Wondering about anesthesia and pain control post TKR

Depends a lot on the physician, as well as the interaction/previous history you had with your OS. I had 4 different surgeries within 9 years by the same OS, and he has always been more than generous in prescribing opioids. Probably because I always turned in at least 1/3 of the initial prescription because I did not need / chose to use it. I think the current opioid panic is overrated, and overstated. To people who are in legitimate post surgical pain there really is no substitute. Those who say ibuprofen works just as well are nuts. It does not. I would have the talk with the surgeon way in advance to know what you can expect. Opioids are a blessing, but they made me sluggish, and very constipated, and kept me from driving (and a good glass of wine with my steak).
I chose to tough it out after the first 7 days or so at home, switched to Tylenol (only thing permitted bc. of aspirin regimen, and totally useless), then went to Aleve. Initially 2/day, then 1, by week 4 pretty much ice, for the most part. However, that seems to be on the very low side as far what most people use.

Hi @lblazina, welcome to Connect. I am 9 days post op for total knee replacement for my right knee. I also was a little worried about the spinal tap and the nerve block since I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both legs but I only have numbness and no pain. My doctor prescribed oxycodone 5 mg immediate release tablets (qty 15) for every 4 hours as needed for pain when the Tylenol 625 mg doesn't help enough. I've been taking Tylenol every 6 hours and it seems to be doing the job for me. I haven't had to take any of the oxycodone tablets. I would have a discussion with your doctor or surgeon about your concerns. My care team did a great job explaining all of the details and possible side effects with me to help alleviate some of the fears I had. I know there is always some risk in surgery but hopefully it's minimal.

I can tell you the second day was the hardest for me which I think is when the nerve block wears off. I still didn't have the piercing pain I was expecting but it was more an ache and soreness. Also the leg still looks like a watermelon so I'm hoping the swelling goes down this next week. I had surgery on the same knee back in the 70s to remove some torn cartilage and they gave me a spinal tap then too. The anesthesiologist really scared me when he came in and made me sign a release in case something went wrong with the spinal tap. I had second thoughts about the surgery but it was quite a treat for me to watch the surgery in the glass cabinets at the side of the room even though they had a sheet blocking my view of the surgeon and his team.

What is your biggest fear?

Hi @lblazina, welcome to Connect. I am 9 days post op for total knee replacement for my right knee. I also was a little worried about the spinal tap and the nerve block since I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both legs but I only have numbness and no pain. My doctor prescribed oxycodone 5 mg immediate release tablets (qty 15) for every 4 hours as needed for pain when the Tylenol 625 mg doesn't help enough. I've been taking Tylenol every 6 hours and it seems to be doing the job for me. I haven't had to take any of the oxycodone tablets. I would have a discussion with your doctor or surgeon about your concerns. My care team did a great job explaining all of the details and possible side effects with me to help alleviate some of the fears I had. I know there is always some risk in surgery but hopefully it's minimal.

I can tell you the second day was the hardest for me which I think is when the nerve block wears off. I still didn't have the piercing pain I was expecting but it was more an ache and soreness. Also the leg still looks like a watermelon so I'm hoping the swelling goes down this next week. I had surgery on the same knee back in the 70s to remove some torn cartilage and they gave me a spinal tap then too. The anesthesiologist really scared me when he came in and made me sign a release in case something went wrong with the spinal tap. I had second thoughts about the surgery but it was quite a treat for me to watch the surgery in the glass cabinets at the side of the room even though they had a sheet blocking my view of the surgeon and his team.

What is your biggest fear?

John, thanks for the welcome. Hope all goes well going forward for you. I'm glad to hear you haven't needed the oxycodone.

I think my fears are 1-the spinal will cause some awful damage...2-my pain will be dreadful....3-i may have complications such as nerve damage.
Full disclosure however, I am a professional worrier and have never had any serious illnesses or surgeries and I guess that makes me a novice. I am told my pain tolerance is high however, I hope that is true.
Also, I joined a closed Facebook knee replacement group several months ago and keep reading these horror stories about people being in unbearable pain, etc......which didn't help.
I'm confident however that I have found an excellent OS who is very well trained and only does replacement surgery. And I liked him when we did the initial consultation.

Johm - if I read you correctly, you had only the spinal block, and were awake/aware and viewing the surgery?

Hi @lblazina, welcome to Connect. I am 9 days post op for total knee replacement for my right knee. I also was a little worried about the spinal tap and the nerve block since I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both legs but I only have numbness and no pain. My doctor prescribed oxycodone 5 mg immediate release tablets (qty 15) for every 4 hours as needed for pain when the Tylenol 625 mg doesn't help enough. I've been taking Tylenol every 6 hours and it seems to be doing the job for me. I haven't had to take any of the oxycodone tablets. I would have a discussion with your doctor or surgeon about your concerns. My care team did a great job explaining all of the details and possible side effects with me to help alleviate some of the fears I had. I know there is always some risk in surgery but hopefully it's minimal.

I can tell you the second day was the hardest for me which I think is when the nerve block wears off. I still didn't have the piercing pain I was expecting but it was more an ache and soreness. Also the leg still looks like a watermelon so I'm hoping the swelling goes down this next week. I had surgery on the same knee back in the 70s to remove some torn cartilage and they gave me a spinal tap then too. The anesthesiologist really scared me when he came in and made me sign a release in case something went wrong with the spinal tap. I had second thoughts about the surgery but it was quite a treat for me to watch the surgery in the glass cabinets at the side of the room even though they had a sheet blocking my view of the surgeon and his team.

What is your biggest fear?

It’s my impression that I am having a spinal tap but will be under light anesthesia so I will not be aware during the surgery. I do NOT want to be awake.

It’s my impression that I am having a spinal tap but will be under light anesthesia so I will not be aware during the surgery. I do NOT want to be awake.