TKR and knee braces

@janicemmccarthy It is unfortunate COVID-19 delayed PT. Knee stability a being pain free is vital. I'm sure you want to get back to being active.

Below I have listed members that have recently discussed TKR. I have also linked previous discussions where you may find information and member support. You may wish to scroll through these posts.
@klarnold @sharonbrenna @buickturboman @contentandwell @bushy @wildebjef @ginaquilts @pittkd @ellerbracke @skiing54 @ehlerhardie
- Post Knee replacement mobility https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-knee-replacement-mobility/
- Learning to walk normal after knee replacement https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/learning-to-walk-normal-after-knee-replacement/
- Skiing and returning to sport activities after TKR?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/skiingsports-after-tkr/

May I ask what suggestions PT had for knee stability? Can they not help you with more exercises to improve stability?

PT said I was finished with what they could do. Told me to ride stationary bike, which I can do for 30 minutes at a time and walk. I can do the treadmill for about 20 minutes at a time but holding the side rails. I purchased a pkg of compression knee braces but I don't know if I am suppose to use them. I am walking fine but occasionally loose my balance. Nights are terrible because both knees still are so tight and the inner side of my left knee is tender and hurts.

I too suffer at nights tight knees, but mine are tight all dat too. I only sleep 2-3 hrs at a time and normally go to bed 10-11 pm and get up sometimes 2:30 go back to sleep and get up 4:30 am because of it. I see no relief nor changing that. Im long term disability and going to have to retire soon, i am 62 now. Im one of the group that hasnt faired out well because RON stays at 90 degrees and knees always tight after a year and MUA on one knee to try with no success after surgery. Got to 120 under anesthesia, cant get past 90 awake, knee remains tight.

My knees also hurt during the day but I keep busy so I don't notice it as much as night time. The minute I move either of my legs while in bed it wakes me up. I have been trying to go to sleep with ice packs on both knees and using Volatrem cream or CBD cream. I am trying everything under the sun to find some relief. That is why I asked if a knee brace sleeve would help. I don't want to try something that is going to make them worse.

Unfortunately have the same problem. Can deal with pain during day but if I twist or turn the wrong way after I go to sleep it wakes me up. Only thing I have found that works is my pain med - Tramadol - when I go to bed. Don't like still taking pain meds but also don't like missing a nights sleep. Still looking for another solution

Good afternoon @texaslady, Welcome to Connect. First of all, how are you doing in Texas today? My son-in-law filled 40 containers with snow from the roof yesterday. That’s it. They have power now but must boil water.

Now to your post. Welcome to Connect....,,my note says that you have been a member since 12/13/17. If this is your first post and you have read posts since 2017.....you undoubtedly know more than I do. I too have a very hard time with pills and OTC miracle products or at least they say they are.

You mention being able to deal with the pain during the day. Can you share with me where the daytime pain originates. What do you use at this point to keep it under control?

Next question my dear......what happens when you take a nap during the day........same thing? How about if you sleep in and stay in bed until 10:00 am? What happens when you wake up.

There are some less addicting options, And yet, as they say, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

And finally (at least for today) have you tried medical cannabis......not an OTC or street sold option? Medical cannabis has been regulated as far as quality and ingredient levels.

So here is my last invitation for you to send a bit more information. When was your TKR?
And then .this is a beginning and kudos for taking advantage of ice.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Hello Buickturboman, I had TKR done August iof 2019. I still have issues with sleeping at night b/c of pain and also b/c of tightness or the feeling of a “band” wrapped around my knee. By Nov. 2019, I wasn’t able to ride the bike b/c right knee couldn’t make a full
Rotation. Long story short and after seeing 6 different doctors, no two ever had the same reason for my pain and lack of movement! Well #6 dr. Sent me to allergist. Where I was tested for metals, glues, and antibiotics. To my surprise I test positive to neomycin,which is antibiotic AND methyl methacrylate, this is bonding agent for the glue used in cement, which they use to keep prosthetic stable as your bone grows over it. That is my issue for pain at night, and day! See if you can get allergy testing done. I hope you don’t get a positive result. I at least, have a reason, but if u don’t get anywhere re allergy testing meaning you’re not allergic, I think over time it will ease up. Good luck!
@irish283

I assume there is nothing that can be done for those allergic to the hardware or glue afterwards.
One would have hoped pre op testing would have been performed prior to surgery. My o e dr said to live with this. Easy to say ,balf the time I wish I wasn’t living in this manner for not much of a life for me. Not really worth finding g out if I too am allergic if nothing can be done about it I guess.

I’m getting ready to have my third surgery on my left knee.... tried to tell the 1st dr both times that my body either doesn’t like the metal or glue, great dr, but he wouldn’t listen.....I hurt constantly!! Neither one was done at Mayo, so hopefully Dr Clarke listens to me and changes everything so I don’t have issues this time!!

Hello, I too seem to find sleep elusive because I’d pain in my rt. Knee. I had TKR done Aug. 2019. I saw at least 5-6 doctors last year. The last doctor sent me for allergy testing....turns out I’m allergic to bone cement! I was doing therapy All along and inNov.of ‘19 I’m ridinging bike at PT and couldn’t make a full rotatio! Still have pain. But having this cement in my leg isn’t a good thing and I not sure what I’m going to do....I am recovering from rotator cuff surgery. This tear was caused by me trying to push myself up from sitting on couches and chairs that were low and not having stability with my knee. Word to wise GET ALLERGY TESTING BEFORE SURGERY! Check for metals, glues, antibiotics. AND ISTILL USE ICE ON MY KNEE. Good luck. Irish283 or Irish823. Sorry can’t remember proper sequence of numbers!