After knee replacement surgery

Posted by beatricefay @beatricefay, Jun 16, 2016

Had left knee replaced 9 days ago. Right knee two years ago. Having a problem with inflammation so hard to bend knee and exercise. Trying to ice and raise knee above heart. Doctor suggested getting compression hose. Anybody have this experience and can offer suggestions. So tired all the time from pain interrupting my sleep and painkillers. My insurance refused to pay for the painkiller recommended by surgeon so have to take one with more opiates. That's frustrating. Two years ago it was covered but now too expensive for me to use. Seems the drug companies, not our doctors are determining what we use.

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It seems you are experiencing so much frustration from all you have been through regarding your knee replacement. I have struggled with an original patella dislocation from a work injury since 2006.
Fourteen years later, & three unsuccessful knee surgeries, the last surgery in 2013 (TKR), I have experience constant debilitating pain, not only within my TKR, but for the last five years, I’ve endured lower back pain, sharp hip pain, my opposite knee, which has been my total support since my original injury, is failing.
My last TKR was unsuccessful leaving me with a fixed flexion contracture, meaning I’m unable to bend or straighten at my knee joint, so I ambulate with what feels like a fused knee/leg.
The constant pain I experience from this nonfunctional knee replacement has caused so many other structural problems throughout my back & lower torso. The constant pain is so exhausting. I haven’t been able to sleep at night because the all of the pain I experience never subsides! This knee injury has caused extreme limited (tearful) normal life activities.
It’s difficult for me to understand that the original injury of a dislocated patella has now resulted in (according to curt orthopedic surgeons) a suggested amputation of my leg beginning at my femur bone. My faith in orthopedic surgeons over the years has caused me to question their professional medical oath & ethics.
I hope for a Devine miracle from our Lord & Savior to manifest a simple resolution in my life to improve my daily challenges, heal my ongoing health issues & bring a team of professional orthopedic surgeons in my life before I am too old to enjoy the normal activities of life with my family & friends.

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@jeffkirc

My advice...look forward to the procedure. Sure recovery will be tough but think about the alternative option of doing nothing! Be disciplined with the PT!!!! I'm coming up on my two year TKR anniversary and have been back to playing COMPETITIVE singles and doubles tennis for some time with no pain and full movement.....last night 3 hours of quick burst actions front, back, side to side, twisting with a two hander, and full weight bearing; even though I'm only 140 lbs. The reality of "so I can go on long walks and possibly even hikes with my Husband again" can and will happen with your perseverance!!!

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@jeffkirc, Thanks for the encouraging words. So glad to hear you’re back to doing the things you love. I’ve already decided I can’t/won’t do anything that requires running. Just too klutzy. 4 years ago I broke my left shoulder and Shattered my right shoulder learning PickleBall. The paramedics said they come almost every other week to the pickleball courts for broken wrists, torn Achilles, etc., I had the worst injury by far. My husband had to do EVERYTHING for me for weeks and weeks. He made me promise Not To Play again. So I’ve sworn off anything that requires running. Golf, walking, hiking, cooking, reading, playing cards, painting, etc. can keep me very busy and don’t require an acceleration in speed. HaHa.

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@gobigorgohome

Thanks for sharing your scar photos. They look so much better than I was expecting. It’s encouraging to know that overtime they will fade away. I live in Arizona half the year and we wear a lot of shorts and swimsuits. You’ve made me feel much better about the procedure.

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@johnbishop It looks like the swelling is coming down . My legs hurt all night it wasnt a nightmare, kept me up along with dry mouth and a new symptom I was so cold I had to put socks on winter p.j,s and heavy bathrobe now what caused this ?? I'm finally warmed up but don't know. I'm going to have a laundry list for this new Dr I'm going to see .Hope I get some answers .

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@lioness

@johnbishop It looks like the swelling is coming down . My legs hurt all night it wasnt a nightmare, kept me up along with dry mouth and a new symptom I was so cold I had to put socks on winter p.j,s and heavy bathrobe now what caused this ?? I'm finally warmed up but don't know. I'm going to have a laundry list for this new Dr I'm going to see .Hope I get some answers .

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Sorry to hear about your new symptoms @lioness. I hope you get some help from your new doctor.

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We need to know our limits!

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@johnbishop

Sorry to hear about your new symptoms @lioness. I hope you get some help from your new doctor.

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@johnbishop Thanks John with your attitude youl,I be up running soon

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Had total knee replacement done 5 weeks ago. One of the lucky ones with night pain. Am trying to only take Tylenol. I have been off narcotic pain reliever for a few weeks. Any suggestions?

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@bcl1

Had total knee replacement done 5 weeks ago. One of the lucky ones with night pain. Am trying to only take Tylenol. I have been off narcotic pain reliever for a few weeks. Any suggestions?

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I wrap a cold pack in a towel and place it under my knee. It seems to help a little.

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Taking one pill right before bed helped to sleep. Maybe you're pushing it with the no pain killer route for another couple of weeks.

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@brianbat

Sorry to hear your going thru this! I had a tkr on my right knee 7 weeks ago and sounds like i went through what your going through. I was so swollen i could only get 60° of flexion. I laid on my back with my leg elevated for 3-4 hours at a time with ice 20 minutes every hour. The swelling did end up going down. I was still super tight and ended up getting a manipulation at 5 weeks. I could only get to 90° with the therapist pushing on it. It has been 2 weeks since the procedure, tonight at therapy i was at 123° by myself. Still a bit swollen and tight. As for sleep, i feel lucky to get a solid 4 hours at a time. Not sure what happens at night, but my knee just starts throbbing. I can't wait to get a solid night sleep! Good luck!

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I'm 13 weeks out and just started sleeping completely through the night a couple of weeks ago. When I wake up at 4-ish or whenever, I take an 800 mg Ibuprofen and that allows me to go back to sleep. If CBDs are legal in your state, I found a CBD cream that works well during those sleepless periods when the scar lights up at night. Voltaren gel (prescription) also works very well as a topical anti-inflammatory. Hang in there!

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