I never expected the level of pain. I never cry but I think I have every day since my op. Can't even think that I will ever walk unaided again. I'm doing my Physio as I should, last week for 1st time went back to hospital for Physio appt, and he pushed my knee back more than I could, and especially since then its hurts so much more. The pain seems to be more round the back and side of the knee. Is this normal? When does it get any better?? Thank you
Dear Lucie,
Bless you!!! I know just how you feel, as will every single other person on this forum. It is such early days for you and yes the pain you describe is normal. Keep taking all your pain medications as and when you should, use ice, lots of ice and keep your leg elevated when sitting.
Trust me, you will get there, even now if you look back and see where you have come from in a mere 3 weeks, you'll be surprised.
Rest as much as possible and visit the forum often. Mostly the advice is spot on . . . . . . . . And we are all here for you.
Tricia
Lucie
You are just three weeks post op there are still some tough times to go through. I am 14 weeks post op on both knees done same time. You will have good day and you will have bad days. Just remember to do your exercises, ice the swelling, heat the stiffness, and give yourself a break. You will heal at your own pace be at peace with this.
First off. Are you taking pain meds. You should be on as high a dose as you were in hospital. If you are not, get your doctor as a matter of priority, to write a prescription. That is so important. If you can't get the pain under control, you will not be able to progress. Your physio knows, from your nots of the operation, what your knee can do. Unfortunately for you to do it consciously, it is going to cause you pain. After leaving your session you should have been advised to ice and elevate. If you can't cope with the ice (which at the moment is best) try heat, if nothing else you may find it soothing. At 3 weeks you should be ready for the static bike. Saddle as high as possible and the gears on the lightest, if you can't get your leg all the way round, then do half revolutions for a little while, then with the good leg, push the pedal all the way round with your bad leg going along for the ride. Pain can be so debilitating and overriding, which is why it is so important to get it under control. Are you able to chat with your doctor, talk about the pain, if your sleep is affected ask for night aids as well, nothing worse than going to bed and can't sleep for the pain. The more st important thing to keep in your mind at all times. It will get better. It may take weeks or a little longer, be patient and strong minded, there may be times when you just want to cry all day, every day. That is natural too. For some reason, this operation seems to cause depression, which when you think about it, what you have been through is enough to make a strong man cry. You still have the anaesthetic in your system, working its way out, but still there all the same. Buy some essential oils, they can be mood enlightening. If your scar has completely healed, find a hydropool, the water is warm and shallow, if not a gym with a swimming pool (even a jacuzzi) where you can just float. With just the water supporting your knee,you will be able to relax and may find your knee bends better than you imagined. Once you get a little more confident try other exercises. You must keep on bending, straightening and lifting your leg, the main muscles in your thighs are the hardest to work on; flat surface (even the bed) tighten you thigh muscles and keeping it as straight as possible lift and hold, doesn't have to be much to start with, but you do have to work at it. Think of the exercises you do at home as homework set for you by the physio. They are going to make sure you are doing things right, it is up to you to keep at it. You can do it. Keep saying that to yourself. Don't over do things. Treat every small achievement as a great milestone and congratulate yourself.
Pain is invisible, no-one can see it, no-one feel it other than you. We can understand what you are going through, so you are not alone. On here you let it flow out of you, there will always be someone to help you, listen to you. But only you can work the knee. Don't despair. You will turn the corner.
Oh Lucie,
The physio has to push the bend on your knee, or you will be back in hospital on a passive excersice machine.
If you don't get enough bend and straightness now,your knee would heal up with you having a permanent limp.
Yes it hurts such a lot but it's for your own good, and everyone who has this surgery has to get through this bit.
As everyone else says, take your pain meds regularly, take them before physio.
Sleep with a cushion between your knees on your side if you can.
Use your arms and upper body strength to turn over in bed.
And, ice,ice,ice. 20 mins in every hour, have you got ice packs in the freezer all the time?
It does get better, honestly, it really does.
You had major surgery, and you're feeling really down, it will go.
You will be normal, I know it's hard to imagine, but the pain does go.
We've all been there, some have higher pain thresholds, some lower.
