Aa
Pain post knee surgery
Hi I had surgery on 11/26...Tibial Tendon Transfer (Patellar) and a Lateral Release. I have had knee dislocation issues for life and at 44, I was in an accident, banged my knee on the dashboard and the dislocatins got worse. .Tried therapy all summer and then had surgery 11/26 to try to finally fix this.
I'm 3 weeks post op.....and the pain is incredible. I know that he had to graft bone and put in two screws. The incision is large. The pain is in the shin and inner knee the most. When I lay down (my standing time after 10 min on crutches causes me so much pain) my leg gets overly achy and the pains are so intense. I am trying not to take pain meds 3 weeks post op but the bone area hurts so bad it's making me sick. I'm feeling improvement in at least getting around in the house on crutches but don't last long before pain hits. I cannot drive with the brace (left leg but the brace is so stiff) and I have 3 young children at home. I use a CPM machine for hours a day, but most of the pain is in the bone or in the tight area on top of the knee
How long is the recovery? My doc said 3-6 mos but how long til I am actually able to move around pain free for more than 10 min?/
Thanks.......
I'm 3 weeks post op.....and the pain is incredible. I know that he had to graft bone and put in two screws. The incision is large. The pain is in the shin and inner knee the most. When I lay down (my standing time after 10 min on crutches causes me so much pain) my leg gets overly achy and the pains are so intense. I am trying not to take pain meds 3 weeks post op but the bone area hurts so bad it's making me sick. I'm feeling improvement in at least getting around in the house on crutches but don't last long before pain hits. I cannot drive with the brace (left leg but the brace is so stiff) and I have 3 young children at home. I use a CPM machine for hours a day, but most of the pain is in the bone or in the tight area on top of the knee
How long is the recovery? My doc said 3-6 mos but how long til I am actually able to move around pain free for more than 10 min?/
Thanks.......
Hi C,
I can understand about the kind of person you are.
You are an outgoing person, wants to do everything on her own, don’t want to get dependant up on anything in this world even this stupid brace around your legs.
Well, you should be calming down a bit, relax yourself and involve yourself in some self development work. This would help you in long run.
You can call up your PCP and ask him about some lesser grade tranquilizers.
Enjoy your holidays and Christmas.
A big Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Bye.
I can understand about the kind of person you are.
You are an outgoing person, wants to do everything on her own, don’t want to get dependant up on anything in this world even this stupid brace around your legs.
Well, you should be calming down a bit, relax yourself and involve yourself in some self development work. This would help you in long run.
You can call up your PCP and ask him about some lesser grade tranquilizers.
Enjoy your holidays and Christmas.
A big Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Bye.
Thanks...you're very kind. I am hoping to now just enjoy the holidays, stay in the house for awhile and try to recoup. I am using ice tonite on my knee as it seemed to just get increasingly swollen over the past two days where I had so much to do. I am trying to be brave and yes, I want to drive and get things done but it's really backfiring. I saw my doctor 6 days ago and now not for 3 more weeks. He said I can begin PT in two weeks provided I can get there. With this extremely snowy, icy weather, it's not easy. I am sure he got me off the Percoset because it was an easy way for me to sleep and escape pain. I am not an "addictive" type person fortunately but I can see how it's a quick fix. I took the valium last nite and my heart raced like crazy and it was hard to sleep. I can't win!! I need pain relief for sure...just standing is so painful. The brace slides alot...and it's so heavy. I have to keep restrapping it. I'm a mess aren't I? haha.
I'm just tired and frustrated. I do fear a bit of depression...no income, no ability to get out as needed, etc etc. I am sure this is a normal part of the "Stuck in the house" syndrome.
I will check with my surgeon after the holiday as to who I can see for pain management. I've never had this sort of pain before (I've broken bones, had surgery several times...but this is incredible pain).
I thank you again for your follow up. I will let you know how things go. Sure wish it was 6 mos from now!!!
I'm just tired and frustrated. I do fear a bit of depression...no income, no ability to get out as needed, etc etc. I am sure this is a normal part of the "Stuck in the house" syndrome.
I will check with my surgeon after the holiday as to who I can see for pain management. I've never had this sort of pain before (I've broken bones, had surgery several times...but this is incredible pain).
I thank you again for your follow up. I will let you know how things go. Sure wish it was 6 mos from now!!!
Hi C,
I feel you are trying to be gutsy in trying out to get into car. I feel you are loaded with lot of strain at home with your daily chores.
You need to take rest and preserve your energy and determination for long time, so that it helps in your recovery.
When did you speak to your surgeon last?
I think you should ask him about any pain management specialist? He will be able to help you with your pain management and swelling too.
Valium is Diazepam, a benzodiazepine helpful in getting sound sleep. But I feel there are other tranquilizers available in market which are less harmful.
One of them is Alprazolam and this comes in lower dosages and will help to calm you.
Percocet is potentially addictive opoid analgesic medication. I think this was reason why he has stopped it.
Keep me informed about your health in general and about anything which you would like to consult.
Bye and tell hi to all your daughters.
I feel you are trying to be gutsy in trying out to get into car. I feel you are loaded with lot of strain at home with your daily chores.
You need to take rest and preserve your energy and determination for long time, so that it helps in your recovery.
When did you speak to your surgeon last?
I think you should ask him about any pain management specialist? He will be able to help you with your pain management and swelling too.
Valium is Diazepam, a benzodiazepine helpful in getting sound sleep. But I feel there are other tranquilizers available in market which are less harmful.
One of them is Alprazolam and this comes in lower dosages and will help to calm you.
Percocet is potentially addictive opoid analgesic medication. I think this was reason why he has stopped it.
Keep me informed about your health in general and about anything which you would like to consult.
Bye and tell hi to all your daughters.
Hi
I was taking Percoset 3x a day, spaced out. Now he has just given me valium to take before sleep. It makes my heart race. The percoset was ok...it kind of took the edge off. Valium makes me nervous.
I am afraid to drive for sure. My yard and driveway are all ice....and I did go out today with my oldest daughter driving and it took me 20 min to get to the car. I almost passed out from fear, and I'm a pretty hearty person :)
The swelling is terrible tonite---because I was out for 2 hours. I get exhausted and i know I am doing way too much, even in the house. I'm a neat freak which doesn't help. :( I just haven't rested since I came home.
I don't know who to call for pain management...no idea..........????
I'm thankful for your help
Cheryl
I was taking Percoset 3x a day, spaced out. Now he has just given me valium to take before sleep. It makes my heart race. The percoset was ok...it kind of took the edge off. Valium makes me nervous.
I am afraid to drive for sure. My yard and driveway are all ice....and I did go out today with my oldest daughter driving and it took me 20 min to get to the car. I almost passed out from fear, and I'm a pretty hearty person :)
The swelling is terrible tonite---because I was out for 2 hours. I get exhausted and i know I am doing way too much, even in the house. I'm a neat freak which doesn't help. :( I just haven't rested since I came home.
I don't know who to call for pain management...no idea..........????
I'm thankful for your help
Cheryl
Hi Mommy,
It's nice that you want to go out and be active as early as possible.
But you should also remember that if you take rest now, take good care of yourself now, take medicines properly now, be ambulatory in house will have greater impact on injury recovery. The more rest is given to the part; the better will be healing.
I am doubtful whether you should be really using the car or whether you should be really driving the car.
I think you should ask your physiotherapist or occupational therapist and surgeon regarding this.
At what time these pain medicines are spaced out in a day? Pain killers are more effective if you space them out at definite interval and regular dosages. Taking pain killers to relieve your anxiousness regarding pain causes less effective pain control on longer run.
If you believe me then you should try Yoga, Relaxation exercises and Meditation this will help you in recovery.
Do you measure the girth around knee swelling?
Are you on pain management specialist referral list also?
Bye.
Happy Holidays to you too.
It's nice that you want to go out and be active as early as possible.
But you should also remember that if you take rest now, take good care of yourself now, take medicines properly now, be ambulatory in house will have greater impact on injury recovery. The more rest is given to the part; the better will be healing.
I am doubtful whether you should be really using the car or whether you should be really driving the car.
I think you should ask your physiotherapist or occupational therapist and surgeon regarding this.
At what time these pain medicines are spaced out in a day? Pain killers are more effective if you space them out at definite interval and regular dosages. Taking pain killers to relieve your anxiousness regarding pain causes less effective pain control on longer run.
If you believe me then you should try Yoga, Relaxation exercises and Meditation this will help you in recovery.
Do you measure the girth around knee swelling?
Are you on pain management specialist referral list also?
Bye.
Happy Holidays to you too.
Thank you so much. My children have been a good help to me . I also have two older daughters who are coming home from college once a week to help but the daily life is tough. My younger three really help but they are in elementary school and it's alot on them. The swelling is better today but still my knee looks so mis-shapen and puffy. My feet look so much better. I hate pain meds...but now just take them for sleep...I deal with the pain all day.
My big issue is the shower .....it takes me so long to get in--I actually in with my brace on then take it off before my little daughter puts the shower on. My leg starts to turn purple (poor circulation i suppose) and I'm panicked the whole time...because I already fell once 7 days post surgery trying to shower. I suppose it will get better.
I don't know if I should be using ice still. The doctor didn't mention it. The CPM machine is great. I love that even with the pain
I wnat to drive so bad...i am stuck in the house and earning no income right now at all. So it's stressful because I cannot go to work and my disability is used up. So it's a stress beyond the pain. I hope I can figure out how to get my leg in the car and drive--even though it's my left leg, I'm only 5'3 and I need to put my legs close to the dash to drive!!
All very frustrating...I'm an instant-fix type of woman...and this doesn't seem to be an instant fix :)
Happy Holidays
My big issue is the shower .....it takes me so long to get in--I actually in with my brace on then take it off before my little daughter puts the shower on. My leg starts to turn purple (poor circulation i suppose) and I'm panicked the whole time...because I already fell once 7 days post surgery trying to shower. I suppose it will get better.
I don't know if I should be using ice still. The doctor didn't mention it. The CPM machine is great. I love that even with the pain
I wnat to drive so bad...i am stuck in the house and earning no income right now at all. So it's stressful because I cannot go to work and my disability is used up. So it's a stress beyond the pain. I hope I can figure out how to get my leg in the car and drive--even though it's my left leg, I'm only 5'3 and I need to put my legs close to the dash to drive!!
All very frustrating...I'm an instant-fix type of woman...and this doesn't seem to be an instant fix :)
Happy Holidays
Hi,
I think its hat's off to you that you are taking care of 3 children in spite of such major surgery. The pain that you are experiencing is also because of the fact that you have swelling which restricts the movement of knee. Once the swelling has come down you would see good response in range of motions around knee joint.
Regarding pain-killers, I think you should consult pain medicine specialist who would guide you for some long-acting pain killers.
Continue using CPM machine and once your Physiotherapy is started, you would find good response.
Keep me informed about the disease progression.
Bye.
I think its hat's off to you that you are taking care of 3 children in spite of such major surgery. The pain that you are experiencing is also because of the fact that you have swelling which restricts the movement of knee. Once the swelling has come down you would see good response in range of motions around knee joint.
Regarding pain-killers, I think you should consult pain medicine specialist who would guide you for some long-acting pain killers.
Continue using CPM machine and once your Physiotherapy is started, you would find good response.
Keep me informed about the disease progression.
Bye.
Hi
Thanks for the reply. I'm feeling "OK"...I am post surgery 22 days now. It feels like an eternity for me. I am an active mom and despite the dislocations in the past, I'd just throw on a small knee brace and have no issues with high heels, walking with my kids, etc. It's very tough on me to be this immobile.
