Sleeping after TKR

[farm123]

I had a TKR on my left knee last Friday. Still very stiff and not much bend so have a lot of work to do. Any tips on getting comfortable and sleeping? Thanks Farm

[Hidden]

Put a pillow between your legs when in bed

[hatshepsut]

Yes, the pillow between the legs worked for me. Also bedsocks helped, as my feet easily got cold. Keep up with your exercises, they will make your knee less painful in the long run. So make sure you take adequate pain relief to be able to do them!

Hope all goes well for you! M x

[farm123]

Thanks the pillow helped. Also took my coolbag upstairs with my ice pack in with a couple of ice blocks and was able to use a couple of times through the night without asking my OH to go downstairs and fetch it. Farm

[m735]

Ice, ice, ice and when you think it won't do anything try going one day without ice and you will be begging for it.

I am 5 weeks out from knee revision and TKR after the imminent knee surgeon here did two partial replacements on same knee, the lateral (inside) then the medial (outside). I was left with no stability and constant pain. I begged him not to do ANY partial but now I wish I had walked out! When i read the surgical report he noted the medial side was bone on bone and left it! So, what could have been 1 surgery became 3, and a revision is no picnic, it is two surgeries at the same time taking 3 1/2 hours, cutting more come, chiseling out bone cement, having a larger lumen in the femur to accept the new prosthesis, making sure everything is level and same length, it is quite a barbaric surgery, quoting surgeon.

So when I say ice I really mean it. In fact I still use it, a lesser amount of time, but it helps calm the inflammation which is going to be there and is what causes the redness and warmth.

At night I keep my leg, heel to mid thigh or higher on one pillow. If I don't put the pillow high enough it puts just enough pressure on the back of the knee and thigh to cause a constant ACHE down to my ankle. I sleep on my back.

Of course, move, even when sitting bend your knee and slide your foot back and forth.

A rocking chair is your friend. Keep your "bad" foot on the floor and rock away. (Be sure the chair is not too low, getting up is my nemisis through this whole game.

As you get permission working your knee in warm water makes it much easier. Your incision needs to be healed enough, so check.

I also take very good care of my incision. The scar tissue needs to be kept soft and pliable. Otherwise, I found most of my discomfort was coming from stretching scar tissue which doesn't like anything you do to it. After 3 surgeries on one knee, I might need a scar revision to get ride of some scar tissue. Hmmm, guess that makes 4 surgeries on a very small piece of skin.

Hang in there, don't give up.

If I could pass on anything I have learned, it would be, stay away from any surgeon intent upon performing a partial knee replacement!!!!! That's me...and I do tons of research and am a former Emergency/Trauma Nurse. Just know you are master of your body. (Next time I will walk out, please no next time however.)

God speed!!!