Be brave,you will get therexxx
Mine is the same Lucie........pain on the backside and other unexpected places too. Hang in there, stay well hydrated, take your meds, and rest. I am 5 weeks PO and better than I was two weeks ago.👍👍
Very normal. Several years ago with my original surgery the therapist would have me lay on my stomach. Then grab my ankle and try to hit me in the back of my head with my heel.....at least that was the feeling. Fortunately the last 4 times has been different and they have changed tactics but the result is about the same......it hurts like heck. Be sure and iced immediately after therapy and all excercising at home. Ice both the front and back of the leg. Don't be afraid to ice any time the leg feels swollen and painful. Use your leg but don't abuse it. Rest as much as possible. Many think they should be on some sort of timetable and push too hard which in turns creates setbacks. Listen to your body and brain, it will guide you.
I think I would have kicked the physio if they had tried that.
3 weeks is very early. Don't be disheartened but do go to doctors and get stronger pain killers
I always thought I had a very pain tolerance, however after this I feel like a baby....I think I have cried every day as well....I don't do pain meds and had backed off them but after chatting with Dogman I have started them back....apparently this is a much harder recovery than I thought. .I thought I would bounce back quick like I did after athroscopic. ..apparently not...I will get thru this and I will CONQUER!!!
There are no gold stars given for heroism in this battle. No one looks down on you as a weaklong because you take pain meds. This is physically and mentally a horribly draining process. I was told a rotatorcuff repair would be most painful thing I would ever go through........3 months later I had a kidney stone which made me forget about the kidney stone.....10 years later......tkr which overshadowed both. Rest, pain meds, ice, hydration, excercise and more rest. This is a process that we all go through and there just isn't anyway to get around it and it isn't worth the effort trying, in fact it can slow down progress. You'll make it, no doubt. Just take it slow and easy.
Thank you !!! Words I need to hear.....
Stick with OFG's advice and you'll do just fine😘
Take your pain meds, the stronger the better, otherwise your rehab will take longer and your pain will.... the proverbial viscious circle. Even on the relatively "good days" keep taking them as there will be times, especially after physio, that you will need them. This way you will avoid the peak and troughs of pain and medication. Also huge doses of patience as at some point you will reach the "when will this end" stage.
If you had smashed u your leg in a car crash, would you have expected to feel great right now, no you wouldn't.
A TKR is a huge procedure compared to an arthroscopy,ends of bones sawn of, implants being hammered in.
The surgeons are quite brutal, and bend your knee all over the place while you are out, they have to make sure it will move properly.
It's a physical assault on your body.
Add the anaesthetic to the mix, and the fact that you have to get out of bed and use it, and bend it to it's limits when with most other surgeries you are told to rest and you get the picture.
Just when all you want to do is take it easy, you can't.
You're shattered and have to push further, it's impossible but you still have to do it. so you do.
One day at a time.
I needed to read this today. Thank you. I'm 6 1/2 weeks po. I had manipulation done on 4/27. Did agressive pt the same day as manipulation and next 2 days. Friday I was 101 in bend. Then the weekend. Sat morning my knee was so tight and I was in a so much pain. Not sure why but for manipulation my pain meds were changed from what I was taking to something different. Unfortunately they didn't even touch the pain. Did what i could for exercises over the weekend. Waited 2 full days to finally get the same meds I was taking before. Went to pt yesterday without any meds. It was terrible. I could only bend to 65. So discouraged. Yesterday I think I cried most of the day. I so want the pre op person back. This morning I wake and my knee is so still. My pt person really pushes me. Often to tears. I have never had depression before but if I were to guess this is it. I feel right now I'm never will get the old me back.
Hi there, thanks for your answer. I rang my Gp this morning and got one of my pain meds doubled. I reckon if I can get to week 6/8 and have a better Rom then I can tail them off.
Wow!! 2 together! OMG!
You must be brave. I think I was expecting a lot more from my recovery. I had a hip replacement 8 yrs ago and that was a doddle! I've come to realise I need to ease up on myself. Best wishes to you
Thanks very much, I've actually spoken to my doctor this morning and he is doubling the strongest pain killer that I take. I have ice pack on as I type! I'm going to try push the knee more each day, even a tiny bit. Don't want a Mua at all. I've got a fair bit of strength in it, can raise the leg right over my head when laid on bed. It's just the pain of pushing it back. Thanks again
Ouch!! They are very single minded physios aren't they? I know it's for our own good but I always equate pain with something wrong. So the natural thing to do is stop. But I'm keeping on keeping on.
I think also in expecting too much from myself. When I had my hip replacement I had to have it revised as it dislocated, twice! Never knew I could scream!!!!