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Total knee replacement problems

Posted by daynaj @daynaj, Aug 6 4:12pm

I am really hoping someone can help. I had a total knee replacement 3 years ago (age 48) due to a motorcycle accident in my teens. I am in more pain than I was before. My knee constantly feels like there is an ace bandage wrapped around it. It is very tight, stiff, and painful. I did all of the PT and still can't straighten my knee any further than I could before. I have been back to my doctor twice about this problem and have gone to see a different doctor, and they both tell me some patients just don't do so well with knee replacements. This can't be the only answer! I am 51 years old and struggle to accept the fact that I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life. I have very tiny bones. I had a disc replaced in my neck and had to go back in 2 weeks later to have it replaced with a specially ordered disc because the smallest one this particular manufacturer makes was too big for me. It makes me think this might be the issue with my knee as well. Any advice?

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skshapiro | @skshapiro | Sep 16 11:57am
In reply to @algrieco "What went wring with her replacements? My problem is severe Arthrofibrosis (excessive scarring). In 6-10% of..." + (show)
@algrieco

What went wring with her replacements? My problem is severe Arthrofibrosis (excessive scarring). In 6-10% of people having replacements, their immune systems respond by laying down excessive amounts of scar tissue. This tissue inhibits range if motion and causes pain & inflammation. I went to HSS for a second opinion and found out that they have developed a test, which will be announced in a few months, which will be administered prior to surgery to identify those who will have a marker for excessive scarring. Had i known this, i would not have had the surgery. Now i face a revision to a hinged knee. This is so they can remove all of the tendons, where scar tissue tends to build up. The hinge takes on the function of the tendons.

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I am right now seeking a third opinion with problems with my TKR (FEB 23) Tell me more about this hinge that takes on the function of the tendons. I have a history of my knee buckling especially going down elevations. My surgeon did not inquire or question me about this before scheduling TKR. NowI have extreme tightness in my right knee and my walking is greatly inhibited. I have had five buckling falls SINCE my TKR and noone has addressed WHY. Your information about hardware that takes on the function of the tendons sounds interesting. How can I get more information about this?

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1 reply
algrieco | @algrieco | Sep 16 2:35pm
In reply to @skshapiro "I am right now seeking a third opinion with problems with my TKR (FEB 23) Tell..." + (show)
@skshapiro

I am right now seeking a third opinion with problems with my TKR (FEB 23) Tell me more about this hinge that takes on the function of the tendons. I have a history of my knee buckling especially going down elevations. My surgeon did not inquire or question me about this before scheduling TKR. NowI have extreme tightness in my right knee and my walking is greatly inhibited. I have had five buckling falls SINCE my TKR and noone has addressed WHY. Your information about hardware that takes on the function of the tendons sounds interesting. How can I get more information about this?

Jump to this post

My problem is severe Arthrofibrosis (scarring). My immune system has reacted to my 3 knee surgeries, aimed at removing scar tissue, by laying down even more. I will , most likely agree to the hinged revision. I have been waiting several months for my appointment, which is next Monday. Here is an article about hinged replacements for my condition.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35693134/
I would be interested in hearing from any one who has Immunotherapy to calm down their body’s immune system. Good luck!!!

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1 reply
ruthblaze | @ruthblaze | Sep 17 11:09am
In reply to @ezas123 "A lot to process…. Tkr are a very difficult surgery ….there are no guarantees…. At the..." + (show)
@ezas123

A lot to process…. Tkr are a very difficult surgery ….there are no guarantees…. At the end of the day we can just pray all goes well …. So take your time do your research …..best to you on finding all you need …..

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I am one of the unlucky ones think carefully before you do that surgery

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cathymw | @cathymw | Sep 17 11:11am
In reply to @millie71 "I had TKR 13 months ago on left knee. Only got 90 angle and have calf..." + (show)
@millie71

I had TKR 13 months ago on left knee. Only got 90 angle and have calf pain, foot pain and tightness around the knee. Went to a different surgeon about right knee pain. He looked at both and said the left knee was not placed to work with my slightly bowed legs. I cannot walk without a pulling of my leg. First surgeon never addressed my pain or pulling sensation, calf pain or foot pain. The new surgeon solution is a revision on the left knee and a partial replacement on the right knee. I am doing testing and research before making a decision. The original TKR was very painful.

