Has anyone had knee arthrodesis (fused knee) surgery done?

Hi everyone I'm new to this forum but am appreciating your information. I've had 2 revisions the last one being a hinge. I've now learned this one , just over a year old is loosening. I'm less than thrilled. I fear I'm looking at a Arthrodesis as my stems are so large. I have my appointment next week on my birthday, 72 thanks, reading all this info is helpful. You are all extremely strong people. I hope they can come up with a new way to inject crazy glue and that expanding foam! Trying to keep my sense of humor but I really appreciate all this info. No infection this time so I'm so grateful for that.

I wish you the best of luck.
You’re very fortunate not to have an infection, but I know how painful it can be just to have a loose part. I’m wondering if the part can be tightened without taking out the device. Maybe they won’t know until they have opened it up. I’ve had good luck with the hinge knee device, just the problem of the infection.
I’m assuming you read the post by the person who had the orthodesis. You want to do as much research as possible before having any procedure done.
Good luck!

I had infections on my 2 other knee surgery/ replacements. Vancomycin and a pik line were my closest friends for awhile. Hoping they can tighten the femoral head component. But haven't heard of this ever happening. Looking for a great Dr. in Massachusetts. Heard of one in New York but fear it would be too much for me to get into the city. Thanks . I'm glad this forum is out there. Doing lots of research for sure.

Good luck with finding the right surgeon; the surgeon and the team can really make a difference.
I also had the pik line and Vancomycin as one of my antibiotics. Later I had to go to a clinic for an infusion once a week for a stringer antibiotic that treats MRSA. Still on oral antibiotics. Bacterial infections are no joke!

I have lived with a fused knee for over 55 years. The fusion was spontaneous from tripping a land mine. Now I am dealing with great pain and numbness from a terribly arthritic back. Throughout life I tried to do everything possible to live as if I had a normal knee. This was, perhaps, unwise as it put a terrible strain on my back and hips. With a fused knee pay attention to your posture, sleep on the best orthoptic mattresses, and get a quality chair to lessen the strain and take it easy. Or you will pay a price later for doing too much, Also, live your life as a slim person for the same reason.

I read a story a couple years ago about a doctor in Chicago who specializes in reversing knee fusions and has success stories. Sorry can't remember the name,

Fused knee is painless. But your legs will be of unequal length. That is essential because you wouldn't be able to swing your fused leg through when walking if it weren't shorter than your more normal leg. Sitting and standing as well as walking will be additional strain on your back and hip. This will result in arthritic pain as the years go by. ...55 years with one fused knee.

I’ve had a fused right knee for 3 years and I hate it. It’s difficult traveling by car and flying. I get extremely tired quickly.
The reason for the arthrodesis, is repeated revisions followed by infections. The last infection was the one that was the hardest on me. I had 2 surgeries in 2 days, the 2nd surgery was to be a revision but the other surgeries left me with no bone to attach to. Surgery was to last 3hrs and
it lasted 8hrs. The doctor had to stop and strategize, they didn’t know what to do. They cracked my femur in 2 places. The rod extends from my hip to my ankle. The last couple of weeks my fused leg has been swelling and I have bad pain when I put weight on it. Feels like it did when it was infected, but after last surgery doctor said it would not get infected again. I’m hoping he is correct but I will be getting a CBC and Sed Rate drawn to confirm infection or not.
I was never given an amputation option. It was fusion only.