Pain After Knee Replacement
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Knee Replacement
I'm going march 30th to get my left knee replaced, can any one tell me what to expect ((((pain wise))))
Pain After Knee Replacement
No one can really predict from what patient to the next what to expect concerning pain. It is sort of like dental work. For me, dental work is so painful I feel I need general anesthesia for a teeth cleaning, other people can have their teeth drill from here to China and swer to me that they have no pain.
The topic of pain relief after any form of knee surgery, whether is it a total knee replacement of a partial knee resurfacing or partial knee replacement has three components to it:
The Extent of the Surgery
In the first 2-3 weeks after surgery, there is no question that some form of minimally invasive surgery is less painful. This probably has more to do with the length of the incision plus the actual type of procedure performed.
While it is now well known that the results of standard vs. minimally invasive surgery are exactly the same 3 months after the surgery the early going is clearly better in minimally invasive procedures. There can be a trade-off though. Many minimally invasive hip replacement procedures like the heavily advertised 2-incision approach by Zimmer have a significantly higher complication rate than single incision MIS approaches advocated by most respected joint surgeons.
The complications seen in the increasingly less popular 2-incision approach has been dislocations, failure to put the component in properly and joint stiffness. This approach should simply be abandoned.
In knee replacement I like to look at the minimally invasive approaches in two categories. The first is limited incision total knee replacements. This is, in reality, not a true minimally invasive procedure. The reason is that in the end you are left with a total knee replacement- a lot of metal. Nothing very minimally invasive about putting heavy metal in the joint. If you need a total knee replacement - fine. Then using a limited incision or a more minimally invasive approach offers some pain relief and short-term rehabilitation advantages.
A true minimally invasive knee replacement is a partial knee resurfacing which is more commonly called a partial knee replacement or a unicompartmental knee replacement. This is true MIS knee surgery in that the ligaments of the knee are left completely intact vs. a total knee replacement where these important ligaments are hacked out (or surgically removed- semantics...)
While in my practice over 65% of knee replacement patient turn out to be xcellent and appropriate candidates for partial knee resurfacing that is not the case across the country. The decision to offer a patient this tuely less painful and higher functioning surgery is often dependent upon surgeon training and philosophy. For example, just south of me at a little known island called Manhattan, very few MIS resurfacing procedures are performed. On the other hand, if you were to be seen in the Washington, DC area, Boston, Bufallo, or Tampa you will be more appropriately given the option for this procedure.
The reason is this: One is the old adage- "When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
If a surgeon only performs total knee replacements, which is a salvage type procedure, then of course, that is the only procedure that surgeon would recommend. I have had many patient over the years who saw me for MIS, less painful knee resurfacing, and saw a second or third opinion with either a surgeon across the county from me or a surgeon in Manhattan. The patient has invariably called me and said, Sr. X said a knee resurfacing is not the right procedure. I asked the patient to return to that surgeon and ask him or her how many knee resurfacing they performed in their lives. I always know the answer so when the patient calls me back and says that the surgeon they went to never performed a partial knee resurfacing then it is clear that a reasnble infomermed choice was not given to the patient. As I perform total and partial knee resurfacing, as I believe all surgeons should have in their armamentarium, then the patient gets a balanced opinion.
Partial knee resurfacing is probably 10 times less painful, 6 times faster rehabilitation, and has a remarkably lower complication rate and higher level of function.
Based on this, you can see how the actual surgery chosen contributes to your pain after knee replacement.
NEXT POSTING:
The use of Multiple Methods of Pain Control to Achieve Success...
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Why Your Hips Are A Pain in the Butt, Is Less-Invasive Hip Replacement For You?
Technorati Tags: partial knee replacement, unicompartmental, knee pain
Knee Replacement
I'm going march 30th to get my left knee replaced, can any one tell me what to expect ((((pain wise))))
Pain After Knee Replacement
No one can really predict from what patient to the next what to expect concerning pain. It is sort of like dental work. For me, dental work is so painful I feel I need general anesthesia for a teeth cleaning, other people can have their teeth drill from here to China and swer to me that they have no pain.
The topic of pain relief after any form of knee surgery, whether is it a total knee replacement of a partial knee resurfacing or partial knee replacement has three components to it:
- The extent of the surgery
- The perception of the patient
- The methods used by the surgeon to control your pain
The Extent of the Surgery
In the first 2-3 weeks after surgery, there is no question that some form of minimally invasive surgery is less painful. This probably has more to do with the length of the incision plus the actual type of procedure performed.
While it is now well known that the results of standard vs. minimally invasive surgery are exactly the same 3 months after the surgery the early going is clearly better in minimally invasive procedures. There can be a trade-off though. Many minimally invasive hip replacement procedures like the heavily advertised 2-incision approach by Zimmer have a significantly higher complication rate than single incision MIS approaches advocated by most respected joint surgeons.
The complications seen in the increasingly less popular 2-incision approach has been dislocations, failure to put the component in properly and joint stiffness. This approach should simply be abandoned.
In knee replacement I like to look at the minimally invasive approaches in two categories. The first is limited incision total knee replacements. This is, in reality, not a true minimally invasive procedure. The reason is that in the end you are left with a total knee replacement- a lot of metal. Nothing very minimally invasive about putting heavy metal in the joint. If you need a total knee replacement - fine. Then using a limited incision or a more minimally invasive approach offers some pain relief and short-term rehabilitation advantages.
A true minimally invasive knee replacement is a partial knee resurfacing which is more commonly called a partial knee replacement or a unicompartmental knee replacement. This is true MIS knee surgery in that the ligaments of the knee are left completely intact vs. a total knee replacement where these important ligaments are hacked out (or surgically removed- semantics...)
While in my practice over 65% of knee replacement patient turn out to be xcellent and appropriate candidates for partial knee resurfacing that is not the case across the country. The decision to offer a patient this tuely less painful and higher functioning surgery is often dependent upon surgeon training and philosophy. For example, just south of me at a little known island called Manhattan, very few MIS resurfacing procedures are performed. On the other hand, if you were to be seen in the Washington, DC area, Boston, Bufallo, or Tampa you will be more appropriately given the option for this procedure.
The reason is this: One is the old adage- "When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
If a surgeon only performs total knee replacements, which is a salvage type procedure, then of course, that is the only procedure that surgeon would recommend. I have had many patient over the years who saw me for MIS, less painful knee resurfacing, and saw a second or third opinion with either a surgeon across the county from me or a surgeon in Manhattan. The patient has invariably called me and said, Sr. X said a knee resurfacing is not the right procedure. I asked the patient to return to that surgeon and ask him or her how many knee resurfacing they performed in their lives. I always know the answer so when the patient calls me back and says that the surgeon they went to never performed a partial knee resurfacing then it is clear that a reasnble infomermed choice was not given to the patient. As I perform total and partial knee resurfacing, as I believe all surgeons should have in their armamentarium, then the patient gets a balanced opinion.
