On july 27, 2016, i had a total knee replacement and its been a nightmare. Operated Wednesday, Thursday started therapy, fri i couldn't even lift my leg. Went home Fri, had home therapy Saturday. Pain still at a 10. This continued for 2 weeks. Then it was out patient therapy. 1 month later, knee was worse. Now i got swelling, csnt bend and does not get straight. Stopped pt,. THEN MANIPULATION! !!. Holy smoke. That was on a Monday. At 3:31am, i thought i was giving birth, and im a guy. Pain just hit me. Tears came to my eyes . I really have much more respect for women cause i know this does not compare but for a man, it was MY giving birth. Started pt again, 2 weeks in, i still can't sleep cause of pain. Its 1:30am now. I can't take it anymore. Tired of pills, not eating, miserable, stuck in house. Any tips s on how to deal with this pain? No more pills please.
Hello ephrim, I can only imagine what you are going through right now..I always heard knee surgerys was tough going through I always hear people start feeling better more so near end of their 3rd month of the operation.
I am in my mid 50's & I didn't even have surgery to a sprain or strained knee & now being over 5 months now dealing with my situation has been a nightmare like your's...my knee feels as though it is pulling inside getting very sharp jabbs in different areas of my knee, I started therapy & the therapist had stertyed to bend my knee inwards I wanted to scream & told her I just can't do it with the bending...
I go back on Monday & not looking forward to it & I have a feeling that they are going to do manipulation which is nothing short og agonizing torture which can cause more problems than one can think...I personally will opt out on that & just try to keep using my walker to try to get better..I have issues even with my good leg as well sciatica stiff leg,numbness in toes & swelling of the feet,even today I now have noticed numbness in my one pinky finger to the palm of hand most likely from the constant use of my walker just all has been very horrible dealing with it all & your's sound's much of a big problem though just try to find the best over the counter medication to use personally I use Aleve which works the best out of everything else not 100% but helps out..
I hear many people say ice helps out but that seems to never work for me..heating pad seems to help out but I never go directly on where the pain is at only close to the pain which is better..just hang in there be careful with that manipulation procedure I have heard that can be a horrific nightmare even if they put you to sleep & they are doing that to you...you just may wake up when they are yet doing the manipulation & lose it...I felt that the little the therapist was trying to bend my leg inwards that my leg was going to snap & that was only moving it in 2 inches when laying down....hope & pray the best for you Ephraim just keep hanging in there it does get better...God bless
Hi ephraim... I hear you...I know that they say they need to get you moving imediately but sounds like they have really pushed you owwww...I am a woman and I can tell you that this is by far the worst pain ive had to experience ,id rather give birth without any pain relief than to deal with this recovery.If you can just regroup...breath...unfortunately pain management is very ,very important to help you get thru this at the beginning as I've told many ,due to experience.lots of iceing up. Lots and lots.you need to give yourself some time.I dont know what you religious belief is but ,ive prayed alot as well to keep myself from loosing it. You will get pass this although ,when in pain it seems never ending.unless someone..even dr. Have been thru this noone can understand your pain. I want to encourage you that there will come a day hopefully soon that you will feel some relief .Take one day at a time please and dont hesitate to let Dr. Know or nurses how your feeling.thats there job to get you thru this and trust me you will.Honestly it was atleast 4to 6 months before I felt like I could breath.If you are allowed to get in water...pool therapy it is a little less painful.Im up in the evening every night tossing and turning not able to sleep right now myself ...my surgery was a month after yours.I just try not to get ahead of myself and listen to my body.Just try to keep movement going everyday and pushing yourself a bit to make progress is good but not to the extreme because it will just delay your recover.pray the best for you...hang in there ...this too will pass.