My ortho surgeon has me use a CPM machine to bend my knee 4 hours a day in my home. He said my PT would start in about 2-3 more weeks. Swelling is much better--my foot and knee were huge. My foot is now fine and my knee is still swollen but not nearly as bad as before. I call it "fat knee"! I'm not a particularly big person so it looks more swollen to me because I'm used to a thin leg.
The numbness is a concern. I told the doctor and he said it was normal. Left side and under knee is totally numb. It is fairly annoying.
It's hard to bend even in the knee without the CPM machine and my leg is so weak it takes me 45 min to get the nerve to get in the shower, with the assistance of my little daughter.
I am thankful for your comments. It's not what I wanted to hear (12-24 weeks!!!!!! )....he did tell me total recovery 3-6 mos but I thought I'd be walking unassisted in a few weeks. Not the case. The pain is incredible and my threshold is high...but not with this. I was on percoset every 6 hours but as a single mom, I can't take it until bed time because I pass out with it. Not sure what else to take...
Thanks for the reply. I'm feeling "OK"...I am post surgery 22 days now. It feels like an eternity for me. I am an active mom and despite the dislocations in the past, I'd just throw on a small knee brace and have no issues with high heels, walking with my kids, etc. It's very tough on me to be this immobile.
My ortho surgeon has me use a CPM machine to bend my knee 4 hours a day in my home. He said my PT would start in about 2-3 more weeks. Swelling is much better--my foot and knee were huge. My foot is now fine and my knee is still swollen but not nearly as bad as before. I call it "fat knee"! I'm not a particularly big person so it looks more swollen to me because I'm used to a thin leg.
The numbness is a concern. I told the doctor and he said it was normal. Left side and under knee is totally numb. It is fairly annoying.
It's hard to bend even in the knee without the CPM machine and my leg is so weak it takes me 45 min to get the nerve to get in the shower, with the assistance of my little daughter.
I am thankful for your comments. It's not what I wanted to hear (12-24 weeks!!!!!! )....he did tell me total recovery 3-6 mos but I thought I'd be walking unassisted in a few weeks. Not the case. The pain is incredible and my threshold is high...but not with this. I was on percoset every 6 hours but as a single mom, I can't take it until bed time because I pass out with it. Not sure what else to take...
Hi,
How are you feeling now? Are you on the rehabilitation programme of the hospital? Are you on physiotherapy call? What did the doctor say regarding your recovery? What did he say about the procedure, were there any complications noted?
Ideally it takes 12-24 weeks for you to actually move around. Initial 6 weeks will be reserved for wound healing and remaining time for actually making you move around. Taking pain meds for long time is not harmful, as it will assist you in rehabilitation.
Few complications are notes like Swelling ( Swelling usually be there for 6-9months), Infection (this would be apparent in immediate recovery period), Nerve Damage (if the nerves are damaged, this will leave numbness and tingling below the knee).
There are small percentage of chances where in you might have recurrence of symptoms.
I think you should consult your physiotherapist, pain medicine specialist, orthopaedician and physician to discuss regarding further course of action.
Keep me informed about your disease progression.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
How are you feeling now? Are you on the rehabilitation programme of the hospital? Are you on physiotherapy call? What did the doctor say regarding your recovery? What did he say about the procedure, were there any complications noted?
Ideally it takes 12-24 weeks for you to actually move around. Initial 6 weeks will be reserved for wound healing and remaining time for actually making you move around. Taking pain meds for long time is not harmful, as it will assist you in rehabilitation.
Few complications are notes like Swelling ( Swelling usually be there for 6-9months), Infection (this would be apparent in immediate recovery period), Nerve Damage (if the nerves are damaged, this will leave numbness and tingling below the knee).
There are small percentage of chances where in you might have recurrence of symptoms.
I think you should consult your physiotherapist, pain medicine specialist, orthopaedician and physician to discuss regarding further course of action.
Keep me informed about your disease progression.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Orthopedics Community
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
How to bounce back fast from an ankle sprain - and stay pain free.
Patellofemoral pain and what to do about it.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
