Thanks, Tony. Loving your videos. With my first total knee, I discovered that lying on my surgical side, and then rolling a little more so that the front of my thigh presses into the mattress is calming for that muscle group. Seems like it would hurt, but I found that the opposite is true! I'm now almost 3 weeks post-op on my second total knee.
I'm where you are 3weeks but 1st knee.I will try that tonight.Sleeping has been a nightmare. I have woken up middle night, turned wrong wrenching in pain.
Almost 5 weeks out. I’ll sleep terribly after PT or pushing myself, then sleep better ish the next night. I get so exhausted I will lay down for sleep at 6:30 pm. Super exhausted after I push it. Still, I am getting better. Hoping for 120 extension at my 5 week mark. Currently 115. It’s very hard and tiring WORK! Love your videos. Thank you!
I had my total knee replacement 4 weeks ago after trying unsuccessfully to get into bed l now sleep on the recliner downstairs so l don't wake my husband, l also play a meditation tape to help me drift off.l use a soothing cream on my knee and ice,ice,ice is so helpful.l only take meds now when l really need them.Hope this is helpful to any fellow sufferers !!😣
I am three weeks post-op and my bedtime combo is elevating my legs with a cryo cuff on the knee, two temazepam sleeping tablets and a good pod cast on in the background. This helps me relax with out bad pain and I’ll usually sleep from 9:30-3am before the bad pain kicks in and wakes me. At this point I take pain relief because it is when I need it the most, and this will see me through until 7 or 8 am.
Thanks so much for all your advice! I'm 3 weeks post-op for right TKR. You have reinforced everything my medical team told me and then some. What helps my bedtime routine is elevate both legs and listen to sleep meditation. I so wish I had known all of this 6 years ago when I had my left knee done. My recovery has been so much better this time. Your advice has helped me so much.
I had insomnia before but now it’s bad, I fall asleep then maybe 4 hrs later I’m wide awake and up thru middle of night. Honestly it’s killing me. And yes pain in worse at night 😕
This guy has a unique process for nighttime pain control: m.ruclips.net/video/bt1eTx3k9ns/видео.html. I can't say if it works or not as I am researching knee replacement for myself.
When I had my knee replacement I found sleeping in a recliner was the most comfortable for me. The foot rest didn't come up high enough for me so I use a computer chair with a pillow in it to put my legs up in it. Also my recliner sat so low to the floor, I couldn't get up out of th recliner without help. My friend put 2 cement blocks under the recliner on both sides under it to lift it up enough so I could get out of the recliner easier without straining and causing pain.
I love these videos, they are very reassuring that my pain is not unique and so a problem only for me. i am 4 weeks post op, very impatient to get back to normal. I will keep persevering with your advice to reduce the swelling .
Thanks for your suggestions, Tony. I can relate to the situations that you've described. Pain and insomnia are a dangerous combination, and I sometimes imagine that I'm the only one going through this unpleasant phase !
I assume Kim is now walking around without any knee pain whatsoever. You may have moments of regret the first week(s) after surgery but you'll have them forever if you don't have the surgery.
Hi Tony, great video's. I am now 4 weeks post op left TKR. I was only on the oxy for 4 days. Didn't like the way it made me feel. I found ibuprofen and gentle joint movement helped a lot but night time is different. What helped me most, 1. The bed is only for night time, not during the day. 2.Do your exercises to your best ability. 3. Melatonin 5mg an hour before bed with some ibuprofen PM. 4. A pillow between the knees. Just keep pushing through it. I now walk 1.5 miles a day and have started working on my golf short game to get my mind some where else besides my knee.
Thank you so much for this. I am scheduled for my total knee in 2 weeks, ..... and a little freaked out (to put it mildly). Happy to hear you're doing well.
Great advice Tony. Since discovering your channel I've taken a lot of your advice on board and have improved my recovery in recent weeks. I'm three months post operation.
I take a "sleeper" from Costco (Kirkland brand Sleep Aid) and have not had a problem with getting sleep. I'm 6 mos out of my TKR and thanks to Tony, I have made it through!
Ten weeks out from my second tkr (first was in 2018)…. Sleep is still an issue… the nerve pain has calmed down, but I still have soft tissue pain… trying to power through!
Well I stopped any of the opioid pain meds the first week. It was a mistake. It caused me to not sleep, be in pain and not be able to do very well in PT. I started then taking the pill as I needed it, limiting it to once a day (Ultram). Sometimes it was enough and sometimes not. I found that when I was more active walking and doing the stretches I started to feel a lot less pain. I will be at 5 weeks in just 2 more days. I think I see the pain merry go round coming to an end or at least not being the focus of my day. Thanks Tony.
The things which help me sleep better: At 6 weeks post op, the surgeon said that I could take a bath. (I fell to my knees and wept.) The bath feels great a half hour before bed. I can get a good 3, maybe 4 hours in. When that wears off, then if my knee is still bothersome (on fire), I put on a lidocaine patch. These work really well for another 4 hours. I put on my thinnest sweatpants to keep the patch on. I know everyone is tired of hearing it; but it does get better, albeit slowly. Thanks for the great videos!!!
Sunday at 4 1/2 weeks post-op, a lady came up to me after church and claimed when she had her TKR that she never hurt! I'm pretty sure it's not a good thing to tell a lie in church! IDK if she FORGOT the pain, but I guarantee no matter how bad my memory gets, this is a pain I will NEVER forget! Brutal - until it's (slowly, gradually, eventually) better :)
If you are a responsible person, DON'T BE AFRAID to take it. I had knee#1 done March 2nd, prescribed Oxy 10mg every 4-6 hrs, took as prescribed for a couple week, then by month 3, I was down to once or twice a week, THEN had knee#2 done(May 27th) so back up to every 4-6 hrs, now, 3 months post op from knee#2, I still have a bottle and will reserve them in case I have a bad day....bottom line.....6 months of Oxy 10mg and I didn't even slightly feel like I was addicted or getting addicted. I think Tony is 100% correct in saying if you really need it, as for TKR, don't put yourself through the pain of it, you are not going to get addicted...and a side note, it took away my pain wonderfully and I had NO effects of euphoria or whatever the heck addicts take it for, it ONLY took away my pain.
Not disputing anything about your own situation - just pointing out that addicts are not looking for euphoria - if you are truly addicted the euphoria is in the rear view mirror. Someone who has a physical dependence needs pain killers to feel normal.
I was only given one week of narcotics. 😢 I had to be economical with that and not use it all when needed because I knew that there was no way I would not need it past week 1. And I can’t take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatoires.
I do like that rolling pin, helps alot! Going on 5 months soon since 2 knee surgery (I messed up the leg one 😊) Your videos hot me started on PT and I thank you ☺️ ❤️
All great tips. If i can add, my surgical team had let me know pre operatively that insomnia is not uncommon for the first 8 weeks. I totally agree that you need to find what works for you. Thank you for the informative videos!
Hi Tony..i had my TKR 2 months ago. (Right Knee) I could not sleep well. I know it helps me to walk better but i still feel uncomfortable with the "new thing" inside my knee. I feel good when watching your video.
Four and one half weeks out from total replacement. No oxy but along with Tony's techniques for position and pillows I find a bit of whiskey before bed helps.
Thank You..Tony… Your approach total knee replacement is much different than others. I value your recommendations & directions involving Physiotherapy that can help someone to go through the journey of total knee replacement. Which is not an easy journey.
Thanks, Tony. Your videos really help me. Sleep has been one of the most difficult things for me in recovery. I am 9 weeks post op and still struggle with that. Lately I have been going to bed with my TENS unit and a long lasting ice pack wrapped around that. I use pillow support to sleep on either side. I use sleep sounds or music to fall asleep. I can be so very tired, get in bed, and I'm wide awake with anticipation of not sleeping. The ache sometimes sets in anyway. I will look at the rolling pin massage video next! I usually take ibuprofen and one ibuprofen p.m. before going to bed. Occasionally I will sleep well with all of this!
Thanks for your videos. 21 days PO bilateral The nights are crucial moments. Before I go to sleep I put ice 15-20 minutes. And I do it again if I have too much pain during the night. And it helps me sleep a little longer..I get up sometimes to go to the bathroom. I can't t take strong pain medication. I'm m 67 years old. From Quebec ( Canada)
What a great info you provide. Just started seeing ur videos. To the point nd what we go thru. Went thru the hell 1st 3 weeks. Now i really cant sleep well. Will try few things what people in comments say. Thanks for your help.
