Hello all.I had my TKR, in right knee on Friday -12/04. I was sent home with remainder of meds - Omeprazole, Oxycodone, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Ondandestron and Clexane Syringes - blood thinner injections.
Today is the last day of the meds prescribed by the Hospital - except injections.
I have so much pain, not sleeping, am unable to raise my leg or bend my knee.
I feel a bit 'grim' really.
I'm reaching out for advice and encouragement to all who have had this Surgery. Am I expecting too much too soon?
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AuntyJean15
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To be honest - probably-it’s only 5 days. I’ve had shoulder, hip and knee replacements - and knee was definitely hardest to recover from.
What advice re movement/exercises were you given by hospital? - and you can always use a towel or an elastic exercise band to help with the straight leg raises and knee bending -it will get better slowly but it takes time -and often depends on how good your leg muscles were pre operation.
Suggest you contact GP re pain meds… and things will get better…
I have been given a list of exercises, advised not to use Theraband, just towel.I worked so hard in Hydro and at home doing exercises in preparation for the op. Could even do a good squat haha.
You're probably right, it's early days and I want to see improvement too soon.
Going to contact my GP re meds. Just can't see me being without any at the mo.
Knee replacements are notoriously painful. I was an orthopaedic nurse for over 30yrs. Are you using ice frequently to reduce the swelling, which will help increase movement. It is only 5 days, you need to prioritise getting the knee straight, the vend will come. Do not be tempted to put rolled up towels or pillows under knee, except for specific exercises that warrant it. Otherwise your knee will not go straight, and you will end up with a lump, or needing more surgery to manipulate it.
Are the Drs aware your taking Brufen, it’s not normally given alongside clexane, as it increases the risk of bleeding. Also Brufen can delay healing. I assume you’re still taking oxycodone, which should be giving adequate relief. You also need to keep leg on high elevation when resting, above the level of your hip, not just on a footstool, to allow the swelling to subside. Although you’re struggling to raise your leg, keep trying, as that strengthens the muscles. You also need to be doing your exercises little and often, rather than 1-2 large sessions.
I'm on my last day of liquid Oxycodone and the slow release tabs. I'm using an ice wrap for 15 mins 3 times a day. I can get my leg completely flat but I can't bend it. Far too painful! I'll try elevating my leg and I'll try not taking Ibuprofen to see if that helps.
Sounds like you’re doing well, if you can get your leg straight, that’s the important bit. Contact your gp and see if they will continue the ocycodone, or another suitable alternative 🤗
Aunty, I have to stress that you must work through the pain. The bending is very important. Here’s what will happen if you don’t bend that new knee; scar tissue will build and then you will end up having to have surgery again, which puts you back to the beginning. I screamed and cried through the exercises but it will get better. Try taking pain meds an hour before you start the exercises. Ice will help with any swelling. It will get better but knee replacements do not have short recovery.
I am six weeks post tkr. Knee still painful and still taking co-codomol but can walk round house without any supports and persevering with exercises 3 times a day. At first physio 2 weeks after replacement managed 95 degree bend which I was pleased with, especially as 2 days after operation had to call orthopaedic liaison nurse to redress wound as it had bled. Not been brave enough yet to manage my walk outside yet without crutches as it's a little bit hilly where I live and also has been very windy.
I feel your pain..My L knee was my first replacement at age 36…really needed both replaced but I had heard how painful the TKA’s are especially to younger folks…so just the left replace in 2004…I didn’t have the right knee replaced until 2016 because I thought that if I gave the technology and technique of TKA some 12 years to advance it would reduce yhe amount AND duration of at least the severe pain that I had some two plus weeks post-op…Nope! Second one hurt as much as the first..absolutely the worst replacement I’ve had as the hips were almost pain free and the ankle fusions were relatively pain free but the TKA’s kicked my butt…I wish you the best and that your severe pain is eased completely sooner rather than later…My best to you!
