Knee replacement blues

I’m sure that sensation/sound of the patellar clunk is horribly annoying, but I would absolutely be delighted to have your range of motion!!…Good luck with your surgery

That clunk thing sounds horrible, but it sounds like your surgeon is working closely with you. The 120s-130s is really nice as well.
When I went into this replacement thing, I guess I was really dumb in assuming my new knee function would be better than what I had, and that flexion/extension to a functional joint was a given!
If we have formed athrofibrotic (scarring) tissue, what will prevent that from happening again? I am now 5 months out from my MUA, and I wake up so dang stiff everyday. I gotta go stretch, upright bike, weights... soon now that the Motrin and Tylenol are kicking in.
Best wishes.

Post TKR, due to a limited Range, inflammation and pain, I had an Arthroscopic Debridement, aimed at removing excessive scarring (Arthrofibrosis). As a result, I got even more scarring. I then had an Open Debridement which resulted in even more scar tissue. Doctors do not know how an individual’s immune system will respond. Studies show that 3-13% of those having a TKR will suffer from excessive scarring. I have now been advised to have a revision to a “hinged knee”. In this procedure, they remove your tendons, as they are an area that hold a significant amount of the scar tissue. The hinge then replaces the tendons. This was the recommendation from a Doctor at HSS in Manhattan (#1 worldwide in Orthopedics). I expect to have this revision surgery in mid 2025.
At HSS I was told that they are developing a test to forecast if someone is prone to excessive scarring. I read that the Mayo Clinic and several others are working as well to develop such a test. If this test had exist prior to my TKR, I never would have had it. I hope this helps.

Thank you for your response. That is exactly what I fear could happen to me. I have had multiple problems related to abdominal adhesions in the past and even required a lysis of adhesions in New Zealand while sailing a circumnavigation. I must postpone the scheduled arthroscopic lysis of knee at this time due to the recurrence of my husband’s NSCLC ( lung cancer). He will have concurrent radiation/chemo. We can’t both be ‘debilitated’ at the same time. We are receiving all care at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

So sorry to hear that you are both having issues. They tend to make knee replacements sound magical. For many there are great benefits, BUT way too many are left behind with problems which need a lot more publicity and a lot more research. Knee replacements are big business but the failure rate is way to high for it not to be a focus going forward. I’de like to see an investigative show do a documentary on those left behind and, for all practical purposes abandoned to struggle on their own for answers.

Absolutely! I feel that I was blamed by the medical team (surgeon…now retired and the P.A.) for not ‘doing enough’ I did weeks and weeks of PT ; exercises at home; miles of walking I had reached 115 degrees of flexion, but have regressed to only 80 degrees of flexion. My extension is almost normal. I would like to regain enough flexion to ride a bicycle and do a little skiing (I was a ski instructor). I do not want to have further surgery that results in being unable to walk. My knee feels stiff and painful after a trip through the grocery store at this time!

Until TKR becomes an exact science you should never feel blame in the world of "let's see if it works" surgeries. My experience in the past seven years of physical therapy with many different therapist is that they have different methods of treatment. It seemed like whatever my exercise routine was my new therapist made changes. I would either be doing not enough or doing too much, always looking for that magical sweet spot.
My first surgery, seven years ago, was a disaster where I did all the PT that was assigned. On my second surgery on my other knee I decided to do nothing more than PT at the PT location. This is now my good knee. This decision was based on the disappointing outcome of the first knee. When I tell this story to my Ortho I never get feedback.

I agree.

I wonder if a knee brace would help. Not one from the drug store but one that is actually fitted to you. I am going to have knee surgery February 14th 2025. Last August I contacted my d. O. To ask if he would write me a prescription for a knee brace. That knee brace has worked wonders for me. Maybe something like that would work for you. Get an opinion it can't hurt.

After my poor result of my TKR, MUA, Arthroscopic Debridement and then Open Debridement, I had a final appointment at the office. I then met with the PA, not the doctor. What I got was a sincere handshake and…“The Doctor and I feel very bad about the way this turned out.”
I was then on my own to figure out what comes next. The Medical Industry HAS TO DO BETTER THAN THIS!