Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

Posted by bengalady @bengalady, Oct 9, 2019

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

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

chickenhaslips | @chickenhaslips | Dec 31, 2020

In reply to @auntb1947 "The Dr. that did my knee replacement said that my knee would always be numb right..." + (show)

Three months isn’t too long yet.Try using Voltaren cream.Use a glove spread it on .Then I wrap Saran Wrap around it so it doesn’t come off .Then place an Ace bandage around that.Do
this 2-3 times a day.Still use your ice on it .You can try a heating pad too .I would expect it to hurt more than a partial

gardeningjunkie | @gardeningjunkie | Dec 31, 2020

In reply to @libertyusa "You know, I am shocked and angry that so many people over past few years have..." + (show)

@libertyusa

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.....

Jump to this post

FYI- Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD, a form of eczema often develops in middle age. I had no allergic contact allergies until my mid 50's so you may have never had latex allergies previously and develop them suddenly. A common element in rubber is latex, many in the medical profession get this from years of constant exposure. Latex is blended into many contact materials. Latex is a natural element like poison ivy. Many believe natural is safe, but they are mistaken.
Today testing is excellent to prove what you may now be allergic to.
Did you have the 5 Day Extended Patch Test to positively identify your reaction as a latex allergy? For a doctor to tell you that without testing shows you their ignorance. The expensive 5 Day Extended Patch Test is paid for by Medicare. Did you have blood tests to identify bone cement allergies or metal allergies.
Surgeon's are experts, some of course better than others, but they are limited in scope. Allergies are not their focus.

gardeningjunkie | @gardeningjunkie | Dec 31, 2020

In reply to @auntb1947 "The Dr. that did my knee replacement said that my knee would always be numb right..." + (show)

The only reason I can figure that orthopedic surgeon's don't insist on allergic testing for all the elements of the implant being put in your body is because it brings bad news; you can't have the surgery and they won't get the job.
I had to insist on testing, some of which came out of my pocket as Medicare won't pay for the $600.00 blood test for the implant components, yet I knew ahead of time I had other allergies so was concerned about elements I had never been tested for being inserted into my body. I also have read of many who have had as many as 5 revisions, always left with pain and swelling- yet never being tested for allergies. Think of all the business revisions bring. If I can find information about allergic reactions to implants on the internet, if tests are created to test for allergic reactions to the implant elements how can a surgeon be ignorant and never mention it? Doesn't it make you wonder?

mrsflutterby | @mrsflutterby | Dec 31, 2020

In reply to @sprinrosa64 "my TKR is now 2yrs , with a revision 8mons ago and i still can't take..." + (show)

I've had MRIs post replacement. Not a problem because they put in non-conducting metal. The test my doc did to discover what was wrong with my knee was a nuclear bone scan. It showed what he called "a hot knee". It meant something was wrong with the knee itself and the surrounding areas. It lit up like a Christmas tree! Just another idea besides MRI. I have found with bones that MRIs don't always show what is wrong. Not sure why but that's just with me.

gardeningjunkie | @gardeningjunkie | Dec 31, 2020

I didn't know what the term "hot knee "meant. It is a term for a post surgical a condition in which the site requires extra blood for healing thus making the area warm. Redness and welling is often present. Site said it "normally" dissipates i 3-12 months unless infection is indicated.

sprinrosa64 | @sprinrosa64 | Dec 31, 2020

In reply to @mrsflutterby "I've had MRIs post replacement. Not a problem because they put in non-conducting metal. The test..." + (show)

Thanks i did have the bone scan and shows no problem. Who knows but can’t give up cause I want to walk again

Coco | @coco | Jan 1, 2021

In reply to @donmckibben "Dr. Taunton. Excactly the same response that I received. Xrays are fine and nothing more they..." + (show)

Don’t give up - I read about one patient wit pain after knee replacement - she saw 8 doctors - nothing..... finally they discovered she had a fracture in her foot causing the knee to hurt.

irish283 | @irish283 | Jan 1, 2021

In reply to @eeppeerr88 "I had a tkr 5 years ago and within the last 3 month I"m experiencing pain..." + (show)

Hello, I’ve had pain, swelling, and the area by my new knee’s joint is always warm to touch.
My TKR was done Aug. 2019. I have seen 5 knee specialists, all agreed I needed a revision, but all for different reasons! The very LAST dr. Sent me for allergy testing....I went and found out that I am allergic to the bone cement and the antibiotic my surgeon used. It sounds like you may need to have allergy testing done for metals, cements and antibiotics,
When I went I didn’t or should say never had allergies prior to my TKR.
I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU GO FOR ALLERGY TESTING. I just sorry that you have to go though this. It’s very frustrating.. They should make allergy testing part of protocol prior to any implant surgery. Good luck. Irish283@irish283

irish283 | @irish283 | Jan 1, 2021

In reply to @sprinrosa64 "I had TKR 2yrs ago , terrible, then a revision 7 months ago , still swelling..." + (show)

To sipinrosa64, hello. You mentioned that after your revision you can’t see any improvement at all and what is STEMWAVE PINS? I am 16 mos. post op....found out at 13 mos. post op that I’m allergic to the bone cement and the anti antibiotic . Ever since surgery I have complained about this horrible pain , swelling and warm or hot to the touch. My doc says, “your just one of those patients...” all I want to be is able to sleep through he night and be able to shop or go to store for my family without this exclusion wiping me out for the rest of the day! Appreciate any insight you have! Irish283

sprinrosa64 | @sprinrosa64 | Jan 1, 2021

After my revision ROM improved by a lot but pain remained the same so after numerous injections I am trying PNS “ peripheral nerve stimulator “. Doctor will put electrode wires in my quad to block pain signals. Same concept as a spinal stimulator just more localized. Trying it Jan 6. It’s done by a trial run after a week if it works then electrodes are put in permanently. I will glad to keep you posted

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.