1. < Joint Replacements

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.

eeppeerr88 | @eeppeerr88 | Jul 21, 2020
In reply to @jnoronha "Sorry to hear about your knee. I had my left knee replaced 8 1/2 months ago..." + (show)
@jnoronha

Sorry to hear about your knee. I had my left knee replaced 8 1/2 months ago and I am not able to bend my knee more than 85%. Of late, it has started hurting. I was thinking as days and months go by it would heal with no pain but just the opposite is happening. And the surgeon is telling me it is different with each person and it will take a year to 18 months to heal. I am hoping eventually it will heal.

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I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my good knee has 135% of motion. I still have pain and swelling in the replaced knee. The doctors response too this is I have to much scar tissue in the knee. Any suggestions by anyone???

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3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 21, 2020
In reply to @eeppeerr88 "I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my..." + (show)
@eeppeerr88

I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my good knee has 135% of motion. I still have pain and swelling in the replaced knee. The doctors response too this is I have to much scar tissue in the knee. Any suggestions by anyone???

Jump to this post

Hi @eeppeerr88, There is another discussion where members are discussing scar tissue after knee replacement that you might find helpful.

Scar tissue after knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/

Did your doctor offer any suggestions or followup with the scar tissue problem causing your swelling and pain?

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2 replies
carlin | @carlin | Jul 21, 2020
In reply to @cschultz8 "If you are still in the Chicago area, I had TKR 10 weeks ago and am..." + (show)
@cschultz8

If you are still in the Chicago area, I had TKR 10 weeks ago and am doing amazing. My surgeon is with Hinsdale Orthopedics, Dr. T. Andrew Ehmke. He specializes in robotic surgery and revision surgery. When the time comes, I want him to do my other knee. Maybe he can help you. I have recommended him to several friends. Charmayne Schultz

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Thank you so much for the information on your Doctor!! I will definitely keep his information!! I am still in the Chicago area...again thank you 🙏

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carlin | @carlin | Jul 21, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @eeppeerr88, There is another discussion where members are discussing scar tissue after knee replacement that..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @eeppeerr88, There is another discussion where members are discussing scar tissue after knee replacement that you might find helpful.

Scar tissue after knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/

Did your doctor offer any suggestions or followup with the scar tissue problem causing your swelling and pain?

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No, he didn’t-I have found this site so helpful and thank you for sending me the links and your help!!

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jul 21, 2020
In reply to @eeppeerr88 "I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my..." + (show)
@eeppeerr88

I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my good knee has 135% of motion. I still have pain and swelling in the replaced knee. The doctors response too this is I have to much scar tissue in the knee. Any suggestions by anyone???

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Good afternoon @eeppeerr88, I just opened your post and am not in a place where I can reference other information. Please investigate Myofascial Pain Release. MFR. in fact, if @jenniferhunter is around she might be able you to explain how MFR deals with the restricted tissue. I will check back later.
Be safe and protected.
Chris

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eeppeerr88 | @eeppeerr88 | Jul 22, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @eeppeerr88, There is another discussion where members are discussing scar tissue after knee replacement that..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @eeppeerr88, There is another discussion where members are discussing scar tissue after knee replacement that you might find helpful.

Scar tissue after knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/

Did your doctor offer any suggestions or followup with the scar tissue problem causing your swelling and pain?

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No he did not only that I would have to live with it. Any suggestions?

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 22, 2020
In reply to @eeppeerr88 "No he did not only that I would have to live with it. Any suggestions?" + (show)
@eeppeerr88

No he did not only that I would have to live with it. Any suggestions?

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@eeppeerr88, If it were me and the doctor said that I would look for another doctor. There is another discussion on scar tissue after knee replacement that you may want to read through and learn what other members have shared:

Scar tissue after knee replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-after-knee-replacement/

There are several treatment options that you may want to look into -- What are the treatments for arthrofibrosis?:
-- https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/arthrofibrosis#treatments

Have you thought about seeking treatment at a major health facility like Mayo Clinic or a teaching hospital?

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carlin | @carlin | Jul 22, 2020

Thank you John, you’re right- Mayo will probably be my choice!!

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 24, 2020
In reply to @carlin "Hello JK, Thank you for the information. I had a second opinion, however, the second opinion..." + (show)
@carlin

Hello JK,
Thank you for the information. I had a second opinion, however, the second opinion knows my surgeon...needless to say it was awkward! He said the hardware looks ok in the Xray and give it more time to recover. I guess I'll give it more time and then find another surgeon. I am in the Chicago area but relocating to Wisconsin. I really appreciate your input! Thank you, K. Carlin

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@carlin Sorry for the delayed response. I would never get a second opinion from a physician at the same hospital as the original doctor. The other doctor would have to be extremely horrible for a doctor to speak out against them. I know of only one instance where that happened and the other doctors within the same speciality, together as a group, presented a case against a doctor. That doctor is no longer allowed to work in that specialty, she works as a general physician, specializing in women.

I know nothing about doctors in your area but even if you have to travel some distance, it can be worth it. A lifetime of pain is not something you want to deal with.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 24, 2020
In reply to @eeppeerr88 "I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my..." + (show)
@eeppeerr88

I had my knee replaced in September of 2016. My motion is restricted to 95% my good knee has 135% of motion. I still have pain and swelling in the replaced knee. The doctors response too this is I have to much scar tissue in the knee. Any suggestions by anyone???

Jump to this post

@eeppeerr88 As @johnbishop suggested, I would definitely get another doctor's opinion. From what I hear, surgeries to remove scar tissue are done frequently and can help a lot. There are times when it does grow back but it's worth a try, in my opinion.
Frankly though, I doubt it's scar tissue with that degree of flex. That's where another doctor's opinion could be very helpful. As I said to @carlin make sure you go to a doctor at a different facility and as John said, preferably a major medical center hospital.
JK

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