Total Knee Repair Revision: A Success Story

Hi all been awhile since I updated…as of late I am struggling…I am in pain even walking but I go out everyday for an hour ….my flexion has regressed to 90 my extension between 5-10 so hence that’s why the pain …. I have been exercising and rolling my leg …. It never stops ever since my first tkr ….i have been exercising and more to gain extension and flexion…. But I can’t maintain it even after revision …. I am not complaining I am better now with the revision…..I am exhausted , going for mfr on Thursday hope helps loosen leg up … I am also trying caster oil patch on my knee , been doing like 6 weeks suppose to break up scar tissue we will see …. I know I have done everything I can for the last few years …. My other knee is being affected so have pain in both knees ughhh ….dr suggested partial in other knee due to bone on bone …. I said no …. I want to try hyaluronic gel , dr said does not blame me for what I have gone through…..so that is where I am … hopefully you are in better place… thanks for reading

Thanks to all of the above for sharing your experiences! Makes me feel a little less anxious. I see my dr tomorrow morning. Hoping to get surgery scheduled soon. All tests have been done. Not looking forward to the pain, but the sooner I get the process going the sooner I’ll see improvement. Looking forward to making a garden in 2005.

Update to to my revision story … was not a success … two years later right back where I started … Dr seems to think it is surrounding tissue that is tightening and pulling back to this same extension and flexion … no other explanation he even went down two sizes should have never went back to 70 flexion baffles the Dr …. So no more surgery’s he said it would just go right back where it is now …. So I am always aware of my knee and pain , just have to find way to live with it so far only taking Motrin and using osmo patches for swelling ….. I bought PEMF mat use it twice day , still going to chiropractor for laser does help with pain ….i wish there was a test prior to having knee surgery to see how your body would respond to it, maybe in a few more years they will …..to all that are going to have revision hope it works out better for you ….this tkr journey test your mind, body and spirit and to tell you the truth right this second I am tapped out …. I have to reboot find what works …

Where did you hear "push to the pain and then take a little more?"
Please check out the International Arthrofibrosis Association site, and Bonesmart, another site for people who have knee and hip surgeries. I too have had to live with spontaneous internal scar tissue after knee surgery. It has a name - Arthrofibrosis. The two sites above contain a great deal of educational information.

I hesitated responding to your first post "Total Knee Repair Revision: A Success Story" back in Aug 4,2022 because I didn't want to dampen your optimism. Your story mirrors mine. Of my three TKR's the revision appeared to be initially the most successful with less pain and faster recovery (short term), and allowed me to go to PT in two days following surgery. I made steady progress for four months when improvement stopped and started to go downhill.
I'm seeing my Ortho again tomorrow post my Dec 26, 2023 surgery. I was always curious why he never commented on me requiring a cane, but tomorrow I'll mention it. I did't want to go on about me, but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this TKR nightmare.

Thank you it helps when other people share …. I am sorry you are going through this also….but for me tkr , manipulation , and revision dr said end of the road I just have to find a way to deal with the pain ……. But like I said I am relieved because I decided before Dr even said anything I was not going to have surgery again ….. now just do what helps relieve some of the pain ….. good luck in your journey….hope you find what works

My hip replacement is too long. What can I do now? How long can I wait to correct it before my body is wrecked permanently? I’m not sure exactly how much longer it is, but I’ve had standing 2 x-rays which clearly show the discrepancy.

@keenem Please go back to the surgeon and ask for rehabilitation Physical Therapy. They can do a thorough analysis and see if this an issue that can be managed by PT and stretching, and possibly a lift in the other shoe, or whether it requires surgical intervention.

Has the surgeon acknowledged that the length was altered by surgery? I had uneven leg length my entire life. After my first hip replacements, it was still there. When I needed revisions (for a different reason) the second surgeon was unable to eliminate half the discrepancy, but I still have a 1+ cm difference between my legs.

@ezas123 have you heard of SPRINT PNS procedure for knee pain? A stimulator placed in my leg for 60 days to retrain nerves. Chronic pain...

@sueinmn The surgeon became defensive when we asked if there was a possibility of a discrepancy. However, I had 2 x-rays taken standing on the floor and both showed that the replacement was too long. I'm worried that this could negatively affect me for the rest of my life if I wait too long. I don't understand how PT can fix it. Also, why was your second doctor able to correct the discrepancy ?