by gadj1976 » Mon Dec 22, 2025 11:29 pm
Total Knee Replacement
Day 28
Whilst the knee is feeling great overall, sleep is still an issue. I've got bad pain in the medial ligament area which I'm trying to deal with. But there are some learnings I'd like to pass on;
1. Time your pain relief with your bed time. I'm trying to coordinate osteo-ease and Palexia (and significant icing of the knee) 15-20 mins before sleep so I'm at my most relaxed and relieved just before bed.
2. Don't be afraid to over do it. The only way to find out if your knee 'can do' something is to try it. But warning, you'll more likely be sore the next day. For me, my knee blew up like a balloon and set me back the next day or two.
3. Progress is not linear. I was rocketing along a few days ago, then overdid it and haven't got back to where I was a few days back. What this means is that I haven't been able to do the full extent of the exercises since Saturday. Whilst that's not good, see point 2! The physio was relieved I'd pushed it so I knew my new boundaries.
4. Get used to sleeping when you can. Your routine can and will be out of synch. Some people's sleep will return to normal after 2 weeks, but for me, I'm grabbing hours whenever I can to try and make up for lack of sleep at night.
5. Take the drugs. I have been frugal in relation to taking the pain medication but the key message I hear from professionals is that it's easier to maintain it as a '3 out of 10' than let it get to a 6 and try and drag it back.
6. Walking is awesome! My back is feeling great. My leg and knee are feeling good. My flexibility is about 110-115 degrees, (physio tells me it will max out at 120 degrees). Overall, a complete success.
7. Contrary to point 6, if I sleep on my side, my medial ligament is not good. Whether that's from the operation directly, I'm not sure. I'm using a knee brace to sleep. Other research tells me that it could be a misalignment of the implants. Here's hoping it isn't!
8. Get the operation! For those thinking about it, just do it! As far as life is concerned, the knee is brilliant. My sleep is having a detrimental affect on me but if I put that aside, I'd recommend the op 10 out of 10 times!
9. Boredom can exist. What I've found is that despite being busy, your mobility means you're home more than you possibly used to. Add the lack of sleep to the lack of mobility and possibly being couped up at home, and I've got nearly 20 hours in each day to get through. Luckily for me, I've been able to work, but the combination of ice, exercise and watching TV does wear thin. Be prepared for the boredom.
10. Get into a routine. Do your exercises, then ice, then take your drugs. Rinse repeat. The exercises hurt! But they do you good.
I'm sure there are other learnings, but I am way overtired so I'll leave it there for the time being.
Cheers
Gadj
Pic 1, pre surgery
Pic 2, today
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Last edited by
gadj1976 on Tue Dec 23, 2025 8:17 am, edited 1 time in total.