TKR 6 MONTHS ON AND VERY STIFF SIDE OF KNEE

I HOPE SOMEONE HAS SOME ADVICE.

Can you elaborate on what the surgeon meant by "bone formation"? The metal prostheses can be designed so the bone grows into it. This is done when a patient has healthy (bleeding) bone. If the bone isn't healthy (osteoporosis), then bone cement isn't used.

The surgeon's comment may be that the bone is growing into the prostheses, normally a good thing.

It would help if you could elaborate on the nature of the pain. and 120 degrees of motion is a bit low but acceptable post TKR. Just need some more info from you.

Joe

DEAR JOE,
I HAD ONE OF THE WORST KNEES THE SURGEON HAD EVER SEEN. MY LEG WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND I COULDN'T WALK. I WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE OPERATION. EVERYTHING HAD TO BE CORRECTED IN THE SURGERY. AFTER SURGERY I HAD NO PAIN AND COULD DO PHYSIO EASILY. I STARTED WITH FLEXION 90 AND AM NOW AT 122, WHICH MY THERAPIST CONSIDERS EXCELLENT. THEN IN THE 3RD MONTH MY KNEE STARTED TO GET STIFF AND PAINFUL. SURGEON DID A FOLLOWUP X-RAY AND WAS SATISFIED. SAID I HAD PROBABLY TWISTED A MUSCLE. PAIN PERSISTED. PHYSIO TWICE A WEEK. I WENT BACK TO THE SURGEON THIS WEEK. HE SAID I WAS PROBABLY FORMING BONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHERE THE LIGAMENT HAD BEEN TOTALLY TORN. HE SAID THEY DID A LOT OF REPAIR ON THAT SIDE. HE CONSIDERS IT NORMAL. HOW DO I GET RID OF EXTRA BONE FORMATION? NO NEW X-RAY, BUT PREVIOUS ONE SHOWED SLIGHT BONE FORMATION ABOVE MY KNEE. THEN HE SAID NO CONCENS, BUT NOW HE SAYS BONE FORMATION.I CAN EASILY DO ALL MY PHYSIO, BUT WALKING LONG DISTANCES HARD AS KNEE IS VERY STIFF. FEELS LIKE A BLOCK OF CEMENT. STARTING TO HAVE LOWER BACK PROBLEMS, DUE TOFORCED WALKING. AGAIN HOW DO I GET RID OF BONE FORMATION? CAN PHYSIO HELP.

Thanks for the added detail and I'm sorry for what you're going through. 122 degrees of flexion after a TKR is very good.

I suggest asking your physical therapist if anything can be done to relieve your symptoms. And here is an ice product that helped me a lot before my TKRs:
https://www.amazon.com/HurtSkurt-revolutionary-stretch-Turtle-Medium/dp/B0818Z2F37/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2P46OF667G5M8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z5T7D6aXv9FiTlPr9q2Fu4gFbF2ZcngsDLoc_WWgSfOY9GKwRbPCf8bhSSGatNcVjtFsxCx9YeXR2-LrQcOfEWvegTRe1sVJ_8RFFSh-3kITK5AMgHOM3mS7Bioog1Lh9VPoesgkJlRaAGjH0T0MReQRZBWe4vTw4rQz2cFfwaARJj5tIMlNlpkV5dNT3gDWUltLEbuVL3os9wO1VWcmJ0gOliJrPiMo11DhHJX4fgWv9ANqmx_sduLGSF0W5Sdmz6-b5g_gjS2aDq6883ZRczpS9ekQWdyVx1gTuhnBjNk.L4OTVYyU7ktzB0KnE2UO_U9IvIuRxLj_PO3BpqIAySI&dib_tag=se&keywords=hurt+skirt+knee+ice+pack&qid=1750942261&sprefix=hurt%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-6
Finally, check with your surgeon to see if the bony growth could be removed with an arthroscope.

All the best, and please keep us posted.

Joe

I SEE MY PHYSIO ON SATURDAY AND WILL LET YOU KNOW. MY SURGEON SAID THEY ALMOST NEVER DO AN ARTHROSCOPE.THANKS FOR THE HELP, JOE. LANA POL

Thanks Lana and best wishes.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure arthroscopy is used exclusively for soft tissue issues, like torn cartilage and damaged medial and collateral ligaments. So it likely wouldn't work to address bone overgrowth.

If you can't get relief from your PT, although I certainly hope you do, maybe another surgery would help, as undesirable as that is. A second opinion from a knee surgeon is also a good idea if you haven't done that.

All the best to you friend! 122 degrees of flexion is really very good after a TKR. But you have another issue. I truly hope you get some relief.

Joe

WILL REPLY AFTER NEXT PHYSIO. THANKS. LANA

I also had side pain after knee replacement and found acupuncture helpful.

HOW LONG DID YOU DO ACCUPUCTURE FOR AND HOW MANY TIMES WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.