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DiscussionTKR revision surgery and problems
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Aug 27, 2022 | Replies (87)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "There have been a few mentions here and there about wrong size artificial knees. I am..."
@contentandwell I had bilateral Jan 2019. MUA Feb 2019. Active, healthy, 125lbs, 61 yr old. No health issues at all other than bad knees. Should have been an excellent candidate for surgery. After the manipulation things never got better. I was diligent with PT at home and I still go once a week at 6 months post op. By April I felt frustrated and so did my PT's with the little progress I was making. The pain was unbearable, still is. I still can't walk very well, people tell me it's painful to watch me walk. I can't stand for more than 10 minutes due to pain. At 5 months my surgeon said "just part of recovery". My PT's didn't agree and suggested a second opinion. It was with a top surgeon who specializes in failed implants and revisions. He said they appear to be too big for me, along with knee caps that were not placed back properly. I have 3 different sizes ranging from 3-5 in the surgical notes. 2 nd opinion Dr. suggested revision on right femur that is a size 5, tibia size 4, he could shave the plate and use the tibia implant. On my left knee I have a 4 femur and 3 tibia, so not as big nor as painful, but still not the right fit. He said to revise right and if I was pleased with the outcome I could consider the left or just live with it. I asked about custom fitting before surgery and was told no one in the area did that, would have to travel out state. I'm trying to decide how long to wait, Dr said within 18 months (which would be 24 months post op). The pain and rehab are still pretty fresh with me, so I want to know if those that had revisions were satisfied with outcomes.
@ellerbracke I too never realized that wrong size could happen as frequently as it apparently does, and then require a revision. I chose to get a custom made knee simply because I read that the recovery was quicker and easier, and of course more satisfactory since it was made to match your original knee and not just taken off a shelf. I'm glad now that I went that route and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to have a TKR.
JK