So much discomfort

[ShellyC]

I had Tkr on july 27. 2019. I also had a femoral block. I wish I hadn't had it. My leg from the shin down to the top. the skin is numb
I am still having so much discomfort. Limping and having thigh pain. The bed sheets cannot even touch my leg. I'm miserable. I'm still in PT..

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome!

I’m so sorry you are having such a hard time. My guess is you are overdoing the PT, probably because it is what you’ve been told to do.

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Especially check out number 4, about PT, and see if you are doing any of the exercises that we don’t recommend.

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 to these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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.

 

[FitGal]

Hi @ShellyC - welcome to this crazy world of TKR recovery. You are only a few days behind post surgery from me....yes, things are not as great as I was hoping this far out. Trying to stay positive. Hoping you feel better soon!!!

 

[Tykey]

I 'm still in PT..

Hi this little comment worries me, in that it's now 10 weeks since your op. Maybe you shouldn't have been doing it at all.
Can you expand on this a bit, for instance is your PT pushing you to achieve his target?
This will clarify if you are doing what we recommend in no4 of what Jockette has posted for you.