NavyGunns
Former BoneSmart staff member
United States@JamesN,
Not even 2 weeks out, so swelling will continue to be an issue, probably for at least another few weeks or so. Don’t be surprised to see improvements in swelling (and ROM) only to then suffer a set back. You’ll find that as your knee heals, you begin to feel like you can do more (which you should try). At some point, you’re likely to try something or do too much and your knee will react by swelling up and getting tight. Might not look swollen, but it will be on the inside. It might even start feeling warmer than usual for a day or so. Just continue to ice and elevate, make a mental note what you did to cause the reaction and either avoid for a few days or back off some.
At this point in time, you might also begin to have issues sleeping at night. I slept fine the first week or two, then it hit me. I found my knee liked to “talk” at night (that’s being mild, most times it was more like a scream)! I think I slept in my recliner or sofa or spare bedroom from middle of week 2 till at least week 6! I couldn’t get comfortable or is only sleep an hour or so and then have to get up. Didn’t want to bother my wife during all that, so just easier to sleep elsewhere. During weeks 5 and 6 when I was restarting work, I would usually take a Tramodol or some sleep aid to help me get as much as possible. Still usually only got about 4 hours total. Many rough mornings those first few weeks back to work.
Not even 2 weeks out, so swelling will continue to be an issue, probably for at least another few weeks or so. Don’t be surprised to see improvements in swelling (and ROM) only to then suffer a set back. You’ll find that as your knee heals, you begin to feel like you can do more (which you should try). At some point, you’re likely to try something or do too much and your knee will react by swelling up and getting tight. Might not look swollen, but it will be on the inside. It might even start feeling warmer than usual for a day or so. Just continue to ice and elevate, make a mental note what you did to cause the reaction and either avoid for a few days or back off some.
At this point in time, you might also begin to have issues sleeping at night. I slept fine the first week or two, then it hit me. I found my knee liked to “talk” at night (that’s being mild, most times it was more like a scream)! I think I slept in my recliner or sofa or spare bedroom from middle of week 2 till at least week 6! I couldn’t get comfortable or is only sleep an hour or so and then have to get up. Didn’t want to bother my wife during all that, so just easier to sleep elsewhere. During weeks 5 and 6 when I was restarting work, I would usually take a Tramodol or some sleep aid to help me get as much as possible. Still usually only got about 4 hours total. Many rough mornings those first few weeks back to work.
