This article was reviewed and co-authored by Dr. John Tiberi, M.D.,OS (board-certified orthopaedic surgeon). It lasts from a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes. So if you’ve been experiencing a new kind of pain that won’t go away, months after knee replacement surgery, and you’ve been doing leg extensions, STOP the leg extensions, and then see if the pain suddenly starts disappearing. I've had as much pain from my ankle and shin for some reason as I have my knee. In fact I found my night time pain and stiffness was worse if I had a rest day from the exercises. Normal Postsurgical Pain. I now experience a burning, tingling feeling in the patella area. Thank you. At the same time, your activity level has likely increased due to the demands of your ReHab program. It has been reported that more than half of patients wake up with pain after joint replacement. Chronic sleep issues have been correlated with depression, anxiety, and mental distress. Ask your physician about positional precautions for sleeping to see if she/he have any for your joint replacement type. This … I just used pillows placed in various positions and massage before getting into bed. After a total knee replacement, loss of strength, range of motion, and balance lead to an increased risk of falling. Frequent walks, hikes, and exercise on my local 9-hole golf course are a part of my weekly routine. I had a Total Knee Replacement 6 months ago because of Arthritis (I am 57) and had the usual problems at the start, infection, pain, pins and needles, electric shock feelings etc Then on the 4th month after surgery could do without crutches or sticks as I worked very very hard at the Physio exercises to mobilise the knee. After the anesthesia wears off, it is typical to experience moderate to … I was advised to have two naps during the day to help both with rest and enabling the bruising to subside. Unfortunately, when it comes to the safety of your new artificial implant, there are some positions that are off-limits. The hospital said they don't advise people to elevate their leg after TKR anymore. Are you drinking plenty of water this is a must. All rights reserved. You'll never be good as new. Few things are more frustrating than lying awake at night unable to sleep. Shortly there after I began to have muscle spasms in my thighs. It is also unsafe (and painful) to sleep on your surgical side. If anyone knows I would love to know. Copy link. Why is pain worse at night after knee replacement? I mentioned in an earlier tkr blog post that I had a damaged nerve alongside my knee … After the 6 week mark, speak to your care team again to see if it’s safe for you to return to other sleeping positions. The stiffness and pain is beginning to ease for me now and I am doing more around the house. For the first 1-1/2 weeks after my recent right TKR, I felt a lot of a burning type pain each time I lowered my leg after having it elevated. Watch later. It may get "restless" and cause muscle spasms in the 1st 2 months after knee replacement. The recovery time for total knee replacement can be from one to three months. i now have 2 big bruises on the back of my leg. In fact, it’s very common that those recovering from a hip or knee replacement find themselves unable to sleep at night. Dr. Raymond Wittstadt answered 36 … My husband took a big plastic storage box and put a soft blanket on top of it. Let’s break em’ all down. Read on as we share why you’re not sleeping and what you can do to fall asleep and stay asleep. Info. Until then, stick to these positions. 6 months ago, We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are I suppose we're all bruised on the inside from the surgery. After the 6 week mark, speak to your care team again to see if it’s safe for you to return to other sleeping positions. as being in breach of those terms. Here are some tips you can follow ASAP, to rest easy. Pair sleeplessness alongside total exhaustion and uncontrolled pain, and you’ve got a recipe for a post-op breakdown. These exercises will help improve calf mobility, increase strength, and condition the calf to handle the workload associated with normal walking. Could it be just not recommended when a person is in hospital for practical reasons or has there been a change in thinking...seems very odd! i had arthoscopic knee surgery a month ago. I have tried all the usual treatments for spasms ( my potassium is fine). “People with normal, healthy knees usually don’t get pain at night,” he says. My ankle and shin are sore so I rest them on the box after I am reclining. I had knee replacement 3 years ago. Total knee replacement nighttime pain control.AVI - YouTube. Difficult yes. Many of us have commented how difficult it is to sleep at night after a TKR. Has anyone else hear this? One possible complication of a knee replacement is stiffness after the surgery has been performed. I have tried everything...I also have RSL (restless legs synd) which amplifies my pain. I'm using ice right now. Like the number of factors that are working together and causing you to lie awake at night, a bunch of things work together to help you sleep better. This night pain is the worst aspect of the op. I was told that the physios did not like patients to elevate their knees on pillows, but I said that I was making sure it was straight and no one told me I was not allowed to elevate it. The most important step in finding a solution to persistent discomfort is to first determine the cause of the pain. I had it a lot first 4weeks I am now at end of 5th week and I can feel a change. Unfortunately, you’re not alone. That is interesting. He attended medical school