Is My 4 yr old Artificial Knee Joint Failing??

Posted by heatonpatti5 @heatonpatti5, Sep 29 3:52pm

Hello! I'm wondering if anyone can help me figure out what going on with this knee. Everything has been fine for 4 years. I just went through a Fibromyalgia Flare which severely affected my mobility. My IT Band tightened to the point of Hip pain and a pulling feeling at the top outside of the knee area. It stayed like that for about a week. As that subsided I was left with a feeling of a tight band being wrapped around my knee. I called surgeons office and was told I need IT Band PT. Annoyingly, I said I'd call my GP.
I then developed and was diagnosed by my Neurologist, with a rare condition causing lower leg, ankle and feet swelling. I'm told SWELLING NOT EDEMA. Very Swollen for about a week.
Swelling is now completely gone but I never lost the tight band feeling in my knee.
Now my knee is popping and crunching and clunking along with the tight band feeling. FEELS tight and swollen but is not visibly swollen AND I can bend and straighten, just feeeels tight. I'm being worked up for autoimmunce but very concerned about this knee.
Any thoughts? Can't see Knee Surgeon tile end of next week:<
TY and I will sooo appreciate ANY input!

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@heatonpatti5 Wow, I too would have been annoyed if I was just told I needed PT without being seen! But chances that a Fibro flair caused any damage to the is very, very small. So most likely, based on experience, the doc was correct.
And the prescription for IT Band syndrome is physical therapy - both stretching and strengthening, so don't be surprised if, after an x-ray and some manipulation that is what the doc recommends.
Have you looked up an IT Band exercises and tried them?

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@sueinmn

@heatonpatti5 Wow, I too would have been annoyed if I was just told I needed PT without being seen! But chances that a Fibro flair caused any damage to the is very, very small. So most likely, based on experience, the doc was correct.
And the prescription for IT Band syndrome is physical therapy - both stretching and strengthening, so don't be surprised if, after an x-ray and some manipulation that is what the doc recommends.
Have you looked up an IT Band exercises and tried them?

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Good Morning and yes I have stretching regimen every morning and now include IT Band stretches. The knee replacement was done due to a failed Meniscus surgery. The condition I now have also been diagnosed with is EM (Erythromelalgia). This condition will come with an underlying cause which they are testing for now. So, needless to say, I'm very anxious (and worried) for these results.
I'm hoping it's just residual swelling that's causing the feelings in the knee joint.
I can't find anything on line about the effects on "aged" joint replacements with autoimmune conditions. I've searched it in many different ways. I know for a fact that this issue with my knee developed during this flare so I can only assume that whatever was going on inside my body ultimately somehow caused these sensations. No pain, so I too, am thinking it'll be ok I guess. I'll just confirm with knee surgeon. I'm just trying to avoid any complications. My last flare ( post surgery) lasting about 2 1/2 years of full body pain, PT, Myofascial Release treatment and left me with some disabilities. This flare has left me with more disabilities and when stretching, I feel like I'm back to where I started 4 years ago. Soooo tight.

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Inflammation will cause the popping in the knee. I have autoimmune and during flares mine too will pop and feel tight. My knee is 6 years old. I take and an NSAID to help if it gets bad.

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Thank you so much! It validates my concern and makes me feel better about the popping and clunking. I've been stretching it and seems to be helping a bit. THX AGAIN!

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A lot of time now we are sent to PT for the pt guy to determine and evaluate your problem and inform your doctor. PT is good.

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