Truth about Total Knee Replacements

Here's the thing...I think we all have to decide how much 'pain' is adequate before deciding to go ahead with a surgery that will involve cutting of bone (bone 'cutting/sawing' or any type of injury to a bone is considered one of the most painful experiences...) unless there is something to alleviate that pain...and I'm not talking about pain medication, but more so, getting some type of relief of pain through intravenous methods..which they won't do anymore! In 2020, my husband's TKR involved a 'pain pump' intravenously pumping a type of lidocaine directly in to the knee (like the nerve block given before surgery) that lasted about 2 weeks and helped get him through the worst part of the surgery pain...It slowly gave him a numbing of the area and the pain was so much less than what they are making patients go through now! I totally believe that is why his surgery was such a success because he was able to do all of the exercises/stretches, etc, to heal correctly! The procedure works for most, but the $$ must be the reason they decided to stop doing it...and $$ is always the reason for everything...makes me crazy!

Since not even the Orthopedic Doctor can predict the outcome is the definition of a crapshoot.
Orthopedic science needs to be more transparent. They must develop a test that will predict who is prone to Arthrofibrosis, as excessive scarring appears to be the largest driver of poor outcomes. I was told at HSS (#1 Orthopedic Hospital worldwide) that their researchers are developing such a test. I also read that the Mayo Clinic is working to develop a test.

We need more truth in the statistics for sure.

I'm 80 and just canceled my tkr surgery after reading these posts. What knee pain i do have doesn't compare to some of these results. I won't take the chance until there's no doubt.

I got suckered into taken this unproven product also. The sad part is that they still promote it.

@jlhunt1022 I had a TKR at age 81.5 with truly excellent results and a very quick recovery. I think the key factor is to find a surgeon who does robotic surgery. Otherwise you are 100% depending on the surgeons skill which is a crapshoot. Two very useful things during that recovery were having a bed frame that allowed for raising the foot of the bed and having a continuous ice water machine. If you can’t get the mechanical bed, a foam wedge would be a great help. The continuous ice machine can be replaced by a helper who faithfully brings ice for your knee. I wouldn’t hesitate. to get that knee replacement if these factors are in place.

Thank you for all the responses. I have an appointment with the pain specialist on the Thursday the 8th. I will ask about the lidocaine. Thank you for this piece of information. I am hoping to get some relief.

Just now joining conversation but want to stress the importance of researching the surgeon and the kind of knee you are getting. My first surgeon only presented to me the knee that is ‘custom made to fit my leg’. After the knee was ordered, it took 6 weeks to make. It was then that I wondered if this was going to be a robotic surgery, so I inquired. My question was met with hostility from the surgeon’s staff so I backed off and all was great post-op…until I fell and landed directly on that knee three months later. Went back to surgery with same surgeon who said he just needed to clean out the wound and ‘resurface’ the patella. Could not walk after this 2nd surgery as knee kept dislocating multiple times a day - excruciating! Went back to the surgeon who took an X-ray and told me everything was OK - just needed physical therapy. The very next day the knee gave way while I was in the shower. I fell again and broke my tibia and fibula down at the ankle. The ER doc called my surgeon who said to just send me home and they would fit me in for an appointment in a couple of days. It was then that I switched surgeons. New surgeon said that type of knee was ‘totally inappropriate’ for me and would need to be replaced. He told me that he takes in a ‘whole arsenal’ of components to the OR and builds what is needed for me onsite. He said that once you ordered a custom made knee, when you went to surgery that was the knee that you were going to get - whether it works properly or not. Long story short, my ‘custom’ knee had to be completely removed and replaced with a new knee that was built onsite. Still rehabilitating 6 months later but am grateful every day for the second surgeon who gave me a true custom knee replacement!

It is very true that you need a good surgeon and stare if the art procedures BUT with the very best, they have no way of knowing how your immune system will respond. Excessive scarring is your immune system in action regardless to the quality of your surgeon. Statistics show that 6-13% (some will offer different percentages but all are close) WILL have excessive scarring which will negatively impact ROM, inflammation and pain levels. This Arthrofibrosis is genetic and there is yet no test avail to forecast one’s likelihood of developing this. Research hospitals are working on this but none yet available.

Thank you.. that's encouraging. I'm still going to check out alternatives.. and wait hopefully til I'm 81.5!