I'm now nearly 8 weeks into patella femoral replacement and still struggling with tightness and swelling in knee. It is slowly, very, very slowly(!) getting easier and I can manage full straightening of knee and 100° bend. However, I've twice finished a course of naproxen tablets (together with lansoprazole to stop gastric problems associated with naproxen), and within a couple of days my knee is again tight, swollen and filling with fluid. I've also taken paracetamol 2 x 4 times a day for the same period. Now I've got two problems - the one with my knee, and now also the effect the paracetamol is avin on my stomach so I've tried to cut them down to 2 x twice a day. My question is, how long can you take naproxen and lansoprazole for because I'm finding the paracetamol on their own are not taking the edge off my pain. I need some pain relief but not sure what!
Ask your doctor to review your meds and discuss your concerns. There are so may options they can find something that will kill the pain and not your gut. Try having good on your stomach as you take pain meds. I have had the best luck with oxycodone and m s contin. The oxy is quick to the pain and the m s contin is extended relief. Taken as prescribed you don't have to worry about getting addicted. Increase water intake with meds. Most don't tell you to take with a full glass of water but it's best to do so.
I am 9 weeks OP with TKR and have had naproxen for 3 weeks along with lansoprazole for gastric. Now have finished taking them, had diabetic blood tests and these have thrown up a rise in liver nos...a bit miffed as this has been coming down nicely ( I have fatty liver from diabetes)...so have to have a scan but Doc says not to worry as probably due to all the meds I have been on. I also have your problems, my knee is tight, swollen and still warm on the numb rh side. Only taking paracetamols when needed because I am in no pain, only uncomfortable when I stand from sitting and stopping straightening my leg. Will have a talk on Tuesday with the physio.
Hi Pam did you have a total knee replacement including the kneecap? Only I have and am experiencing similar pain to your description . I know someone who had Tkr without the knee cap and they are doing fantastic. I still need regular meds and I am at 10 weeks. I take 2 x paracetamol and 1 x tramadol four times a day I have stopped one tramadol x 4 times a day. Which is good. But the knee swells and the tightness around the knee is not very comfortable. I can not take antiimflamatory pills due to problems with stomach bleeds in the past. I would just like to have consistent days feeling the same every day not this roller coaster ride. Sorry did not mean to say all that. Ask your GP for different meds good luck and I hope all goes well.
Plastic knee cap and the trochlea, the metal bit behind it. Have waited 11 years for this as considered too young before (I'm now 56), but during those years I wore a knee support as knee was very unstable and I work full time, so needed a bit of assistance to get about! Surgeon was unaware until he got in there about state of my knee, despite MRI scan. I've no muscle tone, or at least I didn't have, but have been exercising daily and building it up, but I've also no confidence in knee......down to me......not surgeon, he was wonderful! Am trying to convince myself that all will be well, but in the small hours of the morning this is easier said than done lol! Onwards and upwards!
Oh bless! It must be inbred with these surgeons, they told me to young, I'm 62? Also told only needed a partial until the op where they found knee was in dire need his words not mine so had the whole lot replaced including cap. I to have exercised more than ever before, as I said I just want to be normal and do what I used to do a few years ago. You keep cheerful and get your meds sorted x
I'm always optimistic - there's no point being anything else - always look where you're going (albeit it some days very slowly!), not where you've been!
And if all else fails I suggest we all turn to drink, after which we'll be too drunk to care!
Cheers mine is a ros'e.
That's one bottle and one straw coming right up madam!
Cheers Pam! Lass after my own heart! Wish you well! X
I had TKR 3 years ago. Came off naproxen almost immediately.
Try taking Ibuprofen for the pain. You can take them as well as paracetamol (I have only recently found that out), they do not tell you these things, you have to find out for yourself.
It does get easier I promise
Take care
Love Sarah xxx
Hi Pam am 4 weeks post opp, and 56, i to was told 8 years ago i was to young, so battled on with my job which is a delivery postman (walking) ive lost all muscle tone in my bad leg even with walking 8/10 miles a day due to job, am not one for talking meds, but since myTKR i have to, the pain is very bad nite and day. at the start i was on paracetamol / ibrufon which woud,ny get rid of a headache at the biggining , my P/T told me to get my pain meds sorted out with the doctor otherwise you wont be able to do your exercises and feel / get better,hope you sort your meds out and do eventually ease yourself off the meds, hoping for a quick recovery for you .
Dr's should listen to their patients b e tter from the beginning when it comes to aversion of meds. There is absolutely no way 99% ( I rule out saying 100% because there might be a 1 in a million case) of tkr patients can have a recovery without proper pain meds. Surgeons are so bent on whacking away they seem to have tunnel vision when it comes to the big pic. I am fortunate as I have a teaching professor at a university med center. My wife has Parkinson's and he knows the fatigue factor, depression and anxiety that goes with it so he makes sure my surgery schedule is set up so her waiting room and recovery room wait times are minimized so the kids can get her home as soon as possible. She was another one that hated pills. One of those family things that equated pills as a weakness. With Parkinson's and the subsequent side effects, now she knows those pills are her only route to being able to have any life whatsoever and that is slowly being eroded.