TKR TKR 21st October - Really bad pain at back of knee<

[Trayguy]

@Josephine

The pain I get is DRF2 and DRB1 but right on the line.

1. My pain when I walk is probably about 5. I have no pain while sitting or bending it.

2. I am just taking 2 x 500 Paracetamol in a morning. I did try to stop taking any pain relief but it seems to need it. I don't take any at night any more as I sleep okay.

3. My knee is probably moderately swollen. It swells more when I have walked for a while.

4. My specialist said my ROM is 105. Not sure about the extension but I can get it straight without any pain.

5. I am not icing. I don't find it does much for me.

6. I elevate my leg when I am sitting down as much as I can. It does tend to stiffen up though si I have to keep bending it.

7. I am fairly active. I am back at work full time, do all the housework, shopping and cleaning.

8. I go on my static bike for 10 minutes a day. The only other things I do are excercises given to me by a physio. They are 10 stretches where I put my leg out straight and stretch the back of the knee, 10 where I lift up on my toes holding onto a chair and then 10 squats but not going too low. I do these twice a day. I could do more but my other knee tends to hurt a lot if I do. I don't go to a physio anymore as he discharged me.

Hope I have answered them all okay.

Tracey

 

[Cratchit]

@Trayguy When you`re on the static bike do you use any resistance? I ask because my knee had been great for a few days, minimal swelling, good flexion, virtually painless. Then on Sunday I decided to try the static bike again starting off with no resistance then adding some in as the knee loosened up. By evening my knee was sore and swollen and by yesterday I was back to using the stick for short periods as the pain in my knee, behind and in front, and down my calf was enough to make me want to take the pressure off. It may be entirely different for you but just thought I would offer that.

I hope you get an answer to your question soon.

 

[Trayguy]

@Cratchit Hiya - no I still use it on no resistance. Too scared to up it.
I have just been to the doctors and he has said it is pretty normal to have this pain at this stage but thinks I need some physio to help me through it. I have to go back for the paperwork on Friday and get booked in. He has also put me on Naproxen for a month to see if that helps with the nerve pain I have. I will try anything.
Just so frustrating because I feel like I am going backwards.

 

[DebM]

@Trayguy I am nearly 9 weeks I have a similar sounding pain at the back of one of my knees. My biggest problem though is flexion rather than walking. My physio says it Is my hamstring which I often had tightness problems with pre surgery. He has used massage and stretches but it will be slow to resolve. I also used ice and antiinflmmatories which I am not sure helped. Heat seems to help a little. I understand the frustration! I hope you get some relief.

 

[boots]

I had the same thing happen, after taking a few days off from exercising and then sitting for a several hours in the car (I did get out and walk around every hour or so). I did my at home exercise and felt a twinge in the back of my knee, then it was so very sore for two days-I took Norco, which I hadn't been taking for several days, it seems to be ok now. I think its live and learn for us, at least for me. I saw my dr's PA last Friday and she asked if I needed my Norco prescription refilled, I said no, now I am re thinking and probably will call them for a refill, especially after the incident last week. She did tell me I could quit the baby aspirin, but if I had to go for a long car ride again to take one and wear the stocking-as it would help with swelling.

 

[Trayguy]

@DebM @boots Thanks for the replies. Looks like it is something I will just have to put up with and get some patience which unfortunately I lack!

 

[boots]

I have been impatient too, I am used to getting out there in a few days after having laser surgery to remove kidney stones, this knee replacement has really slowed me down.
I am considering not having the right knee done as planned this fall-it is so much better after having a cortisone shot when I had the left knee replaced.
Hang in there. I know it is hard

 

[Josephine]

The pain I get is DRF2 and DRB1 but right on the line.

Something like this?

Or I don't understand what you mean by "right on the line". Which line?

1. My pain when I walk is probably about 5. I have no pain while sitting or bending it.

That's curious.

2. I am just taking 2 x 500 Paracetamol in a morning. I did try to stop taking any pain relief but it seems to need it. I don't take any at night any more as I sleep okay.

Taking pills once a day is inadequate. Paracetamol (and most other meds) are only effective in the system for about 4-6 hours so you should take it 3-4 times a day for fullest effect.

3. My knee is probably moderately swollen. It swells more when I have walked for a while.

I see. Are you aware that swelling is a manifestation of pain? Along with soreness, burning, stabbing, throbbing, aching and stiffness. If you are getting any of these, you need to medicate. Medicating pain enables it to settle down. Allowing the pain to persists helps it to get worse.

4. My specialist said my ROM is 105. Not sure about the extension but I can get it straight without any pain.

That's okay but at 5 months could do with being better.

5. I am not icing. I don't find it does much for me.

Okay

6. I elevate my leg when I am sitting down as much as I can. It does tend to stiffen up though so I have to keep bending it.

No-one said you had to keep your leg still and straight when elevating. I certainly didn't! Anymore than I kept it still and straight in bed.

7. I am fairly active. I am back at work full time, do all the housework, shopping and cleaning.

Okay, gotcha

My comments in bold
I do these twice a day - I suggest you do these once a day and none at all at the weekends
I go on my static bike for 10 minutes a day - that's okay but NO resistance!
10 stretches where I put my leg out straight and stretch the back of the knee - hamstring stretches. Only necessary IF you have hamstring pain or tightness. If not, don't do them
10 where I lift up on my toes holding onto a chair - definitely NOT!
10 squats but not going too low - half squats - also definitely not!

You don't need to do any of these actually, specially since you are already doing all your own housework, cleaning, shopping AND working full time. That's quite enough all on it's own. You really don't need to do exercises as well. That's definitely overdoing it!

You should read this for more information BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

Sometimes physio discharges people but never tell them that they no longer need to do the exercises. I've met people still doing them 6-12 months later and wondering why they have aches, pains and stiffness! Don't be one of them!