I am now 4 weeks after TKR. I'm walking without aid, have a bend of 120 degrees and manage stairs fine.
I have two problems though. The first is that I get a stabbing pain in my knee when just sitting. Everything can be fine then out of the blue "ouch" the stabbing pain hits. I find the best way to clear it is to stand and take a short walk.
The second problem is sleeping at night. It's not pain that keeping me awake it's just that I cannot seem to relax into sleep. I will get up, watch an hour of TV, go back to bed and maybe sleep for an hour. Then I'm up again. Dr. gave me some sleeping pills but they seem to have no effect at all.
Anyone else experience these problems?
Hi john, Yes I am nearly 3 weeks after Tkr and getting those stabbing pains. I haven't got much bend in my leg but have a nice straight leg now. The sleeping at night is a problem too. I end up coming downstairs and sleeping on couch. I have first physio on Friday so hope to get brand problem sorted.
Hi John7150 , I am 19days in , 110 degree bend , walking unaided after 10days, I like you can manage stairs. the swelling is still bothering me but cannot say I have had the pain like yourself. I do though find it difficult at night finding the right position to relax. I have always slept on my front so switching to my back was a problem for me. Last pt night though slept on my front for the first time since the op. May be worth going back to see what that stabbing pain is just to make sure all is well.
Wow you're doing really well, I'm 5 weeks post op and still feel safer with one crutch outdoors and though I can do stairs easily I still come down one step at at time.
I too get odd pains in my knee for no apparent reason I'm just putting down to the randomness of the healing process and assume as it's still early days it will fade in time. I'm a restless sleeper anyway so have varying degrees of sleepless nights which I assume will also get better in time.
I think you're doing amazingly well and should be very pleased with your progress
Well I'm pretty much six months down the line of the very long road to recovery with my knee.
I occasionally get the stabbing pains, but never thought much about it, because they go after a few seconds, so didn't think it was a big issue.
However, the sleeping issue I think is pretty universal. I tried everything in the early days..Nytols, sleeping pills, more pain meds...Nothing seemed to work...The only thing I found is that eventually your body says enough is enough and basically shuts down, so you do sleep...But that's rare....
It does improve with time, and now after six months or so, I find my sleeping pattern is pretty much as it was before...But it's been a long hard slog.
If anyone wants to read my blog I kept from day one of my operation...it's all in there....Just PM me, as I'm not allowed to post the link on here in public.
Hi john.
Yes I have the same problem. I think we all do lol. I'm 16 days and slept olny few hrs. I can't get comfey either.
I also get the Stab pain. But I get spasms. It's all weird. Hope all is well.
Glad u can bend and walk steps... Best luck.
As they told me time heals
I had this problem for months until I asked my GP for a muscle relaxant two weeks ago and it's worked a treat. However it is Diazepam he prescribed and I can only have it for three weeks but there are other non-addictive drugs around and I'm seeing him this week to ask him about them. 4 weeks is very early days so I wish you well.
John....as you go through this journey you will find many things on your own the docs don't tell you about. There is much hidden scar tissue, cut or damaged scar tissue,.and repairing of muscles that this, unfortunately will be ongoing for some time. If you were like most, you walked with a limp that caused contracting of ligaments and tendons. Theses are all now being stretched back into position while all of the damaged nerves are healing at a very slow rate. Sleeping or not sleeping is one of the greatest complaints of nearly everyone. I have had a tkr, tkr revision and staph plus 6 additional cuttings on the leg. Sleep is the last piece of the puzzle rack time. The only thing I have ever been able to figure out is when the body relaxes the weight shifts to the weakest point and starts affecting the delicate nerve endings. My recliner has been my best friend for years as it allows me to get the pressure off the knee and still sleep.
honestly, john, you are doing amazing! i don't think you realize how amazingly you are doing but believe me, from somebody who has been through the grinder for 4 months which included having to have it bent under anesthetic 2 weeks ago, BRAVO!
stabbing pain anywhere in the vicinity of the knee at this stage is perfectly normal. imagine what is going on in there, nerves, ligaments, muscles, skin and flesh all trying to get over a rather traumatic experience. i still have pain after 4 months and am still on a plethora of pills too boot.
sleeping is par for the course though - yoooohooo - i haven't suffered too badly from this. it does get better, 4 weeks is still very early in the process.
hang in there but honestly, you are already there in my eyes!
britta
I am 6 weeks post op and still get the odd stabbing pain for no reason, just the healing process. I walk unaided now and can do steps. I still don't sleep very well but have managed to sleep in bed for two weeks now instead of the sofa as I can now sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs to cushion the knee. I also take nytol which helps. It's a hard slog but we get there slowly but surely.
Pete, thank you for sending me your blog, I found it really interesting reading and in some parts quite funny! The sheets, I think I have finally twigged it is the 'bloody' stockings. for several nights my duvet cover seemed to expand so much and my legs are constantly entwined in it. I get out of bed, sort it all out and ten minutes later it has become magically twisted around my feet yet again. Last night was the final straw and at 3am I pulled it off and just used the duvet, what bliss, freedom at last to move my legs. I am three weeks post op and have 110 bend 0 straightening don't use any aids and sleep like a log (apart from duvet cover attacks) I have just given up pain meds although I have them at the ready at night. Had clips out on Monday, saw the Physio while at the hospital and go back on the 9th January to see the consultant and then physio again .... and hopefully told I can drive! I so miss the freedom of getting out of the house whenever I want to.
Hi Liz, I'm glad you enjoyed the blog...I tried to make some elements of it funny rather than all doom and gloom....Yes I remember the attack of the killer sheets....they have a mind of their own. You sound like you're doing really well...Good on ya girl...I still maintain that being able to take the torture nylons off was definitely bette rthan sex....hahaha.
Yes by the sound of it, you probably will be back at the wheel soon....Did I mention? When I went to start my car after not being anywhere near it for six weeks the battery was flat and I had to bump start it (fortunately I live on quite a steep hill)....That was fun (not) with a dodgy knee!!!
Thanks for your reply Susan. It seems that the stabbing pain and sleepless nights are par for the course. Hope all goes well with your recovery.
Thanks for your reply David. My knee, like yours, is still swollen but gradually going down. They told me it can take up to 8 weeks for it to return to normal size. Hope your recovery goes well.
Thank you. I am pleased with my progress so far. The biggest problem I think is the sleepless nights. I suppose they will pass though. I think you are right though, the stabbing pains are just part of the healing process.
Hope your recovery goes well.
Thanks for your reply Pete. It's nice to know other people are going through the same as you. Glad your sleeping is back to normal.
Thanks for the reply. It's nice to know you are not the only one with the stabbing pains and sleepless nights. Hope all goes well with your recovery.
Thanks Diana. It's just reassuring to know you are not the only one with stabbing pains and sleepless nights. Hope your recovery goes well.
Thanks John. I've been i a mess today. My leg is cramping Badly. I have stab pain across my knee cap. And behind my leg. But it's all been a mess... Pt here yesterday. Ans she had help me make the cramps stop. Was a mess. Today I'm real slow. Ans trying to walk easy.
I find my knee when I am walking wants to go forward.
Eight weeks????....I'm six months down the road, and mine is still swollen...They've told me it could be 12 months!!!