1. < Joint Replacements

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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gator1965 | @gator1965 | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @harley105 "I'm 13 weeks out and just started sleeping completely through the night a couple of weeks..." + (show)
@harley105

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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I am 1 year out from total knee replacement, I still get pain overnight. I take baclofen and amitriptyline

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @brianbat "Sorry to hear your going thru this! I had a tkr on my right knee 7..." + (show)
@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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Hi @brianbat - Welcome to Connect! And I'm so sorry you had to go through the original surgery AND an MUA. But it sounds as if you are doing great now. At 7 weeks, I think 123 flexion is terrific! I had a TKR 10 weeks ago and I totally understand your thoughts on sleeping. I'm sleeping well now - w/o pain meds, but I can truthfully say that the last pain med I gave up was the one I took before bed. It was easier for me to do PT without meds as opposed to sleeping without them. Are you still doing physical therapy? I wonder if your therapist could recommend any sleep aids?

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@debbraw Your scarring did fade nicely. Did you use any special products?" + (show)
@hopeful33250

@debbraw Your scarring did fade nicely. Did you use any special products?

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Hi Teresa @hopeful33250 - I didn't use anything special but after my two week checkup I did rub body oil into the scar and kind of massage it to make sure I could move it around easily. Usually I use Neutrogena body oil... nothing special otherwise. Thanks for the kind words!

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "Very nice looking scars! I know it’s not a competition, but after looking at yours (and..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

Very nice looking scars! I know it’s not a competition, but after looking at yours (and John’s.... doozy), I could not resisit taking a closer look at mine (don’t worry, no photo upcoming unless specifically requested!!), and I was pleasantly surprised how short it is. With leg straight, about 4 1/2” long, at 90 degrees bent just barely under 6”. That seems to be at the very low end of what is considered normal. Some surgeous specialize and advertise “short scar technique”, but my OS is not one of them. Got lucky, I guess. Not that scar length has anything to do with knee function, of course. I had surgical glue, and super tight sealing, long, sticky cover over incision, and just 2 additional single sutures. Let me shower right away, what a relief!

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Thanks @ellerbracke - sounds like your scars are very short! I'm fine with mine, but shorter would be better. Pretty much the only time I notice them is when I do pool exercises. And I SO much agree with you and the value of the surgical glue. The first time, I had sutures and I was not prepared for how bad it hurt to remove them. The second time they used some kind of adhesive fabric and glue I guess. Anyway, there was no pain at all and as you say, the icing on the cake was being able to shower right away!

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "I’ll be doing bilateral TKR April 18th. Your knees look great! I’m hoping for similar looking..." + (show)
@gobigorgohome

I’ll be doing bilateral TKR April 18th. Your knees look great! I’m hoping for similar looking results. John, right now your knees are frightening me a little bit. Too new I guess.
I found this Mayo site a few days ago and was looking for PT tips. Frankly, I think ignorance is bliss in some cases. I was assuming this procedure and recovery would be difficult and painful but hadn’t really talked with anyone who has had bilateral TKR. Now I realize I was unaware of all the complications that might occur. But, I’m going to try to keep a positive attitude and hope that I’m one of the lucky ones.
I’ve been cooking and freezing lots of dinners. My husband lowered our bed thanks to the suggestion made by (now I can’t find the name), I borrowed a walker, toilet riser with handles, a shower chair and a cane. Im rearranging furniture to make sure a walker can make it through the paths.
Any and all advice would be appreciated. As each day nears the TKR procedure I feel anxious and impatient. Afraid of the pain and hard work ahead and impatient to have it over with so I can go on long walks and possibly even hikes with my Husband again. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be on this site after surgery. I’m glad I found it. Donna

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Hi Donna @gobigorgohome - I am so glad that the picture helped - that's what I was going for. I'm 68 years old and I'm sure that my knees have been looked at more in the last day here on Connect than they have since I was a teenager. LOL.

On another subject, you have done great preparation and I have a feeling you are going to do great with your surgery. I can relate to you feeling a little intimidated reading all the things that can go wrong. I'm a mentor here and honestly, before my surgery in January, I had to take a little break from reading every post because I wanted to keep my spirits up! Just bear in mind that a lot of people who are having problems with their recovery come here to share and get answers. It's wonderful that we have this kind of forum. It's less common for people to log on to post how beautifully their surgery went and how easy the recovery was! Keep in mind that there are plenty of happy stories out there that aren't shared here. I'm looking forward to you posting your first hike with your husband after surgery! We need inspirational stories. Will you do that?

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gobigorgohome | @gobigorgohome | Apr 11, 2019

Debra, Thanks for the encouragement. I’m 67, soon to be 68 so we’re right there together. I plan on posting a few days after surgery when the anesthesia wears off and my brain is working a little better. I hope I can post Happy comments in 4 or 5 weeks, but only time will tell. My Dr. doesn’t use staples anymore so at least I will be able to take a shower soon after surgery and avoid some pain from staple removal. A positive already!!

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @annahanna "It seems you are experiencing so much frustration from all you have been through regarding your..." + (show)
@annahanna

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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Hi @annahanna - I'm so sorry you are experiencing so much problems with your TKR recovery and other issues. I'm wondering if you've been able to get a second opinion? If someone is suggesting amputation, I would definitely look into other options even if it meant getting second or third opinions. Would you be able to find another orthopedic practice in your area?

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1 reply
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @jeffkirc "6 weeks post surgery....left...." + (show)
@jeffkirc

6 weeks post surgery....left....

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Really? You did have TKR? On the knee? Double wow. Never seen anything like this - mostly when I sit in OS’s waiting room, there are levels of scar length and thickness, and that’s months or years after surgery. Mine is super short, and “nice”, but darn, it is noticeable. Consider yourself the top 0.01% of what is standard. Good for you!

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brianbat | @brianbat | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @brianbat - Welcome to Connect! And I'm so sorry you had to go through the..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @brianbat - Welcome to Connect! And I'm so sorry you had to go through the original surgery AND an MUA. But it sounds as if you are doing great now. At 7 weeks, I think 123 flexion is terrific! I had a TKR 10 weeks ago and I totally understand your thoughts on sleeping. I'm sleeping well now - w/o pain meds, but I can truthfully say that the last pain med I gave up was the one I took before bed. It was easier for me to do PT without meds as opposed to sleeping without them. Are you still doing physical therapy? I wonder if your therapist could recommend any sleep aids?

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Your so lucky to be sleeping!! I am still in therapy and had asked them before. I have a Dr appointment tomorrow so i will check with him. Glad to hear you are doing well.

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ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Apr 11, 2019
In reply to @bcl1 "Had total knee replacement done 5 weeks ago. One of the lucky ones with night pain...." + (show)
@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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PT suggested icing the knee for 20 minutes just prior to going to bed/sleep. Supposed to keep the pain at bay long enough to fall asleep (of course that is once you have been off major pain meds during the day). Sort of substituted for nightly pain pill(s). Let me eliminate the last of opioids - the evening pill- at day 10 or 11 post-surgery. Still woke up at 4, frequently, but not woozy or constipated. 🙂.

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