Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

I just turned 50 and am about 25 pounds overweight. I never recovered from my initial TKR in 2018 in spite of my extensive pre and post-op PT. I endured constant pain, stiffness, fever in knee, and swelling. Doc kept telling me that nothing was wrong because the x-rays looked 'normal'. I never got out of brace for 10 straight months. NO DOCTORS WOULD SEE ME FOR A SECOND OPINION because it hadn't been 1 year post-op. Crying every day, sleepless nights, emotionally drained, and knowing that something was SERIOUSLY wrong,,,but no one--not even my PCP--could or WOULD do anything. Then, when my doc had an emergency immediately before my appt, I was seen by another doc in his group. He took one look at my botched surgery and IMMEDIATELY contacted another surgeon and--within days--I saw a superb Ortho Surgeon in Philly who only does TKR Revision; Mine was the worse case of failure he'd seen. The Revision went well but it's starting to give me new trouble. Have chronic bursitis that I'm doing PT for and it's helping. LESSON=You have to be your own advocate. If it doesn't feel right, it's NOT right--and don't let anyone tell you otherwise because most docs only care about getting you in and getting you out. I was lucky to find my TKR R-S, but my knee (and my LIFE) will never be the same. Good luck to you!!!!

To Missylaineous= Thank you for your post. For various good reasons I canceled my TKR and am accepting that I am better off adjusting my life to my knee issues as I have no doubt based on my allergic and medical history I will have rejection issues. I am truly very sorry for the misery you have and are experiencing and very grateful you care enough to let those of us questioning and hesitant about getting TKRs know the dangers.
Also great advice promoting second opinions. After 4 months I still had pain and other issues after a hysterectomy and my surgeon kept telling me this was normal. I was ignorance and had gone to a basic OB/GYN who also did hysterectomy's who kept telling me I was fine. I went to a different Gynecologist who told me I needed a surgeon she recommended who specialized in state of the art female surgery's and repair and made the 5 hour round trip for a consultation. Long story short and 2 surgery's later I am perfect. Just as you said, if you are hurting get another opinion and research who is the best in the field to help you.

I had a total knee replacement 5 years ago with pain and swelling to this day. Last week i woke up with the knee swelling and in pain. I was not able to walk on it for 2 days. It"s still sore and swollen. I saw the DR he took xrays and said it looked fine but it"s not.

Hello @eeppeerr88. I am sorry to hear about your sudden onset of pain after so many years of a successful TKR. There is another very similar discussion that I thought you would benefit from joining so have moved your post here so you can connect with others with similar experiences such as @bengalady @donmckibben and @ellerbracke .

How are you managing your pain and are you considering a second opinion?

I have been living with the pain but the last two weeks have been a problem
I have a doctor's appointment in a week and if nothing is resolved I will get a second opinion.

Would you mind sharing the Doctors name and phone numbers who did your TKR Revision. I may need a revision. Thank you

Are you considering getting a blood test for the elements in the replacement to determine if you are allergic to any of it's components? Different products contain different materials.

Yes

Know how you feel. Been on my operation travels since 2012. Had four operations in left knee and one in the right knee. First operation left my knee stiff. Wished I stopped there. He did a revision on that knee and left it nearly in two separate sections. Knew there was something seriously wrong, so went to a different hospital. Spacers were put in to remove infection for Five Months, it’s usually six weeks. Then rods were put down that leg. Steadied the knee but at the cost of severe pain. Still suffering the pain. He said my right knee needed attention, as it was bone on bone. Agreed, but again suffered severe pain and stiffness, but not as bad as the left.
The problem is the growth of dense scar tissue on both knees. It is particularly bad in the left knee. Forget about X-rays you need scans to show the true extent of the damage. I have been refused them, and all I get is anger and tantrums. I saw two perfect X-rays for both knees, yet any person can feel the nodules. Once this pandemic is over, if at all, I will organise scans on my left knee. Expensive but at least I will have the proof. Age unfortunately will take over, so who knows about the future!!
Thinking about you!

I had a TKR Sept 2015 since then I"ve had swelling and pain, I"m 5ft 10" and weigh 185. My problem is in the last 3 weeks on Sunday The knee swells and I"m in pain and on chutches for 2 days and then it does it again. for no reason.The Dr drained blood and said no infection. Any ideas please.
;