Partial knee resurfacing is probably 10 times less painful, 6 times faster rehabilitation, and has a remarkably lower complication rate and higher level of function.
Based on this, you can see how the actual surgery chosen contributes to your pain after knee replacement.
NEXT POSTING:
The use of Multiple Methods of Pain Control to Achieve Success...
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Why Your Hips Are A Pain in the Butt, Is Less-Invasive Hip Replacement For You?
Technorati Tags: partial knee replacement, unicompartmental, knee pain
77 Comments:
Dr. K., Could you address this topic on your BLOG?...Things to expect, and prepare for, following TKR? I bring this up because when I had my TKA this last year. I really didn't understand what I would face following surgery and following discharge.
Yes, I attended my 30 minute Total Knee Clinic prior to surgery, but there were many many things that were a problem afterwards that were never discussed in this clinic.
Mainly, we were told about PT and that it would start almost immediately. we were also told that we MIGHT have to go to rehab for a week before discharge.
I was NOT told that taking care of my house or fixing any meals would not be possible following discharge. When it came time for dc there was nothing mentioned to me about going to rehab, only that I was ready to go home. they did not question if someone would be there to help with home chores or food preparation..No social worker came to see if I was in need of home health care before dc. My OS was no help with dc plans as it was during Thanksgiving and he was incognito for 4 days. I was dc the Friday following Thanksgiving.
The result is that I ate peanut butter sandwiches from the time of my dc until 3 days later when i could make my own calls to home health agencies to be evaluated for home care. Once I was able to get that done then I had some help but isn't that something that should have been addressed during my hospitilazation? The hosp. staff certainly had to be more knowledgeable about all this than I was. They had seen many TKAs, I had only had one! Also, during this time I was stuck in a damn recliner for over 14 hours because I couldn't get out of it. No, I didnot understand all this would happen. The only thing I had to compare knee surgery with were the 2 arthoscopic ones I had previously had. there is NO comparison! Someone should have made me aware of all this prior to surgery so I would not have been in this position afterwards...
Obviously, I live alone. My children are both sons who are married and work full time. they don't even live in the same state.
If there was any humor whatsoever during this time it had to be this. Shortly after arriving home. A truck pulled up and a man came to the door. He was from some medical supply comp. and was bringing me a lift for the toilet and a bath bench. The OS had ordered them to be delivered. this was no normal (white plastic toilet lift) It was called a 3 in 1 commode...The man very politely set these items (with all their various parts) in the middle of my living room, had me sign for them and left! I really needed this toilet lift and had I been able to not only put all the parts together, but somehow get it from the middle of my living room into the bathroom, it would have been a great thing to have.
I don't blame my OS for this..I blame SS in the hosp. I also blame myself for not asking more questions prior to surgery. But, I would think if you could address this topic it might save someone else from experiencing this.
Years before this, I had cancer surgery and was still married, so I had help. But, SS, at that time still addressed home care and made sure it was lined up and ready before I could be dc. Why have things changed so much? I have wondered if it was because I was discharged during a holiday weekend, when it seemed noone was around much, if that was what caused all the problems?
mca
Dr. K: I was wondering in your next round when you're talking about pain relief if you could either talk about anesthia options also. I am tapped out of veins on my arms and have problems with my bladder (being able to go to the bathroom with regular anesthia). I have moderate arthritis all the way down my spine plus my L-2, L-3, and L-4 discs are all bad. My L-5 and S-1 are fused. I also have mild scoliosis. I don't know if this is a problem or not. I'm tired of having to go home with a catheter for 2 weeks after surgeries. But if I don't I can't go to the bathroom. So, it's necessary. But with no viable veins in my arms anymore I'm wondering if a different form of anesthesia would not be advisable. I am also allergic to morphine (I itch insanely as I do to penicillin) but like dilaudid but it does not last very long. Why is that? Thank you. Linda
An update to my rant above. I recently had to obtain copies of all my records for an appt. with a rheumatologist at CCF. While looking these copies I found instructions from my OS that he had left prior to leaving for his holiday weekend. He had ordered that I was to have home PT and home health care, to be arranged prior to discharge!
I guess the SS and nurses were to busy on that holiday weekend to follow the Drs. orders. I wish they could know how much I thank them for their ineptness. (Is that even a word?)
mca
this in response to the first message i too had a tkr and i cannot even imagine the hell you went through by yourself i am very thankfull i had my wonderful husband here to help me may god bless you
I had my right knee done Oct 13th. In Houston at the medical center which is the best and my doctor does over 300 per year.
The hospital had staff the arranged to find a place for a weeks stay to help you get back on your feet. They found a hospital 20 miles from our home that has a wonderful floor of rehab doctors and back up staff.
I came home is a week and that was 3 weeks ago, I still walk with a cane and finish my physical therapy next week.
I believe it takes at least 6 weeks to get back and 9 to play golf.
I have a wonderful wife whom is a great cook and I owe a lot to make up for, since we have been married 51 years I would do the same for her which I have done
ps If they tell you there is no pain they are on pot. Is the hardest I have ever been through and lenght of time
its 5 weeks post TKA, why do i suffer with pain every night around 3 am? the pain then is so bad, i end up sleeping in the recliner.
Dear Dr. K.,I had partial knee replacement 18 months ago. The
pain after surgery was so intense I
knew something was wrong. Today I
still have pain every day even on pain
medicine. I have had two bone scans the first one was hot and the
last one showed some improvement.
The Doctor really had nothing to say, except surgery is not needed.
I asked why I still have pain. Maybe you need more time for healing. I'm only 45 years old and
this affecting my quality of life.
My children are only 11 and 8 years old. I'm tried of surgeons
lack of concern. I have no idea if
I should follow his advise and go
off any pain medicine and see how it goes. Meanwhile there was no mention of a follow up or any suggestions. what do you think?
This is not the original surgeon,
supposably they both are very good,
but I'm questioning whether I should even bother with this knee and just live with it.
Sighned,
I'm tired of being pushed to the side
After reading these comments, I sure am glad I had my TKR where I did. The doctors, nurses, PT's and case workers all specialized in care and treatment of knee replacement patients. I've had both knees done since Nov and am doing fine .
I'm 13 weeks out of Bi-lateral TKR due to Reactive Arthritis (HLAB27+). I am much better off than before surgery but the last two weeks my knees have stiffened back up some and I'm waking up in severe pain about 3 or 4 every morning. My knees do not always wake me up with pain, alot of the time the pain is in my shins and thighs. Any suggestions. I'm getting worried.
