Second TKR

So glad you are doing better this time around. I'm a week out and I honestly don't remember this pain. I'm struggling. This time around done robotically using the Rosa and Cori system, glue not staples. I honestly want to feel like I did with the nerve block when I came home lol.....therapy scares me and getting out of my car is so excruciating. Im 64 and already suffer from chronic pain and inflammation. Can't do pain meds and honestly I don't feel they help that much anyway.

I posted earlier that my left (and first) TKR hasn't really been all that pleasant/easy from 11 months ago.
So I've been completing how to approach both when my right knee really needs it AND if I could continuing my research for a super good surgeon to do left knee revision.
So THANKS, Mandy for posting about the MAKO 'robotic' system. I searched it and got the Stryker info.
It's here but WARNING !!!! is has a live action, in person of surgery doing a TKR.
https://www.stryker.com/us/en/joint-replacement/systems/Mako_SmartRobotics_Overview.html
For my next procedure I'm for sure looking for a surgeon who uses MAKO
Again, WARNING, video is live action, real patient.
Thanks so much Mandy

@grandpun
Now my lay person's/technical view of "robotic" surgery.
True robots (like we used in the auto plants) are pre-programmed but they function independently when digitally/mechanically are triggered to repeat their cycle.
Those in surgery are not. Surgical 'robots' are really digitally enhanced machines that guide the surgeon using, in this case, digital guidance, measurements, screen views, and dimensional limits shown on a screen (or variety of screens), showing where the bone should be and the surgeon's real time tool locations. The surgeon and staff adjust these if (or as) necessary.
The surgeon is in control all the time with the mechanical + digital helper keeping things to fit the plan.
FWIW

@cindymattern

So sorry you are suffering. Therapy may scare you but you really, really need physical therapy following a TKR. I have several different persons working on me at my PT facility. One of them and I have discussed what it was like for him to be an acolyte of the Marquis de Sade. He worked me really hard and it hurt. The others, not so much. I feel I got the most benefit from the one who hurt me massaging my quads trying to get them to release.

As for pain meds, I was one of the fortunate ones who didn't need any but some here have been using that new non opiod drug Journavx. Maybe that could work for you.

BTW -- ROSA and CORI are competing robotic systems and I have never heard of a surgeon using both for the same procedure on the same patient.

Hi. I have a second full knee replacement coming up 5/4.
The first didn't go so well, and I didn't have much support.
It didn't take long for what support I had to get frustrated and end up being more hostile than supportive.

So I need some chat while going through this and able to talk to others who really understand.

There are already some very frustrating things, like the doctor's notes aren't exactly correct and missing context which make me sound horrid (I have PTSD too partially medically induced; last time one day was triggered, pain management was NOT working with my biology, so the doctor too my frustration vent/request last time as a serious request).

So it's going to be hell again, I can already see that. My roommate already doesn't want to be involved unless absolutely necessary.

All I have is my dog and even that is stressful because he's a service dog in training, used to do really well for his breed, my previous neighbor had their dog go after him twice and they themselves harassed; so now he's reactive and I'm having to try and train that. In other words, I don't have him as much as I'd like either, and have to kennel him for the first 2-3 weeks because of that.

So it's going to be very dark for me. It would be nice to have some chat that can help me get through it.

Thanks.

Hi @justmeee,

I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled:

"Second TKR"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/second-tkr/

@mandyc2025 shared their positive experience with their second TKR and may wish to share any updates they have experienced since their original post. @cindymattern, @captboat, @marged and @gigi86 all have shared their experiences on Mayo Clinic Connect with multiple knee replacements and may be able to share what their second one was like and how they recovered.

Mines not being done robotically, this time or last time.

But I am trying to get the doctor to pay more attention to what went wrong last time so we can avoid it this time. She's well regarded and I've seen several doctors who all agree my recovery is atypical. The hardware is right, but it my have something to do with my biology being different than what they expect.

All i can do is keep trying.

I don't know if anyone else is still around to chat about replacements - hope so.

Hi Justmeee, I’m 69 yrs old and I’ve had 2 TKRs a year apart performed by a good friend/surgeon. We had many conversations leading up to my first in Jan ‘23. Here are some things he suggested for all of us facing TKRs….

1. Find the best experienced orthopedic surgeon you can find - one that specializes in knees. Most all orthopedic surgeons can perform TKRs but it’s not necessarily their specialty. As an analogy, I’m a CPA but you don’t want me to do your taxes - just not my specialty and I don’t even do my own. We’re all good at something and not so good at others. No shame in that.

If you have any doubts about your surgeon, just stop the process and find another that suits you better! At least get a second opinion from another ortho group. You are worth it and it’s better to wait another few months than to proceed with a less than ideal surgeon for you.

2. Post-op PT is incredibly important. As you know, it hurts like hell, but you MUST soldier through. My surgeon said my body would “attack” his work with scar tissue for up to 12 months after the surgery. I found that to be true. I could feel the scar tissue breaking 9-10 months post-op as I lifted weights on a machine in the gym. To this day, I stretch my knees every night as I head to bed. I have wonderful mostly pain-free range of motion now but, as my friend told me, I’ll always know these are not my God-given knees.

With that, I think an important aspect of any health issue is our own attitude. I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago (between my 2 TKRs) and a Mayo-friend on here figuratively kicked me in the pants when I was expressing doubt/fears. He advised me to lean into my treatment decision and to not look back. Excellent advice! Our attitude is a huge factor in our recovery imo. Be positive and work hard on your own behalf!

I wish you the best of luck.

I have had two TKR’s over the years and it is a surgery that requires that you follow the doctor's direction to a tee. All the exercise before and after, the ice, the physical therapy is a must for good results. If you are going to surgery with the attitude that it will be horrible, it will. Think positive, know that it will require some hard work on your part and that replacements will never be perfect, but will be much better than what you are now experiencing. Wishing you the best!

@fwintracy Yeah, I'm trying to approach it differently this time. Last time I was given some misinformation, had issues with pain control, and more.

This time, I'm changing my expectations and using a different approach. First thing I'm doing is making a "Why do this" list citing examples of problems I have every day, limitations, what would be better, how bad the pain is, giving examples; I'm also going to add a couple of video clips of how I have to grab the wall after getting up. So with a more clear before image this time to look at after, I'm hoping that will help me through PT. I'm also updating my expectation by comparing the two knees, one pre-op and one post-op by noting things like "I can do this with my new knee and i only feel this much pain or discomfort, but when i do it with my right, I scream for my life". That I'm hoping will keep my head focused on that doing this is less about fixing it and more about improving the daily pain and other limitations I experience.

So it's a slightly different approach. I wish someone would have suggested to me before my first TKR. It looks like it might hlep though.