PKR PKR still have bone pain

[Kscagent99]

Hi! I had a partial knee replacement (medial and patella femoral) on June 28, 2020. After about 2 weeks, I was walking without assistance then one night I woke in severe pain. I later found out this was nerve pain and my doc started me on Gabapentin. I’m still on it. My knee and front/outside leg are numb. That’s not the problem. The problem is that I still have severe weight bearing bone pain on the medial side. I also have some edema. The pain is so bad that even crossing my legs while in a sitting position hurts. Due to COVID, my therapy has mostly been virtual, but I’ve been in therapy a lot and I know the drill. I did over-do it post surgery because we were selling our house, so I’ve been on ladders, packing, and painting the house. My therapist said I haven’t allowed the bone to heal. I’m a busy person... I can’t just sit around. What constitutes doing too much? Can I stand to clean house, cook, etc? What do I need to do to get this to heal? I hurt worse now than I did before surgery. I go back to doc for my 6 month follow up in a month.

 

[Kscagent99]

I bruised significantly. Range of bruising was from top of inner thigh down to my foot.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

to BoneSmart

I can’t just sit around. What constitutes doing too much?

anything that hurts or causes swelling.

Can I stand to clean house, cook, etc?

It is important to let the body heal, so if you can put it off, do so. Please, a dirty house won't kill you.

What do I need to do to get this to heal?

Rest, Ice, Elevate (see below)

I hurt worse now than I did before surgery.

You've been overdoing things, slow down please.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Care In Hospital​

The Recovery articles:

The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart​

Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?​

Energy drain for TKRs​

Elevation is the key​

Ice to control pain and swelling​

Heel slides and how to do them properly​

Chart representation of TKR recovery​

Healing: how long does it take?​

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it​

Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?​

There are also some cautionary articles here

Myth busting: no pain, no gain​

Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR​

Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds​

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Kscagent99]

Thanks Roy! I’m not sure I would have had this done if I had known the amount of down time during this busy period of my life. Basically, any weight bearing activity hurts pretty bad. I almost think I should use crutches for awhile. I’ve gotten my cane back out to try to offload some weight. We’ll see if that helps.
Wondering if anyone has used red light laser therapy. I purchased one to use at home.

 

[Jaycey]

Try a cane or crutch temporarily to take the weight off your knee. Obviously your surgeon set unrealistic expectations for this recovery. Climbing ladders, packing and lifting and painting is just not something a new knee needs. I would back off as much activity as you can. Ice, elevate and take pain meds if you have them. Time to let that knee heal!

 

[Kscagent99]

Thanks Jaycey! My cane has a broken rubber bottom but will get to the store tomorrow to get the tip replaced and then I plan on using it. My crutches are in storage :-(.
I know I did too much (long story - had to get house sold). I do think the doctor should have been more cautious than “weight bearing as tolerated” (it felt great for awhile!). From what I read on here so far, they fell into the category of getting the ROM and that’s it. I’m retiring next week and I’ve moved so now it’s time to really pamper the knee.

 

[Jaycey]

I’m retiring next week and I’ve moved so now it’s time to really pamper the knee.

Good plan. You can turn this around and get back on track. Read the articles Roy left for you. Focus on healing. Plenty of time for strength training and building ROM once you get this pain flare under control.

 

[sistersinhim]

Many are led to believe that a partial is an easier and quicker recovery, but that's just not so. We have found here that the recovery is basically the same for a partial and a full replacement. Your main job now is to heal and that's all. As your knee heals you'll be able to do more things without pain. If you do something and later on your knee hurts, your knee is not ready for that activity yet. Listen to it and you'll have an easier time in this recovery.

 

[Kscagent99]

Thank you all!! This has given me the hope I need! Reading articles now!