I had my total knee replacement 9 months ago and I am still having issues with trying to bend my knee. I exercise regularly and I'm wondering if anyone is having an issue with tight calfs.
I am 17 months post TKR and I have learned a lot. First there is a huge amount or us out her that didn't get the results we anticipated. Our surgeon's either don't care about our pain or don't want to take the time to figure it out. I have seen 4 ortho surgeons since my surgery about my pain all just took xrays and said it looks good. Thankfully my primary care dr does care. She order nerve study, CT, pain management blood work trying to find something, nothing showed up. Recently I researched local surgeons looking for experience and reviews. Found one, a young dr with great reviews so made appointment. He was first one that actually listened and ordered 3 level bone scan which showed a lot of inflammation around the femur at the implant. He is suggesting a revision. My primary care dr agrees with me to illuminate everything else before considering a revision. She has ordered a MRI to check for soft tissue or ligament problems.
I know this is long and rambling but keep the pressure on the Dr's. We are only ones that can feel the pain and remember surgeons cut on people so most of their diagnosis requires surgery.
I am having the same issues with bloody fluid in the knee cavity. I have had all the tests you mentioned with no explanation of why this is happening. My surgeon said this happens to 3% of all tkr patients. Lucky me. They are having me doing more exercises with no change.
I am 17 months post TKR and I have learned a lot. First there is a huge amount or us out her that didn't get the results we anticipated. Our surgeon's either don't care about our pain or don't want to take the time to figure it out. I have seen 4 ortho surgeons since my surgery about my pain all just took xrays and said it looks good. Thankfully my primary care dr does care. She order nerve study, CT, pain management blood work trying to find something, nothing showed up. Recently I researched local surgeons looking for experience and reviews. Found one, a young dr with great reviews so made appointment. He was first one that actually listened and ordered 3 level bone scan which showed a lot of inflammation around the femur at the implant. He is suggesting a revision. My primary care dr agrees with me to illuminate everything else before considering a revision. She has ordered a MRI to check for soft tissue or ligament problems.
I know this is long and rambling but keep the pressure on the Dr's. We are only ones that can feel the pain and remember surgeons cut on people so most of their diagnosis requires surgery.
Your story mimics mine except I'm 7 years post TKR including a revision. I agree with your Primary that you should hold off on a revision. My revision was 15 months ago with the usual painful recovery period and nothing has changed. Prior to my revision I had read that this surgery success rate was lower than original TKR. My Ortho was reluctant to do the surgery and expressed the complications, but I insisted realizing another 12 months of additional recovery pain is coming because I didn't want to endur the constant pain any longer. I believe the surgeons are so busy with surgery they have no follow-up time, and leave it to a PA and/or PT. Like I've said before, after surgery you're on your own.
Best of luck!
Before I will consider revision I will see a sports medicine ortho that only deals with soft tissue and ligaments. None of the surgeons will even talk with me about soft tissue. All my pain symptoms are conistant with fat pad impingement but they have refused to do an MRI that would show it. Yes I agree we are on our own with surgeons.
Before I will consider revision I will see a sports medicine ortho that only deals with soft tissue and ligaments. None of the surgeons will even talk with me about soft tissue. All my pain symptoms are conistant with fat pad impingement but they have refused to do an MRI that would show it. Yes I agree we are on our own with surgeons.
Surgeons cut - that's what they are trained to do and is usually their first inclination.
I just had my shoulder repaired at a Sports Medicine practice, where I was first evaluated by a certified athletic trainer - what a great idea. Then I had an MRI, and she, the doc and his PA all read it, then we discussed choices.
This team approach was really helpful, and I could have opted for more waiting and PT, but it was 3 full tears and the chance of all improving was minuscule based on my reading.
We are lucky to have 2 large integrated sports med practices near us, do you have access to one?
Surgeons cut - that's what they are trained to do and is usually their first inclination.
I just had my shoulder repaired at a Sports Medicine practice, where I was first evaluated by a certified athletic trainer - what a great idea. Then I had an MRI, and she, the doc and his PA all read it, then we discussed choices.
This team approach was really helpful, and I could have opted for more waiting and PT, but it was 3 full tears and the chance of all improving was minuscule based on my reading.
We are lucky to have 2 large integrated sports med practices near us, do you have access to one?
Yes, I'm close to University of Arkansas and my PCs husband is sports medicine ortho. I'm seeing him tomorrow. My hope is he will be open minded to soft tissue issues.
I'm having the same problem. I only have 60 degrees ROM. My right is twice the size of my left I can only barely work 2 hours a day. I have no quality of life. Not able to do anything physical. Waiting for my pool to open. Only relief I get. I think I'm allergic to the surgical cement. It was like pulling teeth to get the info and name of the cement but got it. Scheduled at large trauma center hospital here in Milwaukee with top dermatologist to be tested to metal, nickle and all the compounds in the cement. Bad part is that this my revision already had a replacement w yrs ago when the cement was first put in my knee. Have never had any relief since replacement dec 2022. Then manipulation, scope a d revision last Sept. That's when they put back into twice as much cement. My doctor used top of the line nickle free replacement for my revision incase I had a nickle allergy.....never tested me for anything! It's mentally so frustrating going from somebody that was active 100% of the time and had a job that required me to be on my feet 90% of the time to being 90% disabled. I can't walk up a curb or get in my car safely, I've fallen 3 times on the ice. It's been a living nightmare. I'm sorry for such a long chat but it gives me support to know someone else understands what I'm going through. Please feel free to stay in touch .
