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TKR Jodingers recovery thread<

Thank you Josephine, I didn't read the article you note initially as i was just taking paracetamol + ibuprofen for the first 12 days so it wasn't relevant at the time but I have read it now. I took x1 tramadol last night + slept for 5 hours which was a huge improvement and had no nausea or dizziness on waking. I will contact my Gp for Naproxen to take during the day with my paracetamol. I have elevated + iced for 40-60 mins several times today and staples are out.
 
@Jodingers
I hope the staple removals wernt too uncomfortable. Bet it feels better now that they are out.
 
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It went fine, there were 54! Lovely clean , dry wound + yes it does feel better, thank you :)
 
So, best nights sleep last night, took 1 Tramadol (after protein food) , elevated and ice pack on in bed, slept for 7 HOURS with 1 short wake up in the middle! That's amazing. Thank u so much everyone for ur advice + encouragement, keeping me on the straight + narrow. X
 
That's a great night's sleep so early on. Long may it continue! It makes such a difference.
 
Hello Jodingers, I hope you've had a good day today. I began taking Tramadol about two years ago when left knee arthritis and sciatica were at their height. 50mg four times a day plus two paracetamol. Like you, I was afraid of addiction. I had my first tkr in June last year and by August I didn't need them any more. I began taking them regularly for pain in my right knee in February. I had my second tkr two weeks ago. The pain seems much worse than last time and I'm now taking 2 early am to help me through the bathing, dressing etc. one at noon and five pm and two at about 10:00pm to help me through the night. Sometimes I also need one through the night when the pain is really bad.
Three GP's have assured me I can take up to eight in 24 hours and that as long as they are taken for pain and not recreation I'm unlikely to become addicted. It seems we wean ourselves off them as the pain decreases, that has certainly been my experience. I've had no side effects at all.
I'm telling you all this because I hope it will help you. My friend refused pain relief and now, 7 years on the pain is still traumatised by the memory of the pain.
:fingersx: xx
 
Pain is so subjective. After my experience with opioides at my first TKR I took paracetamol only after my second TKR. That worked really well. Discomfort managed well, no nausea or horrible anxiety feelings.
 
Thank u guys, ur advice is invaluable. I haven't had any problems with taking 1 tramadol for the past 2 nights + defo needed it as I slept better than since the op. I shan't worry about dependency.
In the daytime I seem to be ok with just paracetamol so haven't ordered any naproxen.
I've just ordered a moist heat wrap as I remember reading about it + thought it might come in usefully, any recommendations on when/ how long/ best effect?
Lizzibeth ur 2 days after me, my pain has been more settled since staples came out yesterday. I don't do exercises any more but focus on short 5 min walks/ADL's around the house, walking with as normal gait as I can. Elevating and icing in between for as long as the icepack is cold. I go to first physio on monday so will see what they say. I hope ur pain settles soon, for me it's the tightness and stiffness that's uncomfortable.
 
Certainly wish I could take it but I suffer horrendous side effects with opiates, Tramadol is the worst for me!!! Doing this journey on co-codamol 8/500 which is a combination of codeine and paracetamol. I seem to be through the worst of the pain now and am only using it morning and night now.:thumb:
 
@Jodingers
I recognise what you have said about tightness and stiffness being uncomfortable. I am just the same, although 3 weeks ahead of you.
On Thursday I have a physio appointment followed an appointment with the OS. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say.
 
The stiffness you are feeling could be with you for months. It will lessen as you heal, which will take time.
 
I can't usually take any codeine, makes me so sick, but I seem to be ok with the 1 tramadol at night. It's like a minefield!

Over the next few days I'll start massaging my wound with a simple moisturizer. Some people on here have suggested that may help to ease it? Jockette you are right, when you think of the trauma to the tissues it will take time.

Any of you used moist heat wrap?
 
I've always been told just ice after surgery, I think the heat might be comforting but I would be concerned about making the swelling worse.
 
I'm using bio oil on my wound now it's healing. Looks pretty good. Concerned about numbness though.
 
Yes, i thought the same about heat, I only ice at the moment, but I read on here somewhere that further down the line moist heat is really useful?
I shall defo use some bio oil or similar in a few days, srill got a few little scabs where staples were so I'll wait til they're resolved :-)
 
It was 7 weeks before my final little scab came off. I started using Bio Oil then and it has really improved the appearance of my scar, also helped get rid of an underlying stitch that poked through by massaging it with the Oil after a GP recommended it. Opiates don't agree with me either, although they halved the dose in hospital and I seemed to be able to tolerate that.
 
I am using an oil around the scar but not directly on it because there are still a few small scabs. My knee also feels pretty numb but then I am used to that as it has felt that way, although not quite as severe, since my car accident 34 years ago.
As for the moist heat wrap, I don't know what it is but I'm not sure I like the sound of it. I wouldn't want to trap any moisture next to my wound if I could help it. I have also read that ice is good but heat isn't.
 
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