Hello there , sorry to hear you feel a bit grim but maybe you are being a bit too optimistic. I had physio come in about two weeks after op and did need more drugs from Gp . Walking improves with time . My family were quite shocked at how bruised my leg was. I managed and had a camping toilet downstairs. I was able to lift my leg before leaving hospital two days after the op but not as high as usual and only have a 90% bend even now three years later. Everyone is different , try the ice packs for pain or heat pads. You must allow time little and often and exercises are supposed to be done on the bed. Raising the legs at night with pillows improves the circulation & healing. Every best wish but the knee does take time due to the many movements it normally does. I am sure things will improve if you take your time.
That's brilliant news, hopefully your recovery will start to go forward now . One step at a time remember , if your struggling your GP can get care for you but not usual for these ops. Every Best Wish. we are here if you need to talk.
Terrifying. At least you have had it done. In the UK? I have no cartilage left on either knee. But had no discussion with anybody NHS, just x-ray. I can walk but I have zilch energy. Getting fed up with what I can't do but wondering, at 74, if I should just put up with this (maybe I have no choice!). Good luck and hope you keep us posted.
You just ope that when all is healed, that you don't still have a limited life! I've heard stories, but you have to take a leap of faith. I am still very unsure. Wearing braces makes it at the moment tolerable . . .
When I spoke with my Consultant, he said that the comments from his patients are mainly "I'm not ready for this".
All I can say to that is, then they weren’t in as much pain as many, myself included….mine was done in 2018… never looked back…you will get there… and yes the first few weeks are painful, but worth it in the long run….
Oops! I obviously didn't word it right. I meant they weren't ready to be so restricted due to their knee problems and the pain they had.Hope that makes sense
Yes it does-thought it was a bit odd for consultant to say,.. 😳
We’ve all had pain brain -are feeling any better today? Either pain -wise or in yourself ? Hope so..
What helped me as much as anything was a visit from district nurse who herself had recently had same op - and understood -and told me to do as much as I could but not to push it beyond reasonable pain levels…
Hello AuntyJean15,5 days is nothing, I was in hospital for 3 nights after my 2nd TKR. That was nearly 8 weeks ago.
I suffered a trauma of falling out of the bed on the 2nd night. I was given Morphine, Pregablin and Paracetamol before bed, I was disorientated but the bedsides were not put up. I remember my legs were like jelly as I hit the hard floor. They couldn't get me up as I also had been given a general anesthetic for the op.
I was rushed to a Treatment Room as my dressing was covered in blood. I have been back and forward to the nurse and GP.
Yesterday i saw the Consultant after my GP asked him for an urgent review of my knee.
He said my knee is doing very well and no two knees are the same. My 1st knee was done in 2019.
All I can say is you will get there. You must keep up the exercises or your knee will lock. You definitely don't want to have it re-done.
Sorry to read you’re in so much pain after your TKR
I’ve had both knees replaced; right first in 2022 and about six months later the left. On discharge from hospital I was given an exercise fact sheet by my Physio. Doing all the exercises was like a full time job and in the beginning quite difficult and painful. When returning to the Physio for my follow up appointment, he was really pleased and after another follow up I was discharged. My medication was Paracetamol and codeine. I did increase the codeine for a while, then decreased asap. I am quite happy with end result, at least I haven’t got that grinding pain anymore. My knees feel strange, suppose that will diminish with time I have full movement although the right knee seems marginally better than left Another comment; I am really surprised about the scars, hardly noticeable at all, which I find so surprising
Hope my post helps and wishing you good luck 🍀
PS Just remembered my Surgeon said full recovery can take up to a year
Hello and thanks for asking.I am now 6 weeks post op and can see light at the end of the tunnel.
I have to stress that the surgery went very well and any issues that arose post surgery were due to issues with my health and not the surgery.
You do have pain following the surgery, I would say the first 2 weeks can be a bit tough. Prescribed pain relief should help you manage the pain.
I also use an ice wrap that helps with the inflammation. I take it out of the freezer, wait for about 30 mins before putting it on my knee for 10 mins then put it back in the freezer.
I do still have pain but can manage it with Paracetamol.
It is extremely important that you do your exercises every day after you surgery.
I sometimes do mine 2 or 3 times a day, they don't take long.
I saw my Consultant last week and he is delighted with how much I can bend my knee.
I wish you luck with your surgery, look for the positives. I certainly have some following my surgery. 😊
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