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Revision misalignment
My knee issue started with a everyday pigeon stretch morphing into a distal femur fracture. Never experiencing any knee issues, my first surgeon suggested bone cement (September 2022). In spring of 2023 the CT showed the fracture was still there. The TKR was completed in July 2023. Postop no immediate issues, PT, then infection in October, 2023. Surgeon's PA did not 'believe' me. Admitted through the ER and another culture to prove the 'one' colony was now a concern. Admitted for irrigation, debridement, liner exchange in early December. I acquired a bacteria during surgery, then was given a PICC line for six weeks. Still no resolution. Chronic pain, swelling, very little weight bearing tolerance. In June 2024, I was seen at Mayo in Rochester. Surgeon suggested revision and eluded prior knee surgeries resulted in misalignment. Revision took place July 2024. I complained about chronic pain within the first 8 weeks. Despite efforts for relief or answers, I have received nothing. Desperate for relief, I paid out of pocket for chiropractic care, acupuncture, red light therapy, shock wave therapy and stim therapy. The shockwave, after 12 sessions worked. The problem? It costs $165 for a 15 minute session - that is not financially possible for me when requiring one or two sessions at a minimum for maintenance.
Having no explanation for my pain, I sought a third opinion. After a CT, X-rays, and knee fluid culture it was determined: no infection, but misalignment STILL. Armed with this information and written confirmation from my other opinion, I shared with the Mayo surgeon and nothing.
I am at my wits end for relief! Has anyone experienced anything similar?
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Hello @warriorrae,
Mayo Clinic wants you to feel comfortable with your care. If you feel as though your concerns are not being addressed, I encourage you to contact the Office of Patient Experience: https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/patient-experience.
@warriorrae, did the most recent provider that determined you had a misalignment have a suggestion for you as to what was needed to help with the issue and ongoing pain?
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2 Reactions@JustinMcClanahan
I would add how did your Mayo revision surgeon do the alignment fix? I believe that for original total knee replacements the Mayo surgeons mostly use the reverse kinematic method of alignment which is one of the newer alignment methods. But I don't know whether that would apply to a revision.
@steveinarizona there has been no acknowledgement of that. I am still in chronic pain and trying to seek answers. There is hesitation from my third opinion of another revision due to the femur being involved, my age (55, which is still 'young'). I'm truly at a loss for words that there is no accountability and the answer is to push me to a pain clinic.
@JustinMcClanahan I have had no resolution.
@JustinMcClanahan my surgeon had not even heard about shock wave therapy, so no idea.