Connect
Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement
I had knee replacement 3 years ago. It is worse than previous knee pain, and getting worse as more time goes by. My surgeon (in another state) says everything normal based on X-ray. Ortho doc here says the same, and said I’m having pain and he referred me to pain clinic for possible nerve block. I want to know WHY am I having pain, although I didn’t call it pain. ROM is 100. They can’t see everything on X-ray. I want an MRI. Want to go for second opinion. Should I tell new doc I’m there for second opinion, I don’t think that’s necessary......I think that would cause some bias, ie they would just say same thing.
Has this happened to anyone ? Thoughts ?
TIA
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Connect
I hope your doctor was joking - I've had 2 MRIs since my TKR!
I no longer see this doctor. I spoke with a radiologist who was surprised.
@babette @willieblack there are certain things that can cause a problem if you need an MRI. If I recall it’s anything with metal that could be affected by magnets. Perhaps your knee replacement has some metal that would not be OK for a TKR. I’ve had two TKRs by two different surgeons, but never had an MRI of my knee.
JK
I have had three doctors tell me no MRI. After TKR So I’m going with majority rules! I happen to have a titanium Stryker implant
Almost 5 years after my TKR I was having pain and was put on crutches and told may be a bone scan needed to be done. Couldn't take the pain any longer made an appointment and told VA I want the bone scan first-floor thin I did that as the lowe part of my replacement failed, now 4 month out from a revision and have a rod down my leg to stabilize it, I am doing much better.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionGlad your pain is better. Do they know why you are reacting to your implant?
Good for you, I’m 1 year out from stem cell/PRP by Regenexx and had no positive results. Who did your stem cell/PRP?
For those searching for a reason for pain long after the replacement, here’s the short version of my story.
Two years, ten surgeons, 2 bone scans, 2 MRIs, an allergy test, a nerve conduction test, a muscle conduction test and more Xrays than I can count later — my pain in my knee and inability to stand or walk was caused by a broken bone in my foot that shredded the tendon.
The foot surgeon who found the bone fragment in my foot said the bone was probably broken the day of the knee surgery.
There is a reason you hurt. Don’t stop looking for it. Someone will help you
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@melcpa86 That's amazing, it was your foot causing your knee pain! You are so right, when you have a problem you need to keep looking for that one doctor who will figure it out and find a solution. I'm glad you found that doctor who could help you.
JK
Isn’t that amazing! I had double knee replacement 3 years ago at Mayo Clinic and had same outcome. I just sent X-rays to the surgeon for follow up and they said the knees look fine even though in the report I filled out I had expressed issues with pain and stiffness. As long as X-rays look fine they don’t care about any other issues you may have. I have lost a great deal of respect for the Doctors that I have dealt with at the Mayo Clinic. Not helpful in trying to resolve issues.