Knee pain,(continuing) after Total Knee Replacement

[Cookie60]

I had total knee replacement surgery 10 weeks ago and am still experiencing significant knee pain, consisting of stiffness and alot of pain in the knee.  The pain wakes me up at night.  I am going to Physical Therapy 3 times a week and I still do alot of therapy myself at home.  I walk, and try to go about my daily routine, but the pain is still there,, some days worse than others.  I also had a three disc fusion done in January,, 2007.  It is now classified as Failed Back Syndrome, so I have that pain also to deal with.  What do I do?  My surgeon took x-rays when I was at my 8 week check up and the x-rays showed everything looked good.  Why am I still have such significant pain?  I just dont understand.

Thanks
Cookie60


This discussion is related to On-going Pain after Knee replacement surgery.

[Pain_in_knee]

I had my TKR Oct. 15, 2014  I am still in severe pain not able to sleep at night when I tell the surgeon I am in severe pain he looks at me like I'm making it up (I think often how I wish pain could be bottled like perfume and I could slash it on him, one thing is being the surgeon and operating and another is being the patient experiencing the pain that is so excruciating that you can't explain it to others). I was told by a co-worker that the pain medication prescribed after awhile will work against you and actually cause more pain, that is how many become addicted because they have to double the dose to feel a little relieve.  I have resorted to take natural medication for the pain, why should I keep poisoning my body with medication for pain and sleeping pills and I still feel pain and can't sleep.  I pray one day soon we get relief it is said that it does take a full year before you will feel better.

[NatureDiva]

I had a total knee replacement on Dec 9,2014. My doctor had told me that during the surgery, my knee would be manipulated, so I was not to say I can't bend it or straighten it. The only thing holding me back would be the fear of pain. Since we had had discussions about managing my pain, I was determined to follow directions and exercise. As is probably typical, the pain was quite intense, but I was given several medications while in the hospital to manage this. I did well, and was released after two days. Once home, I continued my PT regimen with a visiting nurse and therapist. After 18 days I can straighten my leg to -7degrees, and my flexion is 125 degrees. Unfortunately, the pain has not decreased AT ALL. my doctor did an excellent job on my knee, but I can see that he is disturbed by my asking for refills. The doctors office has now said that they won't prescribe any more pain meds, since my knee looks so good, and works so well. (After two weeks.)  Well, that's because I've pushed through the pain to get strong.  Every single day, I'm crying and rocking from the pain.  I still have three days worth of meds.  I've tried stretching them out, skipping doses, but I'm up all night screaming in pain. I'm now back to using my walker, and my visiting PT has suggested that I completely stop the exercises and see if that helps with the pain.  I DONT WANT TO GO BACKWARDS!   My pain level is constant between a 7 and peaks to a 10.  What am I doing wrong?  Can someone please help me?  I know it's early days, but my PT said that I'm basically done with therapy except for strengthening my leg and I can do that in a month or three!  Before surgery, I had torn my ACL 20years ago, tore my meniscus 2 years ago, and was walking on bone-on-bone.  I'd had to give up a lot, and felt I was finally ready to have the replacement.  By the way, I was also a belly dance instructor (the only dance that is completely non-impact) but even that caused pain, and I would have to ice afterwards.  But while I was dancing, I wasn't thinking about the pain.  My number one goal in having this surgery is to go back to dancing - it's my passion, my way of expressing my spirituality.  I was told that 8 weeks post op I could probably ease back.  It's why I've worked so hard on my PT.  It breaks my heart to be told to stop.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Is pain management an option?

[enigmadi]

I had TKR on NOV. 4, 2014.  Was told I am ahead of what is normally expected at this point with flexion at 130.  I have out-patient OR once a week and do exercises daily at home.  Mobility also good and walking unassisted (no walker or cane.)  Also driving with no problems.  I feel blessed at my progress except for the pain.  I ice several times a day and take 6-8 Percocet a day (NOT when I know I have to drive within 4 hours) .

I have fibromyalgia and wonder if this continuous pain is related to the fibro more than to the surgery.  Anyone else with fibro who has had prolonged intense pain following TKR?

[enigmadi]

I had TKR on NOV. 4, 2014.  Was told I am ahead of what is normally expected at this point with flexion at 130.  I have out-patient OR once a week and do exercises daily at home.  Mobility also good and walking unassisted (no walker or cane.)  Also driving with no problems.  I feel blessed at my progress except for the pain.  I ice several times a day and take 6-8 Percocet a day (NOT when I know I have to drive within 4 hours) .

I have fibromyalgia and wonder if this continuous pain is related to the fibro more than to the surgery.  Anyone else with fibro who has had prolonged intense pain following TKR?

[Tkr_scream]

I too had TKR 6 weeks ago today. I don't understand why no one warned about the intense level of pain.  I talked to so many people who had the surgery and while everyone said there will be pain immediately after the surgery no one spoke about how intense. Every morning and every evening I feel like someone has just broken my bones around my knee.  I had pain when I bent my knee before the surgery but nothing compared to this. I am not a whiner when it comes to pain but this is very very difficult and had I known it would feel like this I probably would not have done this and definitely  not doing the holiday season. Reading these post both help and scare me .  Everyone says the exercises and pt are critical for success so I try to work thru the pain and bend and flex but then I am told I am doing too much so I slow done and the pain and stiffness gets worse.  Something doesn't seem right that so many people need this surgery every year ( over 500k) but I am hoping if that many people are getting thru it so will we so when I am rocking and crying in pain I think of all the people who are suffering with constant pain and no means to see a doctor and I tell myself I am stronger than my pain and I will get thru this and while I am still having level 5-8 pain it does feel a little better than wee three when I just wanted to cut my leg off.  Things that have helped me
1.Doing stretch exercises before the more intense Pt helps -do some exercise everyday
2. Ice pack- be careful not to leave on too long can get frostbite and never put ice on foot swelling as ice would be too close to bone
3. Eat even when pain pills make you nauseous - not eating weakens your mental resolve as well as your muscles
4. Take a pain pill 1/2 hour before getting in bed for the night.Sleep on your back with head raised on pillows and a king or body pillow from your buttocks to the end of your foot and put both legs on pillow. If no body pillow use two standard bent to each other lengthwise.  I use to sleep in fetal or on side before surgery so it was an adjustment but once I felt the relief of using the pillow under both legs I was able to get sleep.  The gravity of the leg weight without the pillow is what causes more pain but the pillow has to be the whole length of the leg  and not just under the knee or you will wake up in more pain from having that bend at the knee only all night. My prayers to everyone going thru this. Stay strong

[Ozzie29]

My wife has just had TKR on the 28th April 2018 and she is doing quite well other than on a night in bed when she climbs the walls in pain, she really can't cope with Tramadol so she just takes Paracetamol,  how long was your night pain and how long was it before you became pain free, i'm writing this after 6 weeks, also the only good night sleep she can get is on the sofa in an uprightish position, I would be greatful if you could help me.

[Katspain]

I had Total Knee Replacement on October 10th 2014 and I hurt so bad can barely walk and the muscle in my leg hurts really bad,  I can not sleep and when I eat I am sick to my stomach and my food goes through me fast.  This is making me really depressed and even the pain pills do not help.  I just wish the pain would ease up I would  rethink this if I knew how painful this was.  I lay in bed and wonder if it will ever get to feeling better.  By reading the blogs I guess everyone has a lot of pain and the time to heal is lengthy.  Any suggestions on what to do or deal with this pain and stomach problems.  God Bless everyone who is going through this prayers for you.