7 years after total knee replacement

I have a similar situation in that I am 15 months out from tkr and still dealing with constant pain, 3-8 depending on what I am doing. Joint is always tight and is swollen on outside of joint and most often wam/hot to touch. X-ray and bone scan show all ok but wondering if an MRI would show anything. Did all pt as directed,still doing rom and other stretching regularly as well as swimming as well as some short distance cycling but both are pretty uncomfortable. Had some MFR but going to try again and hope it’s not too late. Can’t see another orthopedist until March. Don’t sleep well as Turning in bed is awkward as I feel the 1#+ weight of the prosthesis. Too much pressure on one side keeps me turning all night. Just got treated for breast cancer and now on an estrogen blocker for 5-10. The cancer is less a problem than the knee! Can’t think about another surgery as no guarantee that I will feel better.

You are very strong person …. Just reading what you are going through and what you are doing is amazing…..my first knee replacement did not go as planned I know the pain and frustration……I have to ask did you see another dr for second opinion? My original surgeon told me nothing was wrong meanwhile I could not get past 65 range of motion and pain all the time ….. was not until like 7/8 months after original surgery I got second opinion here the knee he put in 3 sizes too big ….the new surgeon scheduled me for surgery almost year out of first tkr….the second tkr experience has been amazing…. So I suggest if you have not gotten second opinion from a dr that handles troubleshooting tkr problems first thing I would do . Then take everything one step at a time . For me just having a dr tell me was not what I was doing or lack there of that was bad tkr gave me strength to do second tkr . I hope you find some relief and answers.

Three sizes too big! Wow, I certainly hope you are holding all medical aspects of that mistake responsible and get resolve, not just monetarily but keeping this type of horrific mistake happening to any other innocent people

You are very strong person …. Just reading what you are going through and what you are doing is amazing…..my first knee replacement did not go as planned I know the pain and frustration……I have to ask did you see another dr for second opinion? My original surgeon told me nothing was wrong meanwhile I could not get past 65 range of motion and pain all the time ….. was not until like 7/8 months after original surgery I got second opinion here the knee he put in 3 sizes too big ….the new surgeon scheduled me for surgery almost year out of first tkr….the second tkr experience has been amazing…. So I suggest if you have not gotten second opinion from a dr that handles troubleshooting tkr problems first thing I would do . Then take everything one step at a time . For me just having a dr tell me was not what I was doing or lack there of that was bad tkr gave me strength to do second tkr . I hope you find some relief and answers.

I am waiting on an attorney to get back to me….. everyone tells me I have a good case …we will see….

You are very strong person …. Just reading what you are going through and what you are doing is amazing…..my first knee replacement did not go as planned I know the pain and frustration……I have to ask did you see another dr for second opinion? My original surgeon told me nothing was wrong meanwhile I could not get past 65 range of motion and pain all the time ….. was not until like 7/8 months after original surgery I got second opinion here the knee he put in 3 sizes too big ….the new surgeon scheduled me for surgery almost year out of first tkr….the second tkr experience has been amazing…. So I suggest if you have not gotten second opinion from a dr that handles troubleshooting tkr problems first thing I would do . Then take everything one step at a time . For me just having a dr tell me was not what I was doing or lack there of that was bad tkr gave me strength to do second tkr . I hope you find some relief and answers.

Hi there.......this is your first post on Connect. Welcome--Welcome. We are all patients, former patients, caregivers, and folks with experience to share that may be helpful to others. Just so you know, I now qualify for having both knees replaced as of 4 weeks ago. My first total knee replacement was also my left knee and happened 10 years ago. I have had the same experience as you appear to be having. One time it was some old scar tissue. That took several weeks of working with an MFR therapist to remove it. The next time it was just the "burn" with a cyst along the side. It kept me from my daily walks so I went back to the MFR therapist and she was able to make it go away in just a "few" weeks.

Because I have small fiber neuropathy, I now see the MFR therapist twice a week for sessions to relieve the symptoms of that condition. Whenever my knee is squawking a bit, I let her know and she works on it.

So....I do think these prior surgeries can come back for a visit. Maybe you had that knee tucked up the wrong way when you slept last night. Maybe you helped string blow the lower level of your yard and stepped in a squirrel hole that stretched the tissue. Because these are minor incidents, we tend to forget about them. Think about how your original knee used to complain when you took a stumble. There is still tissue and muscle around the replacement.

The bottom line for me would be to go back to the post-surgery "ice and elevate" routine for a couple of days and see what happens. If nothing helps and the symptoms do not retreat, then it would be advisable to ask an orthopedist to take a look at your knee.

Were both of your knee replacements done at the same time? Is the one giving you trouble the first one or the second one?

May you be safe, protected, and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris