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Truth about Total Knee Replacements
Your new knee will never feel as good as your original old one
For most people it takes a full year to get most of the benefits of the surgery
Many people experience a clicking sound when walking for years or forever after the surgery
You should do physical therapy for a year after the surgery to get the best range of motion results even though your therapist will discharge you after several months.
There are no studies which will tell you what activities you can do after TKR. Is doubles tennis OK? Golf? What you read online varies. There are no clear answers.
Many surgeons are finished with you after the surgery. If you have issues with the surgery's aftermath, they may not be that helpful.
The scar is big, and no amount of ointment (vitamin E, etc.) will substantially reduce it.
Good news: If you had bad knee problems before the surgery your knee will feel a lot better after the surgery.
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@ouch89
I break up the credit for my very successful replacement as:
5% for my work finding the best surgeon
90% for the surgeon
5% for good fortune
The last can be a tough one. No matter how good the surgeon is, and how careful the recipient is, there is still an element of uncertainty that cannot currently be completely controlled.
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2 ReactionsAmen! My knee(s) situation for the past eight years took me to intensive readings to educate myself on the topic of TKR with the same conclusion that luck plays a strong role in knee replacements no matter what.
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2 Reactions@steveinarizona Did you undergo metals and resins testing? I did through an allergist, not allergic to the nickel but highly allergic to the bone cement. Nightmare!
@dcanada54
I have a possible similar situation. I have shelled out the 600$ to have the allergy test, Panel 2 done.
What are you going to do?
I am taking Cartigenix-HP right now and praying for a reprieve from needed surgery.
I have been to 5 surgeons, looking for someone to do a safe surgery for me.
@dcanada54
No, I was not tested for any allergies nor did I need it. I have a titanium hip from three years ago (same surgeon). My new knee is made of oxidized zirconium which is supposed to be biocompatible but I think my surgeon just likes that knee complex.
@kathleen1314 My TKR was done in 2009. After surgery my pain was worse than before the operation. Three years out, my surgeon thought I could have an allergy to the nickel in the titanium replacement, he wanted to do a revision. When my primary physician discovered this she referred me to an allergist for metals and resins testing, patch test. I wasn’t allergic to nickel but to the bone cement. The only words the allergist to me were, “I don’t envy you.” It has been a nightmare. Acrylic nails have the same ingredients as bone cement. It is rare to have the bone cement allergy but I feel since nobody is familiar with testing for these allergens some people may be putting their bodies through surgeries not realizing it can be a possibility of continuing pain. My operating surgeon would no longer see me after receiving my allergy results.
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6 ReactionsI luckily did not have allergy issues, but I would change the percentages that ouch89 listed. Had 2 TKRs, was faithful in PT and feel great!
40% right surgeon
50% doing PT exercises regularly
10% learning, researching and luck!
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1 ReactionI agree. You need to be committed to the PT to get good range of motion. IF you do not get your leg straight you will limp...so force yourself to get your leg straight. A few rough weeks for sure but you have to do it. And I would say it is 2 years before you get the full benefit of the surgery. It takes so much time and work to get your VM muscle to respond. I am 5 years post op and I rarely think about my knee bc there is no pain and I can do just about everything (other than the kneeling poses in Bikram. But I have had 5 surgeries on that knee over the decades and so it is rather sensitive to things like weight baring kneeling).
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1 Reaction@ouch89
And look for a surgeon that is a joint replacement specialist, not just a general orthopedic surgeon. Ask how many TKR surgeries they have under their belt and the method they use. I am not sure there is a best / better method but if you ask them what method they use they will also tell you why they use it.
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1 Reaction@dcanada54 I am so sorry to hear all that you have been through. I had knee replacement surgery in 2020 and my knee is still painful. My surgeon sends patients for allergy testing, including nickel and the bone cement, before he will do the surgery. I had a high allergy to nickel but I was fine on the bone cement. As a result, he ordered a replacement having no nickel. People considering hip or knee surgery should definitely seek out allergy testing before their surgery. I think that it is disgraceful the the surgeon would no longer see you after those results!!! Wishing you all my best, and maybe you can find another surgeon who can help you.