What caused my knee to buckle?

TKRs don't cause a lot of problems. That's a misconception. But what happens on this board is that the minority of people who have had problems come here. It is unfortunate when surgeons can't explain what is wrong, but it doesn't represent the majority of outcomes in TKRs or other joint replacements. These procedures started in the 60s and have dramatically improved. I had both of my knees replaced, the surgeon using the Mako robotic assistant. I'm a 68 y/o male, average weight who happened to be hit hard with osteoarthritis. The TKRs changed my life dramatically for the better. I worked hard before the surgeries and I work hard now to protect this investment, and life.

Well, you are very lucky and also very dismissive. It must be clear to you that many people here are, in fact, having problems. There but for the grace of God go you. Good luck and thanks for your thoughtful comments. Also, why are you here if you're not having any problems.

I would look for a second opinion from an orthopedic surgeon in an academic practice that is "out of town." It is rare that a surgeon or any doctor will be helpful to a patient that has a problem that may have been caused by a colleague or a physician in the same city or community.
These physicians, who are approached for a second or third opinion, worry about being dragged into a lawsuit or some other unpleasant situation. Lawsuits can be time consuming and, of course, will make other surgeons in the same time view him or her with askance.
This all is not fair to patients.

I have had two total knee replacements. Both were done in 2015 - three months apart. I also had a hip replaced in January 2021 and a shoulder (reverse shoulder replacement) two months ago. All of these new joints feel like my own normal joints. I had absolutely no pain after the hip and shoulder surgeries. I had some pain with the knees for about two weeks after the surgeries; otherwise, none at all since.
The same surgeon did the knees and the hip. A different surgeon did the shoulder. They were all done at Mayo in Rochester. I credit these two surgeons with my good outcomes as all four of these joints were in very dismal shape when they were replaced; I waited much to long for all of them. I had avascular necrosis in the hip and the shoulder. The knees were totally shot. (I was in pretty good shape, however, as I spent time daily in our swimming pool for years before these surgeries. With the knees and the hip, I could barely walk, however - it was much too painful.)
If you have a lot of pain or discomfort, I would schedule an appointment with a subspecialist revision surgeon at a high volume center with a great reputation for doing joint replacements. That may be the only way to get relief from pain and it may be the only way to get an opinion about what is wrong. Living with pain and discomfort is no way to live.

I'm very sorry Shawn. My comments were indeed dismissive and I did not mean them to be so. and I apologize to anyone else I offended.

First, to the stiffness and soreness you are experiencing well after the TKR. That's unusual. The stiffness is probably caused by the swelling, which by itself is strange. Draining fluid won't help because it will come right back. I'd find another Dr. because I don't think there is a risk of infection from draining, it just isn't useful. Seems like your Dr. was just trying to get you out of the office. The hell with that attitude.

As for the pain, can you be more specific? Is it on the outside or inside of the knee? Is it sharp pain or achy? If it's on the inside or outside it could be a lateral or medial ligament that is strained or partially torn. Have you tried wearing a knee brace or compression sleeve over the knee? Icing and elevation are always helpful. I would in no circumstances apply heat as your knee appears to still be inflamed. Heat will make it worse.

It might also help to work on strength in your quads and hamstrings, strengthen the muscles that surround and support the knee. It's also possible you've developed a Baker's Cyst behind the knee. That can be fixed.

As for why I come here. Well I like to think I studied my own TKRs enough to help with other people experiencing problems, and for people considering TKRs, to offer advice on how to prepare and recover. Most people simply don't do the rehab, get scar tissue, and they're pretty stuck at that point. That doesn't seem to be what happened to you.

I''ll close by again saying how sorry I am that I offended you (and anyone else). That was not my intent and I do hope your knee gets better. FWIW, it can take 12 months to 18 months for a TKR to totally settle down. Please stay positive, and find another Dr. Personally, I like surgeons in their mid 30s to mid 40s with a solid pedigree at university or residency. They have done a good number of procedures and are current on the latest techniques.

All the best to you Shawn.

Wow! Thank you! I'm so glad to hear from another joint sufferer who has experienced success with joint replacement - and you pretty much take first place! I'm amazed that replacement was even possible in the presence of avascular necrosis. Good for you to seek out the right surgeons.

I'm 68, male and former marathon runner. I was pretty good too, running a few under 3 hours. But the running combined with osteoarthritis took away all running when I was about 48 y/o. Over the years it devolved to bone on bone.

I found a very skilled surgeon to do the TKRs in 2022. He worked for Froedert in Wisconsin, affiliated with the Medical College at UW in Madison, a very good medical college. My surgeon did his residency at the Cleveland Clinic, very close to Mayo in terms of excellent and up-to-date care.

I hired a trainer 8 months before my first replacement to get the muscles around my knee strong pre-surgery, and then followed the rehab exercises very closely and still work with a trainer. For both knees, I recovered completely within 2 months with 130 degrees ROM and zero degrees extension - and no pain. It was a life-changing experience.

Now my shoulder is acting up and will likely need to be replaced in a year or two - osteoarthritis again. How was your TSR recovery in terms of length? Did you have to sleep in a recliner for a period of time following surgery, and what was the rehab like?

All the best to you. And thanks so much for posting a success story. Along with great surgeons, I know you put a lot of work into your own recovery, and it is absolutely required for a good outcome. Good for you and well done!

I would find a specialist in knee replacement, ideally a surgeon in his or her mid 30s to mid 40s with a solid pedigree at a medical school and/or residency. Also, look for someone who uses the Mako robotic assistant. They will not turn you away.

I have no doubt your X-rays look fine but that's not the whole picture and the surgeon who turned you down is not worth seeing. It might be scar tissue but unlikely if you've done all the rehab and continue to exercise.

Is the pain to the inside or outside of the knee? That could be ligament strain or damage. Another less likely possibility is a Baker's Cyst behind the knee. It's hard to tell without more info. Your first Dr. should not be giving up so easily. That said, a small % of TKR patients do experience lingering soreness and stiffness.

I would find a real specialist and get his or her opinion. All the best to you.

My surgeonspecialized in knee and hip replacement. I contacted another specialist and I was told that the Dr. didn't usually take a case from someone who had another surgeon for the replacement. she siad they do 2nd opinions in the case of whether or not a replacement is needed but once its done they don't like to touch it. That doesn't make sense, if you had a bad surgeon, how are you suppose to have any corrections done if no one else will touch it? I asked how I was suppose to get a second opion and they agreed to look at my records and they will decide from there.
The pain is under the lower lip of my kneecap and on the upper side above my knee. When it gives out, then it is extremly sore under it. I'm not able to bend it as far without extreme pain. I had really good range of motion right away with little discomfort. My range of motion is pretty good but with much more pain.
Although it is painful much of the time, I can live with that if thats how its going to be. Its the extreme shooting pain that has me concerned.

Thank you very much for that. I guess I'm just sensitive because if one more person tells me "I never heard of that," or "why is it taking so long for you...I know someone who runs a marathon....." Etc. Believe me, I want that to be me. I did all the work and continue to exercise the knee following the instructions from physical therapy which I did until four months after surgery. I still do my exercises every day. My very first surgery was botched and they did not use glue (according to my second surgeon) and the knee started to literally bow inside my body. So the revision was successful but according to my doctor that knee will never be the same since they have to use such a large implant with revision and they cut more bone in the process. I accept that, but I had high hopes for the second tkr. I guess I'm just waiting for the magic to begin:) Thanks again for your kind words.

Also, in answer to your question, I don't have pain. Just a lot of stiffness and soreness.