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What caused my knee to buckle?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 2, 2023 | Replies (28)Comment receiving replies
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.
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Also, in answer to your question, I don't have pain. Just a lot of stiffness and soreness.
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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.