Gransnet forums

Health

Knee replacement pain help please

(16 Posts)
Mrst1405 Sun 21-Nov-21 15:13:23

I've had both of mine done, one was very painful, the other not too bad. Lots and lots of ice and elevation helped more than anything. Keep as mobile as you can.

Aveline Sun 21-Nov-21 13:45:53

NfkDumpling me too. I just pottered and walked, generally kept moving and had a very good bend due to that.
I've done the same after my recent hip replacement and can hardly believe how quickly I've recovered and don't even think about my new hip.

NfkDumpling Sun 21-Nov-21 13:42:28

I should have added that my slightly slipping the time between doses of Paracetamol only lasted a few days! I was actually painkiller free after only a week.

One thing... my progressive surgeon didn't believe in physiotherapy. I was instructed to just potter. Keep moving and using the knee as much as I could. And then rest with the knee raised. It worked with both knees and I have a good bend by just doing what I could but never forcing it too much.

Kali2 Sun 21-Nov-21 09:20:44

Oh I feel for you- been there, done that! And I had to make a fuss to get more pain relief- in my case the 'extra' pain was due to the fact they had to shave off lots and lots of extra bone growth (from an old injury). But it will get better- try and do some breathing exercises and visualise nice things and try to relax your muscles- all the tension and stress makes the pain worse.

Totally normal to be sent home with paracetamol only, as other pain killing drugs are so addictive. But please, no overdosing on paracetamol as it can be very destructive for your kidneys, and worse.

It will pass - but sending hugs as I know how hard this is.

Aveline Sun 21-Nov-21 09:05:43

I suspect that once the immediate shock of it all eases that poor pen50 will manage quite well on Paracetamol taken at the right time and dosage. It's amazing how you can feel so much better so quickly. However, right now she needs more than that. Ice Ice baby!

NfkDumpling Sun 21-Nov-21 07:58:42

It is a very big operation so it will be painful. But, you do need to make the most of your time in hospital to get as much sleep as possible- and dose up on pain relief. I was given as much as was needed to dull the pain so I could sleep. You do need to politely and persistently insist.

When I was discharged it was just with Paracetamol. I think I may have overdosed a bit!

MissAdventure Sun 21-Nov-21 07:43:57

I know that, lincslass.
I wrongly assumed the op was at home, on reading that she had been in tears all night.

Aveline Sun 21-Nov-21 07:41:56

In the meantime ask for ice packs or even just ice cubes in a pillowslip. It can really help. Hope you get some relief soon.

Lincslass Sun 21-Nov-21 07:41:24

MissAdventure

You can take certain other painkillers with oromorph.
Ibrupofen is good for inflammation.

Also, take the oromorph regularly, so that the pain doesnt get out of control, as it's harder to get it down to an acceptable level than to keep on top of it.

Do you have someone to send to a pharmacy for you?

You may be able to use a cold or warm pack on it, but your need to check all these things.

You cannot buy Oromorph over the counter. No hospital will let a patient use any drugs brought in by a friend.

Ladyleftfieldlover Sun 21-Nov-21 07:28:44

Blimey! I had a partial knee replacement in May and was never allowed to remain in pain. At one point I was given liquid morphine. I am afraid you will just have to keep ringing that bell and ask. I’m sure the nursing staff don’t want to have to deal with a patient in agony all weekend. If they have to get permission from a Consultant for more pain killers, they can ring them at home!

MissAdventure Sun 21-Nov-21 07:17:11

Honestly, you just need to keep telling everyone you see that your pain is too much, and request painkillers.
It's not acceptable to have left you crying all night.

It's uncomfortable to have to kick up a fuss, but you must politely insist.

pen50 Sun 21-Nov-21 07:11:02

I'm being treated as if I'm asking because I'm addicted, not in pain. I've had a few days of opioids (codeine) after cracking a rib back in the summer but before that nothing since the other knee in 2019.

MissAdventure Sun 21-Nov-21 07:04:27

Oh sorry, just seen you're in hospital!!
In that case, ring that bell and ask for help!

MissAdventure Sun 21-Nov-21 07:02:58

You can take certain other painkillers with oromorph.
Ibrupofen is good for inflammation.

Also, take the oromorph regularly, so that the pain doesnt get out of control, as it's harder to get it down to an acceptable level than to keep on top of it.

Do you have someone to send to a pharmacy for you?

You may be able to use a cold or warm pack on it, but your need to check all these things.

Oopsadaisy1 Sun 21-Nov-21 06:48:27

I feel so sorry for you, my daughter had the same problem and discharged herself so that we were able to source painkillers here at home and she was in absolute agony.

The only thing I can suggest is that you kick up a fuss and demand to speak to your Consultant or someone on the Senior Nursing Staff, It really isn’t on to leave you without effective pain relief over a weekend.
Can anyone from home make some phone calls on your behalf if you aren’t successful?

I hope you can sort something out and that you get something to help you very soon.

pen50 Sun 21-Nov-21 06:38:39

I'm in hospital having had a total knee replacement on Thursday morning - the major sort with tendons and stuff. I was in a lot of pain and I was put on twice a day oxycontin on Thursday afternoon. That kicked in about lunchtime on Saturday and I had a blissful few hours catching up on my sleep. However the pain came back as bad as ever last night and on enquiry I discovered I'd only been given 48 hours of oxycontin - so nothing on Saturday evening - and the pain team is off until Monday. I'm being given oromorph which helps a bit but not enough to let me sleep.

GNers, what can I do? I've spent most of the night in tears with the pain. This is my second one and I remember having pain problems with number one as well.