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Trouble sleeping after TKR: What helped you sleep?

Posted by jackieboo1 @jackieboo1, Nov 2, 2018

I am a 60 year old woman 2 months post op from left knee replacement. I am having trouble sleeping. My knee feels like a square peg in a round hole. Tried pillow between legs, Tylenol and ice. Nothing seems to help.
Suggestions?

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lk3xs | @lk3xs | Feb 6, 2023

I have had every pain pill pre knee surgeries and THR and TKRs both knees. I hated them because they didn't work but give me side effects. SO I have a medical marijuana card. I told my surgeon and I take 10 mg THC gummies and sleep 8 hours. I fall asleep fast. Must be indica. I don't use any other time of the day. A life changer!! I don't sleep better.

REPLY
vinran | @vinran | Feb 7, 2023
In reply to @tka0722 "I had problems sleeping after my TKA. Ice helps and I had to start Gabapentin 300..." + (show)
@tka0722

I had problems sleeping after my TKA. Ice helps and I had to start Gabapentin 300 mg at bedtime for neuropathy in my foot, which developed after the surgery. I also took Ambien which helped greatly. I am now 6 months post TKA and still taking Gabapentin. Good luck!

Jump to this post

So, so true regarding the foot neuropathy after TKR. I’m now into nearly 2 1/2 years and neuropathy hasn’t subsided one bit. I’m at the point of acceptance, the trade-off being able to walk and resume normal active, everyday functions. Gabapetin does help me sleep at night which is basically the only time I get the tingling etc….
As for sleeping after TKR, that’s the number one issue (in my opinion). Had the second TKR 3 weeks ago and have struggled tremendously with sleep the initial two weeks.
Saw the surgeon first time this past Friday, he took me off the 5 mgs of oxycodone which was about a 7 days supply and switched me to TRAMADOL which is less potent and less addictive.
I now take (1) 50 mg Tramadol at bedtime, use my DONJOY
Clear Ice machine and it has got me through the entire night now. This may sound a little crazy and it would certainly be short term but, a Benadryl would also do the trick. But that’s very short term use.
Best of luck, hope this helps.
Vince

REPLY
1 reply
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @vinran "So, so true regarding the foot neuropathy after TKR. I’m now into nearly 2 1/2 years..." + (show)
@vinran

So, so true regarding the foot neuropathy after TKR. I’m now into nearly 2 1/2 years and neuropathy hasn’t subsided one bit. I’m at the point of acceptance, the trade-off being able to walk and resume normal active, everyday functions. Gabapetin does help me sleep at night which is basically the only time I get the tingling etc….
As for sleeping after TKR, that’s the number one issue (in my opinion). Had the second TKR 3 weeks ago and have struggled tremendously with sleep the initial two weeks.
Saw the surgeon first time this past Friday, he took me off the 5 mgs of oxycodone which was about a 7 days supply and switched me to TRAMADOL which is less potent and less addictive.
I now take (1) 50 mg Tramadol at bedtime, use my DONJOY
Clear Ice machine and it has got me through the entire night now. This may sound a little crazy and it would certainly be short term but, a Benadryl would also do the trick. But that’s very short term use.
Best of luck, hope this helps.
Vince

Jump to this post

I'd suggest getting a leg raiser on amazon. It elevates the feet and knees above the heart.

And for anyone thinking about a TKR, exercise before the surgery and absolutely, positively do the PT and exercises at homeafter the surgery. So many people think seeing the PT twice a week is enough. Wrong! Exercise everyday.

REPLY
1 reply
vinran | @vinran | Feb 8, 2023

Agree totally on PT but wasn’t aware of the leg lift, I’m
Checking into it
Thanks
Vince

REPLY
1 reply
continentalred | @continentalred | Feb 9, 2023

Sometimes when I have trouble sleeping I get up and go on my stationary exercise bike for 5 minutes(no tension)
This extra circulation helps ease any tingling or discomfort
I think lying in bed isn’t the best for our knee when it is trying to recover but heck we have to sleep.
The other thing I might do is elevate my legs while lying in bed and do bicycle leg movements (30 forward and 30 backwards).

REPLY
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 10, 2023
In reply to @vinran "i ordered thx" + (show)
@vinran

i ordered
thx

Jump to this post

Awesome! Hope it helps. It's not that easy to get your knees above your heart, but this works.

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1 reply
vinran | @vinran | Feb 10, 2023
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Awesome! Hope it helps. It's not that easy to get your knees above your heart, but..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Awesome! Hope it helps. It's not that easy to get your knees above your heart, but this works.

Jump to this post

👍

REPLY
evon | @evon | Feb 11, 2023
In reply to @heyjoe415 "I'd suggest getting a leg raiser on amazon. It elevates the feet and knees above the..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

I'd suggest getting a leg raiser on amazon. It elevates the feet and knees above the heart.

And for anyone thinking about a TKR, exercise before the surgery and absolutely, positively do the PT and exercises at homeafter the surgery. So many people think seeing the PT twice a week is enough. Wrong! Exercise everyday.

Jump to this post

Totally agree re the exercises. PT after surgery said “muscles have memory” and a good pre-op prep helps so much with post-op recovery. I did PT developed surgical prep program for a year prior. 5 days post-surgery I was lifting my leg up & down from bed. Prep made a huge difference. I have no doubt it will help in recovery too. Right now doing prescribed exercises 2x day. It’s a commitment - exercises & icing after is pretty much 2 hrs a day. And I know I’ll have the best results if I continue to do a short program every day for rest of my life so I can stay mobile.

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