Total Knee Repair Revision: A Success Story

@keenem PT helps you train your body to accommodate the difference. Many people go through their lives with unequal leg lengths, my 1.25 cm (1/2 inch) difference is less than 1.5% of my leg length from hip joint to heel. On the other hand, my brother's has 3 cm difference, more than 1 inch, from a childhood disease. He has managed okay for over 60 years, but does limp when tired.

The first order from the new PT was to arrive with a worn pair of athletic shoes and a new pair of well-cushioned athletic shoes. The therapist showed me the uneven wear on my old shoes, and explained how my bad walking habits had altered the shoes, making it difficult to use them to walk properly. I used the new shoes so that uneven wear from prior to surgery did not impact therapy or recovery. She also suggested that I replace all of my every day shoes and sandals as I could afford it, so old wear patterns didn't make me backslide in my recovery.

In PT I was coached to maintain an erect posture, not to turn my toes in or thrust my hip, strengthen and improve flexibility in the entire pelvic girdle as well as glutes & quads. In well-cushioned shoes, if one uses good posture, the shoes wear in to provide proper support.

Several years ago, I figured out that for me a lift is only necessary in hard-soled, uncushioned shoes.

The discrepancy between my legs still exists, and always will. The revision surgeon tried to correct it when he redid my hip, but it made the muscles and tendons loose because they had been stretched for a long time. Even with extra precautions, this resulted in dislocation while I was simply sitting in a chair. So he had to do another revision and return it close to the original length.

Thank you for the encouragement as I face my 7th surgeon in 6 months, trying to figure out what is causing this pain. Rare condition called recurrent hemarthrosis, internal bleeding into knee socket. Anybody have any suggestions?

My name is Karen and in March I'm having a revision of the total knee replacement surgery. I'm very afraid, because my knee after the first surgery was a terrible pain and my knee is bent and i haven't been able to walk for over a year. I have no choice but to do complete surgery again, I can walk again. This has been a nightmare. If you relate to this, please get back to me. Blessings Karen

I can’t relate to the above post
My experience was nothing but pain and i was left with a totally stiff and bent knee and i haven't been able to walk for over a year
Extremely painful and discouraging and miserable

@karenjill360
I am sorry you are having such pain. My one piece of advice is to make sure that you have the best possible revision surgeon.

@karenjill360 While I cannot directly relate to your experience, I want to wish you well and a good recovery.

@karenjill360 I can totally relate. My initial TKR was a complete failure and a nightmare. I endured constant pain, swelling & loss of full mobility (I lived with about a 35 degree bend for 4 years). It was life altering in so many more ways than just physically. My initial response to the need for a revision was fear & lots of tears, even though I knew it was necessary. The recovery from Revision TKR was quicker - but getting there was harder. Daily PT for months starting immediately after surgery & a MUA were required. It was a success as far as I’m concerned. It got me to 100 degree bend. It got my mobility back. Hope your revision is a success.

@elaineva thank you sooo much for responding to me. You have given me hope, I'm very frightened to go through this again, but i have no choice. I hope to stay in touch with you, my surgery is scheduled for March 24th, please pray for me. Blessings Karen ❤️

@paulsk
Thank you for your support. I have hope that this time will be successful. I'm looking forward to be able to walk again.
Please pray for me on March 24th. I'll try and stay in touch with you
Blessings Karen ❤️

@karenjill360 March 24 -- will do. And, yes, let us all know how you are doing.