Truth about Total Knee Replacements

With the exception of your last statement, almost everything you describe is either not true or grossly misstated.

Maybe you have heard news from the rare case of a bad surgeon. In my experience, people with bad TKR outcomes don't do the required exercises. And the surgery is certainly not the last time you see the surgeon. I had two post-op visits. In fairness, I was in good shape, my weight was normal, and I did the rehab exercises 3x day for 6 to 8 weeks.

I have very similar experiences after my knee surgery that was messed up by surgeon. Much more pain less range of motion after two and half years. To get second opinion have been a nightmare. Some drs did not ask a single question and did not even look at the knee.

Your response is so typical of the BS “ didn’t do your PT” Well I call BS! You need to read and then research before you run your trap! Sorry but this angers me.

When making accusations, it’s appropriate to site specifics. I see nothing wrong with the prior post. Prove that wrong with facts rather than accusations.

Maybe yes and maybe no. I did all my required exercises and at 2 years I still have extreme soreness and stiffness. Thigh muscle feels weaker, hips hurt and if I do to much I hurt pretty bad by evening. I did all the right things. My ROM is 122 and I can do most anything but I am tired of hurting. Recently a Sports medicine guy had me get a MRI on my lower back (I did have mild sacroiliitis) and it has gotten worse and the are going to inject it later this month and pain management feels this is causing many of my issues not my knee itself. Symptoms of this include...hip pain, lower back pain pain and discomfort in your legs, numbness in legs and feet, Pain in the lower back, butt, hips, thighs that can be sharp and stabbing or dull and achy. Pain can worsen after sitting or standing for long periods, climbing stairs. This is why since a few months after my surgery my legs feel weak, muscles hurt (thigh, around me knee, hips). I have many of these and it got worse 4-5 months after my knee surgery. Knee itself is good. Don't be so quick to judge without knowing facts.

One other thing to think about...not all surgeries are the same! Every surgeon/hospital has different techniques. I could have gone with the 'minimally invasive' procedure where they do not cut the quad muscle; it's a smaller incision; tourniquet is only used for 5 minutes when the glue is drying (others have the tourniquet on for up to 20 minutes.) Most docs that do the robotic surgery do minimally invasive, as well as a CT scan to measure your knee size to help alleviate too big/too small hardware. It is not a 'one size fits all' hardware, but one specifically built for your body/leg...so many people find a doc they like (by reputation or just a feeling you get when meeting them) and never ask questions! I was going to go with the robotic, but the surgeon said he will cut the quad muscle (he was 'old school') so I went with another surgeon that doesn't 'fit' the hardware to my knee but has 5 minute tourniquet time and doesn't cut the quad muscle. So if ever you have another one done, there are so many questions to ask! PS I actually cancelled my surgery because I researched it like crazy and was told to try stretches/exercises twice a day to strengthen the quad muscle to help alleviate pain. Also, to start on glucosamine/chondroitin. I know maybe someday I will do it, but not unless the pain is bad..thankfully, these days it's about a 1 to 2 at most, off and on during the day. Good luck to all!

Wow! such valuable information. I wish I knew then what I know now and how complicated the knee joint is and how tkr can affect your quality of life for the 6-10% of unhappy tkr recipients.

Just some good, all-purpose advice - do the PT -before AND after surgery.

Tongue firmly in cheek, but thank you.

As for the person who had no follow up visits scheduled with the surgeon - he/she should have seen that as a glaring red flag and found a different surgeon. I can't think of a bigger warning sign.

I think it is pretty accurate to say that about 6-10% of people who get TKRs will be unhappy with their outcomes (and yes, there are bad surgeons and real reasons to be unhappy). I'm also certain 100% of those unhappy people post on this forum.

If your pain is that low, then you should certainly put off the surgery, great decision. My surgeon only said the surgery would help with the pain. But it was up to me to decide how that pain was affecting my life, and up to me to have the surgery scheduled, with three scheduled follow-up visits.

And that's because I met with two surgeons. I got similar opinions, but I went with the Dr I knew would take responsibility for his work - before, during, and after the surgery. He did and I was fully recovered within 8-10 weeks of surgery. I had both knees replaced, four months apart. And yes, I did all the PT and hired a personal trainer. It's my body and my life after all.