Pain

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I read all the posts and think everyone is doing so much better than me with their recovery

i still don't sleep any more than 2 hours at a time and wake up with pain in the whole of my leg 

day times aren't too bad but I still struggle

the knee is still bruised and swollen 12 weeks on from Op

My bend is good and I can now straighten my knee

any advice  about the pain would be appreciated 

Jean 

2

Hi Jean.

Pain isn't much fun. Sounds like you need your 

pain relief reviewed.I look forward to being

able to sleep through the night one day.

At the moment a few hours stretch at once 

Is a bonus.

Good luck

Christine

3

Ask your GP to refer you to the pain management team. Take your painkillers regularly not when you have pain. TKR success depends on the individual the surgeon and the type of knee replacement you had. So see your GP

4

Thanks Christine 

but when your GP tells you you shouldn't need painkillers now .......

it makes you feel as if you're just looking for sympathyI'll be glad when I see my consultant on the 31st Dec 

 

5

Don't assume you are not doing as well as everyone else. ... I can assure you ...I sleep 2 hours at a time

... up at 2,4,6,8, am always painful to stand up after lying down or sitting for a while.... If i do too much physio. .. I can't walk next day....still using one crutch outside... I got sleeping tablets ... anti depressants. .. and painkillers from GP. .. I'm usually very upbeat but this really got me down. ... I'm a bit better now. . I'm also 12 weeks ...xx Take care.. This group is fantastic everyone has been through it. x 

6

Hi Mary,

You know how you feel, not the doctor. Believe in yourself. Be assertive.

Good luck,

Christine NZ

 

7

What sort of pain killers are you taking? I still take psnadeine forte (cocodamol 500/30). Also ibuprofen. That keeps me reasonably pain free. I notice it if I dont take it. I'm 10 weeks and 6 weeks. I think the pain increases for a while as you get further along because you do more.

8

Hi Jean

i've just passed 12 weeks too.  I, luckily, sleep pretty well and don't wake up in pain but I do have problems straightening my leg first thing and use the crutch until I can put my full weight on it after the first 5 mins.  Then I'm generally OK indoors, but careful going downstairs.  I don't take any painkillers now, but I do struggle outdoors and do use one crutch still.  As other people have said, we are all different...and I was in pain in the recovery room this time (with a bespoke knee), whereas I wasn't with my other knee...which actually caused me more problems and ended up having to be manipulated.  So, certainly ask your GP if you feel that you are struggling and don't panic if you don't seem to be at the same stage as someone else.

wishing you all the best.

patsy

9

I just take the co- codamol the same as you

the GP tried me on Tramadol but they made me violently sick 

i haven't been given anti inflammatories

i will make an appointment to see my GP 

but here in the UK it takes weeks to get an appointment  

Jean 

 

10

Thank you Patsy

its not in the actual knee where the pain is during the night ...it's the whole leg ....and I have to lift it to turn over 

i too had a bespoke knee.

thanks 

Jean 

11

You can't compare you with anyone else - everyone is different. If your bend is good and you can straighten you are doing well.

Have you tried arnica for the bruises? There's cream and homeopathic pills. I used it before knee surgery (not TKR) and the doctors and nurses couldn't believe how little bruising there was for something that is usually really bad for bruising. 

And ignore an ignorant GP - it isn't his pain and he can't possibly know whether you need pain relief or not. Can you try a different member of the practice?

12

I had my TKR on 30th June....... excellent going for the first week.. then ALL leg muscles went into spasm, non stop for the next ( almost ) nine weeks ! I could not sit, lie or do anything, other than pace / walk around to be anything like less than agonising pain ! I was given Tramadol, Co-Codamol,Diazapam and a whole host of other meds.... none of which made very much difference ! I was totally demented, as an ex nurse on Othopedics for some 14 years, I had every expectation of being back to  better than normal, within six weeks !! I am now five MONTHS down the line... my knee is still swollen, gets very hot and gives me pain... but the worst pain is in the front of my foot !!  I only sleep for approx 5-6 hours even with the Amtriptyline ( antidepressent, sleep assisting meds ) I now have. I wish I had NEVER had the operation... it has robbed my of my work, my livlihood and my entire personality has changed. NO ONE warns you beforehand that these are reasonably " common " syptoms... I certainly had no idea of the trauma this would cause.  I have nursed countless number of patients whom have had this operation, but only seen them on the ward for a short time pre and post op..... IF I am ever able to return to work, I will be far more empathatic about what the recovery time can, and frequently is, following this operation ! I am a hardy soul normally, so this has really hit me hard, that recovery is taking  such a long time and is so debilitating ! SERIOUSLY... I would NEVER have this operation again !!

13

Thank you I will give the arnica a try 

and hopefully I will get to see a different GP 

Jean 

14

Oh sweetheart I really feel for you.  I'm 16 week post op and still have lots of swelling as well although the pain is now is not too bad. I am sleeping much better now but did struggle like everyone else has.  It's awful being constantly sleepy and not being able to sleep longer that a couple of hours at the time.  I don't know about everyone else, but I found the pain seemed worse at night - probably because I was so tired.  Your GP doesn't seem very sympathetic. We are all different and some can leave off their pain relief at 6 weeks others of us need it for a lot longer.  How can any GP tell you that you no longer need pain relief? Is there a different doctor that you could see at your surgery? You know your own body and if it is in pain.  Hope this gets sorted for you very soon xx

15

Oh Jane

 I really do understand what you're saying 

my pain during the night is in my ankle and down the outside of my leg as if the muscles sieze up

i get out of bed ...walk round ....read ....anything so as not to fall asleep and wake up in pain again

 my other knee has come out in sympathy ..but there is NO WAY I would have the Op again ...I will crawl first.

there is only one consulation I don't work as I'm 67

i really hope you get back to work eventually

all the best 

Jean 

16

Hi Jane, 

Sorry yo hear you have had such a bad time. Has the surgeon been able to explain

Why? I can imagine how frustrating it must be. Up to know I  have been lucky. TKR has given me back my life.

Take care 

Christine NZ

17

The longest amount of time I've slept in the past 4 moths is 2hrs and 10 mins 

pits a ritual to look at the clock every time I wake up 

I try not to sleep during the day as I think it may even stop me from  getting my 2 hrs 

I've got through lots of books and writing pads ( I write funny poetry)

 sigh I think I need hitting on the head with a Hammer 

Jean 

18

I really feel for you Jane I must have been one of the lucky ones I saw my Cons last week (8 weeks) who said I had exceptional movement. I am doing almost everything I was before. I wont be going back to work as I couldnt cope with12 hour shifts.

t is so different from seeing people on the ward for a few days, I couldnt do SLR til about 8 days and thought it had failed

My cons is renown in this area and he only does TKR everyone says if your in the North East Mr Deeham is the one to see. He does a TKR in 40 minutes, very litle bleeding and full movement very quickly. Hes man of few words and quite abrupt but he has worked wonders for me

Get well soon and take one day at a time

19

Where do you live If I phone the surgery I can get at least a tele consultation and if the GP needs to see me the appointment is for that day or the next. I can also get Saturday or Sunday appointments. 

Ive never had to wait more than 2 days for appointments

My GP changed me from Nepofam to CoDyramol the day after discharge (Paracetamol 500mg dihydrocodeine 118 10mgs) 

20

It sometimes takes 4 weeks or more to get an appointment to see a specific doctor 

we do have a same day service if we ring before 8 am but it's like the third degree trying to make the receptionist fit you in 

I guess this is city living for you ( Sheffield) UK 

jean