Twisted new knee; how big a deal is this?

I have been gently and slowly walking around the family room, bedroom, and kitchen without the crutch or cane for about two days.  I just steady myself slightly by putting a hand on the back of a chair, the kitchen counter, the dresser or bed footboard.  (I still need the crutch to get up and down the stairs between levels, though.) 

Tonight I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and was not thinking and twisted my body a bit reaching for something on the adjacent counter and twisted my surgical knee along with it.  Not a huge amount of twisting, but enough to make me yelp in pain and pull that leg up immediately, and to need the crutch to walk on it. Before I left the hospital, the surgeon said that I couldn't do anything to damage the knee at that point, so not to be afraid of that aspect of the pain, but now my knee really hurts (and this was about 2 hours ago).

I have it iced, and I took one of my last three oxycodone pills, but it is still barking at me.  So... anyone who has had knee replacement (or works with those who have)... if it still hurts like this in the morning, is this something I need to call the surgeon about or just take it easy? (Tomorrow is one of his two surgical days so he won't be in the office anyway.)  He said I couldn't hurt it, and I am not usually one to rush to call a doctor about every little new pain or odd experience, but no one ever mentioned twisting, so I am a bit unsure and curious what others think.  It may, of course, be just fine in the morning, anyway (well, as fine as it ever is in the morning, which is the worst part of the day)).

Lora

I would say that if you still hurt in the morning, call your surgeon.  It's probably not damaged, but if you are short on pain meds, you may need something to help you through the pain? 

Janet

I agree with Janet but your doctor is right, you really can't do any major harm to it.  You just probably stretched a muscle you haven't been using.  Take it easy for a few days.

Linda

I just got a script for Vicodin to take before my PT sessions and before bed, so I am ok on  pain meds.  Thanks for the input!

Lora

If you are worried call your doctor but it takes a lot more than just twisting to damage your new joint. You probably just stretched muscles in a way they haven't moved in a while.

Thanks, ladies.  The joint is still very sore this morning, and stiffer than usual, but no swelling and no sharp pain anymore, so I guess it is not a big deal.  Thanks for the input.

Lora

Ortho nurse here, you are probably fine. You hurt because you twisted it. Give it a couple of days. Take it easy.

You should be fine.  Rest a little more but do not baby it too much.  In the end, you will be soooooo happy.  One tip people neglected to tell me.  When it gets to the point where you need to kneel, be sure and put some padding down as it feels downright weird.

Thanks for the tip.  Right now I still cannot imagine kneeling on it, but I know eventually that will come.

I have PT this afternoon, so have been trying to stretch it out a bit in preparation for that. 

Lora

I agree with the Ortho nurse that you might have slightly sprained it and taking it easy for a few days should take care of the problem.  The way they put our knees together with glue and screws, so to speak, prevents you from damaging it that easily.

Jim