You know, I am shocked and angry that so many people over past few years have less than excellent results with TKR. Is it the surgeons that aren't qualified? Or is it such difficult surgery that it is expected to have post surgery problems? This is a "common" surgery now so they should know how to do it.
I had Left TKR in 2015 and it was perfect; no real pain; just some aches. Walked right away. Played sports after 6 months. 3 years later I had TKR in Right leg with a different surgeon (unfortunate decision on my part). This TKR was good (I thought) and again I did not have much pain and walked right away. But this leg was a little numb from day 1. This leg had red, nasty blisters around the scar area. They itched. Never saw anything like it - they decided I was allergic to latex. Really?! I have never been allergic to anything except poison ivy. Both knees are straight (yay). Walking is good. Going downstairs is slow. I play a racquet sport 3 times a week and work out in gym. My ROM is not great 112-115, but I can deal with that. Concern is the numbness and the tight band feeling in Right leg 2 years later. However, I will say every 6 months the tight band feeling improves. That's the good news. I have had slight swelling in that leg since surgery and it does not go away. I always tell surgeon about the numbness; but he does not really comment. Now I am getting the picture that nerve damage occurred during surgery. I think that is why the numbness. New problem now. When I run playing sports sometimes that leg feels like it might buckle (but it doesn't). I feel a slight flutter in the calf and my leg does not quite get the message it should "run". It hesitates (slightly). Well, it turns out, that we think the nerve was damaged (either cut or nicked). Apparently, the flutter feeling in the calf is a result of the nerve not sending a message to the muscle (sometimes). And the muscle can/will atrophy. Scarey!! I was so concerned, I returned to PT. I had a totally amazing PT. He really listened and he explained exactly how I should do certain exercises. He tailored the exercises to specifically strengthen that leg and surrounding muscles that I use when playing my sport (running and bending). Very interesting. I believe it is called "Specificity" in athletic training - it targets specific muscles just for that sport. So I am doing them. Sometimes I think it helps, but not sure yet. I am so upset that there is nerve damage and no one owns up to it. So, do I have to do these exercises for the rest of my life? Another thing with this Right leg is that I feel it "pitches" my body forward. When I bend it is as if I might fall forward (but I don't). I used to have very good balance; now it is less good. I have nightmares that someway I will need to have my leg amputated if my muscle atrophies?!!!?? It is an overreaction on my part. Why is there no direction from the surgeon? He is attentive and very nice and has a good reputation (I research all my surgeons). But he seems to be surprised that I have this nerve situation and that my body pitches forward when I bend. Am I just supposed to accept this less-than-perfect result? I am looking for perfection as in the first leg TKR. I feel I should be happy I can be as active as I am. But I want a better result. Sorry to be so wordy. I know others are suffering more than I am and I am sorry for that. Doctors should be frank when there is a problem.....