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There are Drs. who specifically look at the bow-legged or knock-kneed issues and plan on this. Ask about this with your second opinions. I would not have a revision and partial at the same time. Physical therapy would be very difficult to say the least.
Best wishes!

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ddsack | @ddsack | Sep 18 8:52am

After I saw a photo of myself in shorts while on vacation, I realized how pigeon-toed I looked, had not noticed it before. I mentioned this to my surgeon before I had the second knee done, and he adjusted for it on the left leg. I had had problems with sciatica on that side, and after the TKR it has gone away completely. There was something about my gait and trying to relieve pain and pressure on the knee that must have irritated the nerve.

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skshapiro | @skshapiro | Sep 19 5:30pm
In reply to @algrieco "My problem is severe Arthrofibrosis (scarring). My immune system has reacted to my 3 knee surgeries,..." + (show)
@algrieco

My problem is severe Arthrofibrosis (scarring). My immune system has reacted to my 3 knee surgeries, aimed at removing scar tissue, by laying down even more. I will , most likely agree to the hinged revision. I have been waiting several months for my appointment, which is next Monday. Here is an article about hinged replacements for my condition.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35693134/
I would be interested in hearing from any one who has Immunotherapy to calm down their body’s immune system. Good luck!!!

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Thank you for the link. It looks very interesting. I have an upcoming appointment with my femur surgeon who is v ery approachable and I will also bring up the subject of Immunotherapy with her. I would like to know how your upcoming appointment goes.

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healthtalk | @healthtalk | Sep 20 6:22am

I had very bad experience with my knee surgery. I am in much worse condition after two and half years and two surgeries
My question is
Is it normal practice to put nickel in TKR. IS IT tatnium supposed to be used

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1 reply
barbarasolinski | @barbarasolinski | Sep 21 12:09pm

I had both knees replaced in February 2013. 3 months post op I ruptured my left quadriceps tendon. It was attempted to be repaired at the time in May of 2013 which was not successful. Was told that it can happen in 2-3% after tkr. Another repair was attempted 6 months later with a tendon graft, which unfortunately was also unsuccessful. I am left with a weak left knee and needing to use a walker to get around. It has been difficult as when it starts to buckle, I don't have the strength to prevent a fall!! That's been 10 years ago now. I have recently seen some other Dr's to see if anything can be done now. Unfortunately I'm told that if it was attempted to be repaired twice that there isn't anything that can be done now. I was hoping that there would be medical advances in the 10 years but no. So I've made my mind up to do what I can. I take an aqua aerobics class for arthritics which helps keep me moving and without weight bearing. Downfall was when my fitness center closed for 9 months due to covid and all my arthritis symptoms got worse. Now back in the water it's wonderful!! So that was my unfortunate postop complications from total knee replacements. I keep moving forward as best as I can.

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skshapiro | @skshapiro | Sep 21 4:43pm
In reply to @healthtalk "I had very bad experience with my knee surgery. I am in much worse condition after..." + (show)
@healthtalk

I had very bad experience with my knee surgery. I am in much worse condition after two and half years and two surgeries
My question is
Is it normal practice to put nickel in TKR. IS IT tatnium supposed to be used

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I knew from my nickel pierced earrings I might be allergic to nickel and after doing allergy testing it was confirmed that I was. My TKR surgeon is known for taking a mold of your knee before surgery and he uses that for the hardware unfortunately the company only uses nickel so I was not a candidate for this process and had to use an off the shelf titanium hardware. I am one of the unlucky ones that TKR recovery has been difficult and often wonder if they would of been able to make a mold of my knee first my recovery would be better .

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1 reply
healthtalk | @healthtalk | Sep 23 4:49pm

sending healing prayers yours way
my bad surgery has ruined my life and many other conditions have gone worse

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