at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. Start wearing them day and night, then after a few weeks, switch to just while you sleep. Note: It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after hip replacement surgery. I think what happened to me was during the day you are moving around more. Shopping. Partial knee replacement offers a faster recovery time of a week or two. I had no problem sleeping after op I'm 5 weeks post but now have difficulty sleeping trying to get into a comfortable position. The most common cause of sleep disruption is pain. Yes: After knee surgery, the knee will ache at night and make sleeping difficult. There are two types of knee replacements: total knee replacements and partial knee replacements. I assumed it was a circulation issue. “There’s typically a reason, and it’s often because they have arthritis, commonly osteoarthritis.” Swelling typically lasts for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, but may persist for as long as 3 to 6 months. As long as you take your pain meds as instructed the pain in minimal. We take simple things for granted. Not being able to sleep in your go-to position can certainly keep you up at night. Another type of pain which could be felt in the lower leg is nerve pain. I understand the loss of glups working. Q: I had knee replacement surgery four months ago. But they often lay awake at night, unable to sleep. It will take time but I'm now at 5 weeks and pain and stiffness is all much better now. I have RLS too. If you’re not sleeping properly through the night, your batteries aren’t getting fully charged. It is working well. I will cut down on the meds as soon as  I can. Keep Items Nearby. But in some patients, the pain persists after surgery. Chances are, you already know that sleeplessness is affecting your mood and impacting your recovery. He is a published orthopedic in journals such as The Journal of Arthroplasty, Journal of Bone Joint Surgery (JBJS), and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. After you hit the 2-3 week mark in recovery, your narcotic pain medication may be cut down or eliminated entirely. WITH ALL THIS I might sleep four very brokwn hours. Thank you very much. Dr. Tiberi completed his fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Note: It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after knee replacement surgery. My doctor just put me on baclafin but it is not helping. By six weeks after surgery, most people are having less pain in their new joint and increasing their activity. When will I start sleeping again? A provider will give you anesthesia during a total knee replacement to put you to sleep. I have SEVERE pain in my ankle and the front of my thigh. © Patient Platform Limited. In the meantime, it’s undoubtedly affecting how well you’re sleeping at night. I get up out of bed some times and walk about and again massage the leg. Try sleeping with a pillow underneath the knee and maybe one between your legs as well. Take care. I get the surgical clips out Monday. Many factors can affect the quality of sleep after a major surgery including anesthesia-type, narcotic use and discomfort due to pain or restricted leg movements. Registered in England and Wales. By the way, I care for my wife full time so I had to get A in Gear. The thing that worked for me was walking around and massage, using voltarol gel. I've learned how to take my crutch while still sitting and to push the box away and then I use the elbow rest on one crutch to push it back towards me and it is just the right height to slip my feet on. 21 users are following. Why does my TKR pain hurt so much worse at night than during the day? Go to physical therapy it does work and keep moving. Had some of … However, you can manage with regular pillows as well. Tossing and turning. Got to admit I am missing work have started knitting. After undergoing a major surgery like total knee replacement, such a side effect might occur. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I feel rather panicky when lying on my back for hours. During knee replacement, a surgeon cuts away the damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap, and replaces it with an artificial joint. Personally, I don’t have any hip replacement position restrictions on sleep.”. I find laying in the bed torture. Go to sleep then two hours later wake up very sore and unable to go back to sleep. Yes I have pain at night which keeps me awake unless I take Oromorph or 2 Tramadol and 2 paracetemol. “While you sleep, your brain triggers the release of hormones that encourage tissue growth”, “most studies agree that a temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for sleeping”. The most common causes of pain after knee replacement include: 1. appropriate medical assistance immediately. With the last op I did not use crutches etc at all and walked from day 1 at home. Recovery from a total replacement … Pain and Discomfort: First and foremost, whether you’ve had a hip or knee replacement, you’re going to be in pain. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In addition to the pain culprit, there are other contributors that are creating your ‘perfect storm’ of sleeplessness. People sharing like this does help and keeps us from feeling like we're the only one. They may be concerned that people might put the pillow right behind the back of the knee in a way that put pressure on the veins behind it maybe? I'm very sorry to hear about the morphine. I take my medication at midnight. Consult your doctor to see if there are other positions you should avoid. Yes it was hell and very painful, but you have to push through. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? Pulling the blankets up. Bless you as I'm told by everyone 3 months down the line it will get better I sometimes wish I hadn't had it done I've had a knee cap replacement but have been told probably need a tkr in a couple of years have been told sometimes the pain is as bad as a tkr I'm having physio every week b4 starting the hospital sessions which are more intense 45mins. It seems very surprising! SUGGESTIONS WELCOME! Posted by bengalady @bengalady, Oct 9, 2019. Having a joint replacement? Hang … I start physio Monday. Stick with it. In my case it was the pain at night, trying to get comfortable, and increased stiffness that kept me awake so I don't think your experience is all that unusual. About 30 percent of patients experience moderate pain after a total knee replacement. “People that need to have a knee replacement have pain that interferes with their usual pursuit of life, and it hasn’t responded to pills, shots, bracing and exercise,” Tarlow says. I am now 4 weeks post op and I am driving, walking normally and doing all my daily chores. I have loss of muscle movement above my knee need to get the glups working can't lift my leg but getting there slowly think I only have 45degree bend as well. They are especially bad at night when I am laying down. Elevating your knee above the heart level helps reduce the swelling after knee surgery and help you control the fluid build up in your lower legs. Best wishes with this journey, it's worth it! Physicians Note: Sleep restrictions are tied to stability precautions. It’s important that you stick to safe positions and pay attention to your body. Im taking Mobic twice a day and TYLENOL 1,000 mg at bedtime along with 5 mg of ambien juat to fall asleep. Sign-up for PeerWell and you may be able to PreHab on your smartphone alongside proactive peers! and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified Hope this helps and it improves for you soon. Around the 6 week mark, once your physician gives you the greenlight, you may be able to return to sleeping in your preferred position (such as on your stomach or surgical side). I did the excercises diligently months before each op and kept on after the op. Or maybe a shortage of pillows! They stop once I sit up. Do not attempt to lie in this position. It is also unsafe (and painful) to sleep on your surgical side. General pain may occur for up to several weeks following a total knee replacement. who knows! My husband and I work together so he is going solo at the present time. Stiffness, pain down my calves. -ditto with NORCO ES. Plus, pain relief is so important to enable you to do those exercises. After surgery, some pain is normal. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in SLEEP! I also kept them on my nightstand if it fell within the allotted hours permitted for the next dose. Exercising is vital, but do try to ice and elevate the knee as much as possible. my calf muscle is very tight and hurts when i walk. Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement. If anyone does, post. Calf pain after knee replacement can happen for many reasons, but after surgery the most common reason is weakness, swelling, and change in activity levels. I've been told the ankle and thigh pain is due to the tourniquets and straps used during surgery. I’m doing great. During knee replacement surgery, the Peroneal nerve (which travels down the leg past the knee) … I have had both knees done within 10 months. People with a stiff knee after knee replacement may experience an inability to fully straighten the leg, to bend the knee back, or both. For early access to articles like this, join the peerwell blog. Your recovery requires all the dedication and energy you have. Lajam tells her patients, "I'm not the fountain of youth, I'm the fountain … Our clinical information is certified to meet NHS England's Information Standard.Read more. Night time is pretty bad but ice helps a great deal. respect of any healthcare matters. Here’s why sleep matters more than ever. However, around the 6 week mark you should be experiencing less pain, be off pain medications that cause side effects, and you will likely get the green light from your care team to sleep in more comfortable positions. Staying In Shape Two Years After Knee Surgery. A fall can damage the prosthesis or interfere with the healing process. It's certainly not easy to control at this stage of recovery. There are more sleep precautions for the posterior approach than the anterior approach. Perhaps arranging your medications so that you're taking them before bed might help. It is worse than previous knee pain, and getting worse as more time goes by. My surgeon (in another state) says everything normal based on X-ray. Groaning and moaning. I am also using a lot of Icy HOT with lidocaine, biofreeze, etc. Or I guess it could be complicated having lots of morphine filled patients with legs rolling off pillows! WIth both I decided to walk without crutches/aids from day 6. Make sure you take your meds and icing if you have to ice when on bed it may help hope settles down soon. I under went knee replacement surgery in March. Having a right knee wedge can make your life much more comfortable. Sleep is very elusive. 1161 Mission St. when the first half of my ambien wears off in a couple hours intake the other half (another 5 mg). But the primary cause of knee pain, according to Dr. Stearns, is usually a form of arthritis. My ankle and shin are super sore. It took 3 months for the pain to subside. Make sure your exercises are done, ice and elevate. Depending on the stage of recovery you’re in, there may be a few things contributing to your lack of sleep. Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. Hope you can return to work soon. I am very sorry to hear about the sleep issues. Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified by … For most people, knee replacement significantly improves mobility and relieves knee pain. Total knee replacement nighttime pain control.AVI. By employing a handful of tactics that are proven to promote better sleep, you should be able to catch more zzz’s at night. But oh man , that pain at night! Many of us have commented how difficult it is to sleep at night after a TKR. Please check with your physical therapist or doctor before performing these exercises. Dr. John Tiberi, M.D.,OS (board-certified orthopaedic surgeon). It gives me hope. X. I had awful first 2 weeks at home, in tears many times through lack of sleep & pain. I have received comments from some readers, and I can attest to the concern myself. I am in such pain that I cry from around 3:00 A.M. on till after day light. TRAMADOL is not much help either. I thought maybe it was to do with just preferring patients to keep their legs flat to help extension? Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? Icing them too. One of the most common complaints after knee or hip replacement is difficulty sleeping. It drives me nuts. Fluffing your pillow. Edited Hang in there, it really does get better with time and exercise. 12 days post op. Same here. My ankle and shin hurt badly. OXYCODONE only helps a couple hours. Elevation after knee replacement. Another milestone passed. Then I would wake up an hour or two later in pain and was unable to go back to sleep. I have been reading many posts and now I know that I am one of the lucky ones. I would go to bed and initially got to sleep quite quickly. sta-d, pain, sleep, knee joint replacement, knee. This is the crunch and the main reason for healing so quickly. Ripping the blankets off. This pain will last for several weeks (even months) until it’s well under control again. In my case it was the pain at night, trying to get comfortable, and increased stiffness that kept me awake so I don't think your experience is all that unusual. The level of your knee replacement pain at night depends on which type of knee replacement surgery you get. San Francisco, CA 94103, https://www.linkedin.com/company/peerwell/. It seems unfair that after enduring a joint replacement surgery that’s been stressful on your mind and body, you’ve found yourself unable to get a good night’s sleep. There’s no clear-cut answer for this. It seems to be a common consensus that patients have sleeping concerns after a total knee replacement (tkr). However, if the pain lasts for several weeks following surgery, it may be a cause for concern. Dr. Tiberi is the winner of Dana M. Street Orthopaedic Research Award. Throwing a pillow to the ground. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek I had both my knees replaced last year on July 11th. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Don't look forward to physio although I am doing the beginning excercises now. Look forward to when I can. Sciatic nerve pain after knee replacement is something that is faced by 16 to 20% of the patients. After a PT session I hurt so bad that night … Although I don't have a great answer for this, my guess is the inactivity and increased stiffness by lack of movement. During the first week, make sure your walker is placed in reaching distance from … Hope you improve soon keep at the exercises and take your meds I have cut down my meds only take if needed wishing you all the best. John Tiberi, M.D.,OS is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in minimally-invasive hip and knee replacement surgery and reconstructions. Author Tips: Try this stretch that has been shown to wipe out sciatica and lower back pain Did they say why? Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use However, do you know that in the first weeks of recovery, sleep is extra important? At night I get severe shooting pain in the knee to the point of tears nightly. I've got to sit up or walk around. I went home the next day after showing the Dr I could walk. It was quite a long time before I could sleep on my side again so ws sleeping on my back. Share. Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. Consult your doctor to see if there are other positions you should avoid. Do not attempt to lie in this position. Tap to unmute. Pain is a likely underlying reason you’re awake at night. I’m playing pickle-ball twice a week. Try to do exercises at reasonable intervals throughout the day. It was so bad I was even on morphine at night. Use your ice pack and take your painkillers at regular intervals too. For now I am sleeping in the recliner. Glad you're feeling better. Difficult yes. Why do I still have pain? For instance, Dr. Tiberi adds that, “The position recommendations are variable. I took 6 weeks of PT and the range of motion was right on the mark but the pain was still there. I didn't think I could give myself shots but have been able to do it. hbspt.forms.create({region:"na1",portalId:"4147530",formId:"e02d6fe6-0552-47d4-ab70-d913c4201182"}); PeerWell c/o WeWork   Thank you. It’s a double-edged sword: your body needs sleep to recover from the procedure, however, it’s the pain and side-effects of surgery that are contributing to your insomnia. It's a baffling type of recovery that's for sure. Get game-changing articles on PreHab for joint replacement surgery, back surgery, acl repair, pain management & more. Can't sleep on side yet. Without this knowledge, it is very difficult to find an appropriate treatment.