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TKR revision surgery and problems
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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Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are people with a variety of conditions, who try to help one another understand what is going on.
How surprising to find out, after the fact, that there is new "hardware" in your body.
You indicate this was revision surgery, which I assume means something was wrong with the original replacement. Sometimes surgeons find bone deterioration, fractures, or other problems, and hardware - rods, plates, screws, wires - are added to stabilize everything. Perhaps this was explained to you as you came out of anesthesia, when you often don't retain info, and the surgeon never told you again?
At any rate, I would think you should go back to him for a thorough explanation and an evaluation of what is happening now. If everything is OK in the knee, you could ask for more PT evaluation - you may need to strengthen the surrounding muscles, or have an orthotic to soften the impact when walking or ???
Have you asked the doc to explain why you got new parts?
Sue
I'm 5 days out from my my 4th revision. This time another surgeon did a total revision ( out with the old, in with the new). I'm experiencing a serious burning sensation when I lower my leg to the ground. My wife says I've had it with the other three, I just don't remember it being this bad. I guess this is normal for some based on the posts I've read...would welcome like experience input. Thanks in advance.
Hi @4tkr, welcome to Connect. You may have noticed that I moved your message to this existing discussion so that you can connect with others members who have had multiple TKR revisions like @cobweb @irish283 @naturegirl5 @vicki1234 @ardis3 @artscaping
I have to agree with your wife. It's common for people to forget the intensity of pain. Because you mention burning, you may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Burning after total knee replacement https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-after-total-knee-replacement/
4tkr, how are you doing with rehab, PT and getting your range of motion in action?
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1 ReactionOf course not sure we have same problem but after my TKR I had terrible burning , sharp pain whenever I stood up,month after month I was told to give it another month . Well seeing no improvement I choose new doctor for a revision, he told me straight away he was not sure this would do anything to help but I saw no other way. Well after revision my ROM was much bettter but the pain remain, now it's 3yrs since 1st surgery and I am told it's nerve damage or nerve condition that should have been treated between 3-6 months after 1st surgery. I am being treated at UPENN Hospital , and we are trying different drug cocktails n hope of calming nerves down. I was told this may take time to find right mix, if it works at all, but if there is hope then I am all in, just want some of my life back with less pain. KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP SEARCHING
The burning is probably caused by nerve damage, especially after four surgery's. P.T is very painful. I was able to get to -5 on straightening and 84 degrees range of motion. So, those numbers are very positive I feel.
Good afternoon @4tkr,
You are being challenged by another surgical revision for your TKR. Let me see if I understand. Although your pain has escalated you are concerned that once again the surgery was not performing as you had hoped. Actually, 5 days is not a lot of time and you do need to be very loyal to the recommended exercises and post-surgery care.
Remember that knee surgery, especially a complete new TKR, disturbs a lot of soft tissue, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. And all of those elements are surrounded by connective tissue called fascia. Sometimes that fascia becomes restricted and must be released. Especially if you are doing PT post-surgery, you will also benefit from Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR). Did you have MFR treatments after any of your three other surgeries? If not, you may want to make sure you avoid building scar tissue. Every surgery creates more.
Of course the other must do is "ice and elevate" frequently. I am 3 mos post-surgery for my second TKR. Ten years after my left knee, I knew that the right knee was next. The recovery has gone quite well. My MFR therapist is able to find those restricted pain areas and release them.
Here is the heading of the MFR story on Connect. Just copy it in the search bar at the top of the page.
Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
How are your ROM numbers or is it too early to tell?
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris
Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
My ROM was 84 last Friday 11/26/21 and my straightening numbers was -5. So once I can get this burning issue resolved, I'm confident this one will be successful.
I'm going to find an MFR provider ASAP.
Thanks for the good advice/counsel.
CK
Good evening. Thanks for your response. If you want to find a John Barnes-trained MRF therapist in your area, you can look for an expert therapist at http://www.myofascialrelease.com. On page one, you will be able to click on "Find a Therapist".
PS....I don't know how your ROM and extension numbers have changed. Are these your best at this point or have you had better results on any of the other revisions? Just for comparison.......I am soon to be 80 and chose this time to commit to both pre and post-surgery exercises. Have you actively followed guidelines given to you by your PT or surgeon for stability and balance as well? I will share my numbers which are in great part do to my dedication to pre-surgery exercises. At four weeks, I was 137 ROM and 0 Extension. That made the rest of the rehab just a tad bit easier.
I wish you the very best and want you to know that I am here for you. When do you expect to have results from your burning solution?
May you have both mental and physical well being.
Chris
Hello,
Wow, that’s exciting information! My new surgeon will be performing a revision in a few months and I reside in Arizona. Do you know if The Conformist is available to folks on Medicare, or is it a custom purchase? I will research as much information as possible on this and of course ask my surgeon if it is an option. He will be putting in a somewhat smaller and looser prosthesis….