I am considering having TKR revision surgery. I had my surgery about 2 years ago. I felt that I was well ahead of the recovery curve. After about 3 weeks I was able to walk downstairs linking my steps together (which is the hard part). However, while doing so, I felt like the parts slipped, there was extreme pain, and I fell. Fortunately, I fell on my ass and there was no injury. The pain stopped immediately as I fell. Later that day, the same situation occurred again and again I fortunately fell backward. A few days later at my physical therapy, I was doing an exercise where I was raising up and down on the bad knee when it collapsed on me in front of the PT. He informed the surgeon and he scheduled an x-ray but made no recommendation.

Since then, I have managed the problem. From time to time, I feel the parts slipping. There is pain, I usually scream but usually don't fall and then go back to what I was doing. My balance is very poor but I'm OK as long as there is no pain. I also walk with a very bad limp, and it seems to be getting worse. I'm worried that over time, walking will become very difficult.

I have seen a TKR revision specialist. He ordered a bone scan which showed that my TKR parts have not loosened nor is there any infection. He is hopeful that all that he needs to do is install a bigger spacer to correct my issues. Has anyone had a similar situation to mine where the surgery failed right after the surgery? I've read that the recovery if all that is required is to do is replace the spacer, is much quicker than the full surgery. Could I expect to be able to walk without crutches in 3 to 4 weeks? How long would it take to resume an activity like golf? What is the pain level like? I had opioids after TKR. Are opioids needed just to replace the spacer?