Night Pain: Using a knee wedge after total knee replacement?

@jud I suppose if you do them, it might help to increase your flex, even though you may never be able to get it far back like people do who have never TKRs. I think moving the seat forward on a recumbent bike so you have to flex more helps in that.
For me, the biggest advantage of increasing my flex would be to able to kneel more easily. When I try to kneel (on a cushion of course) I feel like I am going to topple forward because I can't bend my knee enough. When I spoke to my doctor about possibly getting the lysis which would hopefully increase my flex, I asked him what the advantage would be. He said if I lived in Japan I would need the flex! I am sure that is true, but it also prevents me from getting up and down from the floor easily so I am intimidated at the thought of trying to do yoga. I would not put myself in a great deal of pain to increase my flex, but that is my personal feeling. It all depends on what each individual wants to achieve.
JK

i have posted about my night pain and want to share something that helped me. Two things really. Yesterday I was having day pain, inside right knee area. Ice, pain meds, elevation, compression…nothing helped. I finally decided to try the hot tub. I exercised my leg while in the tub for about 15 minutes. This was at 4:00 p.m.

My pain disappeared and stayed gone all afternoon and through the night. Wow! A good night's sleep finally.

The second thing that helped me sleep was following a tip from Healthline.com on how to fall asleep. The tip I used is the 4-7-8 breathing method. The entire article is called How to Fall Asleep in 10, 60, or 120 seconds.

I am 9 weeks post op and this was the best night's sleep I have had. Ten hours! Still no pain this morning.

Thank you @jud for letting others know about a treatment that helped you sleep. While it is true that not everything works for everyone, I think there are many of us who would be willing to try a hot tub in hopes of a good night's sleep. The breathing method does work for some. Mindful meditation helps others.

How long were you pain-free? Did you repeat the hot tube another time? Same results? Have comfort and ease. Chris

I have remained basically pain free. Had my 2 month post-op (actually 9 weeks) and the doc thought I was doing very well. Full flat extension and flexion at about 125. So I have definitely turned a corner.

I told the doctor I was surprised at how long it took, 9 weeks, to have the pain ease. He said this was perfectly normal.

I have continued to use the hot tub and I stretch and flex while in the hot water. I think you could do the same with a hot bath. This has definitely eased…to the point of elimination… my pain.

I have THR and both knees replaced. I have always used a knee pillow. I am currently four months out my recent TKR left side. If I don't have the pillow from my knee to ankle I feel my hip angle is to low and I have pain in my knee. My pillow is pretty flat. I don't like the feel of my knees touching. I have always been told to use a pillow. I just know I am uncomfortable without it.

@lk3xs I'm the same way. After I started using a pillow following a TKR I got so used to it that now I always still use it. My knees feel so hard against each other if I don't! After I fractured my femur last summer the doctor said to use one too, and I have actually read that it is better for everyone because it keeps things aligned better.
JK

I was getting such pain with my knees touching all night, and the weight of my TkR on my other bad knee. Pillows always fell out so I ordered a small memory foam pillow that looks like a small saddle. I place that just above mu knee between my thighs. It works great, keeps my knees from touching and my legs and back in alignment. I am 15 monts post surgery

If you don't mind my asking, how do you feel about the whole TKR procedure now that you are 15 months post surgery? Was it worth it?

I have thought about that one often. When I had my knee done, it was done as semi urgent as I had some bad tears which were not reparable due to bone loss. So I didn’t have a lot of choice. I have to say I am a bit disappointed with the result. I expected no pain, maybe some odd sensations, and definitely improved mobility. I do now have discomfort and sometimes pain if I overextend myself., such as too much on bike or lot of in and out of car. Sitting long periods is not good. I do my exercises, and still have trouble getting up from chair and toilet. My other knee is bad, so that muddy s the waters. If I look back I guess the big positive is being able to walk and move without crippling pain.i don’t use a cane any more, I can drive, and I can exercise in pool. I keep those positives in my head. I am going to wait as long as I can for my other knee, and pray I get better result. I have friends with great outcomes, so I know it can be done with the right doctor and therapy.

@jud My second TKR was in October, 2017 and I am extremely happy that I had it done. I wasn't in terrible pain before I had it done so many people thought I was crazy to go ahead. My pain had been worse but I had exercised to strengthen the supporting muscles, which is why my pain level decreased. Even so, I tired if I walked long distances. After having the TKR I could walk very long distances. Sure, I can feel some minor discomfort but minor enough that I simply ignore it.
If you get a great surgeon then you you are much more apt to have a successful TKR. I think MAKO surgery or getting a custom made knee helps a lot too. I have the Conformis knee.
JK