I had a total knee replacement (left knee) after several years of osteoarthritis in that knee, and 2 imjuries to that same knee in 2 separate car accidents..the latest was 5 years ago when I was hit head on and my knee slammed the steering column and cracked, and torn the meniscus again. After years of sheer pain and torment, the pain was even waking me at night from my sleep several times, I had my doctor to do shots, then the expensive Synvisc treatments that never worked, and then ultimately I gave in to the surgery, and had it done on Jan. 29 this year. Everyone says it's the best decision I could have ever made. I am only 51, and think I have a few years left, but I am very active in that I sell autos for a living, working a lot of hours, and running on that leg and the other one a lot just doing my job. It was getting so bad that I wondered if I could make it back up the lot (we have over an acre) after waiting on a customer. Then finally I gave in and had the surgery. I had complications while in the hospital. I caught some kind of urinary tract infection, lost 2 pints of blood, blood pressure extremely low the entire time, and had a fever of 101-104 nearly every day...til I broke a sweat and it came down three days after the surgery.
I am home now, doing rehab at the local rehab center, and they tell me I am doing extremely well. However, I am still in a lot of pain. I have to take hydocodone every 6 hrs., and it just dulls the pain some. I have to take sleeping pills so that I can sleep, and I still wake up when the pain gets severe enough I need a painkiller.
I don't know exactly when I will be able to return to work. But I think the pain will be worth it if I can get back my quality of life.
In the meantime, I try to keep that leg moving, bending, straightening, to keep it from stiffening up...excercising it daily even when I don't have rehab that day.
What I really want to say is that everyone should take good care of their bones...especially if they have been in accidents, or had bone loss as I have from both accidents and early hysterectomy due to fibroid tumors and endemetriosis, and now I have to deal with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. But as long as I am able, I intend to stay active and moving, and will take better care of the bones I have left and the new knee replacement.
You're all scaring me...I'm 35 yrs and had a skiing accident 14 mos ago. never saw a Dr. Reinjured knee at home recently. Went to Dr, got MRI, said torn meniscus & ACL, & "couple other things". Seeing Orth Dr in a few days about options. I have a home daycare with many single moms counting on me. I'm also a mom myself. My main concern here is fear of complications, and prolonged rehab. Do I ignore this and hope it gets better, or chance getting surgery and losing my business..(thinking to myself)..conclusion, skiing isn't for me.
My knee replacement surgery was on Jan.3,07 in Boston. I've had a knee arthroscopy prior 03/03/06. Pain shots given after the arthroscopy did not relieve the pain in my legs. I've been on oxycodone for 4 months and still have pain in my leg. I've waited to long to have this surgery it seems because my incentive to exercise as much as I should just isn't there. I decided to lessen the amount of pain reliever I take by reducing the amount every 3 days, 1/2 a pill for morning and 1/2 for evening. Still, there is pain but I notice sweating and chills (probably withdrawal signs). At any rate, I'm going to continue this process as it is approximately 5 weeks after surgery. I just hope I don't have to exercise this knee every day in order to function. Right now I notice a personality change due to pain I've experienced for so long before even going for surgery and now after the surgery. Eventually I hope it will get better. Anonymous boston
I had surgery, (total knee replacement) 2/6/07. Still having pain. But it is getting better. Except at night. Am using a brace to keep knee stable as I move around at night a lot. I can handle this pain as conpared to before surgery. Am walking with a cane outside. I live in Michigan. Cold doesn`t bother knee anymore. Inside house, no cane. Every day it gets better.
I had total knee replacement 18 months ago and now need to have revision surgery as i have an infection in the knee that won't heal... I have to go through having the prosthesis removed, placing an antibiotic spacer in its place and having pic line antibiotics for SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS... and THEN have the knee replacement done again.
Plus no one here does this kind of surgery so i have to travel 250 miles to have it done.
I don't want to scare anyone but make **** sure you need the replacement before you have it, i haven't had a nights' sleep in over 18 months and it has never quit causing me pain. I'm only 53 years old.
I just had TKA 3/20/07 its only been a week and I'm walking with a cane. I only take my pain medicine before I go PT which I go to twice a week. I had TKA on my other knee 18 months ago and was back to work in 5 weeks. I'm hoping to be back to work in 4 weeks this time. The second surgery was a lot easier for me I knew what to expect. I'm only 47 years old.
I had a total knee replacement at the VA Fort Meade So. Dakota last JUly 2006.It was my right knee I have been over weight 6' tall 240 lbs for quite a while arthritus in both knees and am up for the other knee to be done in the fall2007. I was on oxycodone for the pain and still need it now and then. The new knee works okay but is very sensitive to changing weather- snow storms are the worst. My right knee had a spur on it so I had it done first. The pain is about the same in each knee after a busy day.I am hoping that the second knee replacement is better than the first I had no complications and was up walking with in days . The VA did a good job and the staff and facility in SAo. Dak was excellent
I had TKR on 8/28/06 due to having broken my knee from a horseback riding incident. I first had orthoscopic and then 8 months later the TKR. I thought I knew all there was about the surgery since my dad had both knees and both hips replaced. Boy was I wrong. The pain is still so intense that there are times that I can't even walk. Luckily, my job is mostly at my desk where I can still exercise it but don't have to walk around a lot. I just went to my OS yesterday for a cortisone shot. It hasn't starting working yet. I hope everyone does better than me but please please get all the info first.
I had total right knee replacement on 12/12/06... I had suffered with three prior surgeries which began at the age of 12. Many drs ignored my complaints over the years and when I finally found a doc to listen, there were no options for me but total replacement. I had severe bone damage, bowing of the leg, no stability whatsoever, I was falling for no reason quite regularly. I had screw in my shin that was put there some 25 years prior to my replacement.. I am still having quite severe pain in that area. I am on painkillers at bedtime because my docs nurse said I shouldn't need anymore than that.. I am having a hard time being mobile due to the pain and feel like no one is listening again... I am not sorry that I had the surgery, but I went thru the surgery for better quality of life and although the pain is now centralized in a different location, i still have enough pain to affect my daily life... depressing, as I have just turned 43 and feel like living with this pain is more than I care to think about...I feel as if there is something wrong in the area of the removal of the screw, feels as if my shin is going to snap when weight is applied, however, i walk thru the pain and my doc says if i can walk, i am okay....
Dr. K.,
About 5 or 6 months after my husbands TKR in his left knee he started having very sharp knee pain that would last only a couple of seconds but would cause him to buckle if he had weight on that knee. He had a pain such as that one day stepping up onto the porch and fell and broke his right tibia. Finally when the broken leg healed I asked the doctor to please do something about the sharp pains he kept getting in his TKR knee. He took an x-ray and said he had a bone spur from the patellar tilting. He had to have surgery again to fix that. That was on Nov. 30, 2006. Now today he stills has swelling, severe pain on both sides and the top of the knee and the doctor can not tell us what the problem is. Why would you have a patella tilt and what would cause it, roughly?
I had a TKR March 12th 2007 and at night I have pain in my left knee. Could someone explain this to me? I am careful with it and my Dr and the PT says I am doing fine. But still I cannot understand why I am having this nagging pain when I go to bed. Hope someone can clarify this for me
I am a 57 year old woman who was told at 45 yrs. of age by my OS that I had the bones of an 80 yr. old and that it was the worse case of OA she had seen for a person in my age range. I am facing 2 TKNS, one at a time. I've tried everything for both knees; cortisone (didn't work; just made me more jumpy), multiple NSAIDS which because of digestive diseases don't do a thing but mess up my stomach. I had arthoscopic surgery in June 1996 to fix a torn meniscus; this did nothing for pain of OA. I had Synvisc injections in both knees about a year apart; the first one I had about 25% relief so I did the other one; that was really no relief at all. I am scared of the pain after surgery and all the complications that can arise yet I can't live like this anymore. I am a widow now since 8/2006 and have finally beeen awarded SS and Medicare which has yet to arrive. Can anyone tell me worse case scenario stories as, as expected, OS minimizes everything but the pain. She has warned me how severe the pain will be. Please share with me your stories. Thank you, virgo24 P.S. The only thing that dulled the pain and which she has given me sparingly through the years is Vicodin. The thought that I could go through this to wind up worse terrifies me.
To those of you with questions about your own arthritis and joint issues, please post them to our Arthritis and Joint Pain: Support Group message board. :-)
I had TKA on 2-20-07. God Bless my husband for all of his help after I came home!! Before my next knee I will have at least 3 weeks of meals done and in the freezer so that all we have to do is throw them in the oven. I didn't believe that I would be absolutely useless to myself or anyone else for several weeks! Don't get me wrong, I would not go back and not do the surgery. I feel soooo much better. Yes, there is still some pain and I don't walk incredibly great yet but I know that I will and I have a truly awesome OS!! He ROCKS!!! The pre-surgery class is a joke though and they need someone to give it that has had the surgery and can really tell you what to expect and PLAN for.
Don't let anyone tell you that there is not pain after a total knee replacement. I had mine 4/25/07 and this is the worst pain of my life.
I have had 14 surgeries, 7 on my back. I live with pain every day.
I underwent a triple bypass on 2/21/07. I thought that if I could stand to have my chest sawed open I could take anything.
The pain of triple bypass paled incomparison to the knee surgery pain.
To virgo24
Well not to scare you but I had my right knee done Oct 28 2005 worst pain I ever experienced. By late January it was doing pretty good still experienced pain but nothing like after the surgery. Spent 2 days in the hospital after the 1st one I was sent home way to early. April 18 2006 I had the left knee replaced using that CAS ( Computer Assisted Surgery) thought I was familiar with the amount of pain to expect and the pain was at least 2 times as painful as the 1st TKR. The pain meds (Morphine) didn't work so they had to experiment with 2 Percocets every four hours and a shot of Demerol every four hours staggered so I was getting one or the other every two hours. I had every complication from massive swelling and an allergic reaction to of all things they think (Tape) to nerves that didn't know enough to shut off until like November 2006. Spent 5 days in the hospital after the 2nd one and was still sent home to early lol. Since it swelled so bad the Dr wanted me to back off from my exercises so the knee grew adhesions which froze my knee in place at about 35 Degree's and the Dr had to break, very painful but well worth it since no matter how hard I tried to break them my brain will never allow me to work through that much pain.
Now after saying never again it wasn't worth it things are good, you must rehab religiously after this surgery I mean when tears rolls off your cheeks suck it up and do another 20 reps. I was 45 when I had the 1st one done and find that younger people seem to have a harder time after surgery but when it heals it heals much better than the folks in their late 60's and 70's. Now Oct 28 2005 to Dec 2006 was the worst 14 months of my life but now I look back and it was worth it just rehab hard and often make it your job.
Had my knee replacement on 5/1/07. I am 55 and I can tell you it has been the worst pain of my life. Rehab is definately the key to success. Do all they tell you to and more! I mostly have pain in my hip/buttocks from streching muscles that have not had to work for a while. But none of that sharp pain in the knee. Yes, totally worth it.
I just had my knee repalcement. Worst pain of my life but no more sharp pain in the knee. Do all that the PT tell you to and more. Only pain I have now is in the hip/buttock from stretching muscles that have not had to work. Yes it is worth the pain. Had very good pre-op teaching, just did not realize that the bone pain would be so bad, and I'm an RN
I am 45 and I had a RTKR April 17, 2007. I have 3 children and by far this surgery was more painful than any of my childbirths. I am just 5 wks post op and still in pain. I also swell occasionally because I tend to push msyelf too far. I had a terrible experience with my Ortho. office therefore I will not go back. I see my PCP instead. Is there anything I absolutely must do within a certain time frame to make sure my new knee is correctly in place? thanks.. Kim
Well, I can tell you about pain.
The worst ever. Since I had my hip
done last year, I was not expecting
this downfall. I too, get excruitiating pain in the middle of the nite. I feel like a druggie. I'm fed up. I'm on the 6th week now and pray (cry) that I will be normal soon. Thank God for a wonderful understanding partner, who bends over backwards to make me happier.
Is it normal that 8 weeks after surgery I am still taking 10 pain pills a day of hydrocodone 7.5 the pain seems to be never ending. My dr wants me to cut back on them. Also I didn't have good physical therapy for the first 6 weeks I have changed my physical therapy and seem to be getting some range of motion now but it is very painful. please let me know if its normal for my muscles to keep getting tight. My dr also did a manipulation 2 weeks ago and then I started the new therapy
Hi,
I'm 60 and had a total knee replacment five weeks ago. I really had no idea what I was in for. I went to a very reputable doctor and the surgery itself was uneventful and supposedly successful. However, the pain involved was unbelieveable. I did not know that kind of pain existed. I had broken a hip six months earlier, so I'm no stranger to pain. It was a difficult recovery but the knee was worse. I've had two friends who had surgery about the same time I did and their experiene was the same. I'm hoping down the road I'll be happy I had the surgery but I don't think patients are prepared enough and I had a doctor who is very aggressive with his PT. I understand the rationale of the aggressive PT but as a result of it, I developed severe sciatic. It has been difficult to do the PT with the back pain. If I had it to do over, I'd do only as much PT as I could tolerate instead of following the therapists insistence that I push myself. I've had nothing but pain for five weeks. I had years of pain prior to my surgery but a different kind of pain. My knee doctor would not treat me for my sciatica but sent to me to a back specialist. The whole patients should be treated, not just the knee. I'm not oppossed to knee replacment, but it is not something to go into without full of knowledge of complications etc. I hope the sciatica heals and I can get back to work soon, but it has been a real ordeal...Maureen in Pittsburgh.
It has been 18 months since my partial knee replacement. I am know getting scheduled to have my partial replaced with a complete Zimmer full flex. I am 52 years old and the pain I have know makes me wonder if I should have lived with the pain I had before the first replacement.
