I am in such pain from a TKR, its been almost 6 weeks. My Doctors tell me it will go away and have conservatively presecribed 5 milligrams of Percoset 2 times a day and Alleive 4 tablets every 4 hours. The Doctors tell me that the underlying tissue has been cut and put back in place and it will take some time. I think the time should have shown some releif (6 weeks). The Doctors are very much against giving narcotic pain medication in fear of addiction. I understand their position but I feel the need for pain medication just to get up from the chair. Physical Therapy is grueling. I feel that I should not have gone through with the operation and would do anything to have my pre operation pain and old knee back. Sometimes I think the Doctors are minimizing or thinking Im boasting the pain level. The implant is fine according to x-rays, there is no infection, my range of motion is about 98 degrees and physical therapy seems to be going well. CAN ANYONE OUT THERE SHARE SOME INSIGHT????
2007-12-24 03:28:21 · 5 answers · asked by carloswarden2006 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
While there still should be signficant pain at this point, there can be much more done to controll the pain as opposed to percocet and Alleve. I cannot think of many people who aren't on narcotics at least through week eight.
Most people see the really signficant change sometime between week 8 and 12. They start sleeping better and for the most part are pain free except during exercise.
You are right though...the pain should at least be better since surgery. If you truely cannot say that it is ANY better, this would be of concern. It would be perfectly normal for you to experience very signficant pain on a daily basis at this point, but it SHOULD have improved since the initial surgery.
I would say most people at this point are still taking Vicoden at least twice a day at this point...some even still on oxycontin.
If the doctor still refused narcotics, I'd at least look into a TENS unit for pain control.
...P.S...it's good they have ruled out prosthetic loosening and infection.
2007-12-24 05:49:29 · answer #1 · answered by mistify 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pain from a knee replacement is AWFUL but it will go away and you will know that it was well worth it. I had a TKR in 1995 and it has been wonderful (once I got through the first three months). Use a heating pad. Ask your doctor about a compound the pharmacist can make with Ketoprofen and vaseline. That stuff works miracles!!!
2007-12-24 04:36:33 · answer #2 · answered by missingora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting some heat on it for a while because if it is cold where you are the cold can make it hurt. I know I haven't had the knee replacement yet they say I'm to young though I'm 27 and I have no cartilage left in my left knee and I'm in constant pain from that. Yet I'm to young but putting heat on it helps that the meds tell your doctor to try tramadol that plus heat helps my knee alot. And I have lived like this for the last 12 years and I have tried it all Ibuprofen,alleive,and even morphine when I was in the hospital after the one and only supposedly repair job. So put some heat on it and talk to your doctor about that tramadol.
2007-12-24 03:49:56 · answer #3 · answered by mesquakiqueen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the surgery a year ago, I also had quite a bit of pain, but my drs gave me 10mg loritab 4 times daily. I was quite better at 8 weeks and started to wean off pain pills, took about 6 months before I didnt need pain pill...I cant believe I could of tolerated with out the pain meds
2007-12-24 03:54:46 · answer #4 · answered by Jo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the patient. The doctors work for you. Tell them directly you want stronger medication. When it's used for a short time, there is no worry about addiction. People can get addicted to Percoset.
If all else fails, you can still get a second opinion or report them to your state or county AMA. They won't like that.
2007-12-24 04:34:05 · answer #5 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