Hi sorry to hear that you are so down with it at the moment it will improve with time i had two tkrs the first was a big shock the second was not much better but i knew what the score was dont allow the physios push you to hard you need to do the exersizes but not cause so much pain that you are almost crying perhaps the meds you are on are not what you need the priscribed meds didnt work well for me go back to your doc and ask for a change of meds i myself found oxycodone 10mg caps rearly help i believe these are quick acting or even morthine to get you over this sore time ice helps for some but rest is important your body will tell you when you can push things a little harder i also think if you are carrying a bit of extra weight its harder im 25 kilo over weight it does make things slower ps take stool softeners being bung up dont help the frame of mind you will improve good luck
Wow! I'm so sorry to hear your agony. I think too much too soon for you. Here's why I say that from my point of view of me having had surgery on September 7,2016. Not quite 4 weeks yet. I had my surgery on a Wednesday, got me up to walk with walker and use bathroom 2 hrs later. Not so bad as the anesthetic they inject in my thigh to cover pain for 48,hrs(did NOTlast 48!) was still in effect. Flash ahead to Thursday night ( my surgery was at 5:30pm Wed night). I was becoming much more uncomfortable but still went for a walk with a walker and was able to wash myself up. Friday (also my 48th birthday) I was supposed to be released. They couldn't get my pain under control with oxycontin and oxycodone ( for breakthrough pain), with Dilaudid through IV. So I was kept another night, with still no PT yet. Pain finally got down to a 7 from a 10. I was released on Saturday with a painful 3 hour ride home. I did not have in home therapy, and because of pain I didn't start out patient physical therapy until day 12 post op. My therapist said I won't do myself any favors by starting when I'm already in pain on meds and nauseous as well. I was still doing my straight leg quad presses and heel slides at home. So around day 17 after 2 PT appointments I was -12 straighening and +67 flex. It's now day 25 and I am stuck at that as of 2 days ago. She told me to take my oxycodone before my appointments so I could push more. I didn't take anything except for Tylenol and ibuprofen last time and it didn't help. It is 5:00am and I have been up 2hrs with some pain. I just made myself some oatmeal. I've lost 6lbs in 3 weeks. Eating, but not a great appetite. I miss going to the gym. Despite not being able to stand up straight get surgery I did everything I could to strengthen my body especially quads. I lost 12lbs before surgery. I wouldn't mind losing now if I knew it was because I was feeling good and trying and not from lack of all from pain and meds. You can do this. I listen to subliminal and hypnosis music for chronic pain on You Tube by a man named Thomas Hall. I stumbled upon this once looking for help with pain, and thought why not. It helps me get some rest if only for an hour at a time. Give it a try! Close your eyes and concentrate on it see if it takes the edge off. I wish you well.
Woops wasn't supposed to say lack of pain and meds. Cross out lack of
Hi Ephraim sorry to hear you are having such a bad time unfortunately they have to start exercises right after op when I came home like you I couldn't lift my leg for 2 weeks but you really have to persevere the only thing you really have to do is keep taking the pain killers and don't wait for the pain to get worse. My consultant advised me to take them everyday you need them. Also I cushioned my knee in bed with a pillow between the knees it worked for me. I promise it will get better, take care.
Sounds like an absolute nightmare you're going through, and I'm so sorry.
I would urge you to talk to your doc about your pain meds. It would seem obvious they are not working for you. Pain meds are supposed to relieve your pain do that you can exercise, sleep, and otherwise do the things you need to do to heal.
While in the hospital post-op, I was at 10 because none of the meds they gave me (OxyContin, oxycodone, Dilantin) worked except to make me loopy, and morphine worked, but it made me hallucinate. When I returned home, I recalled that Vicodin (hydricodone) had worked for me when I'd had other pain situations, so I tried it, and fortunately it worked.
They do have other meds to try. They've got to find one that works for you.
Also, have you had a follow-up visit with your surgeon? What did he/she say about your knee's condition? Did they take an X-ray to confirm it's where it should be?
I wish you the best. Use the pain as a motivation to fight for yourself with the health care team. They aren't always right, much less attentive.
Have the x rayed the knee to make sure it's tracking properly. Obviousily this type of pain is abnormal and needs to be traced back to the source. Several possibilities come to mind. The prosthesis is misaligned, has come loose or is the wrong size. Don't be afraid to ask for another set of eyes .
BTW...where are you located. Seems as though the medical profession in each country has different approaches toward addressing situation like this
WOW you sure got a bad deal. I've had problem, my TKR was on May 12, and had a MUA on August 8, with nerves and bending. I still have a minus 5-10 on flex and I'm only at about 70 with the bend, so not very good. Guessing from here of course but maybe your trying too hard. My swelling lasted over 7-8 weeks, after therapy always iced and at home iced at least a hour or so. I had to elevate and ice as I tried to go to sleep fr weeks. I tried to cut back on meds but had to use some just to sleep. I think you need to spend some time going over your problems with your surgeon maybe he can help with a course of action to get you headed in the right direction.
Ice and rest with low impact PT.
Call your doctor and demand to be seen! You need some attention. Something isn't right. It's not like Midevil times where you have to suffer in pain! Call after hours right now and tell them what's going on. Please. Don't suffer through another night. Get some help. Prayers.
Yes the person who screams the loudest gets the attention. Unfortunately it seems to work that way. I called the surgeons office almost every day when my pain was out of control. You have to stand up for yourself. The PTs aren't doctors. They don't have all the answers.
Great advice. Go slow. Maybe needs a different PT as well. That sounds extremely aggressive.
Hope some of this helps...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Everyone has told you...and will continue to tell you...that: 1. it's probably the most painful op anyone has ever had; and 2. it's a loooong recovery. @ 2 months, you're still in the max pain zone (usually 0-3 months). Pain, no sleep, PT...yes...this is the toughest time. For most people, the difference between 2 and 6 months is radically different.
I started at -14 / +84 and finished 9 weeks of PT at -1 / +128. There are advances, setbacks and plateaus. I got stuck at -4 for two weeks. This is not easy stuff...takes a lot of work and determination.
