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“End stem pain” after total knee revision due to PJI
I am one year out from right total knee revision due to a prosthetic joint infection ( long story)! Was doing well until about 6 months ago when developed pretty severe shin pain when walking. Ortho said it is “End Stem pain” take ibuprofen- even with ibuprofen pain is still there! Told I likely have to live with this-anyone have any experience with pain due to long stems?
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I had revision knee surgery on Aug 15 and three weeks after surgery I got this awful pain in my shin, they say it's because of the rod they placed in the tibia stem. My leg needs to heal around this stem. The rod is long. I had a nuclear bone scan and my leg is very very inflamed. They say to give it time. Meanwhile I'm in constant pain. Ice and elevate. I walk with a cane outside and it's painful to walk very far. Does any of this sound familiar?
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2 ReactionsYes I also have had this. It helped for a few months to go back to using a walker. I would say the acute phase lasted about 7-8 months and now I get occasional aches or twinges a few years later. The bone gets stronger thru micro fractures, as I understand it. That is where the pain comes from. As much as I hated going back on the rollator it was the only way I could function and get to work
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1 ReactionI have a rod that is 15 inches long. After 14 years the end stem is now failing. Osteonecrosis has set in. Not sure how much longer it will last. Looking at entire hip and leg replacement.
I wanted and received a bicruciate retaining implant. I wanted it so I could retain my ACL and PCL and my surgeon is an expert on it as he has been doing them for a decade.
I knew that the implant was somewhat different. What I didn't know until afterwards was that it doesn't have a stem. See the pictures in the link below:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Pre-and-post-operative-bicruciate-retaining-total-knee-arthroplasty-case-example_fig1_357927572
But that does make the implantation more difficult and more important. I am pleased that I received the BCR but I would not want one unless the surgeon is vastly experienced doing it. Mine is but there are not many who are.
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1 ReactionI know what you mean. My leg was saved 14 years ago by long stem surgery. No one told me about end stem pain. I now have osteonecrosis in the area. Follow up to make sure this does not happen. Ask about using a bine stimulator for bone growth.
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1 Reaction@jdconn4066
So sorry to hear- thank you so much for the advice!