Some people do well with a little of the rolling pin massage before bed and proper positioning. Night is always the most challenging for many patients. I was just talking to a patient who started a nerve medication that really helped her sleep.
my surgeon said it was ok for a nighttime Aleve. I'm at 7 weeks post op. It varies on how much activity I do throughout the day. By the way I'm on the sleeper sofa so I can allow my wife her normalcy. The first three weeks were up and down all night. I generally average 6&1/2 hours per night. Thanks for all the videos, I've watched quite a few.
I'm 3 weeks post-op. I get up about every 1.5 hrs...until 5 am...and then weirdly enough I can sleep soundly for 4-6 hrs! This happened with my previous knee also, and I never figured it out.
Hi Tony; Just a quick note to say Thanks!!! I've watched a number (40) of your videos and they have been extremely helpful. I'm in week 8 following a partial lateral knee replacement. Things are going pretty well but night pain is keeping me up. Will try the suggestions in the video. Again thanks so much for all the great info.
I have a nondisplaced tibal plateau fracture and my night pain is horrible..ughhhhh and this helps great ideas ...no surgery but I'm 10 weeks since fracture now walking with a Cane the pain is horrible at night...
Thank you for your channel. I've had a right knee revision and am doing better second time around. But yes, here I am writing you in the middle of the night can't sleep. I find that rolling on my side and placing a medium firmness of pillow on between my legs help. I can also roll on top of it to stretch it out. Thanks again for your expertise!
Thanks. If I was to do the surgery again and thankfully I won't have to, I would have learned more about what to expect and some of the solutions like this video. There is so much more information you can glean pre and post op than you can possibly get by discussing with your surgeon or other health providores who don't have the time to explain all. Thanks for your guidance. It takes time and patience but it will be better than what you had. Joe
I have been on Ambien for a good while to help me with sleep issues. Needing my first TKR soon, and I’m worried the Ambien can’t be combined with pain med at night. If I don’t get my sleep at night, I can do very little in the way of activity the next day. I am age 80. Thinking it might be better to put up with my knee pain and immobility till the end of my life rather than try to have a painful sleepless recovery from TKR. I know people my age who have had TKR in past but they still shuffle along or walk with a walker or cane. They never made a recovery back to normal mobility. Up until 2 years ago I was walking 2 miles a day as well as a middle aged person, and that is what I want from the surgery. Don’t want to use any mobility device or ride around a store on a scooter.
I was on Lunesta …sleep meds every night …after my knee replacement with all the meds they gave me which I think they added 9 more to what o already was taking
I made a list of my meds gabapentin, tylenol, baby asprin, meloxicam and spaced hourly when i can take, then copied this list.so daily i check off the list but esp at night when im in pain i check and see what i can take. Wish i had a fridge upstairs cause definitely ice helps me., sm rubber ball to rub out thigh and youtube videos! Thanks for yours Tony!
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since surgery. The recliner is only place I can sleep without pain. I’ve tried all positions in bed even with pillow between legs, but no luck. Ice machine with auto on/off every 30 minutes is a must. However, last night lower leg front and back kept aching. Got up and walked around and massaged it too. I’ve been having night chills caused by Oxy for about a week. Discovered Tylenol is how to eliminate. I’m doing about triple the therapist suggested at home PT. I also use the RomTech peddle machine 4 times daily…awesome device! Making significant advances sometimes daily. I’m at 5° leg extension and almost 90° bent on my own, but with therapist help and much pain 115°. Yesterday was first day I was able to sit in kitchen and desk chairs without much pain. Today first day walking without much of a limp as long as I concentrate on it somewhat. As someone else mentioned the band around front of thigh feels like it’s the biggest obstacle.
I've finished TKR recovery with one knee and am currently three weeks into recovery with my second knee. I'm just starting to sleep thru the night while having no or minimal pain. Tony says something we don't often hear and that is having the bed to yourself. While in bed during the night, I flip-flopped a lot, often changing positions, always trying to find a comfortable position. Finding a comfortable position has been evasive! Things that help: 1) a pain pill before going to bed, 2) an over-the-counter sleeping pill, and 3) putting two or three pillows near the knee and positioning those (as needed) to find the most comfortable position for my knee. Note that I am a side-sleeper...there was discomfort whether I was on my surgery side or on my other side. I'm with Tony when it comes to pain pills...I don't like taking them but rest/sleep is too important at this time. I was also hesitant to aid a "sleep aid" pill to the mix but that has worked well for me.
It's been 7 months since I had bilateral knee replacement and for the first 4 months the night pains were so horrible that I would scream in my sleep. My husband would rush into the room afraid that something happened only to find me fast asleep. LOL! I still wake up screaming once in a while when I move wrong. The pain was never managed well and I was treated like a drug addict because I wanted to take narcotics. If you have a doctor that will treat you with medication that will cut your pain so you can sleep at night, by all means take the meds!!! And I don't know about other people who have had total knee replacements, but I'm still dealing with more pain that I would have expected at this point and came to this video because I'm wondering when it's going to stop.
@@shadiakhalilhenry1014 I kind of had no choice. I could not really walk too well and would not be able to really do physical therapy if I just had one done. As it was, I was unable to do pre-therapy before my surgery because my knees had gotten so bad. I definitely would not have done it by choice -- it was necessity. And if someone can avoid it, I would recommend not doing both at once.
Hi , I had mine 7 months ago. I still go through pain. Not like I did in the begin thou. My knee still swells up and gets stiff.. I have to continue icing it 2 to 3 times a day and do exercises.. I do it morning before getting out of bed. I lay on my back, raise my leg up and down 30 times stretch it up and top with my left count to 10 stretch it to the right count to 10 straighten it straight and then my knees down. When I get out of bed it feel better.. I do several exercises on the steps going down it’s harder than going up. i’ve read that it would take about a year for recovery and some 2years. I can’t wait for this pain to go away completely. I try not to take medication to numb the pain and for the swelling to go away but sometimes I can’t help it.. I wish u luck and wish u a full recovery..
I had terrible insomnia for six weeks after surgery. Melatonin and Benadryl and they didn't work. My doctor prescribed a sleep aid to get my body bbn on track. I sleep all night now. And yes, stay on top of the the pain, even weeks out from surgery. Don't wait for it to hurt.
Haven't had a knee replacement yet, but I'm very happy to find this site, in case I ever do. I am missing three quarters of my cartilage in my right knee from an accident moving my anthuriums of all things in 2015. I had stem cells in 2017 and was better in less than 24 hours, no more kerplunk the next morning when I got up and walked to the bathroom!. And the improvement continues. I thought I might need more by now, but I don't. I can see my holistic doctor in his Hawaiian shirt saying to me,Venutia I can tell you with almost a hundred percent certainty you're going to be fine. Now fine doesn't mean I run, or do bend over gardening for hours, actually I gave certain things up. At 70 years old I give myself permission to no longer do things my knee doesn't like, and that keeps any pain at 0 to 1, 1 is if I overdo something. The percentage of knee replacements that still have pain seemed like too big of a gamble. A free 50k knee, or $3,200 of my own money for my own stem cells, I'm more than thrilled with my choice. Even my bone doctor made a joke and said he was going to start doing stem cells, which of course he is not because he is a surgeon and stem cells are not covered by insurance.
I'm 5 weeks post Op and my knee pain hurts so bad. Still lots of swelling, lots of tenderness, very sharp pain on the inside of the knee (right around kneecap). I'm so sorry I had this surgery. This has been a terrible experience. I keep hearing "oh you'll feel better in two weeks" it's always 2 weeks. So regretful.
@@rubywedderburn9487 I'm now 11 weeks and still in pain around the entire knee like it has a very tight vice around my knee. It's horrible. I still regret this surgery, so regretful. Additional...... 15 weeks post Op now and I am still in a lot of pain, hobble horribly with a severe limp, lots of swelling still. I'm so regretful for having this surgery.
@@mrsb1994 me too. I don't see any improvement all that pain I went through and it still hurts. I thought it was just me. I regret it. Because I don't see no improvement
Thank you you hit right on the nail(knee) Night pain just had my surgery 1/2/24 and right now my pain level is about 5 and its 10 in the morning I find that putting heat first things in morning really helps with getting you knee ready for your day and after you do your morning physical therapy i apply ice
its funny that you mentioned not wanting to wake your spouse. I'm 2 weeks post TKR and when I sleep with my wife I wake in the middle of the night, have pain, toss and turn. The next night I will sleep in another room and practically sleep through the night. I think you're right, sleeping alone during this time is more relaxing.