I’m really sorry. My ROM was 90 3 days after my TKR.
I’m 8 weeks out at 125.
My knee aches and steep stairs are uncomfortable but otherwise I’m pretty good. Prayers for you. I ice nightly.
I was the same as you, then later on the problems started, I'm protecting my left knee by wearing a sleeve, I can't feel it on my leg, because my TKR knee is so tight, it takes a year, I hope you keep going in the right direction, most people do fine, but it's definitely a challenge , good luck!
I am almost 5 months post op and have stiffness. I started back on my recumbent about 4 weeks, I can feel some difference. I also bought a stationary bike pedals for my office, this also seems make a little difference. My question is, does anyone experience fatigue in the same knee? I have fatigue in my knee most days as I have doing more.
I found an acupuncturist that has identified the issue with my psoas muscle, hip and sciatica. The needles go in deeper than regular acupuncture, but I could feel the loosening. The following is information from his website: Similarly, Dr. Vladimir Janda, the famous rehab doctor, believed that pain, particularly back pain, is primarily caused by muscle imbalances rather than spinal abnormalities. He observed predictable patterns of muscle tightening and weakening that lead to movement dysfunction and pain. Both Dr. McGill and Janda’s work emphasize the importance of a functional approach, focusing on muscle balance and movement patterns.
I am very hopeful this will be the key. I did walk out of there feeling looser in the knee and thigh. I will continue to work with him. He told me about another patient with same issues that is now free of pain. These knee surgeries are one of the most difficult because it involves the hip and core as much as anything.
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I had my total knee replacement 9 months ago and I am still having issues with trying to bend my knee. I exercise regularly and I'm wondering if anyone is having an issue with tight calfs.
I am having the same issues with bloody fluid in the knee cavity. I have had all the tests you mentioned with no explanation of why this is happening. My surgeon said this happens to 3% of all tkr patients. Lucky me. They are having me doing more exercises with no change.
Your story mimics mine except I'm 7 years post TKR including a revision. I agree with your Primary that you should hold off on a revision. My revision was 15 months ago with the usual painful recovery period and nothing has changed. Prior to my revision I had read that this surgery success rate was lower than original TKR. My Ortho was reluctant to do the surgery and expressed the complications, but I insisted realizing another 12 months of additional recovery pain is coming because I didn't want to endur the constant pain any longer. I believe the surgeons are so busy with surgery they have no follow-up time, and leave it to a PA and/or PT. Like I've said before, after surgery you're on your own.
Best of luck!
Before I will consider revision I will see a sports medicine ortho that only deals with soft tissue and ligaments. None of the surgeons will even talk with me about soft tissue. All my pain symptoms are conistant with fat pad impingement but they have refused to do an MRI that would show it. Yes I agree we are on our own with surgeons.
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1 ReactionSurgeons cut - that's what they are trained to do and is usually their first inclination.
I just had my shoulder repaired at a Sports Medicine practice, where I was first evaluated by a certified athletic trainer - what a great idea. Then I had an MRI, and she, the doc and his PA all read it, then we discussed choices.
This team approach was really helpful, and I could have opted for more waiting and PT, but it was 3 full tears and the chance of all improving was minuscule based on my reading.
We are lucky to have 2 large integrated sports med practices near us, do you have access to one?
Yes, I'm close to University of Arkansas and my PCs husband is sports medicine ortho. I'm seeing him tomorrow. My hope is he will be open minded to soft tissue issues.
I’m really sorry. My ROM was 90 3 days after my TKR.
I’m 8 weeks out at 125.
My knee aches and steep stairs are uncomfortable but otherwise I’m pretty good. Prayers for you. I ice nightly.
I was the same as you, then later on the problems started, I'm protecting my left knee by wearing a sleeve, I can't feel it on my leg, because my TKR knee is so tight, it takes a year, I hope you keep going in the right direction, most people do fine, but it's definitely a challenge , good luck!
I am almost 5 months post op and have stiffness. I started back on my recumbent about 4 weeks, I can feel some difference. I also bought a stationary bike pedals for my office, this also seems make a little difference. My question is, does anyone experience fatigue in the same knee? I have fatigue in my knee most days as I have doing more.
I found an acupuncturist that has identified the issue with my psoas muscle, hip and sciatica. The needles go in deeper than regular acupuncture, but I could feel the loosening. The following is information from his website: Similarly, Dr. Vladimir Janda, the famous rehab doctor, believed that pain, particularly back pain, is primarily caused by muscle imbalances rather than spinal abnormalities. He observed predictable patterns of muscle tightening and weakening that lead to movement dysfunction and pain. Both Dr. McGill and Janda’s work emphasize the importance of a functional approach, focusing on muscle balance and movement patterns.
I am very hopeful this will be the key. I did walk out of there feeling looser in the knee and thigh. I will continue to work with him. He told me about another patient with same issues that is now free of pain. These knee surgeries are one of the most difficult because it involves the hip and core as much as anything.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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