Connect
← Return to Miserable from TKR: What can I do to get better?
Discussion
Miserable from TKR: What can I do to get better?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Nov 26, 2022 | Replies (88)Comment receiving replies
Oh! I’m so very sorry. Pain for that long and sleeplessness will make you feel like you’re going crazy. The most important part right now is 1- that the surgeon believes the surgery was successful. If there’s nothing wrong physically that you need to address besides all the inputs of rehab then that’s good. Number 2-you need to get some sleep. Please talk to your doctor about how you can do that. Either a sleeping medication or tea or meditation or some thing but I know that if you cannot sleep you cannot heal. sleep is critical to the recovery process. Number 3- I’ve had many hip surgeries 30+, some foot surgeries hand surgeries and I will tell you that my two knee replacements as of six years ago were the most painful. I couldn’t believe it because it’s such a common surgery. And I felt like my knees were on fire for two weeks. Ice was critical. Ice on your knees as often as possible. But I will tell you that six months after that surgery I refer to my knees as the best joints that I have. They don’t impact anything I do. They are pure joy, pure painless joy it is 100% worth getting your knees replaced. You will get there it’s gonna take a little bit more time, take it in order. Make sure the knees are structurally correct make sure you find out how you can sleep ask your doctor about that, and then understand that in a few months you’re gonna look at your knees and you’re gonna want to kiss them because they will change your life in a positive way. But you’ve got a put in a lot of hard work and it will hurt sometimes. So mitigate everything else around you and focus on your knees healing
Replies to "Oh! I’m so very sorry. Pain for that long and sleeplessness will make you feel like..."
Thank you! Had my first post op with the dr and he said everything was great. I go back next week for another check and X-rays. I definitely need to speak to the doctor about sleep. It’s absolutely miserable that I can’t sleep. I pray that my knee gets to 100%. I can say, I will not get my other one day after this terrible experience. Thank you for the positivity!
Connect
I too can sympathize with your story. It is exactly the same as my own. I am now nearly 4 weeks post surgery. I have been off the opioids for a week and a half but still have issues with swelling pain and sleeping though all are significantly less than they were during the first few weeks. Getting sleep has been a challenge but I am finally able to sleep on my side as well as on my back. I’m getting more and better sleep each week.
As I’m sure you have heard or read the physical therapy is by far the most important part of your recovery. Do what they say during your sessions and more importantly every day at home. I have learned there is a very fine line at therapy. Do not push yourself to the point that it is painful but do push yourself to where it is uncomfortable. A good therapist should not push you into pain and if that is the case I would recommend switching and finding someone else.
Although my range of motion is not that great yet it has been proved consistently and I have graduated from a walker to a cane and have started driving again. Just these small freedoms bring light at the end of the tunnel. Like you, I also began to wonder why I got the surgery. However I am starting to believe that this will work out well for me in the end.
If you are able I recommend getting out of the house and being with friends or having them over to your house. I feel getting out of the house even just for a car ride and conversation improved my mood immensely. And being able to drive and be slightly independent was a major boost to morale.
This has turned out to be a long journey so far and I am resigned to the fact that it still has a ways to go. Hang in there!! You are literally on the edge of turning the first of many corners on your way to full recovery. Be well.