Knee Replacement Failure - Need total reconstruction

Posted by babette @babette, Jul 27, 2019

I'm pretty devastated, everyone. I had my R TKR a year ago and always knew something wasn't right. My initial surgeon said everything looked great and to give it time, PT, etc. Well I went to one of the top ortho hospitals in the country yesterday and saw a surgeon who comes very highly recommended. He told me my femur is out of alignment, there is a problem with a ligament, and my knee cap is off to one side. I wish I had written down more specifics, dh was with me but once we heard this would all have to be redone, I think we went into kind of shock and didn't process the details very well. **He understood completely why I've been in so much pain this past year. ** He referred me to a colleague who does more complex revisions than he does and I feel great about that but have to wait a month to see him and begin the process. All over again. I have no idea what this will be like, the actual surgery, recovery, etc.

I'd love to hear from others who have gone through this. Also, has anyone successfully sued the surgeon who screwed up? I'm furious to have lost a year of my life to this and now even more time to the repair and recovery.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

JK | @contentandwell | Aug 7, 2019

In reply to @jeffkirc "I'm curious in how the insurance companies treat reimbursements for second and possibly third opinions....??" + (show)

@jeffkirc My husband and I have never had a problem with second opinions not being covered, and have even had third opinions!
JK

jeffkirc | @jeffkirc | Aug 7, 2019

Good to know; thanks!!

4seasons | @4seasons | May 17, 2020

In reply to @dkapustin "@artscaping That is interesting and something I might look into. I"m sorry you didn't sail through..." + (show)

Yeah, I’m one of those people! I went to the most experienced TKR surgeon in our area. Then about 10 weeks after surgery, everything changed. The x-rays always “looked normal” in my surgeons opinion. After 8 months now, I can barely walk 25’ and my knee is clunky, and standing for more than 10 minutes kills me. After, 3 opinions from “out of network” TKR Surgeons, everyone says: “Revision” due to “Mid Flexion Instability”. I’m livid! I’m posturing for a revision, but have obstacles with Health Insurance until Nov (when I turn 65). I live in Central Florida and would love to hear revision success stories from people that have experienced the same problem after TKR. Thanks!

babette | @babette | May 17, 2020

@4seasons: OP here. Please don't give up hope, just research all you can about surgeons and find the right one for your revision. I had my revision in Boston last October and am doing wonderfully! I would not have thought this would be possible. Sometimes I'm hard on myself because I chose such a poor surgeon for round one not IN Boston! Why in the world would I go anyplace but Boston for such a big deal? I still can't believe I did it... other than locals telling me surgeon 1 was great.

Are you able/willing to travel for your revision? If not, are you near a teaching hospital affiliated with a research university?

As a fellow traveler, I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's hell, no question about that. But this too shall pass. Keep posting!

ardis3 | @ardis3 | May 17, 2020

In reply to @babette "@4seasons: OP here. Please don't give up hope, just research all you can about surgeons and..." + (show)

Would you mind sharing your revision surgeons name in Boston. I may need one. Thank you

babette | @babette | May 17, 2020

@ardis3 Dr. Andrew Braziel: https://www.nebh.org/find-a-doctor/doctors/andrew-braziel/

JK | @contentandwell | May 17, 2020

In reply to @ardis3 "Would you mind sharing your revision surgeons name in Boston. I may need one. Thank you" + (show)

@ardis3 Along with @babette's recommendation, another orthopedic surgeon I know of in Boston who did a wonderful job on a revision for a woman I know is Dr. Thomas Thornhill. He is at Brigham and Women's, as is my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Wolfgang Fitx. Dr. Fitz did a great job on my TKR but I have no idea if he does revisions.
JK

ardis3 | @ardis3 | May 17, 2020

In reply to @babette "@ardis3 Dr. Andrew Braziel: https://www.nebh.org/find-a-doctor/doctors/andrew-braziel/" + (show)

Thank you!

carlin | @carlin | Jul 15, 2020

OMG! I had my TKR a year ago June 12, I had a manipulation under anesthesia January 13, 2020 and now arthroscopic surgery June 29. My knee is so stiff and painful, I know this can’t be right... I am so depressed and hate telling everyone that no, it isn’t right. I know they think I’m crazy...don’t know what to do but I am very active and now I am disabled!!!!

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 16, 2020

In reply to @carlin "OMG! I had my TKR a year ago June 12, I had a manipulation under anesthesia..." + (show)

Hello @carlin, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear that your TKR did not go so well and you had to have a knee manipulation afterwards and arthroscopic surgery. It's understandable that you would be depressed but I would not feel bad about expressing how you feel. We know our body much better than any doctor and it's up to us to relay the information on how we feel to them. I also had a TKR a year ago April but am doing OK with range of motion and flex. I'm still working on strengthening the leg/knee though.

I really didn't know much about the manipulation process but found some information that explained it for me here:
Alternative technique for knee manipulation under anesthesia: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344117300778

@babette @contentandwell and others may have some suggestions for you.

Did your surgeon or care team provide any additional therapy or treatment after the arthroscopic surgery?