Knee Replacement Pain Management

JudyL · ‎07-11-2010

Hi @monicakm - wanted to let you know that when I was at PT yesterday, I talked with my PT again about the pain I'm having and she thought it would be a good idea to call my Dr and let them know. I did so and my pain meds were adjusted. The meds are the same, it's just when I take them has changed. Tried the new way last night and I slept through the night, only waking up once to take a pain pill. What was especially wonderful was waking up this morning with little to no pain.

Thank you again for all your support, suggestions, advice, and just being there for me during this recovery.

sarahpanda · ‎03-11-2010

@JudyL That's great news !! So glad you found some relief...I'm following closely because of a pending (first) knee replacement - and I'm scared to death.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@JudyL. Are you using lots of ice? It helps reduce the dependence on pain killers.

Just dont overdo activity. I had the worse pain of my life the morning I awoke after I'd made a trip through TJ Maxx the previous day.

Except for this one incident, I was amazed that I had so little pain after my surgery. The only time I took medication was before my PT sessions.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Sapphiregal · ‎04-08-2019

@sarahpanda

I have not taken the leap yet to proceed with knee replacement. Like you, it scares me to death, so,I have just been putting it off. However, I feel like I can no longer put it off.

So, I am hoping you will come back and report how you are feeling after you have it done. I know everyone deals with pain differently, but, I would greatly appreciate your honest opinion.

Good luck!

Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels here on earth to teach us to be better humans.

sarahpanda · ‎03-11-2010

@Sapphiregal I've had pain with my knee for more than a year. Last year, the 'pain management dr.' pulled fluid off and gave me a cortisone shot...it seemed to help, for a while. I went back recently and the dr. said that I had much more fluid on the knee now and recommended no draining/shot at this time and to go see the knee surgeon. I'll see him next week, after a long 3 month waiting appointment with him..and from what I've been told, he won't be able to do the surgery for '3' months or so because of backlog. Meanwhile, I'm back to my knee compression wrap and exercising it. I'll let you know as things go along. Take care - and I'll be praying for your pain to ease up!

chlema · ‎05-22-2010

@sarahpanda wrote:
@JudyL That's great news !! So glad you found some relief...I'm following closely because of a pending (first) knee replacement - and I'm scared to death.

Like you I was beyond scared when I had my 1st knee done 5 years ago, on a Thursday. Experienced no pain at all for the 1-1/2 days in hospital but was warned by a nurse that Saturday would be my most painful day. Woke up Sat. and nope, no worst experienced when taking the prescribed pain pills. Pain-free, no, but nothing like the pain from the bad knee before it was replaced. For me, on a scale of 1-10 i was a 4-5.

Yes, maybe I was just one of the lucky ones but I truly believe if you follow the after surgery schedule it will make a difference. Lots of icing, doing PT home and away is vital. And take the meds!

Before I had it done at age 79 someone on these threads asked me why I bother. Well here I am 5 yrs. later with pain-free legs, best decision I ever made.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

@Sapphiregal wrote:
@sarahpanda

I have not taken the leap yet to proceed with knee replacement. Like you, it scares me to death, so,I have just been putting it off. However, I feel like I can no longer put it off.

So, I am hoping you will come back and report how you are feeling after you have it done. I know everyone deals with pain differently, but, I would greatly appreciate your honest opinion.
Good luck!

I had my second knee done May 2024 (first done October 2017). The first 7-10 days were the roughest. I was off all prescription pains meds in 5 days. Only took Tylenol after that. Didn't even take Oxy before PT. At my 2 week checkup the doctor asked me what my pain level was and it was zero. I was able to lift my leg off the bed right away. I never used a cane and only used a walker for about 2 weeks. The second one was easier than the first maybe because I knew what to expect. I still have stiffness if I sit to long but other than that it wasn't all that awful.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

That's great news @JudyL! I can only imagine how frustrated you must have been all these weeks. Watch, you'll be dancing in no time! 😉

JudyL · ‎07-11-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@JudyL. Are you using lots of ice? It helps reduce the dependence on pain killers.

Just dont overdo activity. I had the worse pain of my life the morning I awoke after I'd made a trip through TJ Maxx the previous day.

Except for this one incident, I was amazed that I had so little pain after my surgery. The only time I took medication was before my PT sessions.

@Kachina624 - I had surgery back in mid-November so I've been icing since then. Glad you didn't have much pain with your surgery. Have heard that from some people. Not happening with me though.

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

That's wonderful @JudyL, it really is! I'm glad they were able figure out you needed to take it at a different time of day. Keep up the Ice Ice Baby, that's going to be your best non-medication pain relief. I bought this during my first knee surgery. It helped my at home exercise and I was able to keep track of how much range I had in my knee.

It was PT approved.