From Dave It's been 18 months since my total knee replacement but have pain when weight bearing. Problem is inflamation in the synovium lining. Dr's can't seem to correct this problem. Have had x-rays, CT scan, bone scan, steriod injections, fluid drawn out, and PT. Can anyone help if they have had this problem ??
Airman said...
I fractured my tibia 75% through the bone. Was recomended to get surgery, a pin to be put in the bone to bring it together and allow proper fusion. I couldn't imagine getting that done and staying in basic for a year, so I opted for 'natural' healing and I got out after 6 months in basic on a profile. Now, 8 months after the injury and much physical therapy I was just diagnosed with having a bone spur from my body over creating bone to heal itself. Now, I am looking at surgery for that and regret not getting the surgery in the first place. I am still in pain and will continue to be in pain....pain is something that not only I but millions of Americans deal with. Where does it end?
I had a TKR in May here in NZ - during the first three days it dislocated twice, following the second dislocation they reoperated and put in a thicker spacer - I still feel the beginning of a dislocation but am told it has more to do with ligaments/muscles holding knee in place, this I believe as my own knee used to dislocate regularly! However I am still very happy with my knee, I looked up this blog as I still have the occasional pain whilst walking however I am not on continuous pain killers like I was prior to operation and my surgeon tells me that to expect 18months - 2 years before complete recovery and he expects it to be 98% as good as new - I am happy with this.
I do have problems with ankle but there again I am told it is a major operation as it concerns ligaments again so I will hold out. Following my experience I would still advise anyone in pain with arthritic knees to have them replaced! I am 62 and someone said the other day I was up the steps in their garden like a 4 year old...
HELLO TKR PATIENTS
I HAD TWO TKR DONE IN 2002 OF JUNE AND 2003 OF JUNE DUE TO OSTEO; KNEE WAS BONE ON BONE ON RIGHT AND HALF GONE ON LEFT. BY THE TIME I HAD THE RIGHT ONE DONE SIX MONTHS LATER THERE WAS BONE ON BONE ON THE LEFT KNEE. MY INCISION IS EIGHT INCHES. I AM READING ABOUT ALL THE EXCRUTIATING PAIN. MY WORST PAIN WAS UPPER QUAD AS THEY CUT INTO THE MUSCLE. THAT WAS THE WORST. THE KNEE PAIN HURT WHEN THE SLIDES WERE DONE TO BEND THE KNEE FOR RANGE OF MOTION, BUT AGAIN THE WORST WAS PAIN IN THE UPPER QUAD. THEY DO NOT TELL YOU THAT YOU WILL HAVE SWELLING FOR A LONG LONG TIME AND SEVERE TO MILD PAIN. I COULDN'T SLEEP FOR MONTHS. I STILL CANNOT KNEEL AND STEPS AT TIMES ARE SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT, DEPENDING ON WEATHER AND WEIGHT; HOWEVER, NOT BEING ABLE TO WALK DOWN A SCHOOL HALL AND NOW NO PROBLEM, IT WAS WELL WORTH THE SURGERIES. I TELL EVERYONE NOT TO EXPECT THE KNEE FEELING LIKE YOUR OWN UNTIL A YEAR TO DATE OF THE SURGERY. NOW AGAIN, I WAS CUT DIFFERENTLY PERHAPS THEN SOME OF YOU AND AGAIN CUTTING INTO THE UPPER QUAD, ABOVE THE KNEE WAS THE WORST. I ASKED AND CALLED THEIR OFFICE MANY TIMES JUST TO KNOW IF WHATEVER I WAS FEELING, WAS NORMAL. ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE.
SIGNED GRATEFUL TO WALK
November 02, 007
I had TKR in August of 2006
Now my knee "locks" up & without warning I fall, & even tho the knee locks up alot, I can pretty much stop most falls, however a week ago I experienced a 2nd fall from this & I injured myself drastically,- & what will happen the next time?? -Also after this fall my Foot and Toes are numb and tingling - I do have an Apptmt in 2 Wks to see a Phys Therapy MD - & Am waiting to see if another OS will accept me. I did see the OS who performed surgery he said he has no idea why my knee locks - & said an MRI is not necessary now. Can Anyone out there comment on this?
ALSO:- The Surgery Pain was not as bad as some have experienced, AND: I do have an absolutely wonderful -& helpful husband -who had taken a few days leave from work to be with me.
Any Help/ insight anyone can give me would be truly appreciated.
To those looking for answers to specific questions:
Please post those questions on our Joint Replacement message board.
Thank you!
I am six weeks post-op from bilateral total knee replacements. The first two weeks post the pain is very severe. Use pain meds to enable yourself to keep active. The outcome is dependent on therapy. I spent 4 days in the hospital and then 10 days in an excellent rehab facility, and then am following it up with 3x per week physical therapy. Nothing less will do the trick.
I am a 65 yr. old overweight female
I could hardly walk, I had cortizone injections in both knees and it helped for awhile, I finally had LTKR surgery on January 27th 07,I had a CPM (Continous Passive Motion) on my left leg, was out of bed the next day, I could not believe the pain was gone, there was some pain at the incision site, and just sitting around is not going to help you. MOVE!!!
I had a TKR 13 months ago ,had arthritis pain and bowing in my right knee and leg plus had 5 other surgery on my right knee with severe knee pain been like this since 1976 now I am 53 year old and not at all happy with TKR 24/7 sever knee pain taking pain meds and tons of x-rays and bone scans The Dr says he cant figure it out kept at the dr who done the surgery check for infections going for more surgery in Dec arthroscopy surgery for bone scraping check for infection etc, Change of weather causes pain every day hot too cold humid too what ever changes my knee daily, all I know is I am not better off today then I was 13 months Ago I have the chills and sweats just about daily I am still living with this knee pain lost a year of work I am a machinist.
I had total knee replacement on 10/10/07 in Boston. i'm 45 years old and had osteoarthritis for awhile, my doctor said there wasn't anything left to do but TKR.
I knew it would take a while (6-8 weeks) but had no idea the mental affect it would have on me. taking oxycodone/oxycontin etc. 6 weeks later i'm not taking any pain medication anymore (even though i still need it) but i'm not sleeping all night i had this tingling and numbness in my foot now i have all the way up my right side of my body through my hand. i had the right leg done and i'm suppose to go back to work tomorrow. i still do not feel like myself. i just can't imagine how older people can handle this operation. i believe i had a wonderful doctor (he does this surgery all the time) but i'm realy afraid of what's in store for me with this numbness when i sit, lay down and now when i'm standing. can anyone tell me if they ever had this type of pain from knee surgery. anonymous in Boston
Dr. K, To this date I've had both knees (bi-lateral replacement same day)both hips (surgery 90 days apart) and both shoulders replaced. My knee surgery was the most painful of all you could ever imagine! The key prior to any surgery is ask all the questions your whole family can imagine. Write down your thoughts for sure. I'm only 48 years old and I've had more surgery than many do in their entire life. I was told after having both knees done the same day that I would'nt be able to ambulate for at least 6 months. Well 6 weeks later I was walking with a cane. Today I walk on my own proudly. I too lived alone thru all the above surgeries. thanx.
