Can’t sleep after knee replacement

Had TKR nine months ago. Leg pain above and below implant. Cannot find a comfortable leg position to relieve pain and discomfort.

Dear lmc,
I had tkr in mid-July, 2023 and vividly remember the pain with no escape after surgery. It only lasted a week. I slept through the night after a week or two and. was off all pain meds after three-four weeks. It really sounds like you need to see a doctor, maybe even a different one from your surgeon if you can, and find out what' s wrong.
Good luck.

malo

Research Iliotibial band syndrome. I experienced 10 years of extreme pain following my TKR until someone diagnosed IT band syndrome. I did PT which was marginally helpful. I found stretches online that I do to stop the pain. TKR can cause IT band syndrome but my surgeon was clueless.

Sorry to hear you are in pain, we have surgery to get out of pain …. I know you are in pain but continue your exercises and stretches as tolerated … I know from experience have to keep moving …. Second opinion is never bad ideal … but can take time so in that time I suggest go on line find someone that does myofascial release that helps break down scar tissue , also helps with pain . When you’re in pain an hour is like a day a day like a week . After my first tkr went bad I had to take a pain med 5 months after ….i got it from my family dr , I got it in the pool , found mfr therapist and a chiropractor to help me through that year … was longest year of my life let me tell you , but surrounded myself with a team of people that helped me keep moving … my second tkr much more successful thank goodness…. So put your team together to help you through this …. Good luck

I don't know why a TKR would cause ITB syndrome. The ITB is a long ligament-like structure on the outside of the leg, extending from the hip to just below the knee. This can get tight and cause pain when walking or running. As far as I know it should hurt the most when walking and not while at rest.

There are stretches for it, but again, I don't think it would relate to a TKR, unless swelling is causing the ITB to rub against the side of the knee. I didn't get this, but it seems possible and should resolve as swelling goes down, and with some PT-guided stretching. Ice also helps.

I also had a TKR 9 months ago and have the same problem. I have not slept through a night since surgery. I have to get out of bed and walk around to get some relief. I can’t stay in the same position for long periods. I did all the PT etc my range of motion is good but my muscles don’t want to stay stretched out. I joined the gym and do water walking in the pool which helps. I am improving very slowly, but it still hurts when I bend my knee. I would say my pain is moderate now my other knee needs also to be replaced but I am in no hurry because the way I feel I just exchange one type of paint for another. I am seeing my surgeon today I don’t know what he’s going to say. He usually just says there are people worse than me and there are people that are better than me and I’m somewhere in the middle.

Normal for a few days
Take some NyQuil or Tylenol pm.

Your surgeon sounds like mine. Mechanically it's fine but still have a tight feeling on my knee itself. It goes from the bottom over the knee to top and feels really tight.

Mine was too...and my PT checked the knee cap..and it wasn't moving well..so we massaged it to help loosen it up