Hi all,
I am a 48 male that had a total knee replacement on right knee 8 days ago. I can not lift my right leg, very limited rom, very painful at night, always very stiff. I went to see doctor he said there is a lot of fluid in knee but looks good. Told me to rest and elevate knee. I have a lot of old scar tissue in this knee as well. Everyone says it will get better. Can't sleep can't walk can't do anything without pain. Anyone else with same problems
You are very very early. I'm sorry to say but what you are feeling is all normal. I'm 9 weeks po and remember where you are. It is a tough surgery. Take your meds on a schedule. Don't wait for the pain because it is hard to get control of it. Ice often. Elevate. And most importantly rest rest rest. Sleep I think is one of the worse things about this surgery. I'm still plagued with sleepless nights. I have read that the pain meds hinder sleep. Great! I've been off oxycodone for almost 2 weeks now. I still have issues with sleeping. I have gone past the major pain part. Now I'm feeling mostly the restless leg thing. And stay on here. I've had days of feeling terrible and said I just can't do this. I got on here and there are so many encouraging people on here. We are all in the same boat. Try to remain positive. I no sometimes it is hard. But it really does get better. There are so many awesome people here that brought me though some pretty sad times. Good luck to you!
Sorry to say you fit the post op mold perfectly. Continue to excercise without putting yourself in extreme pain. Take your pain meds as prescribed. Don't wait for pain to really set in. Ice as often as you wish, just dont apply any type plastic bags with ice directly to skin. Always cover with a towel or pillow case. Iced plastic will burn the skin. Patience will be your biggest asset. Don't start measuring results until 6 weeks or you will just get frustrated. You will hear this often on this forum.....this is a marathon not a sprint. Once surgeons operate and relay you off to the therapists you find you need to talk to your primary care Dr. for pain control unless you have an exceptional surgeon. Somehow the medical profession makes this surgery seem like a walk in the park when it's more like crawling through a pit filled with live embers. You will slowly start pulling back and reality will resurface. A few weeks from now you will start to realized the old bone on bone pain is gone. One other top......pain meds dry you up and slow down the digestive process. Drink large amounts of water and keep colase on hand for early offset of constipation. Lots of little things will come up as you go down the path.....everyone on here is familiar with one or more of your concerns and can offer a tip or two to make things a little easier. You are entering a process that just can't be short circuited. BTW...you're talking to a guy that's been through 11 surgeries and 5 complete rehabs on the same leg.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to talk to me. It is so true take pain meds when scheduled as I have learned the hard way. Very hard to play catch up with pain. Yes sleep is very hard maybe one or two hours at a time. Also very hard to go through this alone as I am. Again thank you. Good luck to you keep me posted on progress
Oh Tom I feel your pain which is normal. I'm 3 weeks post p.o today. I'm taking the meds icing, exercising resting et. And I have to say that it all helps. I still have some difficulty lifting my leg apparently try it's normal and one of the last things to happen! Hang in there this is a tough recovery but we're guaranteed it will be worth it in the end. The bend will come in time with PT, I'm getting 90 degrees only this week. My knee is very swollen as we speak so hope I can get some sleep too. Take care Tom this is a great support group. .
Thanks for the words of encouragement, I read things here and there and I feel I am behind in my progress then I think it's has been 8 days. I was only in hospital for less the 16 hours so I thought I was doing great because they said I could go home. I use ice all the time elevated all the time up and move around every 30 to 45 mins, just gets so stiff and the swelling. I was told I have a lot of old scar tissue that can also be a issue.any words of wisdom for the stiffness?
This is my fourth surgery on this knee
Thanks
Thanks I can use all the help I can get. I start pt next week as doctor told me to wait a few more days. Please keep me posted on progress as we are not that far apart. Do you have the stiffness as well? Did anything help
?
Take care
All very early and normal my friend. You're just starting the horrible journey. Some are very lucky and come out smelling like roses, but most of us need all the time we can. I'm 16 days post op. Listen to OFG. He's our mentor. Good luck and stay with us.
This site has been a blessing to hear from real people with real pain.
Just stay with the program till the swelling starts to subside and the stiffness will go at the same pace. It wont happen quickly but will happen. This time last year I was hobbling around on a walker with the leg immobilized (total of 5 months) and a plastic spacer in place of the prosthesis. I had 4 months without a knee due to staph infection (2nd go round) then the 3rd prosthesis. I had to wait that 5th month of immobilization to allow extra healing. By the time the immobilizer was off I was probably no more the 20° on the bend and 1 on straight. Within the 2nd month i was 90 then it slowed. I am 11 months and 117 which is about it. Still have considerable pain. Most people are told they will be a year before they own the knee......I was told 2 and that I would be on some level of prescription pain meds the rest of my life. On additional thing, I was 65 when all this started (a rare tumor) and I'm now 79. BTW....I'm in the US. You will find this site is very global and people will be checking in with info at all hours of the day and night so if you wake up and need so encouragement, someone is around to help.
You are awesome OFG...
Thanks I am also in the US
Hi Tom
I'm four and a half weeks post op and just want to support what everyone else has said. This process is much harder than the medics give the impression.....not sure why that should be, but it is. I have got very upset, frustrated and angry over the last month and my knee bend is still only 70 degrees. But we're all different. So do ice, elevate, exercise, rest, hydrate....the improvement will come in time. Meanwhile stick with us, this forum is so supportive.
Take care
I'm in the Kansas City area on the Kansas side
I do have the stiffness and notice it's worse if I stay on my feet/crutches too long short walks were advised but find that difficult as cabin fever sets in too. Anyway rested a lot yesterday and today knee wasn't so stiff. Nobody knows the pain til you go through it yourself that's why it's important to take pain meds in advance. My surgeon switched me from Tramadol to Solpadol so hopefully will sleep better.
Hey tom when I was 8 days couldn't lift my leg I'm almost 4months since my surgery once you start physical therapy they'll get I going to straighten it out I had 2 knee replacement one last October one in February 2016 still with a walker getting better. Stay Focused
As I said I am 9 weeks po. I still can't lift my leg straight up. The joint in my knee sort of gives away when I try. I switched pts at 6 weeks po. My new po is working on strengthening my muscles. When that occurs I will be able to lift my leg. Patience. ...that's what we need..
Hi Tom, I am 49 years old and am 11 days Post Op, Partial Knee replacement, I didn't know what had hit me wasn't expecting it to be so painful and stiff. This site has helped me so much with great advice and reassurance that everything you're experiencing is normal. This time last week I couldn't lift my leg, but I have persevered with the exercises and I can now lift it quite easily, still struggling with bending the knee, it's still very stiff but I think as I try to bend the dressing I still have on might be tightening and pressing down making it harder, that is coming off in a couple of days so will see if that helps. Hang in there and listen to all the good advice everyone has to give.
I am outside of Philadelphia
Omg...if you only knew!!!
Lol....just wait and read!
I feel like I've been demon possessed since my TKR and I'm pretty close in age and situation to yours.
I'm 5 wks out and I'm looking for a building to jump off of!
Maybe someone else would be better to talk to than me! Lol
Good luck mate!