Revised PKR to TKR KSCAgent99's Knee Replacement Journey

Good luck. I’m heading toward a revision soon. Wishing you a good recovery and to be able to put this knee behind you!
 
Hey all -

I am 8 weeks post op and all seems to be going well. I still have some swelling in the knee area and pain as well, but that seems to all be normal. I’m off all pain meds except an occasional Tylenol (I can’t take any anti-inflammatories).

My concern now is that I’m still so wiped out and tire easily and I’m not sleeping all night long. I sleep about 3 to 4 hours and then I wake up. I will be awake 2-3 hours and then I fall into a not very restful sleep - waking up frequently. I’m not completely comfortable as I still have some pain if I move wrong in bed and also my leg aches from my hips down. This may be why I’m waking up... not sure? This is my 4th knee surgery in less than 2 years (same knee- two meniscus surgeries, a partial replacement that failed, and then the full replacement on March 7th). Wondering if I’m just having a hard time catching up on my sleep?!
 
Hello @Kscagent99 - and :welome: back again.

It sounds as if things are going well.

As far as running out of energy and having problems with sleeping, take particular notice of the articles I'll put into Bold font in these recovery guidelines:
Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

People are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help, but YOU are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

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

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

5. Try to follow this

6. Access to these pages on the website

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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

I found that the bet way to deal with poor sleep at night is to take daytime naps. They all add up to the amount of sleep you need.
Sleep where you can, when you can, and how you can.
 
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Thanks Celle! Any idea how long sleep deprivation will last?? I’ve been trying to tough it out hoping that if I get tired enough, I will sleep! That’s not working— I’m just getting more tired. Guess naps are in my future.
 
I’ve been trying to tough it out hoping that if I get tired enough, I will sleep! That’s not working— I’m just getting more tired.
That's right. Trying to stay awake in the hopes that you'll sleep better later just doesn't work. You just get over-tired and if you've ever seen an overtired young child, you'll remember that they do not go to sleep easily at all.

Try not to stress about sleeping and, whatever you do, don't lie awake at night, watching the clock. Get up, walk a bit, look at a magazine, sit in your recliner or comfortable chair, and know that you'll sleep in a little while.

It can take quite a long time for your normal sleep patterns to reappear, so learn to compromise and love daytime naps.
 
Agree with Celle completely! I am 3 months post one knee and 5 weeks post the other and I can’t even get in my bed to sleep! The recliner works for me but most nights I am wide awake in the dark, have to put the light on to read, etc. I’m sure sleep will come eventually, but it just can’t be rushed. Hang in there.
 
It doesn't matter when or where you sleep. I slept in my recliner a couple of hours then got up and went to my bed. Then back to my recliner, etc. I also napped morning, afternoon, and evening. The important thing is to sleep when you can!
 
FRUSTRATED!!!! I'm so unhappy with my TKR Revision. A little background first: I had a partial (medial) replacement in June 2020. It failed - still had weight bearing pain below the knee on medial side. Had a full replacement March 2021. It has been doing "OK"... at least I didn't have any weight bearing pain. I'm still slightly swollen and the tissue around my knee still feels bruised (figured that was normal). HOWEVER, I have been having episodes of the medial weight bearing pain again. It was coming and going, but as of yesterday, it's been very painful to the point where I don't even want to walk. To make matters worse, I've moved 4 hours north of where my surgeon's office is and I am moving again in 2 weeks (12 hours north of my surgeon) (retirement plans!).

The surgeon said that the partial failed because the bone didn't adhere to the prosthetic. When he went back in for the full replacement, he noticed there was fluid squeezing out between the bone and the prosthetic in exactly the location I was having weight bearing pain. Now that the pain is back, I'm concerned that it's happening again.

I'm just venting. I don't expect anyone to solve my problem... I'm just so very frustrated that I have to start my retirement years with this issue. I'm an active 57 year old and I've been REALLY careful with this knee post TKR.
 
@Jaycey - I'm having it x-rayed today. I'm fairly certain that the implant has separated from the bone again. Not sure where to turn if that's the case. I don't think I can handle another surgery :'(
 
Sounds like you need to find a revision specialist. Since you are moving further away from your current surgeon it may be the perfect time. If you tell us where you are moving we might be able to recommend someone for you.
 
There are two surgeons in Nashville at the Southern Joint Replacement Institute. Both were recommended by our members.
Dr. Jefferson C. Morrison
Dr Michael Christie
Primary and revision hip and knee
Southern Joint Replacement Institute
2400 Patterson, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37203

I know it's a 2 hour drive from your new location. But at least it's not 12 hours. And the practice is devoted specifically to joint replacement.

Please keep us updated!
 
I agree with Jaycey, 2 hours is definitely worth the drive to get someone with the expertise you need. I live in Delaware, I had my partial done in little Delaware, and my partial has had a very poor result. I am now looking for Ortho groups in either Baltimore or Philadelphia, both about a 2 hour drive.
 

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