Connect
← Return to How well is pain controlled after total knee replacement?
Discussion
How well is pain controlled after total knee replacement?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Feb 17, 2019 | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
I had a half knee replacement on 1/7 and went home the same day. I took minimum oxycodon for a few days and switched to OTC Advil. I started in home PT on day 2 and office PT on day 8.
Having said that, I did not take enough pain meds. Person after person told me to stay ahead of the pain and I did not. Now I am telling you to do it. If you have too much pain you won’t do PT properly and you need PT. I am 10 days post op and going for my second PT in a couple of hours.
As far as working, I don’t see that as being too much of an issue if you can get driven to your office. The first couple of days post op you may be spacey from the pain meds.
Ice works wonders BTW. It is as good as pain meds IMHO.
Good luck. I suffered more than I needed to but I somehow feel suffering makes me more noble. It doesn’t, control your pain and do your PT.
Replies to "I had a half knee replacement on 1/7 and went home the same day. I took..."
I had my right TKR one week ago today, 1/21. I was taking pain meds as prescribed and doing really well. This morning I decided I didn’t need the prescription pain meds, so I only took 2 extra strength Tylenol. BIG mistake! I could barely get through PT, and I couldn’t get the ROM I got yesterday. You are absolutely right about staying ahead of the pain. Today’s pain was as bad as the pain I had when I woke up in the recovery room. I learned a lesson, and I will be smarter next time.
Connect
Thank you for such a detailed reply. I’m having a TKR on 1/21. I attended a pre-TKR class earlier this week and I was still confused about pain control.
The main thing this hospital uses sounds like it will be Tylenol. I have severe arthritis and I have been taking 800-1000 mg of Ibuprofen daily until I had to stop a few days ago ahead of my surgery.
Ibuprofen helps, but it certainly doesn’t completely control the pain I’m already having. I keep thinking now let’s add a TKR and expect a different OTC to help enough to take care of both the surgery pain and the pain from PT and the pain from my arthritis. I’m thinking the Tylenol won’t be able to do all that.
I do plan to use ice as my most reliable pain control. I’m a big fan of icing for pain.
I’m sure I couldn’t tough it out Iike you! I know there will be pain and I will have to get through it. But it’s true, staying ahead of the pain gets better outcomes. Pain never felt really is pain never felt.
In this day and age of labeling even legitimate pain sufferers as addicts, it adds a whole new layer of concern to having surgery.
Thank you again for such a great answer.