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Has anyone had experience with bone cement “settling” after hardware r

Posted by blaira @blaira, Mar 8 5:30pm

I fractured my tibia plateau on 1/1/24, I had plates and screws to repair. In June I had an infection, cultured positive to hardware. I was on strong antibiotics for 4 months. I had my hardware removed 10/29/2024 to reduce risk of infection coming out. It is so great to have hardware out.

My bone wasn’t quite healed in one spot, my surgeon used dissolvable bone cement.

4 1/2 months later I feel that my leg shape has changed ( it already was slightly genu Valgum because of severity of fracture.

It seems to have worsened over the past month.

My Dr. says no it can’t happen. I am having trouble toeing off my big toe, I got a custom knee brace that is now slipping, my gait has changed (changed from my post injury norm).

Has anyone had this happen?

Thank you.

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mrsflutterby | @mrsflutterby | Mar 9 4:17am

This sounds so familiar! I had a knee replacement in 2013. The bone cement didn’t stick to the implant and my tibial plateau cracked on the side which further loosened the implant. They went in to do the revision and attempted repair on the tibial plateau. Within 6 months, the side of the tibial plateau disappeared and was absorbed into the blood acc:to a 2nd opinion doc. So that glue didn’t work either. Knee hurts all the time and needs a 2nd revision but I’m holding off as long as I can. Walking is tough, pain is 8/10 days plus I keep falling from the leg dragging. I’m so sorry you’re having similar issues. Get a 2nd & 3rd opinion!

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1 reply
blaira | @blaira | Mar 9 10:43am
In reply to @mrsflutterby "This sounds so familiar! I had a knee replacement in 2013. The bone cement didn’t stick..." + (show)
@mrsflutterby

This sounds so familiar! I had a knee replacement in 2013. The bone cement didn’t stick to the implant and my tibial plateau cracked on the side which further loosened the implant. They went in to do the revision and attempted repair on the tibial plateau. Within 6 months, the side of the tibial plateau disappeared and was absorbed into the blood acc:to a 2nd opinion doc. So that glue didn’t work either. Knee hurts all the time and needs a 2nd revision but I’m holding off as long as I can. Walking is tough, pain is 8/10 days plus I keep falling from the leg dragging. I’m so sorry you’re having similar issues. Get a 2nd & 3rd opinion!

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Hi,
Thank you for your response. I will attempt to seek another opinion. They used dissolvable cement when they removed my hardware. I think that was a mistake.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 16 8:01am

Here is some additional information regarding cements specifics. It may allow you to have a more informed discussion with your surgeon.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3880950/
Here is another regarding bone cement. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7788488/

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blaira | @blaira | Mar 20 1:45pm

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your struggle.

Thank you for this information. My surgeon who fixed my fracture and ligaments from my accident is a trauma surgeon.

I have a new knee Dr. now that my trauma is “healed”. This Dr. won’t order x rays to actually compare now to post hardware removal. He also says it shouldn’t happen.

I guess I need to find another Dr.

Do you think comparing the X-ray right after hardware removal (when bone cement was added) would show anything? I am asking because maybe I can ask my PCP to order?

Or would another type of imaging show it better?

Thank you,
Amy

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