1. < Joint Replacements

Finally turned a corner after TKA

Posted by karenheller @karenheller, May 19 7:09am

Hello, fellow TKA patients. I wrote several times about the horrific experience I had following TKA, including unbearable pain, lack of sleep, inadequate range of motion, and inadequate support from my orthopedic hospital. So, I wanted to let you know that I just passed seven months post-op and it was an inflection point for me. I’m finally feeling well enough that I no longer want to press “undo!” I’m glad I had the surgery because walking feels so good now. From what I’ve read, it look longer for me to get to this point than the average patient, but it did happen. So, I just wanted to share that. Good luck, everyone.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

kenbo | @kenbo | May 23 8:56pm
In reply to @marmie99 "I am relieved to be reading these posts. I am 3 months post op TKR and..." + (show)
@marmie99

I am relieved to be reading these posts. I am 3 months post op TKR and so discouraged. It doesn't matter how much I exercise and walk, I wake up everyday with the same amount of stiffness and pain. No one prepared me for how difficult this recovery would be, especially the doctors and nurses. It would have been so nice prior to the surgery if they had talked about what is normal and what isn't post surgery. So regretting this surgery.

Jump to this post

Hang in there! This is a long process. I'm 10 months post op LTKR and started feeling positive about 2 months ago. I needed to realize that I couldn't rush things and everyone heals differently. There was a lot of banging and cutting during surgery. Not to mention the brand new replacement parts you're getting accustomed to. Keep the knee moving but I've learned to back off if the pain is too much. Best of luck!

REPLY
1 reply
marmie99 | @marmie99 | May 24 9:46am
In reply to @kenbo "Hang in there! This is a long process. I'm 10 months post op LTKR and started..." + (show)
@kenbo

Hang in there! This is a long process. I'm 10 months post op LTKR and started feeling positive about 2 months ago. I needed to realize that I couldn't rush things and everyone heals differently. There was a lot of banging and cutting during surgery. Not to mention the brand new replacement parts you're getting accustomed to. Keep the knee moving but I've learned to back off if the pain is too much. Best of luck!

Jump to this post

Thanks for the words of encouragement so badly needed.

REPLY
cyndi2013 | @cyndi2013 | May 25 8:30pm
In reply to @rocksister56 "Oh my goodness. I was wondering why my back had started to hurt and I never..." + (show)
@rocksister56

Oh my goodness. I was wondering why my back had started to hurt and I never imagined it would be because I was walking differently during recovery! I'm glad I found this forum, I was starting to worry that I was going to have a new problem to deal with. Four weeks post TKA .

Jump to this post

When my back started hurting I reached out to Ortho and he told me that my gait would change some until my body adjusted.
That made sense. If you stay focused on how you are walking, your back shouldn't hurt, as bad. If I am having a rough day with my knee and start to kinda drag my leg instead of bending my knee like it should, my back will start hurting. I remind myself to bend my knee.

REPLY
cyndi2013 | @cyndi2013 | May 25 8:35pm

We tend to not ask the questions about what kind of pain or struggles to expect after any surgery. We mainly focus on, how long is the surgery, how long will I be in recovery and when can I go home.
I do wish my ortho would have told me about the pain, stiffness, lack of sleep and everything else for this recovery, but I didn't really ask either about these things.

REPLY
camsheila2001 | @camsheila2001 | May 28 2:50pm
In reply to @camsheila2001 "I had a TKA on May 9, 2024. First revision due to loosening was August 18,..." + (show)
@camsheila2001

I had a TKA on May 9, 2024. First revision due to loosening was August 18, 2024. Next revision was March 6th, 2025. Do to improper poly fit, and loosening. The surgeon replaced the femoral implant, and poly. After two weeks I had full range of motion, at 4 weeks was walking a mile and half, everyday. At 5 weeks, it failed. I have severe ligament loosening. I am getting ready for a total replacement with a hinged knee. That will be surgery #4 within about a year.
I have been reading about the hinged knee, and am terrified of an infection. My surgeon who did my initial TKA, and first revision, was suspicious that I possibly needed a hinged knee. The specialist he referred me to, was supposed to do that, but did not. He was shocked at the total failure at 5 weeks post op. He apologized and said he thought after the femoral implant, it looked perfect. I think he thought he could put a better part in, and was overconfident.
I had to wait 3 months for that revision, due to his wait list. I am currently wearing a full length leg brace, due to my leg being unstable.

Jump to this post

Update…..July 24th is a joint explant, and they are putting in a hinged knee. My MCL and LCL ligaments are spaghetti noodles. I am still upset that he did not do this surgery. He told me that he thought everything looked great after the new Femur implant. I again explained, the reason I was sent to him after the first 2 surgeries failed. He apologized. So, here I sit with a hinged knee brace, and in pain, waiting. I understand he has a wait list, but I would think I would be a priority. I am so frustrated and depressed. Unbelievable, that I am still going through this 13 months later. Who has 4 surgeries!? I truthfully think his ego got in the way, and he thought the original surgeon was incompetent. That surgeon was suspicious after the first failure, that I needed a hinged knee. He was right, and sent me to the “specialist”. I am sorry for venting.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.