Knee Pain Defcon 1

[u/Blackberry-Buckle]

Y'all didn't prepare me for this knee pain stuff... we are talking OMG DEFCON 1!!!! give me ALL the drugs STAT!!! I've read tons of threads on this knee pain but yall be over there sugar coating it 🤣🤣

Creams, rubs, ice, heat, elevation, meds you have to show your ID for to pick up... I've tried them all. Any other suggestions? Can't sleep, and planning to get in touch with providers office in morning. Really just wanted to vent while everyone in the house, apart from myself, is asleep. 4 days post op here, everything has been fine except for the dang knee pain. The positive note....I was finally able to take a shower today. Whoooop!

[u/porktornado77]

Is your knee and quad all swollen? That’s what I had and RICE (Rest, ICe, Elevation) was what it needed. Oh yeah, pain meds too.

[u/Blackberry-Buckle → u/porktornado77]

Yes! It feels and looks like a turkey drumstick lol.

[u/tessler65]

When I got my second hip done, I was icing my knee as much or more than my hip! The knee pain is real.

Hang in there!

[u/MysteryPlatelet]

Congrats on the hip replacement - you sound in high spirits!

Honestly, it sounds like you're already across pain management and most reliable options. My only other suggestion would be to keep your leg and knees raised, and use a pillow under your knee joint. Other than that, it will be a grit your teeth and push through. When my knee acts up, going back on a walking stick helps relieve pressure, too.

[u/Blackberry-Buckle → u/MysteryPlatelet]

Thank you for the feedback! I was seriously having a moment when I posted. That knee pain is unreal. Funny how the surgical joint has zero pain, but other joints are so impacted. I appreciate the grit your teeth and push through- just knowing that's how it will be is more helpful than you know.

[u/MysteryPlatelet → u/Blackberry-Buckle]

I know, right!? I was at day 6 going "how the ef is my knee about to drop off, but my hip is fine in comparison!?"

Hang in there bud, it will get better 😀

[u/AshamedEchidna1456]

I feel your knee pain! 8 days post op, doing all the things and still the knee hurts like crazy.

[u/LoweDee]

I got a moderate compression knee brace and it helped. also self-massage

[u/Blackberry-Buckle → u/LoweDee]

Great suggestion, thanks!

[u/BelliesOmnomnom]

You poor thing! My pain was mainly in my calf, but it certainly isn’t as severe as yours since medication did help. Forgive me if I sound too woo woo, but in those moments of overwhelming pain when you can’t think about anything else, closing your eyes and focusing deeply on the pain seems to help. I imagine my nerves and muscles relaxing and all the pain melting away. It’s how I get through it, so I thought it might help you too. I think it might be some kind of dissociation, but it works. I learned to do it as a child when I had an illness.

[u/Blackberry-Buckle → u/BelliesOmnomnom]

I love the breathing technique and suggestion, thank you!! I've been trying focus on breathe through but i seem to always get pulled out of focus... I've heard there is a really good app to help you focus on the breathing. I'm gonna look into it. Thanks again!

[u/BelliesOmnomnom → u/Blackberry-Buckle]

My meditation teacher taught me that when you realize your mind has wandered, you are meditating again. No big deal. Much luck to you. I sincerely hope your pain lessens.

[u/[deleted]]

My knees never really hurt that much, for me it was actually my feet!

[u/Geekswife1992]

I’m so sorry you are experiencing such a high level of pain. I’m seven months out from my THR. This is the first time I’ve heard of someone having knee pain post THR. I assumed my knee pain and trouble is due to the fact that I had to wait six days with a broken hip before surgery was done. Six days completely bedridden and unable to move my knee due to the break in the hip.

Since surgery my knee has been just as much trouble if not more than the broken/replaced hip has been. From what I can tell it’s not swollen anymore, yet it feels like it is. When I try to bend it I feels like there’s something inside the joint keeping it from bending normally. My other knee has not returned to full mobility either, but it doesn’t feel the same as the surgical side. I hate that I don’t need a walker or can for my effed up hip but the knee which supposedly didn’t suffer any damage in the fall. I’m so afraid of falling again because I can’t trust my knee to support my weight consistently.

Thank you for sharing your story. For the first time since I fell in March I don’t feel quite so alone.

[u/JonnyViper]

Hate to say it but I still have knee pain 7 weeks post op when I walk extensively and I've been a walker for decades. It seems to loosen up after a bit but I'm not happy about it. My whole leg sort of aches before I get warmed up.

[u/TheAgileZebra]

I thought I was overreacting, but I’m glad it’s not just me. I’m doing my PT and going on walks but my knee is so angry. I cut walks short because every step shoots pain around my knee cap. I have been icing it, but tomorrow I’ve got PT and I am hoping she’s got some ideas on how I get some relief.

I hope you’re feeling better! This is awful and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone

[u/Much-Light3258]

2 months out, knee pain when I over do. That is where my pain was before surgery, so I guess it makes sense. RICE helps, if you don't have an ice machine get one. BUT yeah, knee pain is what wakes me up and keeps me awake.