After 13 months TKR knee still warm and slightly swollen

Posted by zoobird1 @zoobird1, Mar 18 4:02pm

I’m 70 years old and had total left knee replacement February 16, 2023. I had a partial right in 2019 and with both I did very well in Rehab. With this left one I was told it could take a year to fully heal.
Since the surgery I’ve always had some tenderness from above my knee to half way down my calf. It just feels bruised and scraped and I still have some pain in my knee area.
For a few weeks last fall it finally felt pretty good and at times the warmth was almost gone. Then in December it flared back up and at my year checkup appointment I saw my PA who said my x-rays look good. She was concerned about the warmth and tenderness and ordered a Sed Rate and C-Reactive Protein blood tests, both which came back fine. She put me on a 15 day regimen of Prednisone which helped a bit for a couple weeks but now I feel just as bad as before. Also I now have two bony knobby places that aren’t on the right one
Is this normal after 13 months?

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rae1954 | @rae1954 | Mar 20 5:30pm

In reply to @zoobird1 "When was your surgery?" + (show)

L was done in December 2022 - that’s the one that still hurts. The R was done in March 2021 - probably took 3-6 months to get back to full function. Started with a lot of pain right after surgery, that slowly but steadily improved. After 4-6 weeks I wasn’t taking anything for pain but was still using ice when I overdid things. My L improved to where I didn’t need narcotics but not any better than that. It’s very frustrating

greenacressoon | @greenacressoon | Mar 20 5:31pm

In reply to @rae1954 "I had fluid drawn from my knee to culture it. Culture was negative for bacteria but..." + (show)

Sorry I can’t be more help. Have you considered a 2nd opinion with a different surgeon? My BIL highly trusted his first surgeon who had previously done a textbook perfect hip replacement on him. It wasn’t until he consulted a doctor in a different practice that the MRSA was found. I’m not saying It was your doctor’s fault. Sometimes bad stuff just happens.

lmc | @lmc | Mar 20 5:32pm

In reply to @ezas123 "You can go online check them out they very helpful with information…. Use to only b..." + (show)

thanks for the info

rae1954 | @rae1954 | Mar 20 5:51pm

In reply to @greenacressoon "Sorry I can’t be more help. Have you considered a 2nd opinion with a different surgeon?..." + (show)

I did. The second surgeon viewed all the tests/films and although he also didn’t see any clear cut issues he agreed that I should have a revision. They both say the amount of time since surgery and the amount of pain/heat/swelling says something is wrong with the replacement even if they can’t see it. I just haven’t been able to make myself repeat the surgery.

zoobird1 | @zoobird1 | Mar 20 9:11pm

In reply to @rae1954 "L was done in December 2022 - that’s the one that still hurts. The R was..." + (show)

I share your frustration. My partial right KR was so easy after the first few weeks.

rae1954 | @rae1954 | Mar 20 9:30pm

In reply to @zoobird1 "I share your frustration. My partial right KR was so easy after the first few weeks." + (show)

Frustrating for sure. Thanks for your compassion. I wish you all the best in the future.

ezas123 | @ezas123 | Mar 21 5:37am

In reply to @rae1954 "I did. The second surgeon viewed all the tests/films and although he also didn’t see any..." + (show)

I hear your frustration….after my first tkr went wrong and I was not getting anywhere … I had a lot of pain and was stuck at 65 degree my dr did not want to admit anything was wrong, just said I was not pushing because of the pain….After second opinion dr just looked at X-ray knew it was too big … dr said I would have to get redone but would have to deal with the pain another 6 months had to wait a year…..so in that 6 months i continue to exercise, mentally had to prepare myself to go through all that pain again … the first tkr I woke up from surgery in horrific pain…..long story short had 2 tkr surgery woke up no pain , the recovery the second time around has been amazing, I must say i have more scar tissue because of having 2 surgeries I still do mfr , graston , I go to the gym 5 days a week …trust me been there ….. make decision that you can live with , you may not have the proof but can you live with the pain and limitations …. Good luck in whatever you decide to do ….

rae1954 | @rae1954 | Mar 21 6:17am

In reply to @ezas123 "I hear your frustration….after my first tkr went wrong and I was not getting anywhere …..." + (show)

Thanks for your input. You give me hope. Which surgeon did you use for the second surgery?

ezas123 | @ezas123 | Mar 21 6:37am

In reply to @rae1954 "Thanks for your input. You give me hope. Which surgeon did you use for the second..." + (show)

I live in northeast pa dr Kolesar he is out of Gesinger in Wilkes Barre pa….very compassionate and skillful dr and he has a wonderful team …. He gave me my life back