Meds: Take 'em when you need them. Some people find it helpful to take some before PT. Up to you. Most of us are off the opioids at the 90-day mark...some need them longer. Titrate down and then substitute 800mg ibuprophin TID (RX); some prefer Tramadol (RX). Also try Voltaren Gel (RX), best topical anti-inflammatory out there. Ice and elevate (but you already know that).
Tips: Do NOT compare yourself to anyone else...period. Everyone has their own individual experience. Take the meds when you need them. Eat healthy (your body needs the energy). Lose weight if necessary (less pressure on the knee). Hydrate...a lot. Do NOT expect to be anywhere in your progress at any time. My post contains a lot of "ballparks" but everyone is different. Concentrate on the work, not the pain (easier said than done). Sleep as long as your body needs to. Knee swells? You pushed it too far. Back off. Do not measure your progress day to day...play the long game...this whole thing can take 12-18 months. Get rid of the walking aids as soon as you can. After PT, get to the gym and rebuild your quads, glutes and core.
I'm almost 69 and just about 7 months post-op. I'm at 0 / +131, no meds, no aids, great sleep and zero pain. Yes, my first three steps after I get up from sitting a while are always an adventure but I have no problem walking after that. Knee still a bit stiff with those damn clicking sounds which may never go away. Just want to get back on my skates by the one year mark. Time and work...the pain is just temporary. Good luck...
So you ARE getting back on skates! Awesome goal Chico. Do they have skating in Texas? I suppose they must.
Already bought the new Rollerblades plus the hockey pants (to protect the artifical hip) and the knee pads for the TKR. I'll never play hockey again but just getting on the skates would be sooooo great. Have the blades hanging in my home office for incentive purposes. Still have to find my old CCM ice skates and get them professionally sharpened (hollow ground, 2 1/2" rock). They have an ice rink in the middle of The Galleria mall in Dallas. That would be nice. If I didn't have 4 1/2 pounds of titanium in me (hip, back and knee...with another 2-pound TKR to go), I'd still be playing the game. In 16 months, I'd qualify for an Over 70 league!!! But those days are gone. But I'm so very thankful for both the technology and the skill of my docs that, 100 years ago, would have put me in a wheelchair at 55. Personally, I think they're trying to turn me into a Terminator...Ahnold would be proud. Told my wife that when I'm ashes, she's gotta recover all the precious metal, sell it and throw me a party!!!
I know there are a lot of people out there in a lot of pain. I was too...but it passed. If you can't retain at least a little sense of humor when you're surrounded by all this crap, they why even go on? I've had 27 operations in the past 15 years...lots of minor stuff like gallbladder, trigger fingers, carpal tunnel, shoulder impingements and more. Ya just gotta laugh, have the doc fix it and keep on walkin' down the road.
My first wife died at age 34 from breast cancer in 1983. High school sweetheart, dated for 7 years, married for 12...our daughter was 5 at the time of her passing. My current wife had a brain aneurysm that almost killed her in 2010. My daughter fought and won her own breast cancer battle in 2014. Everything else is bullpucky. I don't care how painful a TKR is, it is NOT life and death. The other experiences are the ones that change your perspective. TKRs are trivial in comparison.
Wow how do you do it? Your life has been tragic in some ways. I'm so sorry for your losses. Yet you still have your sense of humor. People like you inspire me for sure. I've had my share of losses too. And had a lung removed from cancer. It takes its toll for sure. But I will look forward to the future. Start doing my workouts again. I don't think I can go running anymore. I may try and see what happens. Nothing like a good endorphin rush to make you feel great!! Keep on inspiring people. Thank you.
Great philosophy....stuck to it!!! BTW, do they make inline skates with training wheels.
Tragedy or joy...there is really no difference. Everything is a learning experience. It's why we're here...to learn to be better souls than we were before. It's all about recognizing opportunity, not constantly giving in to raw emotions and putting things in perspective.
Believe me...I've had plenty of sleepless, tear-filled nights...and days...plus a whole lot of really happy times. Aside from my wives and children, I've been a musician all my life and still love playing blues bass on stage. That's just being human, but there's more to it. At our core we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. When we die, we're still our spiritual selves, hopefully better for what we just went through. That spirit is composed of pure energy...the energy that powers the whole Universe. According to The Law of Conservation of Energy: "Energy can neither be created nor destroyed." We are who and what we are...and will continue to be, but we have the free will to become better than what we are now. All we have to do is see it and live it.
For me, I'm a survivor and caregiver...it's what I'm meant to be in this life. I accept it and embrace it. All my pain is just trivial...after all, I get to make the people I love happier than they were. What more could you want in life than that?
Yeah...the old 4-wheel roller skates!!!!! The "blades" are a whole lot more stable and controllable...like a bicycle...especially in turns.