedule as prescribed. Do whatever it takes to get rest and sleep. Returning to your normal pattern is probably as difficult as anything you will do my recliner became my best friend and has remained that way for the last 13cyears. Many people come home from surgery thinking they are doing better than they actually are then try to resume regular activities way to soon.......then the troubles start. Slow down. You've been through one of the most traumatic and painful surgeries going. Most surgeons and therapist don't even begin to start telling you about this part of the process.
To review: take pain meds on a schedule, excercise as called for but limit those to a couple times a day , ice as many times a day and night as you need, hydrate (drink more water than you ever have in your life), elevate, rest, rest, rest. Taking a couple of naps a day won't disrupt your sleep pattern, elevate,( keep your leg slightly above the heart if possible but never let it hang down when you sit. Stay in touch with this group as they have all been through it and can offer much in the way of advice from their own experience and perspective
Morning Glenda
we are indeed about the smae stage got discharged we the same meds as you i am unable to take Ibrufen due to stomach problems.
I feel a little better today as I managed to organise some more medication yesterday still have had little sleep but am hoping this will change in time.
have just called my GP surgery to arrange for the clips to come out was very surprised that they have no appointments with the nurse so will have to go to the walk in centre at the Royal Shrewsbury psyhio for next week.I also feel better coming onto this forum its something i think will help me when i feel a bit low or just need some advice so thank you for your reply it good to know there is someone to talk to
Hi Sassy
Good luck for Wed
Morning Mary
Really surprised at the amount I have got never been on a forum before and all the responses have help me feel better already.
I understand when you questioned the pain releif, when i left hospital on Wed i was given limited pain medication was not told anything about needing more however it would seem that maybe i used the meds quicker than i should due to the sheer pain i am in but i am please to report that yesterday i rung my local Shop Doc ( have never done before either ) i spoke to a Doctor who sent a prescription to Tesco and within the hour my husband had collected the medication .
very impressed with the service I got for the service, i realise its all about time to assist with recovery i do tend to rush things ,i am still very brusied and have a fair bit of swelling , having the clips on Friday am sure this will help, thanks again for your reply
Morning Deborah
Thanks for your reply, everyone has been so helpful and encouraging, reference the pain medication I did have some when i left hospital last Wed think i may have used then quicker than was prescriped and suffered a really bad night on Sat , so yesterday i called the local Shop Doc spoke to GP who sent a prescription to Tesco and mt husband collected it , so now have meds also made app with GP to talk about ongoing help I was not offered any pre information before the operartion so my knowledge in sadly limited i have read up a TKR on the internet but clearly need to know more about pain management.
I understand it is early days for me and after reading some replies i realise i am not doing to bad .
I'm so glad you have some meds now. You can't function when you're in so much pain.
Speaking of pain, I've just recently had 2 different people say how wonderful I look since I've had my 2 surgeries (I've had both knees done in the last 7 months). I guess I was in so much pain with my bad knees that I looked pretty down all the time. Now that I'm up and about and smiling again people are noticing.
So that's what you have to look forward to. I know that's hard to believe now but you will get there. I had someone ask me if I would do it again and I said I would in a heartbeat. Take care, and heed the forum's mantra, rest, ice, take your meds, hydrate and do your ecercises as you are able. 😄