TKR revision surgery and problems

Posted by szqyoung @szqyoung, Jan 17, 2019

I fell and hurt my knee in March 2017. MRI showed meniscus damage. DR did surgery to repair meniscus in June of 2017 - removed most of left meniscus and removed affected area of right meniscus. Knee continued to swell and was very painful. Tried more PT, cortisone shot = no improvement. Had a TKR on 9/26/17. Right after surgery my knee would buckle while still in the hospital. DR said PT would take care of it. Knee continued to swell and buckle and be painful. In December of 2017 I returned to DR and he ordered more PT. Unsuccessful in correcting buckling, swelling and pain. DR did revision surgery on 2/19/18 - replaced 4mm liner with 10mm liner. Buckling greatly improved, however, I still have pain, kneecap pain, swelling and stiffness. Returned to DR and he said that recovery can take a year and to continue to elevate and ice my knee as needed. I’m now 11 months out from the revision surgery and am no better off. My regular Dr did X-rays and bone looks good. 2 years of limping has caused tendon issues in my hip (hip MRI done in Dec). Before the original injury I walked 3 miles every day. I’m now lucky to walk 1 mile without stiffness, pain and swelling. Consequently I’ve put on a lot of weight. I’m 69 years old, frustrated, fat and wondering what, if anything can be done. My yellow lab is also frustrated with my lack of mobility:-)

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@artscaping

With a surgery date in May, I am worried that you will not receive the information you need to proceed with confidence in the procedure. Is it possible to request a second opinion? Does your hospital have a document of Patient's Rights? Knowledge is power.
Chris

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Already went to get a second opinion—-doctor said that I have scar tissue behind kneecap which is getting caught in the groove of my prosthesis. Plus, he thought that I needed the plastic pad replaced to help alleviate the problem.

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@ardis3 I found this comment by @contentandwell regarding a surgeon in the Boston area: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/foot-neuropathy-after-total-knee-replacement/?pg=28#comment-231429

Perhaps @contentandwell can provide some additional information?

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@vicki1234

Already went to get a second opinion—-doctor said that I have scar tissue behind kneecap which is getting caught in the groove of my prosthesis. Plus, he thought that I needed the plastic pad replaced to help alleviate the problem.

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@vicki1234, Your second opinion was a confirming one for the revision surgery. Is that correct?
From my research, revision surgery can be more complex and require a greater recovery period than the initial TKR. What has your surgeon told you about the preferred outcome of the revision?
Are there any options like Myofascial Release Therapy or a brace to be worn?

The bottom line for me is that you do not feel trusting and confident. Personally, I would not choose to leap into any surgery without confidence in the surgeon. There are no guarantees, but there are smart choices.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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I recently had two knee replacements and the right came out fine but left still bothersome and found out now my one leg is now shorter than the other and I incurred a stress fracture of my heel. Surgeon never advised me before tkr that I might incur a leg shortening and now have to get inserts .

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@gianpaul333

I recently had two knee replacements and the right came out fine but left still bothersome and found out now my one leg is now shorter than the other and I incurred a stress fracture of my heel. Surgeon never advised me before tkr that I might incur a leg shortening and now have to get inserts .

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Gianpaul, to what do you attribute the difference in your experience between the right knee and the left knee. Were the surgical conditions different? Was rehab different? Life situation?

How long ago was your second surgery?

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@contentandwell

@ellerbracke I too never realized that wrong size could happen as frequently as it apparently does, and then require a revision. I chose to get a custom made knee simply because I read that the recovery was quicker and easier, and of course more satisfactory since it was made to match your original knee and not just taken off a shelf. I'm glad now that I went that route and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to have a TKR.
JK

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I recently had a TKR using Mako Arthraplasty which is a very precise procedure, very pleased with results. Read about it on you tube.

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@stephtyrrellmyleftknee2021

I recently had a TKR using Mako Arthraplasty which is a very precise procedure, very pleased with results. Read about it on you tube.

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Hello @stephtyrrellmyleftknee2021, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Mako robotic arm-assisted knee replacement procedure. I really wanted that but my Mayo surgeon doesn't use it. I am quite happy though, as he is very good at what he does and my recovery and rehab went well.

Do you mind sharing a little more about your experience after the surgery, are you still doing home rehab, how's your range of motion, etc.?

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@johnbishop

Hello @stephtyrrellmyleftknee2021, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Mako robotic arm-assisted knee replacement procedure. I really wanted that but my Mayo surgeon doesn't use it. I am quite happy though, as he is very good at what he does and my recovery and rehab went well.

Do you mind sharing a little more about your experience after the surgery, are you still doing home rehab, how's your range of motion, etc.?

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My surgery was Tues. March 23. That next Fri and sat I went to PT, followed by 3x per week since. I went from Walker to cane in a week. Used the cane foe 1-2 weeks. Today my bend is 117 degrees and I'm almost straight, less than 5 degrees. My scar looks great. I had little swelling.

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@stephtyrrellmyleftknee2021

My surgery was Tues. March 23. That next Fri and sat I went to PT, followed by 3x per week since. I went from Walker to cane in a week. Used the cane foe 1-2 weeks. Today my bend is 117 degrees and I'm almost straight, less than 5 degrees. My scar looks great. I had little swelling.

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That is a really good recovery...almost happy dance time 🙂

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