Muscle Atrophy after Total Knee Replacement - When is it too much?

Posted by katz5151 @katz5151, Apr 8 9:56am

IVE HAD 5 TKRs IN 2.5 YEARS ON THE SAME LEG, RIGHT KNEE. THEY FINALLY FIGURED I WAS ALERGIC TO NICKLE IN THE IMPLANTS. THEY INSTALLED A CERAMIC IMPLANT AND ALL SEEMS TO BE BETTER. MY RIGHT LEG IS SEVERLY SKINNIER THAN THE LEFT. REHAB DEFENITLEY HURTS AND WILL FOR SOME TIME. IVE TRIED RECOMBENT BIKE, WALKING, SPECIALIZED EXCERSISES AND A WHOLE LIST OF OTHER THINGS. THE PAIN IS STILL THERE SOME SWELLING TOO. WHEN DO I JUST SAY ENOUGHS , ENOUGH. WOULD I BE BETTER OFF WITH A PROSTEDIC OR KEEP GOING. DOCTORS WANT THE KEEP GOING APPROACH. I JUST WANT QUALITY OF LIFE. ATROPHY SUCKS. BEEN IN CONSTANT PAIN FOR OVER 3 YEARS.

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Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Apr 16 11:17am

I'd like to invite @tzraquetball, @mom2five, and @katp who all discussed muscle atrophy after a joint replacement as well.

I had severe osteoarthritis and muscle atrophy in my right leg before I had my knee replaced in 2006. I have since strengthened my leg considerable, but the muscle growth never really happened. Despite my leg muscles becoming 2-3x strong, my muscle mass itself never really grew. It is certainly better than pre-surgery, but my left leg is close to being twice the size as it. It was always my strong and more stable leg (I used it for everything to compensate).

Opting for a prosthetic is considered a last resort emergency option when it comes to joint replacements as that can come with so many other potential complications.

@katz5151, how is your flexion and extension? Were and are you able to get good range-of-motion from your knee?