Connect
Has anyone had swelling, burning, and pain 8 months after TKR surgery?
I am nearly 8 months out, and have had implant checked both by surgeon and walk-in clinic. I was walking for 1 mile and a half 4 months after surgery and felt things were going as expected. But things have taken a turn for the worse.
Surgeon said things would improve over time, but now I can't walk more than a few minutes and my knee fills up with fluid. Also there is periodic burning. If I try to put a compression sleeve on it, it is very painful.
I have been told by another orthopedic surgeon I need to give it a year.
So discouraged. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Connect
@joycef, Hey there! I am so sorry you are battling this. I am 5 months out and have more numbness in the knee cap than burning. I do have fluid in that knee and I'm going to ask when I go and get the other knee aspirated, if they can aspirate the operated knee.
Have you asked about having your knee aspirated? Excessive fluid can cause tightness, almost like an inner tube around your knee. Just a thought.
Praying for you! Knee surgery is no picnic! Blessings....
I have asked for what I need to do next, and was told to wait for a year, which I think is really ridiculous.
But I will check and see about an aspiration of the knee fluid.
Thank you, and also appreciate the prayers!
I fear for you with that doctor. He appears to be useless.
At a minimum you want the fluid aspirated and you want the knee checked to see if you have an infection.
Yes, it can take a year (even more) to get to a fully functioning knee but that doesn't mean that the doctor has no duties to deal with issues that come up during the recovery.
Are you in or near a big city? You need a good revision surgeon to advise you (by good I don't mean one that always wants to cut).
Had similar situation after initial TKR in Nov 2024. Surgeon insisted there was nothing wrong and to give it time. Within the first 3 months after the TKR, I was admitted back into the hospital with intractable pain and swelling. Again the surgeon said there was nothing wrong. I mentioned to the surgeon that it was my knee and body and I knew when something was not right. I sought out a second opinion and it was determined that the implant had not been balanced properly with the correct spacer. After 14 months in pain, I had attempted to have the implant correctly balanced without being explanted. The original manufacturer did not make the correct spacer needed to balance, so the implant was removed and a new correct sized implant from another manufacturer implanted. The first day post op after the revision, I was pain free. You have to be your own advocate. Some times the surgeons have an ego that is easily bruised and when a patient disagrees with them, they become dismissive. I speak from experience. I worked in healthcare for almost 50 years and have seen this even before I was a patient. Hang in there. It does get better once you get the correct surgeon.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThank you for your support.
I am going to seek out a second opinion and hopefully find a surgeon who can take care of the problem. It’s so sad to be dismissed, but now I realized I must be my own advocate.
Thank you.
Yes, I am now on the search for a skilled surgeon who can help me. Appreciate your encouraging words. I do believe there is someone out there who can fix this!
Thank you.
@joycef Where are you located? Perhaps we can make a suggestion for you.
I’m in the Southwest Florida area
There is a branch of the Hospital for Special Surgery in Palm Beach. Why don't you try them. Dr. Martin Roche of that office did Lindsey Vonn's partial.
A little further away there is a branch of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.
These would be my two top recommendations.
Okay, thank you!