December 16, 2007
Hello All;
It is very interesting and informative to read all of the postings. I had posted an entry on November 02,2007 in which I did ask for help on why I keep falling after a TKR on the left knee, in Aug. 2006, & the OS who performed the TKR would NEVER comment on why, As; I probably asked him 5- 6 times, he always changed the subject & talked really fast & got me out of his office. After telephoning many, many OS's; as no one would accept me as a new patient since surgery was already perfomed on my knee. I found a surgeon who would accept me, & even though I DO NOT like the Outcome or the prognosis of what was discovered, Now, at least I know why I kept falling: There is a problem with the first TKR - and I will need a revision - in the mean time I am wearing a Thigh to Shin Brace (very tight to stablilize the knee) every moment that I am awake, I am Thankful that in the falls I did not break my neck or anything else!!! - Not thank ful that I Will have to Repeat one of the most horrible Surgeries there is! - Also; a little side note - Can anyone give any suggestion for Pain Medications that I can Keep in my system - Every Medication I took I threw up within 20 minutes. Because of the pain & the vomiting I Spent many, many nites sleeping an hour at a time in my recliner, WHEW -LIFE: It might not be Great But it sure beats the alternative, (Not being here at all)
My 74 yr old father in law had TKR on both knees on 11/26/07. Today on 1/1/08 he is able to walk up a flight of stairs without assitance. He is very religious with his exercises. No pain during the day, but he has agonizing burning pain during night - has not had a decent night sleep since the surgery. please respond to vynat@comcast.net with suggestions or similar experiences.
my tkr was 4-06.every thing has been good for me --until now.for two weeks my knee has been popping,also feels wobbly,with a burning sensation!I have an appointment with my surgeon' ass't this fri.1-04-08.My PT told me I could get an infection.sure hope that's all.I can't beleive all the negative responses to this wonderful surgery.after limping for 35 yrs,I was happy to have some releif.only time will tell if my releif is temporary.thanks to all of you for writing in.
I had a TKR in March 06, after many years of incredible pain and many different injections, surgeries and medications. I was 38 at the time of the surgery and was told that it was my last hope. I still have incredible pain and have been seeing a pain specialist for the last year that put me on Morphine a year ago and now treats me like I am a criminal for still having pain. The doctors do nothing to figure out why I have pain just say I should not have this much pain almost 2years out after a TKR. I wis I did not. It hurts to sit to long or to walk or stand. I cant even sleep for more than 2-4hrs at a time and that is with a sleeping pill. I can no longer play basketball or volleyball or bike ride. The ortho still wants me to get the left knee done, and it used to be my bad knee. What is a 40yr old woman suppose to do. I have lost weight I try to work out on a stationary bike and treadmill at least every other day even when I hurt so bad I just want to cry.
I got diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 16 years old. I am now 23 and have had my foot reconstructed, the both feet fised and two athroscopic surgeries on my left knee. I am past due to get a total knee replacement according to the dr, but I am so young that he wants to wait as long as possible. He is trying to help relieve pain with fentanyl patches and a lot of norco and it still doesnt seem to work! I really want to go on with the surgery but am scared that it will turn out worse than it already is.And I dont want to live my life on so much medicine!! What do I do???
DR.K: Can you help. My mom had a TKR 5 years ago. All very good. This last 6 months she has had terrible pain starting about 3 inches above the knee going up about 10 inches. This pain is not there when lying down but gets worse when walking , standing. She is taking 6 Vicodin a day to help the pain. The Doc says it is related to the implant in the bone, but everything looks ok on the Xray.
Any ideas on thsi.
I am a 62year old male and I live in Alabama. I had a TKR on my right knee on 10/23/07 by a highly recommended Surgeon. Before the tkr, I could not walk very far without having to stop and rest because of the severe pain in both knees. With every step that I took , it felt as though a nerve was being pinched at the bottom of each kneecap, or like a screwdriver was being shoved into each knee at that spot. TKR's are my only choice for both legs. I have COPD and cannot be put totally asleep. Before the surgery, there were two Anesthesiologist that talked to me and gave me some choices that I could decide on. They recommended an epidural for below the waist because there would be less pain when I first came too. During the surgery, I was also given a drug through the I.V. to help me sleep lightly. I awoke during the surgery and the Anesthesiologist sitting at my head asked me if I wanted to go back under. I told him to wait a few minutes, but I don't remember anything after that until I awoke in the hospital room. For the short time I was awake, I heard some sawing, some drilling, and a sound like a hammer beating on an anvil or some type of metal. When I heard the hammer hitting the metal, I could actually feel my upper body move slightly. I actually thought I was dreaming but later I was told that they did get their Black and Deckers out. This was the first surgery that I have ever had so I have nothing to compare the pain too. On Tuesday morning, a therapist came into my room and after some light exerises and leg movements, I was given a walker and we headed down the hall for my first walk. I didn't have a lot of pain during this walk, but when I arrived back at my room and tried to get back into the bed, that's when I really felt the pain. When the muscles would stretch, man what hurt. I had a morphine drip that I could use if I needed it. I only pushed the button about 8 or 10 times from Tuesday afternoon until Friday morning when I was discharged from the hospital. I was also given perkocet for pain if I asked for it. During my stay in the hospital, a therapist came in once each day, once on Wednesday and once on Thursday. After arriving home on Friday, I had a great nurse, my wife. I had a therapist come to the house three times and I could see that all they did was to watch me exercise. Then I asked Dr. F (my surgeon) if I could go to a rehab therapist that has an office down the street from my house and he ok'ed it. I made about 9 visits there. This was the best thing that could have happened to me. I would visit his office two or three times each week for about 4 weeks. He started me exercising on several different machines and he watched me to see what my limits were. I used a stationary bicycle and I started riding it for 8 minutes, peddling one minute forward and then switching and peddling backwards for one minute. I increased my time from 8 minutes up to 14 minutes. I also performed several different types of exercises on a weight machine. I also would jump on a small trampoline. I would jump for 45 seconds and then rest for 15 seconds and this lasted about 10 minutes or so. There were other exercises that I performed that helped me stretch the muscle too. I would exercise for about 1 hour and 45 minutes then the therapist would use a tens unit on my knee and wrap the knee in a large ice water pack for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was told that anytime I was sitting around eating, watching t.v., riding in a car or anything such as this, I should move my foot, leg or whatever I could move. I worked really hard. I was off work from 10/23/07 and returned 12/04/07, a total of 42 days. I could have gone back sooner but I had plenty of sick leave and vacation time and I didn't want to push myself too much. At work, we have to climb 4 sets of stairs up to the 2nd floor where my office is. I usually go up and down the stairs each way about 4 times a day, sometimes more. I do not regret having the TKR at all. I plan on having the other one done in about two months. I am a Land Surveyor and you can bet that my legs and knees are very inportant to me. The severe pain that I had for 3 or 4 weeks was well worth the TKR. As of today, 01/16/08, I still have a few shooting pains but they are nothing that I cannt handle. I lost 20 pounds during this time too. But as bad as I have to say, I have gained 13 pounds back. DLG
