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10 days post tkr and pain unbearable
I am a head and neck cancer group member as well.
Now I have had a tkr 10 days ago. I was not naive going into this new adventure and knew it would be very painful post surgery however, the level of pain I am living with is much greater than expected. I am no stranger to pain (surgery number13). Also, I have a very high pain tolerance. The swelling and bruising is as expected. The incision and staples look good. No indication of infection. The pain is in the knee joint. The dr originally put me on Hydromorphone. It wasn’t even softening the pain a bit. So he now has put me on Tramadol. No difference.
Have been icing and painfully completing all Physio exercises. Basically been doing everything I have been told to do. Movement in joint and leg is as expected etc. I am hardly sleeping and in constant pain. I realize that the first two weeks are supposed to be the worst and then it will slowly improve. I guess my question is what others have experienced in the first few weeks and/or if anyone has any suggestions. Or I am not too proud to hear that I am just being a big wimp and to suck it up. 64 year old male in otherwise good health and not overweight.
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I am 64 female. Just 10 days post op TKR myself. This is my second knee so I knew what to expect pain wise. My pain is a lot worse this knee though and I am still in the regrettable stage. Taking hydrmorphone and Tylenol 4, icing constantly but times nothing eases the pain. I am hoping by another week things lighten up a bit.
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4 Reactions@knighthawk11 pain should ease up shortly.
The first 3 days are deceiving due to the surgery meds, but pain the following 2 weeks is the most intense. Take your strong meds on time. Use an ice machine which helps with the pain. Walk around every hour and start do your pt which helps with swelling. Make sure there are no signs of infection - hot, redness- if so call your Dr immediately. Hang in there! Supplement pain meds with half a pain gummie which does help and assists with sleep when pain is intense- not a fan of opioids so this is a good option too.
I have heard from a few people they had no pain!? Is this possible - anyone who experienced this please advise and tell us your secret.
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2 Reactions@knighthawk11
I know the pain is unbearable, cry when you feel like it. I had my tkr in ‘ 24 and ‘25. My surgeon said the 2nd knee was a lot better than the first one. So I expected less pain and recovery time. Not! Also, Tylenol was not very effective. Icing and moving helped with the inflammation.
I want you to stay optimistic and keep up with your Tylenol, icing and moving. Use your walker.
I did use gummies to help me to relax. Anxiety is
real. Patience and time are your friends. Sending you hugs and best wishes.
@jd93808 Can you tell me what a pain gummie is? I am 5 weeks post TKR and taking only Tylenol which gives minimal relief. Thanks.
@jd93808 you said — "I have heard from a few people they had no pain!? Is this possible - anyone who experienced this please advise and tell us your secret.”
There is no secret, I think it must be a combination of the types and amount of painkillers used during surgery, and an individual’s reactions to them. Also the amount of trauma to the bone and surrounding muscles and ligaments, some surgeons may have more skill in finessing the surgery with less overall damage to the joint. I’ve had both knees replaced, and a reverse shoulder replacement. In all three cases, the pain I felt was just a general ache in the surgical area, sort of like giant dull toothache. I asked my surgeon about this lack of hard pain in a followup visit, and he said he didn't know why some people perceived less pain after surgery. He did say something to the effect that perhaps using enough painkiller within the site during the surgery and immediate wake up period perhaps does not allow the nerves to experience and send the worst of the trauma signals to their brain memory, and so the person may be spared "nerve memory pain” which can mimic or intensify true pain — I’m just paraphrasing the jist of what I understood he said. I am sensitive and normally have a low threshhold for pain, so I was expecting these surgeries to be way more painful than they were for me.
Consider yourself lucky - makes sense! Thanks!
@dna41
A low THC and CBD gummie used for pain management.
You are past the pain period now - thankfully- they are used in the first 2 -3 weeks after surgery typically to dull the pain vs stronger meds that can make people sick or addicted if abused so they are a safer alternative - feel bettet
@knighthawk11
I can totally relate with you. My first knee replacement went very well. But when I got my other knee replacement, 3 years later, I was devastated over the pain. I lost 25 lbs in the first 10 days due to the excruciating pain. I couldn't take my pain meds because of the nausea from the pain. I cried alot.
Keep pushing through PT , resting, and lots of ice. I will get better. I am 16 months post op, and starring to get some improvements. It's a long battle, but worth it.
@jd93808 I took my pain meds and muscle relaxers religiously and iced consistently. The nurse in the OR said more than once: "Do not let the pain get ahead of you," i took two rounds of meds and toward the middle of the 2nd round began to taper off til i was at 1 a day and then none. The only time I felt pain was during PT., and there were moments that tears came.
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1 ReactionYes I was told the same thing
I took Tylenol before PT the first 2 weeks
Stronger meds are nauseating even when taken with food so I cut them in half and took them 1 hr apart
Hope you are better!
Having the other knee done in November- not looking forward to it but want to get it over with!
Good luck!