knee replacement

[bednobs]

hi have any ab'ers had a knee replacement? Specifically, how long did it take to stop hurting from the operation pain? I had one 2 weeks ago and seem to be going backwards despite doing all the recommended exercises (especially with straightening). I am still having to use morphine as pain relief at night and am a bit fed up with it all really. Am i just being unrealistic? Should it be pain free by now?

[Bbbananas]

I can't speak for myself, but my dad has had 2 knee replacements (one at 72, the other at 78). It was a while before he was completely pain-free, but he certainly wasn't on Morphine 2 weeks after the op - I don't think he was on Morphine after the first 24-48 hours.
I don't think you can expect to be pain-free at this stage, but you should feel you're making progress rather than going backwards - consult your GP to make sure you haven't any internal infection which is holding things back. I'm sure things will improve in time.

[wendilla]

I can't speak for myself either but a friend of mine had one about 3 months ago. First few weeks he had terrible pain and swelling. Went to doc who referred him back to hospital and it was an infection. He is lots lots better now still has a little bit of stiffness but he is nearly 70 and it def has helped him.

[Jules001]

My Mum had the op October last year, she was given Tramadol as pain relief. She certainly wasn't pain free by two weeks, she was a bit paranoid about becoming addicted to the Tramadol so tended to take one or two at night so that she could get to sleep. She did get a slight infection in the wound, but that healed up quickly with antibiotics. I think it took a good 6-8 weeks before she was fully mobile and totally pain free, but having said that a year on from the op she is like a new woman, the only problem being is she will probably need the other one doing in the near future as that is starting to give her some pain and will undo all the benefit of the new knee if it isn't replaced.

[fbg40]

Hi bednobs(posted this answer earlier in the year for someone else !)
Had a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) in October 2005. Don't really know what I expected the result to be, but suffice to say it's OK. Some days it still aches and feels "strange" ( only way I can describe it) but I don't get the horrible pains like I used to. I would certainly recommend the op to anyone who suffers with arthritis in the knee. .Can you bend the knee to an angle of 90 degrees ? I wasn't allowed out of hospital until I could achieve this, and had no trouble straightening it afterwards.I certainly didn't need any pain relief after about 5 - 6 days, so would suggest you seek professional advice if you are still having a lot of pain.Good luck.
FBG40

[bednobs]

thanks for all your answers. Mine is slightly complicated by the fact that i have RA so all other joints are affected too, so recovery will be slower i suppose. Maybe i am just liking the morphine at night?? perhaps i will try tonight without it. I have a gp appointment tomorrow so will ask her what she thinks re recovery. I can do more than a 90 dgree bend but cant get it straight (although i could in hospital)

[Androcles]

My Dad had both knees done at the same time in what I must admit I thought was an act of lunacy at the time. He was walking again after about six weeks and said he was much more pain free than before, although it did not go away for a long time.

He then lived for years afterwards and used to walk for miles - he was very slow but he got there!

Be careful on the painkillers though - save them for when you really need them if you can.

[bednobs]

i know what you mean about feeling strange fbg, sometimes i feel they have put someone elses lower leg on me by mistake!

[fbg40]

Know just what you mean Bednobs!! Hope all works out ok for you.
FBG40

[bednobs]

thanks :) you too

[bednobs]

ello again all, and again thanks for your answers. if anyone is interested i went to see the GP today who said that i was recovering as expected, and that while i wasn't super fast, i also wasn't super slow in the recovery process, rather somewhere in the middle. She has seen people with knee replacements thatstill look like a purpe football 3 weeks on and that have been totally fine!
I also cut the morphine down from 10 mg to 6 mg last night and felt fine.
Strangely (or perhaps not), since ive have that re-assurance the knee feels better!