Thank you! everything you said is true I had the surgery oct 26 2020 and wow .....I wish I had taken the pain pills or asked for different ones....I took only when in pain and I learned that I should of stayed on them regularly until not needed. The sleeping pain at night felt like I could feel the metal that pain finally ended on the 2 1/2 month mark. I could not sleep ....maybe four hours . I am better now .....just started having shin pain.....wow!
Six weeks out now total knee and sleep is still four hours tops than one hour rolling around. I take Tylenol before bed so I can relax a bit. Sometimes I need to get up and use the bathroom and do a loop around the house and go back to sleep. I have yet to sleep through the night but I know it will happen. It gets a little better each night. Heating pad to loosen the stiff joints and massage the scar a bit now helps.
ATTENTION:IM NOT A DOCTOR.ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL MEDICINES BEFORE. THIS IS WHAT HELPED ME. I'm at 3wk point in my recovery and have found that laying on my side with surgical knee up and a pillow in-between I do this for comfort.for my Meds I take 2 Norco(prescribed pain med) at 8pm(every 8hrs) and goto sleep at 9pm then 4hrs after (12am)I take 2 tylenol(every 8hrs) 650 MG .this is besides other meds I take which includes my nerve med at bedtime. All meds are pre-approved by my doctors.plus I take 10 mg melatonin. I'm hitting all my bench marks and walking without aids before 3wks. Very important do the daily exercises 3times a day.remember to push yourself and trust your doctors as you won't hurt the new knee.this has helped me.always talk to doctors about meds.mine told me I can go ahead with both meds just not at Sametime 4hrs in-between.
I am six weeks out of having my total knee replacement. I have full extension flexion to 120 my quad is getting stronger, however there must be a disconnect between my quad and my brain because my leg gives out when I am walking. It does not respond to stem so therefore I am still walking with a cane because I don’t know when my leg is going to buckle and get out.
Just passed 4 weeks after my 2nd TKR (8 months since my first.) My biggest issue is significant, localized pain on the inside and outside of my knee. Makes it difficult to sleep on either side, and I don't sleep well on my back.
@@totaltherapysolutions One PT says the pain on the inside of the knee is a hamstring bursa. Amother one says the outside of the knee pain is hamstring as well. I ice them fairly regularly. One more source of pain is where they clamped the tourniquet above my knee. My flexion is 115. My extension is -12. Friday will be 5 weeks.
Sleeping was the worst after it probably took me 2 months to get more than 5-6 hours of sleep each night. What you said about being fearful about addiction was spot on in my case. I think I probably went cold turkey way to soon.
I think cutting my pain med in half before therapy (7.5/325 oxy and struggling with pain is why Im only at 100 decrees of flexion and 4 months out from surgery.
Continuing my msg from above..Ive also lost 24 lbs since surgery and dr. Cant figure that out. Has anyone had that problem. I'm hoping its not a problem. I was cutting my pain med in half, fearful of addiction and only taking total of 1 1/2 pills a day.. My dr. never told me it might hurt my therapy effect as I was in a lot of pain and not getting where I needed to be. Now Im reading that it was okay to take that whole pill. Hoping I can get more flexion very soon. I also did 11 weeks of therapy, 3 x week, and didnt do the 12th week as I felt i wouldnt see a miracle happen and bought a stationary bike. Thank you Tony for your videos, i only wish I had found you before 3 mos postop.
Great advice 👌 I’ve been sleeping great until I over done it, & set myself back pain-wise 🙄. Had to sleep on recliner chair for a couple of nights & took my painkillers about 30 mins before settling down for the night, with a drink of warm milky Horlicks . Glad to say I’m feeling much better for it now 👍 had op 4wks today
The issue I am having is that my edema isn't just around the knee, but involves the entire lower leg and foot. Getting the edema out seems like a Sisyphian task - I roll the ball up that hill, then it just falls back down on me when I lay down to sleep. Sucks, can't really get any undisturbed sleep.
I'm 11 weeks post on left tkr and less then 12 hours post on right. If I sleep more then 2 hrs in row, I feel lucky. I'm diabetic so nerve has been problem for several years. I started on Gabapentin 100 mg at bedtime last fall. it help calm legs down. After surgery, I added lotion with camphor, lidocaine, menthol. This works some. The nights burning sensation is unrelenting, I wrap ice packs around the knees. This may buy me another hour. Goodluck all.
Thanks for info, now 9 weeks post op, tkr left knee, things progressing well, walking a few blocks now, but pain each night since op, last three nights I get up and walk to couch then do my 15 physio supplied exercises, knee pain goes, then back to bed. Seems like knee needs to move.
I had Double TKR 5 WKS ago. I did my own pre PT walked 2 miles a day with knees sleeves, walked backwards in the pool 30 minutes a day, yoga 2x a wk and water aerobics 1 a wk. I came out of surgery with 130 flexion and 0 extension. I was steady without any assistance after 2wk. I finally had 2 good knees. Off pain meds at 3wks. Went to PT and they put a band at ankles and had me do ABDUCTION and heel taps off front of step. I know they felt they were dealing with a superstar but they set me back. Now I'm prednisone, tylenol and gabapentin at night. My Dr told me to take over my PT so I'm back in the pool doing my thing, stationary bike and heels slides. I walk like everyone else with limp and not really slow. My problem is holding myself. 🙄 I still can't believe I allowed the band at ankle and heel taps off front of step. I sure am paying for. Please don't extend your knees way over front foot or allow resistance at 3wks post surgery. I emphasize icing and elevation!
I'm an ultrarunner & have a pretty high pain tolerance so I thought I'd be able to tough out the pain of a PKR. The first 20hrs out of the hospital I was bawling my eyes out, it hurt so much. The oxycodone they sent me home with did nothing. I spent 4-6 hrs in the ER the next day on morphine and they sent me home with 4 mg pills of hydromorphone which is a tablet form of morphine I guess? I'm 5 days post op and with the drugs was able to do my range of motion exercises & moderately comfortable, getting 2-3 hr stretches of sleep a night. I'm about out of the heavy duty pills so I'm a bit worried because pain is definitely worse at night, but hopefully the worst is over. For me walking with crutches eases the pain so I get up and pace the hall overnight when I'm cramping or getting stabby pains.
Just a follow up. Took me 3 weeks to get off daytime narcotics, 5 to sleep w/o Percocet or morphine, bit I stayed solid on working up my strength & range of motion on the elliptical so now I can do 8+ miles a day & green light from the surgeon @6.5 weeks out to cautiously start running some slow miles wearing a hinged brace. The pain is pretty much gone though I still get some irritation at night. OTC voltarin cream has also been hugely helpful, I buy the no name brand at Walmart. Best of luck to everyone trying to survive this! Most painful thing I've ever experienced. Thanks again for the video.
One thing I found, since physical therapy office had leg bending machine. I sit in living room couch or chair, especially in morning and evening and let my recliner warm up my leg.
4 weeks post surgery. Nighttime is the worse. I can't seem to find a position or drug combination that works. I have had one night where I slept from 10-0500. Was happy the next day.
Just last night, I decided to wrap my surgical knee before I slept to see if stabilizing it would keep it from hurting. I'm 9 weeks post-op. I think it really did help (discovered I need to also wrap the non- surgical knee) but sometime late in the night, I got up for restroom and discovered I had a sore spot just below the ankle bone on my inner foot. I was a little nervous that maybe my wrapping just my knee was causing some issue down there so I took the wrapping off. But I plan to experiment a little because I really think it helped a lot.
The way I do it with night pane. Is a mussel rub. Something like Tiger Bond. I use plastic gloves for this. I use only before I go to sleep. I rub from above the ankle till all the way up the thigh. I don’t rub on the surgical area. Surgeon doesn’t allow that. Once you go under the covers you really feel it start working. And ahhhhh.
