1. < Joint Replacements

Bone Scan results question

Posted by cindymattern @cindymattern, Apr 24 4:54pm

I had a bone scan and it said that there is a photogenic defect from the right total knee arthroplasty...mild surrounding radio tracer update is an expected postoperative finding....with this said I am 17 months out and still have lots of swelling, soreness from below the knee to above the knee that feels like something is pulling and by bedtime it's really sore and hurts Hurt so bad after PT the other day had to take a Tylenol 3. I cannot take nsaids and ice and heat only help some as well and regular Tylenol. Does anyone have any idea what this means before I go to discuss the result with a second orthopedic Dr. I went to. Thanks in advance.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

loll | @loll | Apr 25 5:52am

I hope you get some helpful answers soon and relief.
I don’t have an answer. I had a similar bone scan recently too and have my follow up orthopedic appointment soon.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Apr 25 7:02am

Hello @cindymattern, if you don't mind sharing, was the surgery for a replacement or another orthopedic procedure?

REPLY
1 reply
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Apr 26 5:17am
In reply to @loll "I hope you get some helpful answers soon and relief. I don’t have an answer. I..." + (show)
@loll

I hope you get some helpful answers soon and relief.
I don’t have an answer. I had a similar bone scan recently too and have my follow up orthopedic appointment soon.

Jump to this post

I look forward to hearing your results....this has certainly been a process. I hope that you get some answers as well.

REPLY
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Apr 26 5:21am
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @cindymattern, if you don't mind sharing, was the surgery for a replacement or another orthopedic..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @cindymattern, if you don't mind sharing, was the surgery for a replacement or another orthopedic procedure?

Jump to this post

I should have mentioned...I had a total right knee replacement September, 2022. By later afternoon and evening it hurts really bad...I do take an occasional Tylenol 3 but can't every day and it really only helps some. I personally think it's muscular and don't see the ortho guy (2nd opinion) till next Thursday unless I can get in earlier. I'm just so tired of it being sore, pulling, clunking sometimes and waking up at night sore and stiff. He suggested the bone scan to show areas inflammation. I'm hoping he sees something that we can do that does not require anymore surgery.

REPLY
1 reply
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Apr 27 7:29am
In reply to @cindymattern "I should have mentioned...I had a total right knee replacement September, 2022. By later afternoon and..." + (show)
@cindymattern

I should have mentioned...I had a total right knee replacement September, 2022. By later afternoon and evening it hurts really bad...I do take an occasional Tylenol 3 but can't every day and it really only helps some. I personally think it's muscular and don't see the ortho guy (2nd opinion) till next Thursday unless I can get in earlier. I'm just so tired of it being sore, pulling, clunking sometimes and waking up at night sore and stiff. He suggested the bone scan to show areas inflammation. I'm hoping he sees something that we can do that does not require anymore surgery.

Jump to this post

Hi Cindy. So sorry for what you're going through. I never heard of a bone scan to identify inflammation, but it does make sense, especially in light of your symptoms.

You should not be having these problems at this stage. I'm assuming you did all the post-op exercises for a few months and saw some progress. Now if the knee wasn't rehabbed properly, there could be scar tissue but that wouldn't show on a bone scan - well I don't think so.

The only other thing I can think of is that the femoral or tibial prostheses are too long or too short horizontally. The prostheses should end with a small platform of bone not covered. That's a rare thing to have happen and is caught in the OR and another prostheses is selected.

Anyway, please let us know what the second ortho Dr. has to say. All the best.

REPLY
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Apr 27 7:43am

Thanks....I will for sure. I hope he has some idea of what to do. I have been in PT 4 times so far and just finished last week the last one. my knee is strong, doesn't give out or feel weak but the muscles below the knee and above like my thigh always hurt. No clue what's going on. It felt the best doing the iontophoresis but you can't do that continually so something must be going on.. I have been told the knee itself and the mechanics look good and aren't the issue so it has to be something muscular or scar tissue that has developed.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.