Leg jumped - now pain

[birdie1410]

Had TKR on 5/11/11 with much swelling, bruising and pain the first day after. Once they figured out that I needed a strong anti-inflammatory, I improved quickly. Now, home, I was doing what I felt was pretty good-was up to 109 and am able to completely flatten my leg whereas I couldn't do that prior to surgery. Well, last night, just as I was about to drift off to sleep, my husband's B-Pap machine alarm went off and I jumped really hard! I can't even tell you which direction my leg went and it hurt like crazy for a few minutes. Then it felt great! That didn't last-the pain began then and I was doing everything I could think of to get it to ease up-tens, ice, exercise that was supposed to ease pain, elevation. Nothing worked and today it is very stiff with some swelling. My PT today wouldn't even measure it-I did most of my regular routine but couldn't bend far and she said there wasn't much point in taking a measure since it would only be maybe 90-95. I have had a hard time all day getting comfortable, getting in/ out of the chair, etc. The last thing I need is a set back! Has anyone else had something like this happen? What helped you?

 

[RestAssured]

Re: Leg jumped-now pain

Hi Birdie!:biggrin:

All of us have had setbacks on our journey and our mantra is rest, ice, and elevate. Remember, toes above nose!:wink1:

Just remember, this knee replacement journey takes time. They did a lot of sawing and cutting on your bones and muscles, and it takes time to heal.

I know you mentioned your husband's bi-pap alarm, but I bet there was some stiffness there already. I am sure that the noise scared you though! It would have scared me!:hate-shocked:

 

[Tykey]

Re: Leg jumped-now pain

Yes, just spend a while relaxing and resting with ice and meds, in a couple of days, it'll be back as it was. No worries

 

[maryo52]

Re: Leg jumped-now pain

Your soft tissues are still very traumatized by the surgery. They were on a roll in their healing, and suffered a temporary setback due to your husband's CPAP going off.

I agree with the others, give your tissues time to calm down. But also, are you still taking pain meds? If not, this would be the time to take them again. If you do, then perhaps dose up for a day or two.

I am really encouraged that you were given an anti-inflammatory after surgery. I wish I had.

Feel better soon!

 

[Creation]

Re: Leg jumped-now pain

I hear you! I had two people on different occasions run into my foot which "twisted" my knee (well it felt like that anyway!). That happened over my first 3 weeks. It felt like But after a week everything was back to where it was prior to the incidents. Your knee is still very much healing and the soft tissues are very sensitive to even small impact. Go back to basics rest, elevate, ice , pain meds and give it some time!:wink1:

 

[Josephine]

Honey, it's obvious when you think about it - your muscles are in spasm! All those things you mentioned using trying to ease it - you never mentioned pain meds. Are you taking them?

 

[birdie1410]

Thanks all of you for your encouragement! To answer the common question, yes, I am definitely taking my pain meds but I had been able to cut back because the pain had lessened so well. After that, I did increase them again. Today is much better-I got a good night's rest! Well, let me put it this way, sometime after 2 a.m. I finally went to sleep! lol
I just cannot tell you how much this group has already helped me! My hubby has been super supportive to the point that he is exhausted and I am pushing HIM to get more rest but he is still worrying about me. Bless his heart-he has numerous back issues.
@ Maryo52-the reason they did that was because of the massive swelling in my leg and NOTHING was taking it down. The PA and nurses told me that usually nobody gets the med I was given unless there is nothing else that will help.
I'm still shaky today but I feel more optimistic, at least. Thank you all!

 

[Josephine]

 

[Jamie]

How are you doing now, Birdie??? I hope you're still taking those pain meds on schedule. Even after this passes, you'll need them because you will have additional pain as you begin to get more active. Things are going to be healing inside your knee for quite a while....

 

[birdie1410]

Been doing pretty good, Jamie. Still taking my pain meds but the lower dose ones I had before surgery and not the post-op ones. My flex is at 112 now and almost the whole limp is gone until I get over-tired with exercises. I am doing stairs now-under PT advice. Yay! Thanks for asking. Ice, elevation, rest and pain meds.

 

[Jamie]

Good for you....onward and upward!!!