Hello, I am at eight weeks postop from my right TKR. everything‘s going well tiptop a lot of trouble falling to sleep and I have tried everything relaxing music teacher sounds rain on the roof blah blah blah! Over what seems to really help us getting in the shower I have a stall shower with a seat I could sit down with the shower massager on my knee with a lot of heat and actually makes the knee area quite red and warm water really helps and it sets the pace for when I get out of the shower and go back to the recliner it seems to really help fall sleep a little faster. The doctor prescribed Neurontin………Been taking it for three nights and I don’t know if it does anything or not. I have been writing a real bicycle after returning to the rented stationary bike. The knees actually quite stiff when I first start riding but then after about oh say a block distance start to loosen up and then feels great until I stop walk around then it will stiffen up. watching your videos during this eight weeks is an extremely helpful to me basically I’ve done more research on the subject and I’ve overdrawn research on anything in my whole life I think! Thank you once again feel free to respond back to me if you read this.
I take a small cooler with gel ice packs to bed with me so I can change them out in the night. Plus the sleeping pills, pain meds, melatonin, CBD, positioning.....
Just 1 week post op- doing well but at night - that’s a challenge. How to help other areas not hurting- back, quads - my doc says to only use Oxy for before PT- I have a combo of nerve pain meds/Tylenol/meloxicam - works during day.
I had a partial knee replacement in Sept. 2020. The implant cam loose. April of 2021 I had a total knee replacement with a bone graft, same knee. I am 10 weeks p/o and can only get 110 flexion. My Dr. told me I will not regain full range of motion. I am continuing to work on exercises. Any advice?
My new knee is 3 weeks old today. Then pain I had after the operation was off the scale and had I known what it was going to be like I don’t think I would have done it, my problem was I take morphine daily for a longterm problem and I could not get the balance right I was worrying I was taking to much but I was not taking enough . By the Friday I was pulling my hair out so I took extra and I got it sorted. I now am able to manage it. I must say I am taking less now only three times a day. Would I now have my other knee done No I wouldn’t I have to point out the pain was operation pain totally differencent to the pain before surgery
One week post op today. I stopped oxy on day 3 after surgery due to horrible constant nausea and constipation. Still taking Tramadol and Tylenol. I have lipedema and lymphedema as well and normally use a pneumatic pump to remove fluid. Now im so swollen that i have less bending as the days go by. Seems if i push myself one day trying to get to 90 degrees that I can barely walk the next day.
100% a THC gummy each night has helped with this problem. Unfortunately, I am 3 weeks post-surgery and running low. It's ridiculous I can get my hands on an opioid but not a gummy (depends on the state you live in).
@J ber Yes,the shredded, sliced n diced nerves!! Learned this in rehab. Just got back home today. Had my right knee replaced 3 1/2 weeks ago. Guess the first surgery wasn't traumatic enough. Have to say this time was very different. Still a living nightmare but...different in alot of ways. Zingers, shocks, etc. are back this time but in different places. Echoes of them still linger from the first surgery. WTF??? I must be a glutton for punishment in the medieval sense. Oh, how I can't wait for the hips to go!!! Excuse me while I scream in torment...AAAAAAAhhhhhhh!!!
Tq for the video. I m 8 weeks into post op for bilateral total knee replacements. Undeniably the worst part of the op is pain n insomnia at night. I going to sleep is a nightmarish. I get up after 1 hour of sleep and this constant awakening will extend right into 3 or 5am before I finally dozed off. I lost 3kg due to lack of sleep. I sometimes had no choice but take a pain killer on bad nights. I walk 1.5km and cycle for 20mins besides flexing exercises daily. Am I doing too much ?
Please share, because I am approaching double knee replacement surgery. Six weeks apart from each other. I'm already having difficulty sleeping, and my stomach is in knots in anticipation of the surgery.
I actually misunderstood my surgeon. The right knee is being done on 10/21/21, and he said I should wait at least 6 months before I have the left knee done, because there still is some cartilage
My pain us the bad at night after my partial knee replacement surgery in October 21 2021. On my left knee. It hurts worse then my tight did after the partial knee replacement surgery on May 3 2021
I've had 4 surgeries on my right knee in 2 years, I have medical marijuana and have found right before bed, midnight, to take some, I use liquid. About 4:30 I get up to pee and the pain is back, I'll take 2 tylenol until I wake, works for me.
I have completed 10 wks now. Pain barely any now. I can sleep on side but not for too long. Still sleeping on my back, but I use a pillow under my surgical leg though. It really helps. I take every other day pain med only 1 pill. Trying to wean out completely. Still leg is stiff in the morning and evening. Any suggestion Tony? Thank you. .
Thanks for sharing. The stiffness is common and many report stiffness up to 12 months of more. The best thing we know of is to continue to perform gentle range of motion and some massage to help move the lymph. Sounds like you are doing amazing for 10 weeks post op. Thanks for subscribing.
@@totaltherapysolutions thank you Tony. Yes I massage my knee with Diclofenac Sodium Topical gel. Also seeing my deep tissue massage therapist twice a month. It helped a lot and foot bike too.
4 weeks out and my night time pain is god awful and it feels like neuropathy pain , some night i can get 3 or 4 hours most nights its an hour and a half an im up headed to the recliner ???
@@darthdennis6681 god bless you! I know how you felt it was horrid .I slept on the bed ....wake recliner...wake sofa.....I was so depressed ....but I am better now.
I’m 14 and i’m almost 2 weeks post OP and it is definitely frustrating trying to sleep at night. Especially for me because I have a brace on my leg so I can’t bend it yet. It is the WORST!
I'm so sorry to hear you had to endure this at your age! Praying for your full healing. I'm 49 & this is hell, I cannot imagine going through this as a teenager! Hang in there!
@@amyf5240 Thank you so much! I actually just got my port removed a couple days ago so I’m on my way to full recovery!! And I’m starting to walk like normal again☺️!
@@simplyxkayla Good for you! Take care of yourself, you only get one body (sounds silly to say but really, you can't trade it in unless you are a Kardashian :D LOL! ). With a positive outlook, you will go far!
Thanks, Tony. Loving your videos.
With my first total knee, I discovered that lying on my surgical side, and then rolling a little more so that the front of my thigh presses into the mattress is calming for that muscle group. Seems like it would hurt, but I found that the opposite is true!
I'm now almost 3 weeks post-op on my second total knee.
That is so great that you found that position. Thanks for sharing. Now you are a pro with your second replacement.
I'm where you are 3weeks but 1st knee.I will try that tonight.Sleeping has been a nightmare. I have woken up middle night, turned wrong wrenching in pain.
Second knee op in 2 weeks. Still not satisfied with the first. Whats your secret?
Instablaster
@@totaltherapysolutions you're the BEST!!!!...thank you...
Almost 5 weeks out. I’ll sleep terribly after PT or pushing myself, then sleep better ish the next night. I get so exhausted I will lay down for sleep at 6:30 pm. Super exhausted after I push it. Still, I am getting better. Hoping for 120 extension at my 5 week mark. Currently 115. It’s very hard and tiring WORK! Love your videos. Thank you!
I had my total knee replacement 4 weeks ago after trying unsuccessfully to get into bed l now sleep on the recliner downstairs so l don't wake my husband, l also play a meditation tape to help me drift off.l use a soothing cream on my knee and ice,ice,ice is so helpful.l only take meds now when l really need them.Hope this is helpful to any fellow sufferers !!😣
75 yo female - UK - you’re my rock. More help from this channel than almost anywhere else. Thank you so much.
Hi Pat! Thanks so much.
Keep the videos coming because they are helping me ! And thanks to all who post comments too ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am three weeks post-op and my bedtime combo is elevating my legs with a cryo cuff on the knee, two temazepam sleeping tablets and a good pod cast on in the background. This helps me relax with out bad pain and I’ll usually sleep from 9:30-3am before the bad pain kicks in and wakes me. At this point I take pain relief because it is when I need it the most, and this will see me through until 7 or 8 am.
Thanks for sharing.
this guy is good...real good with advice/suggestions of TKR...thanks!!!!!
Thanks so much for all your advice! I'm 3 weeks post-op for right TKR. You have reinforced everything my medical team told me and then some. What helps my bedtime routine is elevate both legs and listen to sleep meditation. I so wish I had known all of this 6 years ago when I had my left knee done. My recovery has been so much better this time. Your advice has helped me so much.
I had insomnia before but now it’s bad, I fall asleep then maybe 4 hrs later I’m wide awake and up thru middle of night. Honestly it’s killing me. And yes pain in worse at night 😕
Insomnia is so frustrating. Sorry to hear that. I hope you find a solution.
This guy has a unique process for nighttime pain control: m.ruclips.net/video/bt1eTx3k9ns/видео.html.
I can't say if it works or not as I am researching knee replacement for myself.
