Total Knee Repair Revision: A Success Story

A had a revision a year after my replacement because original dr put in knee was two sizes two big . Could not get any flexion original dr also did mua at 6 weeks made it worse …. I was stuck at 65-70 for year I pushed … I got second opinion when dr was telling me it was me not been able to push through it … it was like a brick wall my leg would not go past and felt like there was too much stuffed inside my knee …. Once I got second opinion everything made sense with original x-ray after tkr surgery dr told me was to to big would never get any more flexion….that was it scheduled surgery had to wait one year from first tkr not to hurt surrounding ligaments…. From time I woke up pain was gone was amazing …. I have gotten to 105 flexion i can do most things ….i still get stiff and sore I had to slow down at the gym my other knee is the issue now but I am not having it done ….i have stretch routine now I miss the gym though lol ….but if you have any question be happy to answer if I can …. Good luck to you …. Let me say I feel tkr is last resort exhaust all other options …sounds like you are doing your research and that is the first thing …..you will read so much don’t get me wrong tkr goes great for a lot of people I thought I be back to work in 6 weeks lol …. But for me did not work out…. But you should have exercise program now building up those muscles in your legs …. It will help as you go through the process does wonders for your recovery……I know your in pain but you will be after tkr so have push through some of it and just ice ….good luck

Dear Ezas,
Your story was very helpful to me. Briefly I had TKR in Feb. of 23. Recovery was very difficult from the beginning. I had been doing training to strengthen my knee before hand. I haicd MUA in May which the doctor held up a picture of my knee bend and said see here look your knee is a perfect bend and I said You can do it but so what I can't bend. So my bend stayed around 70. I did CPM machine made myself get to 100 but did not change went to therapy 3X a week and sometimes would get in my car and cry it was sooo difficult. No one ever even hinted that it could be the hardware in my knee. Then in April of this year I took a step in my kitchen and fell to find out I broke my femur. I now have a rod in my knee.
The femur surgeon has taken a special interest in my case and brought up the need for a scecond opinion and recommended a joint specialist. Unfortunately I can't get in to see him until Sept. The concern there is doing anything to my knee until my femur is healed. MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS; HOW DID THEY DISCOVER THAT YOUR REPLACEMENT WAS TWO SIZES TOO BIG??

I was told by a 2nd virtual Dr consult that I should try MUA first- though it was discussed at 6 week post-op that there was discussion of going down half size or so for femoral component. I’ve struggled in PR and haven’t gained anymore flexion or extension since my 6 week. I’m going on my 10th week and they can push me down to 0*, but at home it bounces back up to about 9*, also 122* flexion by 2 cranking on me, but on my own about 109*. These are not good numbers for pain free walking. The PT group thinks it’s the femoral overhang potentially as my pain points to this area when walking or going down stairs.
I contacted my surgeon to ask to discuss an MUA. Timing is of essence. I’ve read it doesn’t work for oversizing. It does sound like everyone tries this first before a revision though.

It’s only my joint and another 6 weeks of aggressive therapy- right? I didn’t sign up for this. Apparently only 4-7% have MUA, but when I talk to others, seems much more prevalent.

Wish the surgeons worked more closely with PT in guidance and follow up. They do surgery and they are done it seems.

I took my x-ray in from after tkr … they knew just by the looking at it …. Let me tell you I fell for you I remember that pain and even if you gain a little you can never retain it …. I like you hurt from the moment I woke up from original tkr surgery with revision pain was gone from moment I woke up all I can say recovery much easier than original tkr…. Well use to all the exercises lol …good luck it does get better

Dear Ezas,
I had my second opinion appointment yesterday and it was sooo disappointing. This guy is a joint specialist and looked at my x-ray past and present gave me no diagnosis. He really didn't seem to care or really want to deal with my situation. He did talk about revision surgery but gave me no real encouragement about . . . personally I think he didn't want to deal with it. The only suggestion was this bulky contraption like brace that mechanically bends your leg. My leg does bend but not enough to go up and down stairs efficiently. My femur is healing nicely which makes me want exercise my knee more and thats about the most constructive thing I can do right now. I have a call in to my femur surgeon who is terrific to see what she suggest.

Dear Ezas,
Your story was very helpful to me. Briefly I had TKR in Feb. of 23. Recovery was very difficult from the beginning. I had been doing training to strengthen my knee before hand. I haicd MUA in May which the doctor held up a picture of my knee bend and said see here look your knee is a perfect bend and I said You can do it but so what I can't bend. So my bend stayed around 70. I did CPM machine made myself get to 100 but did not change went to therapy 3X a week and sometimes would get in my car and cry it was sooo difficult. No one ever even hinted that it could be the hardware in my knee. Then in April of this year I took a step in my kitchen and fell to find out I broke my femur. I now have a rod in my knee.
The femur surgeon has taken a special interest in my case and brought up the need for a scecond opinion and recommended a joint specialist. Unfortunately I can't get in to see him until Sept. The concern there is doing anything to my knee until my femur is healed. MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS; HOW DID THEY DISCOVER THAT YOUR REPLACEMENT WAS TWO SIZES TOO BIG??