Total knee replacement problems

I had one knee replacement in 1993 and the other one in 1996. I had the one in 1993 replaced in February 2023. My first one lasted 29 years. It would have been 30 in December. I was 37 and no one would touch anyone younger than 65. My doctor only gave me 10 years because of my age. I kneeled on that knee and walked many many miles. I did not run. My new one if I kneel on it my knee hurts. I know technology is supposed to make implants better but I don't know. I don't know about my old replacement but my new one is titanium. I never heard of taking a mold of your knee. I had my shoulder replaced and I needed an mri to get the measurements for my new shoulder. I had a hip replaced and I don't think anything was measured there until the surgery. I live in Wisconsin.

Knee replacement is painful
enough without having to go through all that. How
Long since the surgery? I did my first knee 6 years ago and just did the 2nd about 5 weeks ago. I forgot how painful it is and how long it takes to recover. I feel for you. Hope you find some relief!

I just did #2 6 yrs. after the first. I tried to avoid it, but finally had to do it. I forgot how painful it is. On week 5 and still can barely sleep till I’m exhausted. The pain is wearing me down and of course I’m even older now so it will probably take longer to recover. If they’d give me more oxy or morphine I’d grab it! Anything to ease this pain! Hopefully I’ll live long enough to reap the benefits, lol.

Yup. The team I had #1 has been very good with pain control. I was very concerned how much Tylenol, NSAIDS and Oxycodone were prescribed. I had never taken that in my life. It truly was needed however. I finally only used the oxycodone an hour before PT and one sometimes before bed, while still keeping the over the counters on a regular basis.
I hear/read where others go home with a small amount of narcotics. Truly the lack of understanding of the pain that folks go through shocks me, and how long quality pain control is needed. This portion of my health care makes me think I’d go back to same health team even though there was disconnect in other areas of healthcare delivery, just so I would be “ guaranteed “ the same delivery of pain control. I didn’t even use the last Rx prescribed, as I was so carefully taken care of. Pain control is a must for this huge joint replacement.

Like anything having to do with the body's reactions to pain and medication, there is so much individual variation in reaction to muscle trauma and chemical sensitivity. Also the the skill set of the surgical team as well as the quality of follow up care make a difference. I don't know that there can be a "normal or usual" for the experience of pain in TKRs. And in any case, if you are in agony, it's of little relevance and being assertive in getting some pain relief should be your goal.
But I do want to mention that not every one will experience the overwhelming pain that some here have every reason to complain about. I was sent home with both Oxycodone and Tramadol tablets with both of my TKR's and my one TSR, and other than taking one pill at home after the first TKR which left me totally nauseous and unable to function, did not use them for pain relief as my pain was at a very low level during all three of my recoveries, more of a general ache of the area than debilitating sharp pain. I did take the prescription Tylenol, not sure if made much difference since I don't care for it for normal everyday pains. After reading the horror recovery stories here from those with bad experiences, I felt I needed to post that there are others who have good experiences with successful surgeries. As with any medical procedure you need to do your own research and decide the risks and benefits for your own situation. Talk to people your age in your social group, some of whom have likely gone through this surgery.

There is no shame in taking opiates following such brutal surgery that’s what they are for. Severe pain as long as you are monitored and don’t abuse them. Peering Tylenol post knee replacement is sadistic

I went to a center for excellence with a highly rated team. The disconnect was that it was over 4 hours away and I think they forgot about me once gone- other than the "Mychart" experience and a PA who followed my needs with more narcotics or guidance on how to take the Tylenol and Celebrex, stool softeners, and something for my stomach from all the meds! They never talked with my PT, just went by reported numbers.

The "torture" at PT where the exercises took me over the top to a "10" should have been an indicator to someone that something wasn't quite right. And the fact that I made pretty good numbers during that PT but didn't retain them once home perhaps another indicator. This went on for weeks. My 6 week check up wasn't great, but what did I know? I should have had that MUA then. Finally had it at 11 weeks post-op. The surgeon said he heard the scaring break up when he cracked my knee and he showed me pictures of my knee totally flexed and extended during the procedure. 6 weeks later I am finally making progress hopefully.
What made me wake up was when talking to an elderly relative who breezed through hers, I was like "this joint isn't working right and PT can't fix it". I practically had to beg for the MUA. He said he only did a handful a year.

I worry about the swelling, the crepitus when walking... not much pain now...just Motrin and Tylenol still. I worry about the scaring forming again??? There is not too much written research on the delivery of follow-up and care after an MUA. This is my knee that needs to work!

I'm glad you did so well. That is encouraging to hear. I never thought I'd be one of the problem ones. Always healthy, quite active, avid hiker... Always had a high pain tolerance too. I just don't think I will proceed with knee number two... Damn thing wakes me up when I turn and the bones hit each other! Oh well, at least I can get off the ground on that one. I like to do too many projects to lose that ability completely.

Hi, I had a manipulation under anesthesia (mua) in my 12th week after that surgery. It helped tremendously.
My problem is very rapidly growing scar tissue. I started PT the night of my MUA. I also started with a "Dyna Splint" for extension. I am currently increasing time in the splint to 1 hour per sitting 3 times per day. My gait has gotten much better. PT has also increased massage and my ROM has increased greatly and I have minimal pain when walking. I hope this helps. Best of luck!

How far out are you now? I’m just wondering if I have to do this forever to prevent the scarring.

Hi, I had a TKR 17 months ago. The knee was bone on bone and I felt the only way to get better was to have the surgery! I went through the surgery well, did exercises with physical therapist and did great with them. My Rom is very good now but I have terrible pain in my knee. I ice and use heat all the time. I told my surgeon the pain I was feeling in my knee and that I felt something that felt like bones. He checked the knee and told me they were sutures non dissolvable that he used. The surgeon removed the sutures and that sharp pain stopped. I did have a bakers cyst and I still have pain behind the knee and also the bakers cysts is still there and the surgeon does not want to drain it because he does not want the knee to get infected! Now the knee, upper and lower leg hurts and feels very tight. Sometimes sharp pain in the right side of knee and in the bone! I still exercise and never miss a day. I don’t know what to do and I see my surgeon in 3 months. I will appreciate any information that you can provide. Thanks so much!