Oh yes same here!
Same with me 1am to 5am lots of pain
same! i’m waking up at 4am everyday 😩
You just did described me, thank you so much, I am 88 years old, this is my forth week after surgery, thank you for your help.
Today is my 5th day post op and my pain has gotten worst every night it’s just unbearable and pain meds never touch my pain
Talk to your surgical team. It usually helps if they make a change. Sometimes more isn't better but changing meds works.
I just had TNR 5 weeks ago. I still have pain but contact your doctor for some pain relief meds. Wish you the best.
Had the same problem, phone your dr. Mine prescribed a different pain medicine. I also take it every six hours, and when I have PT I take two pills
When I had my knee replacement I found sleeping in a recliner was the most comfortable for me. The foot rest didn't come up high enough for me so I use a computer chair with a pillow in it to put my legs up in it. Also my recliner sat so low to the floor, I couldn't get up out of th recliner without help. My friend put 2 cement blocks under the recliner on both sides under it to lift it up enough so I could get out of the recliner easier without straining and causing pain.
Great advice, I slept in my recliner the 1st two weeks after TKR.
I love these videos, they are very reassuring that my pain is not unique and so a problem only for me. i am 4 weeks post op, very impatient to get back to normal. I will keep persevering with your advice to reduce the swelling .
Hang in there. Thank so much for sharing your comment. 4 weeks is very early.
Thanks for your suggestions, Tony. I can relate to the situations that you've described. Pain and insomnia are a dangerous combination, and I sometimes imagine that I'm the only one going through this unpleasant phase !
No Kim you're not alone. I had my TKR in March and I'm still dealing with lots of pain and no sleep.
I assume Kim is now walking around without any knee pain whatsoever. You may have moments of regret the first week(s) after surgery but you'll have them forever if you don't have the surgery.
Hi Tony, great video's. I am now 4 weeks post op left TKR. I was only on the oxy for 4 days. Didn't like the way it made me feel. I found ibuprofen and gentle joint movement helped a lot but night time is different. What helped me most, 1. The bed is only for night time, not during the day. 2.Do your exercises to your best ability. 3. Melatonin 5mg an hour before bed with some ibuprofen PM. 4. A pillow between the knees. Just keep pushing through it. I now walk 1.5 miles a day and have started working on my golf short game to get my mind some where else besides my knee.
Thank you so much for this. I am scheduled for my total knee in 2 weeks, ..... and a little freaked out (to put it mildly). Happy to hear you're doing well.
1.5 mile walking at week 4? - no way. I'm still only walking around house at week 4 (as a previously very active person).
Tony THANK YOU!!! May you be around for long time
Great advice Tony. Since discovering your channel I've taken a lot of your advice on board and have improved my recovery in recent weeks. I'm three months post operation.
I take a "sleeper" from Costco (Kirkland brand Sleep Aid) and have not had a problem with getting sleep. I'm 6 mos out of my TKR and thanks to Tony, I have made it through!
Wow!!! That is amazing. You should feel good about your achievement and making it this far.
does this product from cosco make you wake up like you didnt sleep at all. I take tylenol pm & thats hpw I feel in the morning
@@totaltherapysolutions Ha ha, Tony...what choice did I have?
Thank you for your videos. Full of great information. 7 weeks out for me. The intense pain went down quite a bit at about 6 weeks. Whew!
Ten weeks out from my second tkr (first was in 2018)…. Sleep is still an issue… the nerve pain has calmed down, but I still have soft tissue pain… trying to power through!
Well I stopped any of the opioid pain meds the first week. It was a mistake. It caused me to not sleep, be in pain and not be able to do very well in PT. I started then taking the pill as I needed it, limiting it to once a day (Ultram). Sometimes it was enough and sometimes not. I found that when I was more active walking and doing the stretches I started to feel a lot less pain. I will be at 5 weeks in just 2 more days. I think I see the pain merry go round coming to an end or at least not being the focus of my day. Thanks Tony.
Tony you prove that you really know your profession great job 👍
I just try my best to listen to you the patient.
👍but some just do their job! Some love to do the best they can at whatever they do
So helpful Tony, a problem shared is a problem halved.
The things which help me sleep better: At 6 weeks post op, the surgeon said that I could take a bath. (I fell to my knees and wept.) The bath feels great a half hour before bed. I can get a good 3, maybe 4 hours in. When that wears off, then if my knee is still bothersome (on fire), I put on a lidocaine patch. These work really well for another 4 hours. I put on my thinnest sweatpants to keep the patch on. I know everyone is tired of hearing it; but it does get better, albeit slowly.
Thanks for the great videos!!!
Wow, amazed you can get up from a bath. If I got in the bath now, i would have to live there for eternity.
I would love a bath but worried how to get in/out of the tub.
Sunday at 4 1/2 weeks post-op, a lady came up to me after church and claimed when she had her TKR that she never hurt! I'm pretty sure it's not a good thing to tell a lie in church! IDK if she FORGOT the pain, but I guarantee no matter how bad my memory gets, this is a pain I will NEVER forget! Brutal - until it's (slowly, gradually, eventually) better :)
If you are a responsible person, DON'T BE AFRAID to take it.
I had knee#1 done March 2nd, prescribed Oxy 10mg every 4-6 hrs, took as prescribed for a couple week, then by month 3, I was down to once or twice a week, THEN had knee#2 done(May 27th) so back up to every 4-6 hrs, now, 3 months post op from knee#2, I still have a bottle and will reserve them in case I have a bad day....bottom line.....6 months of Oxy 10mg and I didn't even slightly feel like I was addicted or getting addicted. I think Tony is 100% correct in saying if you really need it, as for TKR, don't put yourself through the pain of it, you are not going to get addicted...and a side note, it took away my pain wonderfully and I had NO effects of euphoria or whatever the heck addicts take it for, it ONLY took away my pain.
Not disputing anything about your own situation - just pointing out that addicts are not looking for euphoria - if you are truly addicted the euphoria is in the rear view mirror. Someone who has a physical dependence needs pain killers to feel normal.
I was only given one week of narcotics. 😢 I had to be economical with that and not use it all when needed because I knew that there was no way I would not need it past week 1. And I can’t take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatoires.
Update, doing good. Range of motion and extension outstanding. Still have swelling and numbness. Hopefully it keeps getting better.
I do like that rolling pin, helps alot! Going on 5 months soon since 2 knee surgery (I messed up the leg one 😊) Your videos hot me started on PT and I thank you ☺️ ❤️
All great tips. If i can add, my surgical team had let me know pre operatively that insomnia is not uncommon for the first 8 weeks. I totally agree that you need to find what works for you. Thank you for the informative videos!
Hi Tony..i had my TKR 2 months ago. (Right Knee) I could not sleep well. I know it helps me to walk better but i still feel uncomfortable with the "new thing" inside my knee. I feel good when watching your video.
Four and one half weeks out from total replacement. No oxy but along with Tony's techniques for position and pillows I find a bit of whiskey before bed helps.
Thank You..Tony… Your approach total knee replacement is much different than others. I value your recommendations & directions involving Physiotherapy that can help someone to go through the journey of total knee replacement. Which is not an easy journey.
Thanks, Tony. Your videos really help me. Sleep has been one of the most difficult things for me in recovery. I am 9 weeks post op and still struggle with that. Lately I have been going to bed with my TENS unit and a long lasting ice pack wrapped around that. I use pillow support to sleep on either side. I use sleep sounds or music to fall asleep. I can be so very tired, get in bed, and I'm wide awake with anticipation of not sleeping. The ache sometimes sets in anyway. I will look at the rolling pin massage video next! I usually take ibuprofen and one ibuprofen p.m. before going to bed. Occasionally I will sleep well with all of this!
Thanks for your videos. 21 days PO bilateral The nights are crucial moments. Before I go to sleep I put ice 15-20 minutes. And I do it again if I have too much pain during the night. And it helps me sleep a little longer..I get up sometimes to go to the bathroom. I can't t take strong pain medication. I'm m 67 years old. From Quebec ( Canada)
Tony what a God Send you are !! certainly an encouragement to me thank you so much
What a great info you provide. Just started seeing ur videos. To the point nd what we go thru. Went thru the hell 1st 3 weeks. Now i really cant sleep well. Will try few things what people in comments say. Thanks for your help.
