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My Chronic Knee Pain After Replacement caused by Wrong Size Implant
Hello, I have seen a lot of people with similar stories of chronic pain in their knee after surgery. My experience: I had a total knee replacement although I worked very diligently with Physical Therapists and followed their instructions of what exercises to do at home, I still had extreme pain every single day.Upon the advice of my Ortho, I had a manipulation procedure. Skipping on past months, nothing I could do would relieve the pain short of sitting doing absolutely nothing but elevation and ice therapy. My pain management Dr. performed a Genicular Nerve Block. Nope, that didn't help either. Skipping on past months more, injections and water retention aspirations didn't help either. Then my Ortho decided the only thing to do was to go back in for a little clean up (knee scope). That proved to be not of any use. It's now two years after my replacement. Things are going downhill at a faster pace. I finally convinced another Dr. to take a look at me because you know the other Orthos don't like to take on someone else's patient. Anyhow, he immediately started ruling out causes. Tested for metal allergies, blood tests for infections, Nuclear Bone Scans for hard to detect hiding infections. You name it, he did it. I had mentioned to the original Dr. and now to this new Dr. that I had had such a hard recovery from the surgery that something right from the start must not have been right. My original Dr. thought it was laughable when I asked him a few times if perhaps the wrong sized implant was used . My new Dr. took that question much more seriously. The findings from all the tests showed loosing of the parts of the initial implant. My new Dr. also confirmed with imaging that the femoral part of my implant WAS too large for me causing the slow painful loosening of the whole knee implant. I was very wary but hey what could I do ? I couldn't live like that any more. Yes, I agreed to the revision and oh my gosh ! from the very first day I could tell a big difference in the way I felt. My pain and swelling was hugely less, my progress with Physical Therapy was 100 % more successful. My recovery time was amazing much easier. If there seems to be no explanation from your Ortho about very chronic pain my suggestion would be to find an Ortho to take your question of if you have the correct sized parts for your body implanted into you. You know how it is, when you go to your follow up appointments, you're always told that there's no problem everything looks like it's lined up just fine. I found out the hard way that this is a more common problem than you think. I couldn't believe it myself ! And yes, as some of you have stated my original Ortho Doc was as mad as a hornet that I had gotten another opinion. THAT'S YOUR RIGHT AND THEIR EGO PROBLEM. Hope my story might help someone else out their with unexplained seriously painful chronic pain on a daily basis.
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Hi @cyd Welcome to Connect.
I am so glad you were finally able to find a cause and get relief from your pain. Your story sounds remarkably similar to a woman I know.
I have been very fortunate, two TKRs, and no problems. The second TKR was a Conformis which is custom made to basically mimic your original knee so there is never a problem with it not being the right size. That's why I chose to have that one and go to a doctor who did Conformis replacements. I was fortunate in living in southern NH so I have easy access to Boston hospitals and doctors because the originator of the Conformis was the doctor who I had do my knee. He is based at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
I hope you are enjoying life more fully now and that all of those problems are behind you.
JK
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1 ReactionThank you, I have a little way to go yet but I am more active and a lot more happy.
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2 ReactionsThank you. I am having some of the same problems. Going to see a new doctor for second opinion.
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1 Reaction@cyd - Welcome to my world. First surgeon screwed up. He used a DuPuy Attune implant, known to have problems, and an implant with years of litigation behind it. In fact, there are entire law firms that do ONLY DuPuy lawsuits. I knew something was wrong from the very beginning. Long story I had over a year of incredible pain, suffering, immobility, trouble with ADLs, no social life, no mobility due to pain. Second surgeon - brilliant - did the revision and, like you, I knew it was good.
I'm now interviewing attorneys and will be during DuPuy and/or my first surgeon.
Best of luck with your recovery!
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1 ReactionDid you have revision surgery in Boston?
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1 ReactionYes, the second surgery was at The New England Baptist. I wouldn't to anywhere else for orthopedics. In fact, I'm getting ready to have shoulder surgery next!
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1 Reaction@babette, Good afternoon. I just want you to know that you are a great example of my "knowledge is power" mantra. And isn't it amazing how your body told you that the revision was better? You knew immediately just by being observant and researching your own issues. So....that takes care of those knees now what is going on with your shoulder? I am no expert on shoulders but have had four surgeries including a reverse replacement. I don't know if my situation will ring any bells.....all I can say is that without the ensuant neuropathy.....I would be almost but not quite pain-free.
I wanted to also note your disclosure about being a therapist. That was my training and career for many years. The techniques I learned as a therapist have served me well no matter what I was doing. When my life partner, who was also a therapist until retirement, tries to pull some didos on me one in a while. I have to work to stay one step ahead of him.
May you be safe, protected, and free.
When is your shoulder surgery scheduled?
Chris
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1 ReactionThank you.
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1 ReactionSo glad to hear you also found the solution to the problem. Best wishes with all.
I get my first knee replacement August 23 at 10:00 am. Due to Covifd 19, I must self isolate right after I have my COVID 😁 test 4 days before surgery. Then 4 weeks no driving ? Plus I must stay in my apartment 4 weeks???? What kind of Pain medicine will they give me? I have been taking Norco for years since my fractured leg , Advice please on how to prepare for 4 weeks? Will I be able to go to sleep in my bedroom where my CPAP machine is or should I move all medicine downstairs.
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