Swelling and stiffness, 3 years after total knee replacement

MRI generally difficult to do now because of prosthetic causing scatter so hard to tell what is going on. Definitely get second opinions and they will vary depending on the doctor and their experience. Technology is always improving so hang in there. My tkr was 19 months ago and I still am in chronic pain, although different from pre op pain. Arthroscopic Sue now may or may not work plus the risk of infection is higher because of prosthetic. Still deciding about the surgery.

This is exactly what I'm going through. I had my both knees done My first on 2013 and it is causing me to almost trip..Feeling it gives out swelling ,pain ..But xrays show all normal...lolol But I can't walk far ,slow,pain ...very unstable
I see joint and bone specialists in 12 days ...

You should get checked for metal allergies, I had TKR 2019, at my 1 year checkup, I was stiff and pain when standing for long, found out I'm allergic to 4 metals and bone cement. Still living with stiffness.

My knee replacement never produced good results. I now have to see a hip doctor as my knee pain might be referred from hip. May need a hip replacement as well

I am 20 months out from TKR with same symptoms. You need second or third opinions. I have seen 3 orthopedists all with different opinions. So am going to a second university hospital so hopefully get consensus. You might need a revision which one university doctor said I need for ligament instability. Joint may be fine but ligaments aren’t holding things together. Like you, I am sick of pain!

Good evening @nighthawkval, and a big welcome to Connect. You have started off on the right foot. Why? Because on Connect we learn from each other by recounting our actual experiences. As I mention that, I must also share that folks are different. What works for one doesn't for the next one. Sometimes you hit the nail on the head. Other times you need to keep looking for a solution just for you.

2013 is quite a while ago. My first TKR took a year to heal to the point when I felt it was once again my own healthy knee. During the ensuing years, it has had some letdown episodes which I have resolved with MFR, Myofascial Release Therapy. My second TKR was in 2021 and it was a Mako Robotic surgery with plenty of pre and post-surgery PT plus the MFR. I am still amazed at how quickly it began performing like it was my very own knee.

I am glad to see that you are pursuing answers with specialists. Would you do us all a big favor and share the results with the Connect community. We will be waiting.

How long between TKR #1 and TKR #2? Was there any difference in the two surgeries?

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

I had tkr 2.4 years ago. I wished I had been tested ahead of the surgery. I am now undergoing metal skin testing after 2 years of pain, swelling and loss of muscle. My tests are in 2 weeks, I ordered the tests yesterday but ugh, did not think about the cement. I am now hypersensitive to adhesives.

I appreciate you keeping me updated on what you learn. Are you having blood testing or patch testing. As I mentioned I was not allergic to bone cement, but I was patch tested allergic to acrylics which are in many adhesives; evidently this is not in bone cement.
Once it was determined I wouldn't tolerate metals in my body, the surgeon canceled that surgery and was going to reschedule and try a different type of implant, ceramic coated implant, Aesculap. I went home and did my research. There was a class action lawsuit against this company because the bone cement was not adhering to the ceramic coating. The company knew of this issue and had a way to resolve it but chose not to because of the expense and exposure. Perhaps today, 3 years later this has been corrected. All these issues were enough to make me cancel, let alone the fact that I later learned that after years of wear and tear on the implant metals would be exposed anyway. I follow blogs on this site hoping to learn more about innovations but have learned nothing new. So, all I can do is share with others what may be the source of their inflammation, although I have no idea what a solution would be other than removal. So very sorry for your misery.

Hi, I had a TKR in 2020. It’s now 2023 and I’m still having problems with my knee…buckling and stiffness of my knee. I’ve been to two different Orthopedic doctors and they both look at my x-ray and said everything’s looks good. I feel like I’m walking with two different legs. I feel hopeless.

My doctor and his staff talks about me.

All I want, is to walk normal again

Good evening @leslie7. Welcome to Connect. Folks on this forum believe in and practice sharing relative experiences. I just opened the discussions tonight and landed right on your first post. When I read your statement I immediately remembered that I had my first TKR on my left knee in 2011, My second one on my right knee was done in August of 2021.

Certainly, the recent one responded better. It was a Mako Robotic with the latest technology and a team that insisted on both pre and post-surgery therapy. The materials used were plastic and not metal.

To be honest, I have always had a bit of trouble here and there with my first TKR knee. After about three years, I still had scar tissue which was released by a few weeks of MFR (myofascial release therapy). Even now, if I overdue my exercises or take a longer walk, the knee lets me know.

The most recent TKR has been less problematic. And yet, every once in a while it squawks at me. I have also had some buckling and what I call "giving way" when the knee just stops working.

Are you experiencing significant pain along with stiffness? What kind of exercise are you doing to keep the knee flexible and cooperative?

I don't know the why's and wherefores of this behavior. I do know that after a couple of days during which I pay attention to the knee.....all of a sudden a day or two will go by without any issue.

Perhaps a physical therapist would be able to help you by analyzing your exercises and home care. I am going to share with you an image of both of my knees so you can see the obvious difference.