Some people do well with a little of the rolling pin massage before bed and proper positioning. Night is always the most challenging for many patients. I was just talking to a patient who started a nerve medication that really helped her sleep.
my surgeon said it was ok for a nighttime Aleve. I'm at 7 weeks post op. It varies on how much activity I do throughout the day. By the way I'm on the sleeper sofa so I can allow my wife her normalcy. The first three weeks were up and down all night. I generally average 6&1/2 hours per night. Thanks for all the videos, I've watched quite a few.
Thanks for sharing!!
I'm 3 weeks post-op. I get up about every 1.5 hrs...until 5 am...and then weirdly enough I can sleep soundly for 4-6 hrs! This happened with my previous knee also, and I never figured it out.
Hi Tony; Just a quick note to say Thanks!!! I've watched a number (40) of your videos and they have been extremely helpful. I'm in week 8 following a partial lateral knee replacement. Things are going pretty well but night pain is keeping me up. Will try the suggestions in the video. Again thanks so much for all the great info.
I have a nondisplaced tibal plateau fracture and my night pain is horrible..ughhhhh and this helps great ideas ...no surgery but I'm 10 weeks since fracture now walking with a Cane the pain is horrible at night...
Thank you for your channel. I've had a right knee revision and am doing better second time around. But yes, here I am writing you in the middle of the night can't sleep. I find that rolling on my side and placing a medium firmness of pillow on between my legs help. I can also roll on top of it to stretch it out. Thanks again for your expertise!
Thanks. If I was to do the surgery again and thankfully I won't have to, I would have learned more about what to expect and some of the solutions like this video. There is so much more information you can glean pre and post op than you can possibly get by discussing with your surgeon or other health providores who don't have the time to explain all. Thanks for your guidance. It takes time and patience but it will be better than what you had. Joe
I have been on Ambien for a good while to help me with sleep issues. Needing my first TKR soon, and I’m worried the Ambien can’t be combined with pain med at night. If I don’t get my sleep at night, I can do very little in the way of activity the next day. I am age 80. Thinking it might be better to put up with my knee pain and immobility till the end of my life rather than try to have a painful sleepless recovery from TKR. I know people my age who have had TKR in past but they still shuffle along or walk with a walker or cane. They never made a recovery back to normal mobility. Up until 2 years ago I was walking 2 miles a day as well as a middle aged person, and that is what I want from the surgery. Don’t want to use any mobility device or ride around a store on a scooter.
I was on Lunesta …sleep meds every night …after my knee replacement with all the meds they gave me which I think they added 9 more to what o already was taking
I made a list of my meds gabapentin, tylenol, baby asprin, meloxicam and spaced hourly when i can take, then copied this list.so daily i check off the list but esp at night when im in pain i check and see what i can take. Wish i had a fridge upstairs cause definitely ice helps me., sm rubber ball to rub out thigh and youtube videos! Thanks for yours Tony!
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since surgery.
The recliner is only place I can sleep without pain. I’ve tried all positions in bed even with pillow between legs, but no luck. Ice machine with auto on/off every 30 minutes is a must. However, last night lower leg front and back kept aching. Got up and walked around and massaged it too. I’ve been having night chills caused by Oxy for about a week. Discovered Tylenol is how to eliminate.
I’m doing about triple the therapist suggested at home PT. I also use the RomTech peddle machine 4 times daily…awesome device! Making significant advances sometimes daily. I’m at 5° leg extension and almost 90° bent on my own, but with therapist help and much pain 115°. Yesterday was first day I was able to sit in kitchen and desk chairs without much pain. Today first day walking without much of a limp as long as I concentrate on it somewhat. As someone else mentioned the band around front of thigh feels like it’s the biggest obstacle.
I've finished TKR recovery with one knee and am currently three weeks into recovery with my second knee. I'm just starting to sleep thru the night while having no or minimal pain. Tony says something we don't often hear and that is having the bed to yourself. While in bed during the night, I flip-flopped a lot, often changing positions, always trying to find a comfortable position. Finding a comfortable position has been evasive! Things that help: 1) a pain pill before going to bed, 2) an over-the-counter sleeping pill, and 3) putting two or three pillows near the knee and positioning those (as needed) to find the most comfortable position for my knee. Note that I am a side-sleeper...there was discomfort whether I was on my surgery side or on my other side. I'm with Tony when it comes to pain pills...I don't like taking them but rest/sleep is too important at this time. I was also hesitant to aid a "sleep aid" pill to the mix but that has worked well for me.
It's been 7 months since I had bilateral knee replacement and for the first 4 months the night pains were so horrible that I would scream in my sleep. My husband would rush into the room afraid that something happened only to find me fast asleep. LOL! I still wake up screaming once in a while when I move wrong. The pain was never managed well and I was treated like a drug addict because I wanted to take narcotics. If you have a doctor that will treat you with medication that will cut your pain so you can sleep at night, by all means take the meds!!! And I don't know about other people who have had total knee replacements, but I'm still dealing with more pain that I would have expected at this point and came to this video because I'm wondering when it's going to stop.
What made you do both knees on the Same time. . .? Did u regret that ?
@@shadiakhalilhenry1014 I kind of had no choice. I could not really walk too well and would not be able to really do physical therapy if I just had one done. As it was, I was unable to do pre-therapy before my surgery because my knees had gotten so bad. I definitely would not have done it by choice -- it was necessity. And if someone can avoid it, I would recommend not doing both at once.
Hi , I had mine 7 months ago. I still go through pain. Not like I did in the begin thou. My knee still swells up and gets stiff.. I have to continue icing it 2 to 3 times a day and do exercises.. I do it morning before getting out of bed. I lay on my back, raise my leg up and down 30 times stretch it up and top with my left count to 10 stretch it to the right count to 10 straighten it straight and then my knees down. When I get out of bed it feel better.. I do several exercises on the steps going down it’s harder than going up. i’ve read that it would take about a year for recovery and some 2years. I can’t wait for this pain to go away completely. I try not to take medication to numb the pain and for the swelling to go away but sometimes I can’t help it.. I wish u luck and wish u a full recovery..
I had terrible insomnia for six weeks after surgery. Melatonin and Benadryl and they didn't work. My doctor prescribed a sleep aid to get my body bbn on track. I sleep all night now. And yes, stay on top of the the pain, even weeks out from surgery. Don't wait for it to hurt.
TODAY U COVERED it all
Thanks so much!
Horrible pain at night.i regret getting the replacement.no sleep at all
Sorry to hear that. how long has it been?
@@totaltherapysolutions on week six
I shouldn't say this but I sleep like a baby with a little marijuana
It is natural and works for you. Thanks for sharing.
Think am going to get me some...
Thank you for the tip
Haven't had a knee replacement yet, but I'm very happy to find this site, in case I ever do.
I am missing three quarters of my cartilage in my right knee from an accident moving my anthuriums of all things in 2015. I had stem cells in 2017 and was better in less than 24 hours, no more kerplunk the next morning when I got up and walked to the bathroom!. And the improvement continues. I thought I might need more by now, but I don't.
I can see my holistic doctor in his Hawaiian shirt saying to me,Venutia I can tell you with almost a hundred percent certainty you're going to be fine.
Now fine doesn't mean I run, or do bend over gardening for hours, actually I gave certain things up. At 70 years old I give myself permission to no longer do things my knee doesn't like, and that keeps any pain at 0 to 1, 1 is if I overdo something. The percentage of knee replacements that still have pain seemed like too big of a gamble. A free 50k knee, or $3,200 of my own money for my own stem cells, I'm more than thrilled with my choice.
Even my bone doctor made a joke and said he was going to start doing stem cells, which of course he is not because he is a surgeon and stem cells are not covered by insurance.
I'm 5 weeks post Op and my knee pain hurts so bad. Still lots of swelling, lots of tenderness, very sharp pain on the inside of the knee (right around kneecap). I'm so sorry I had this surgery. This has been a terrible experience. I keep hearing "oh you'll feel better in two weeks" it's always 2 weeks. So regretful.
Sounds a lot like I'm feeling two months in ☹️😣☹️
@@rubywedderburn9487 I'm now 11 weeks and still in pain around the entire knee like it has a very tight vice around my knee. It's horrible. I still regret this surgery, so regretful.
Additional......
15 weeks post Op now and I am still in a lot of pain, hobble horribly with a severe limp, lots of swelling still. I'm so regretful for having this surgery.