1/26/08 hi,i guess this should be from my husband,but it's my thoughts.it'ss has been a very bad time. c had both knees bad, but rt. was much worse so during the pain ,etc that led up to his total rt.knee replacement,nov.2003, painwas too bad ,he said for anything for us to do together. then the surgery which never seemed to get better.we did learn after gathering all records for v.a.& s.s.that a area of black bone was removed during surgery & learned that lab results were "dead"bone.this was not expected prior to surg., & yes after a while, i did remember the good dr.telling me this.even though i was a nurse, it didn't think a lot about it.14 monthes dr. finally went back in & cleaned it & replaced the spacer & patella,the spacer being worn badly. during the 14 months it was hot swollen,& had fluid drained off regularly.after the surgery,nothing changed. finally the good dr. said he didn't know what else to do,try the v.a. hosp. well they were do a work up on him & before they could finish, huricaine katrina came. when he finaly was able to see orto. dr. again he was sent to huston tx.the sm.remains of the spacer that was left was all the problem they saw. their solution was to do surgery and cut the shorter ligiment to lengthen it & put a much thicker spacer in,so it wound't wear out so fast.surgery was set for the first date available about 10 months away 09/07.pain all this time.then 01/08 stepted on nail lt. ft.ostomelitis sets in due to poor care,so now the v.a. nurse that saw him when he ask for orto consult again said no,got to see infection control dr. no surgery. eventially got a primary care dr. who finally got him a orto.apointment after trying for 8 months. he was needlessly upset & called the knee a failed knee replacement, which he had sent him to huston over a year ago,& stated if the knee was not revised "replaced"soon he would lose his leg.upon me reminding him of the dead bone surg #1,he said that it sould have told them,i assume the org.dr.,that something was "wrong" then.as katrina did much damage in our area v.a. records"some" as well as the org. xrays done in office prior to 1st.surg.so we really don't know what to expect when we finally see the dr. that v.a. has finally allowed us to see in 2 weeks,who will do the surgery, we know to expect at least the removal of your knee product. i have the information to give to the dr. to contact you. i would like to later give you a glowing report about this,but at this point i doubt it.the odds as you know are not good. if indeed i can,it will be another of God's wonderful miracles. the spouse suffers too. h.
I had an accident in 1979, had a knee replacement in 2002. And it still hurts today. Is there anythjng I can do to make it stop hurting?
Dr K:
I had a total TKR in May 07 and experienced difficulty with flexion and extension, it's now Feb. 08 and I have had 2 manipulations, numerious months of PT, my knee in a cast for 3 weeks and I am still at 18-20 degrees extension and 95 flexion.
i have had back pain since my surgery and it sill continues, this is the result of my surgery and poor extension. I am 49 yrs old healthy and now considering a Revision. I cannot continue with back pain like this forever.
What do you think?
Dr. K., My mother had a TKR about 8months ago. Her knee is still swollen and looks abnormal and has a decreased range of motion with severe pain. I have been doing some research on the Zimmer Gender Soultions for women. My question is with the traditional knee replacement that are not specifically made for women would it be a good idea to have her re-evaluated with a doctor who works with the Gender Solutions knee and have the surgery done again?
I'm 49 and had TKR 2 years ago, and it's fabulous! Bone on bone, couldn't bend or move quickly, now its completely pain free. Getting the other done in the fall, no concerns. 5 days after surgery I'm walking into S'Bucks for a latte, walked into the doc's office 5 days after that with no cane to get staples pulled. Lose a little weight and strengthen the quads before surgery, do all the PT plus more, get a stationary bike. Make it a mission for 6 weeks to grind through the PT, do what it takes. Oh, and take those stool softeners; that was the worst pain of the whole adventure.
im 41 years old and had a knee replacment done one month ago.my knee locked up.and i had to be put under for them to bend it.i went back to my pt.and now its starting to lock up again.i have so much pain in my knee.what can i do about this? it just seems to be geting worse in sted of better.so please everyone do a good back ground check befor geting a knee replacment done.wish i would have never done it
i had a knee replacment done on my right knee on jan 10 2008.after this replacment.they had to put me under because my leg would not bend.after that i started my pt.and things were going fine.the i got fluid on the knee.and now its all swelling and very tight to the skin.and alot of pain can any one help with this problem?
I had a total knee replacement done on jan 28th 08 and let me tell you it was no pickneck my pt told me im doing exelant my cnp and dr say the same in 1 month i have gotten my knee to bend 85 deg but my foot is bothering me more then anything the surgon told me thats because they really had to reaf the turnakit on my lower leg because of the muscles are so strong as for the pain it will all depend on yourself good luck 2u
To any and all,
My right knee replacement was done 2 years ago. Osteoarthritis was the reason. Now I can not bend my leg more than 90 degrees and walking up and down stairs is not just difficult but also very painful. Drugs can not even mask the pain. I walk better than I have in 20 years but it came with nasty side effects. I have been back to the hospital 4 times since the replacement for scar tissue removal and manipulations. 100's of dollars of co-pays for PT. Tendons and muscles not used to such movement in years. Under epidural no problem to bend otherwise "stuck" at 90 degrees. Sucks to be me. I'm 55 now. Should have waited until I made it to 75.
I'm back again. It's been one year and a month since I had both of my knees replaces. I still HATE them. I still can't down on the floor or get up off the floor with out very much difficulty. I feel like a cripple. My knees are still stiff and the left one hurts from my knee all the way down my leg. I asked the Dr about it on my 1 year anniversary and he said, well you had arthritis before your knee surgery so you may still have some and that may be what's hurting you now. Well if I had my knees replaced because I had pain from arthritis in my knee and the pain I have now is from arthritis, what the hell did I get butchered for. I still cry about doing this to myself almost every day. What did I do to myself. Oh God if I only had my old knees back again. I hurt now I hurt then but I got around so much better before. My husband works a full time job has 4 screws in his back and his back is fused, he has to clean our house from half way down to the floor. I can't get down to do it. No matter how much you hurt don't have knee replacement.
before i go thru my post op TKR and a TK revision night mare I need to know where replies show up. my email is riboman@msn.com.
I am 68 y.o. white male and had the bilateral done in oct '06 and Total Revision on the Right on Jan 21 2008. Reason was for continous pain and instability. Any help will be graciously expected by this 6', 213# 68 y.o.retired navy hospital corpsman.
Had arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in my right knee, first got the blood clots in the leg ,then went on blood thinners for the clots and had the knee hemmorage from to much blood thinners, RSD then set in and after 7 months in a wheel chair, I starting walking with a walker and crutches. It will be a year next week and the pain is tremendous I go for full nerve block shots in my spinal sac and this releives alittle pain for about two weeks. The knee is froze and will not bend I was much better before this surgery and hopefully if I ever fully recover will never again have knee surgery!!!!!
I'm a 52yo male, had arthritis in my left knee medial compartment. Had my knee scoped in Feb 08 with no improvement in pain due to very little meniscus. Had a biomet partial knee replacement in Sept. 08. Great deal of pain post-op w/ narcotics for pain. 3 day stay in hosp. PT started on third day post-op with home health care. The key to regaining extention and flexion is to suck it up and work through the PAIN as soon after surgery as possible. Learn the differance between normal pain and abnormal pain and listen to your body. I'm a career firefighter and cried alligator tears. Walked with a cane for 1 1/2 weeks with PAIN. 2 weeks had 140deg bend w/PAIN. 4 weeks post-op could do a full squat w/ PAIN. I did 6 wks. PT W/PAIN. I'm 8 mos. post-op and still have PAIN of about a 4 on a 1-10 scale and still have no regrets. My OS tells me I'm looking at 2 yrs. recovery to be PAIN free. "I love him", He tells it like it is and does'nt try to sugar coat anything. I was his seventh such Pt. to recieve this operation. Talk about trusting your OS! I'm very active at this time riding my Harley and my horses W/PAIN and loving life. And by the way this operation medically disqualified me as a firefighter so now I'm forced in retirement. I'm learning to live with the PAIN and bieng optomistict that things will get better. So don't stop moving, keep up the hard work. I'm already back to dancing w/PAIN. I've seen death and I love LIFE. Work toward obtainable goals and you'll get there too. The key to getting well and feeling better is motovation to get there. May God Bless you ALL.
had surgery on left knee March 11, 2008. Got threw it find, all the therepay find, came home, had a P.T. come to the house to show and help me 3 days aweek for 2 weeks. Went threw the stages of having a walker, cane, and now nothing. Only thing I could not understand was the pain. Seem only at nite, the pain, so my husband (bless his hurt, he is a good cook, and helped me alot)would get me a ice pack, that helped some, but trying to sleep, couldn't. Saw the doctor, and he took x-rays and all, said it look good, said the pain would go away, come back in 2 weeks. Went back in 2 weeks still told him about the pain, he looked at myrecord, and gave me a prescreption of Gabapentin which really has helped, I can feel a tingling but believe me, its the pain I can't feel, and thankful for it. If anyone one else reads this, ask your doctor about Gabapentin It might help you.
I had TKR on January 28 of this year. I was unable to return to work for 3 months due to the excruciating pain. I sit at a desk all day and it is the sitting that causes me the most pain. Also, it is extremely difficult to get up from my chair, couch or from any sitting position even now. I am now in extensive physical therapy which has done wonders for reducing the pain. Also a miracle device called a tens unit which offers an alternative to pain relief has been prescribed for me. The electrodes that I place on my knee block the pain signal from getting to my brain. An added benefit is that endorphins are also released which are the body's natural pain relievers. I am still in pain but it is finally bearable. My problem is that my other knee has been compensating for so long that it hurts more than the knee on which the surgery was performed. Physical therapy as often and intense as possible is the only solution to the post-operative pain. My doctor is very cautious about prescribing narcotics and I was only given them for about a month and at very low doses, which I am thankful for as they are addictive. Has anyone else experienced the alternate knee pain that I have? (Non-surgical knee pain).
I had a TKR just over a year ago and I am doing just great. It depends on your Dr. & how you heal, mostly how you HEAL. I was informed completely on what to expect. My doctor told me there are NO stupit questions, and I did ask them. I am 72 yrs. old. I walk, I exercise. YOU NEED TO DO THE EXERCISE FAITHFULY. The hospital stay sucked and I had a nurse & Physical T. come in for 3 weeks, but I did the rest. I am still healing and it bothers me when it rains or snows but I AM DOING JUST GREAT....I will have the other knee done if I have too.
I had TKR of the left knee on 6/8/07. I had a spinal only and was awake during the surgery. I was in the hospital 4 days, walked the day of the surgery. Almost a year later, I feel great. No Pain...before the surgery I was in constant pain, bone-on-bone. I did rehab for 5 weeks. I would do it again in a flash...its so worth it! My discovery was...do what they tell you to do, do your excerises and the pain is less.
I had TKR 3-31-2008. I am 53 years old. I was back to work in the office in three weeks. I wish I would not have waited this long to have the surgery.
I had 4 surguries in the last two years 5 total all in my right knee, I had an orthroscope to determine I needed an osteotomy and and oats procedure. I was on the mend after long time severe pain when things started going down hill again. Then I had another orthroscope to determine I needed a tkr but was to young at 42 and my dr decided a partial would by me 7 to 10 years. I went for it a month ago. I was on crutches for 4 months for my osteotomy but felt good about it with rehab showing possitive signs. The partial however has me really depressed and still in severe pain as my leg is so stiff and painful to rehab. I have been on pain killers for quite a while and althought they don't work as well they still take the edge off. I don't care what the stigma is I will probably continue to take them until I am out of pain and can walk again even though I truly do not like the way they make me feel. I only hope a year from now this is worth it and I will be ready in 7 to 10 years for my tkr. Boy could I use some verbal encouragment and to know that even though your made to feel like a criminal it's ok to take the medication if it is truly needed. Please make your self aware of all the facts before you have any surgury but especially knee surgery.
Hi all,
I had a TKR in 2002 when I was 45. The surgery went well. My anesthesia was and epidural, and when they undid it the next day there came the pain. I was supposed to have a morphine pump and when the RN came in after I rang for meds, she told me I didn't need it- take this Percocet. Well, I did and I was is sever pain still and called her back. I was almost in tears and when she came back she said, "You shouldn't have this much pain after this long." About 28 hours post-op. I felt like a baby and so embarrassed. Luckily, Dr. came in and asked where it was. I told him what happened. Things changed after that but I had a miserable miserable day!
In February 2004 I had bi-lateral total knee replacements. I did all of the therapies that were given me and pushed myself (with the morphine pump) to the maximum while in the hospital. I walked (YES WALKED) out with 100% mobility, and almost no pain. The pain cam from removing the staples 6 weeks after the surgery. I returned to working full time 6 weeks later and haven't looked back.
I will not say that I never get pain, however, I will