After knee replacement surgery

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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.

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

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?

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?