Failed Knee Replacement and 2 failed revisions

I appreciate you taking the time to offer this advice.
I will try for a consultation with Dr. Trousdale in Rochester.
Thank you

I can't help but think there is some underlying condition that is making your bones fragile -- but what do I know! I am pleased with the outcome of my TKR, but a year later I am wondering why no one ever questioned doing it while I had a diagnosis of lymphedema in my leg. The diagnosis is in my chart, although no doctor has done more than look at my leg from across the room and check to see if it is pitting edema -- it's not. If it IS lymphedema, it makes the odds of infection and complications much higher, from what I've read, but no one ever brought it up. Thankfully I healed well. I have been reading up on the condition since no doctor so far seems interested, and what I read tells me I need treatment before it progresses, yet I was diagnosed 13 years ago, and it SHOULD have progressed by now if it is indeed lymphedema! It doesn't sound like any of the other look-alike diagnoses. I believe it would get attention if it suddenly started progressing, but then it would likely be too late, so I'd like to know what is really going on. I'm wondering why you had orthoscopic surgery at age 21. Do you have some sort of bone issue that just hasn't been recognized? Have you broken other bones easily? All of your doctors are probably focused on the knee replacement and maybe not looking for another condition, but from a quick internet search, I see it IS possible to have a bone condition that is particularly worse in one leg. Maybe start trying to find out WHY that leg breaks so easily.

Thank you so much for your note.
I did have triple negative breast cancer 10 years ago, and one of my doctor's commented on the possibility that the chemotherapy may have caused a softer bone issue.
Growing up my kneecap would slip out of place very often, without notice....I would be walking or running and just fall down. I ran track, played like a tomboy, and was a very active "outdoor" kid, but never broke any other bones. But at 21 I was tired of randomly falling out of place constantly, so I had the surgery. It seemed to work great! I don't know if there could be long-term effects I was unaware of??
I know I must be my own advocate; like you....I keep reading and trying to figure out what's wrong. But I am not a doctor, and while I truly believe knowledge is power, I also believe google can be your worst enemy, and I have relied on experts.
I sought out the best help I could, not thinking I would have to leave my state in order to receive great healthcare, and I have to believe I am just an unusual case. I don't have unlimited funds to travel to other states, (or countries) spend thousands on uncovered surgeries, and be out of work for any significant period of time.
But I tried this chat site was for this very reason...maybe someone will have a thought I didn't have, and give me another question to pursue....I have never even had a bone density test that I am aware of.
Thank you! And all of the very best to you on your journey!

Not surprised. Surgeon did not review my record for known allergy to nickel which is flowing in my blood. I cannot even walk my dog or walk very long. They stated it sounded like a vascular flow problem but for now looking at a revision surgery on my hip as my vessels are adequate. So who knows. I do know I was fine prior to hip replacement. Don't give up!

TKRs are overdone & have no guarantee. Orthopedic docs are really good at looking at X-rays & no problem solving when things go wrong. Mine was a failure and no doc really cares about my chronic pain for 8 years. “X-rays look fine” …bye bye

Hi. My PA suggested the test after my 7 surgery 4 in my left and 3 on my right. They dont offer the test cause it cost 600 out of pocket. Turn out to be im allergic to Nickel and vanadium. That means that i need a third revision on my knee😡. So I decided to live with the pain and swollen knees

@rodillas My doctors told me that the metals test wasn't covered by insurance and I submitted it anyway and they covered a big chunk. If I were you I would be very careful ignoring the nickel allergy. I'd be afraid that your body will all out reject your knee replacement and you'll end up needing an emergency replacement.

Thanks for the advice. The doctors said i needed to have that third revision . I'm concerned cause they have to break the tibial and the femur🤔, so I’m hesitant to do it.

@rodillas If I were you, I'd try to get a another opinion from another doctor that is associated with another hospital. I'm in sort of the same situation. My doctors are telling me that I need a hinged knee replacement. Unfortunately they seem to have a very high failure rate. When I ask why I need this, they say "your knee is unstable" and never tell me exactly why it is unstable. So I got another opinion from another doctor in another hospital and he explained that I have a flexure-extension imbalance, which means when I bend my knee my ligaments get so loose that my knee can easily dislocate. Now the question is how did this happen?? There are probably a few reasons why this happened, one of which is the surgeon probably installed my knee replacement wrong and I be willing to bet that they are worried about a lawsuit, which would explain their silence. This may sound crazy, but I wouldn't sue the doctor because I know he acted in my best interest but sometimes sh*t happens. I just want it fixed. So if I were you I'd get a totally independent second opinion. You will be surprised what you learn.

@mmarsala32
HSS Has excellent surgeons. Why did you not go there?