I'm a month out. I sincerely regret doing it. But, I will keep trucking to get back to normal
I have mines December 7 and I'm still hurting. Special at night
@@mrsb1994 me too. I don't see any improvement all that pain I went through and it still hurts. I thought it was just me. I regret it. Because I don't see no improvement
Took Tylenol PM and had first good night sleep since knee replacement
As usual, another great video. Trying all that I can to get some sleep.
Thanks Tina, it is tough.
It is rough..without a man who doesn't get it
I listen to you very much the advice you give is absolutely brilliant 👏 I tune in quite a lot because I've just had a tkr. Thank you so much 💓
Thanks for all advice. 16 days post op tkr.
Thank you you hit right on the nail(knee) Night pain just had my surgery 1/2/24 and right now my pain level is about 5 and its 10 in the morning I find that putting heat first things in morning really helps with getting you knee ready for your day and after you do your morning physical therapy i apply ice
its funny that you mentioned not wanting to wake your spouse. I'm 2 weeks post TKR and when I sleep with my wife I wake in the middle of the night, have pain, toss and turn. The next night I will sleep in another room and practically sleep through the night. I think you're right, sleeping alone during this time is more relaxing.
Haha! Thanks for sharing and glad you are finding rest.
Thank you! everything you said is true I had the surgery oct 26 2020 and wow .....I wish I had taken the pain pills or asked for different ones....I took only when in pain and I learned that I should of stayed on them regularly until not needed. The sleeping pain at night felt like I could feel the metal that pain finally ended on the 2 1/2 month mark. I could not sleep ....maybe four hours . I am better now .....just started having shin pain.....wow!
Six weeks out now total knee and sleep is still four hours tops than one hour rolling around. I take Tylenol before bed so I can relax a bit. Sometimes I need to get up and use the bathroom and do a loop around the house and go back to sleep. I have yet to sleep through the night but I know it will happen. It gets a little better each night. Heating pad to loosen the stiff joints and massage the scar a bit now helps.
ATTENTION:IM NOT A DOCTOR.ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL MEDICINES BEFORE.
THIS IS WHAT HELPED ME.
I'm at 3wk point in my recovery and have found that laying on my side with surgical knee up and a pillow in-between I do this for comfort.for my Meds I take 2 Norco(prescribed pain med) at 8pm(every 8hrs) and goto sleep at 9pm then 4hrs after (12am)I take 2 tylenol(every 8hrs) 650 MG .this is besides other meds I take which includes my nerve med at bedtime.
All meds are pre-approved by my doctors.plus I take 10 mg melatonin.
I'm hitting all my bench marks and walking without aids before 3wks. Very important do the daily exercises 3times a day.remember to push yourself and trust your doctors as you won't hurt the new knee.this has helped me.always talk to doctors about meds.mine told me I can go ahead with both meds just not at Sametime 4hrs in-between.
I am six weeks out of having my total knee replacement. I have full extension flexion to 120 my quad is getting stronger, however there must be a disconnect between my quad and my brain because my leg gives out when I am walking. It does not respond to stem so therefore I am still walking with a cane because I don’t know when my leg is going to buckle and get out.
My knee still does that at 6 weeks and I’m scared that it will buckle if I have no support
Just passed 4 weeks after my 2nd TKR (8 months since my first.)
My biggest issue is significant, localized pain on the inside and outside of my knee. Makes it difficult to sleep on either side, and I don't sleep well on my back.
What do they say is causing the pain? Collateral ligaments?
@@totaltherapysolutions One PT says the pain on the inside of the knee is a hamstring bursa. Amother one says the outside of the knee pain is hamstring as well. I ice them fairly regularly.
One more source of pain is where they clamped the tourniquet above my knee.
My flexion is 115. My extension is -12. Friday will be 5 weeks.
@@totaltherapysolutions The PA said its because they had to detach some membrane from the knee to get better access/visibilty for the TKR.
The pain is real!I'm in18 days!
Great video Tony! I like to do some training on mindfulness and breathing to calm the CNS down as well. All great ideas!
Thanks buddy. Just trying to keep up with you. Have you seen my other channel?
@@totaltherapysolutions Yes, of course! Watched many videos.
Thank you for your Great video! Great information. I'm Grateful.
Sleeping was the worst after it probably took me 2 months to get more than 5-6 hours of sleep each night. What you said about being fearful about addiction was spot on in my case. I think I probably went cold turkey way to soon.
How are you sleeping now?
@@totaltherapysolutions great
I think cutting my pain med in half before therapy (7.5/325 oxy and struggling with pain is why Im only at 100 decrees of flexion and 4 months out from surgery.
Continuing my msg from above..Ive also lost 24 lbs since surgery and dr. Cant figure that out. Has anyone had that problem. I'm hoping its not a problem. I was cutting my pain med in half, fearful of addiction and only taking total of 1 1/2 pills a day.. My dr. never told me it might hurt my therapy effect as I was in a lot of pain and not getting where I needed to be. Now Im reading that it was okay to take that whole pill. Hoping I can get more flexion very soon. I also did 11 weeks of therapy, 3 x week, and didnt do the 12th week as I felt i wouldnt see a miracle happen and bought a stationary bike. Thank you Tony for your videos, i only wish I had found you before 3 mos postop.
Great advice 👌 I’ve been sleeping great until I over done it, & set myself back pain-wise 🙄. Had to sleep on recliner chair for a couple of nights & took my painkillers about 30 mins before settling down for the night, with a drink of warm milky Horlicks . Glad to say I’m feeling much better for it now 👍 had op 4wks today
Thanks Tony good to hear this information,
The issue I am having is that my edema isn't just around the knee, but involves the entire lower leg and foot. Getting the edema out seems like a Sisyphian task - I roll the ball up that hill, then it just falls back down on me when I lay down to sleep. Sucks, can't really get any undisturbed sleep.
I'm 11 weeks post on left tkr and less then 12 hours post on right. If I sleep more then 2 hrs in row, I feel lucky. I'm diabetic so nerve has been problem for several years. I started on Gabapentin 100 mg at bedtime last fall. it help calm legs down. After surgery, I added lotion with camphor, lidocaine, menthol. This works some. The nights burning sensation is unrelenting, I wrap ice packs around the knees. This may buy me another hour. Goodluck all.
Thanks for info, now 9 weeks post op, tkr left knee, things progressing well, walking a few blocks now, but pain each night since op, last three nights I get up and walk to couch then do my 15 physio supplied exercises, knee pain goes, then back to bed. Seems like knee needs to move.
I had Double TKR 5 WKS ago. I did my own pre PT walked 2 miles a day with knees sleeves, walked backwards in the pool 30 minutes a day, yoga 2x a wk and water aerobics 1 a wk. I came out of surgery with 130 flexion and 0 extension. I was steady without any assistance after 2wk. I finally had 2 good knees. Off pain meds at 3wks. Went to PT and they put a band at ankles and had me do ABDUCTION and heel taps off front of step. I know they felt they were dealing with a superstar but they set me back. Now I'm prednisone, tylenol and gabapentin at night.
My Dr told me to take over my PT so I'm back in the pool doing my thing, stationary bike and heels slides. I walk like everyone else with limp and not really slow. My problem is holding myself. 🙄 I still can't believe I allowed the band at ankle and heel taps off front of step. I sure am paying for. Please don't extend your knees way over front foot or allow resistance at 3wks post surgery. I emphasize icing and elevation!
I'm an ultrarunner & have a pretty high pain tolerance so I thought I'd be able to tough out the pain of a PKR. The first 20hrs out of the hospital I was bawling my eyes out, it hurt so much. The oxycodone they sent me home with did nothing. I spent 4-6 hrs in the ER the next day on morphine and they sent me home with 4 mg pills of hydromorphone which is a tablet form of morphine I guess? I'm 5 days post op and with the drugs was able to do my range of motion exercises & moderately comfortable, getting 2-3 hr stretches of sleep a night. I'm about out of the heavy duty pills so I'm a bit worried because pain is definitely worse at night, but hopefully the worst is over. For me walking with crutches eases the pain so I get up and pace the hall overnight when I'm cramping or getting stabby pains.
Just a follow up. Took me 3 weeks to get off daytime narcotics, 5 to sleep w/o Percocet or morphine, bit I stayed solid on working up my strength & range of motion on the elliptical so now I can do 8+ miles a day & green light from the surgeon @6.5 weeks out to cautiously start running some slow miles wearing a hinged brace. The pain is pretty much gone though I still get some irritation at night. OTC voltarin cream has also been hugely helpful, I buy the no name brand at Walmart. Best of luck to everyone trying to survive this! Most painful thing I've ever experienced. Thanks again for the video.
