Pain after Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
I had total knee replacement surgery 4 weeks ago. I am 49 years old. According to my physical therapist, I am doing very well and am ahead of schedule in my recovery and range of motion. However, I am still experiencing quite a bit of pain that requires a narcotic pain reliever. Is this normal? How long does the pain usually last?
Additional comments based on your answers: I am doing exercises in therapy and at home to strengthen my entire leg. I have tried over-the-counter pain relievers, and nothing helps. I will ask the doctor next week if this pain is normal. I am in PT three days a week and do exercises at home twice a day. That’s what was recommended.
Unfortunately this is going to last until all of the scar tissue has been broken down and you can move the knee without any problems. The other aspect of this is that the muscles also have to improve in size and performance. As this happens there will be a decrease in pain. One of the things that you should be doing is working on the entire leg not just the knee. The hip and ankle musculature are also important in controlling what the knee is doing. The more walking that you are able to do the better. Riding a stationary bike is also helpful in controlling the pain. Use ice on the knee for fifteen to twenty minutes per hour to control both the pain and inflammation.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Total Knees can take a good 6-8 weeks to recover, but if you’re still needing pain meds at 4 weeks post-op, you might need to talk to your doctor about this. If your PT thinks you’re ahead of schedule, are you pushing your knee too much? Have you noticed any signs/symptoms of infection: redness, swelling, increased pain, fever?
I think it would be worth mentioning it to your doctor. It could just be that you haven’t recovered yet, but better to see the doctor and rule out something worse.
References :
RN
October 12th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Most patients will be off narcotic meds by 6-8 weeks but everyone is different. Continue to work hard with your therapy as that is the most important thing at this time
References :
20 years of practice
October 12th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
This is very normal. You will have pain, unfortunately, for quite a while. Try not to take too much of the narcotic, it is addictive. Try Advil or something like that during the day and the narcotic at night so you can sleep. I have had 3 knee surgeries and the pain does get better, but it takes awhile. Keep at it with the P.T. they may have an alternative to the narcotic. But hang in there it will get better.
Good Luck
References :
October 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Unfortunately this is going to last until all of the scar tissue has been broken down and you can move the knee without any problems. The other aspect of this is that the muscles also have to improve in size and performance. As this happens there will be a decrease in pain. One of the things that you should be doing is working on the entire leg not just the knee. The hip and ankle musculature are also important in controlling what the knee is doing. The more walking that you are able to do the better. Riding a stationary bike is also helpful in controlling the pain. Use ice on the knee for fifteen to twenty minutes per hour to control both the pain and inflammation.
References :
physical therapist
October 12th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I had little pain with mine, but most people are like you so don’t worry
References :
October 12th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
This is normal at 4 weeks, although the amount of nacotic you require should be significantly less than what it was 4 weeks ago, it’s still usual to be using them on occasion for up to 8 weeks or so.
The significant pain should subside by 12 weeks, but you may experience occasional aches and pains for the next year following surgery.
References :
I am a PT