@rosieg7582 how are you today?
One thing I found, since physical therapy office had leg bending machine. I sit in living room couch or chair, especially in morning and evening and let my recliner warm up my leg.
4 weeks post surgery. Nighttime is the worse. I can't seem to find a position or drug combination that works. I have had one night where I slept from 10-0500. Was happy the next day.
Just last night, I decided to wrap my surgical knee before I slept to see if stabilizing it would keep it from hurting. I'm 9 weeks post-op. I think it really did help (discovered I need to also wrap the non- surgical knee) but sometime late in the night, I got up for restroom and discovered I had a sore spot just below the ankle bone on my inner foot. I was a little nervous that maybe my wrapping just my knee was causing some issue down there so I took the wrapping off. But I plan to experiment a little because I really think it helped a lot.
Experimentation is a great idea. Everyone is different.
Thanks for sharing.
The way I do it with night pane. Is a mussel rub. Something like Tiger Bond. I use plastic gloves for this. I use only before I go to sleep. I rub from above the ankle till all the way up the thigh. I don’t rub on the surgical area. Surgeon doesn’t allow that. Once you go under the covers you really feel it start working. And ahhhhh.
What is your experience with patients who also have rheumatoid Arthritis with dealing with this on top of it?
Hello, I am at eight weeks postop from my right TKR. everything‘s going well tiptop a lot of trouble falling to sleep and I have tried everything relaxing music teacher sounds rain on the roof blah blah blah! Over what seems to really help us getting in the shower I have a stall shower with a seat I could sit down with the shower massager on my knee with a lot of heat and actually makes the knee area quite red and warm water really helps and it sets the pace for when I get out of the shower and go back to the recliner it seems to really help fall sleep a little faster. The doctor prescribed Neurontin………Been taking it for three nights and I don’t know if it does anything or not. I have been writing a real bicycle after returning to the rented stationary bike. The knees actually quite stiff when I first start riding but then after about oh say a block distance start to loosen up and then feels great until I stop walk around then it will stiffen up. watching your videos during this eight weeks is an extremely helpful to me basically I’ve done more research on the subject and I’ve overdrawn research on anything in my whole life I think! Thank you once again feel free to respond back to me if you read this.
I take a small cooler with gel ice packs to bed with me so I can change them out in the night. Plus the sleeping pills, pain meds, melatonin, CBD, positioning.....
Just 1 week post op- doing well but at night - that’s a challenge. How to help other areas not hurting- back, quads - my doc says to only use Oxy for before PT- I have a combo of nerve pain meds/Tylenol/meloxicam - works during day.
Thank-you for this information. This is so me right now starting week 4 . But I am really tring hard. Presently have 110 degree bend. But I want more
Thank you!
Two months after total knee replacement surgery and my sleeping positions are just as crazy as the stiffness and the pain during the day.☹️😣☹️
I had a partial knee replacement in Sept. 2020. The implant cam loose. April of 2021 I had a total knee replacement with a bone graft, same knee. I am 10 weeks p/o and can only get 110 flexion. My Dr. told me I will not regain full range of motion. I am continuing to work on exercises. Any advice?
My new knee is 3 weeks old today. Then pain I had after the operation was off the scale and had I known what it was going to be like I don’t think I would have done it, my problem was I take morphine daily for a longterm problem and I could not get the balance right I was worrying I was taking to much but I was not taking enough . By the Friday I was pulling my hair out so I took extra and I got it sorted. I now am able to manage it. I must say I am taking less now only three times a day. Would I now have my other knee done No I wouldn’t I have to point out the pain was operation pain totally differencent to the pain before surgery
Thanks for the comment and sharing this story. It will help others in your situation.
I am in my third week now, still having pain especially at my knee and muscle pain, just waiting to have a peaceful night sleep.
One week post op today. I stopped oxy on day 3 after surgery due to horrible constant nausea and constipation. Still taking Tramadol and Tylenol. I have lipedema and lymphedema as well and normally use a pneumatic pump to remove fluid. Now im so swollen that i have less bending as the days go by. Seems if i push myself one day trying to get to 90 degrees that I can barely walk the next day.
Thanks 🙏
100% a THC gummy each night has helped with this problem. Unfortunately, I am 3 weeks post-surgery and running low. It's ridiculous I can get my hands on an opioid but not a gummy (depends on the state you live in).
Will the zingers, shocks etc. stop and when? You’re awesome,👍🏻👍🏻
Im currently at 7 months post-op and the zingers, zips and shocks are still ever present. Its that dreaded nerve block....has to be, right?!
@J ber Yes,the shredded, sliced n diced nerves!! Learned this in rehab. Just got back home today. Had my right knee replaced 3 1/2 weeks ago. Guess the first surgery wasn't traumatic enough. Have to say this time was very different. Still a living nightmare but...different in alot of ways. Zingers, shocks, etc. are back this time but in different places. Echoes of them still linger from the first surgery. WTF??? I must be a glutton for punishment in the medieval sense. Oh, how I can't wait for the hips to go!!! Excuse me while I scream in torment...AAAAAAAhhhhhhh!!!
@J ber thank you.
Tq for the video. I m 8 weeks into post op for bilateral total knee replacements. Undeniably the worst part of the op is pain n insomnia at night. I going to sleep is a nightmarish. I get up after 1 hour of sleep and this constant awakening will extend right into 3 or 5am before I finally dozed off. I lost 3kg due to lack of sleep. I sometimes had no choice but take a pain killer on bad nights. I walk 1.5km and cycle for 20mins besides flexing exercises daily. Am I doing too much ?
Please share, because I am approaching double knee replacement surgery. Six weeks apart from each other. I'm already having difficulty sleeping, and my stomach is in knots in anticipation of the surgery.
When is your first one scheduled?
I actually misunderstood my surgeon. The right knee is being done on 10/21/21, and he said I should wait at least 6 months before I have the left knee done, because there still is some cartilage
My pain us the bad at night after my partial knee replacement surgery in October 21 2021. On my left knee. It hurts worse then my tight did after the partial knee replacement surgery on May 3 2021
I've had 4 surgeries on my right knee in 2 years, I have medical marijuana and have found right before bed, midnight, to take some, I use liquid. About 4:30 I get up to pee and the pain is back, I'll take 2 tylenol until I wake, works for me.
I have completed 10 wks now. Pain barely any now. I can sleep on side but not for too long. Still sleeping on my back, but I use a pillow under my surgical leg though. It really helps. I take every other day pain med only 1 pill. Trying to wean out completely. Still leg is stiff in the morning and evening. Any suggestion Tony? Thank you. .
Thanks for sharing. The stiffness is common and many report stiffness up to 12 months of more. The best thing we know of is to continue to perform gentle range of motion and some massage to help move the lymph. Sounds like you are doing amazing for 10 weeks post op. Thanks for subscribing.
@@totaltherapysolutions thank you Tony. Yes I massage my knee with Diclofenac Sodium Topical gel. Also seeing my deep tissue massage therapist twice a month. It helped a lot and foot bike too.
4 weeks out and my night time pain is god awful and it feels like neuropathy pain , some night i can get 3 or 4 hours most nights its an hour and a half an im up headed to the recliner ???
Im constantly in the "recliner'...( which is symbolic for a handful of oxycontin...HELP!! )
@@darthdennis6681 god bless you! I know how you felt it was horrid .I slept on the bed ....wake recliner...wake sofa.....I was so depressed ....but I am better now.
I’m 14 and i’m almost 2 weeks post OP and it is definitely frustrating trying to sleep at night. Especially for me because I have a brace on my leg so I can’t bend it yet. It is the WORST!
I'm so sorry to hear you had to endure this at your age! Praying for your full healing. I'm 49 & this is hell, I cannot imagine going through this as a teenager!
Hang in there!
@@amyf5240 Thank you so much! I actually just got my port removed a couple days ago so I’m on my way to full recovery!! And I’m starting to walk like normal again☺️!
@@simplyxkayla Good for you! Take care of yourself, you only get one body (sounds silly to say but really, you can't trade it in unless you are a Kardashian :D LOL! ). With a positive outlook, you will go far!
@@amyf5240 Loll! I will! And thank you again!:D
How about building the muscle in the upper thigh and knee area to reduce pain?
I am always an advocate of building muscle and strength. It definitely may help.