Husband was told he needs to replace his TKR. Anyone gone thru this?

I’m no surgeon but that seems awfully early to have a second TKR on that same knee. I’d want to let another surgeon weigh in on what he/she thinks is going on. His first TKR should be good for much longer than 5 years unless there is some mitigating circumstance.

Good luck to him.

I had my first TKR replaced as part of the protocol to clear an infection of the knee which was mechanically soltd.

I had to replace a TKR after 3 years. The spacer had worn down. For me the pain was just as bad as the original TKR but the recovery seemed faster. Knee continued to buckle for awhile but with exercise and therapy that is getting better.

There have been some recalls of knee implants. Do you know which implant you received?

Yes! I had a TKR in 2018. I had a Revision TKR (same knee) four years later in 2022.
First TKR was a complete failure, painful, debilitating & life altering. It took me 4 years to find a doctor willing to help me. The revision surgery was complex, mainly due to time-consuming removal of thick scar tissue build up & the removal of cement that never adhered to my original defective implant (Depuy Attune), which was also the wrong size. My new found surgeon specialized in robotics & revisions, resulting in a much better outcome. With the revision the PT was daily and more aggressive. It started with in-home PT daily for 2 weeks, then at rehab facility - daily for another 6 weeks. I then went 3x week, finally down to twice a week. 12 weeks PT total.
I began Aqua Aerobics as soon as was allowed (and still do), it helps tremendously with occasional stiffness and keeps me flexible.

who was the doctor will to help with revision?

@fwintracy My first TKR was end of 2018. I was doing extremely well until surgeon decided to do a manipulation. Loosening and pain after this.

I also had revision with Depuy - 2025. It also was too large. Dr told me next morning he beat up my leg during this - could not get aligned properly. He left it. Months later I am still waiting on yet another revision. Excruciating, and inability to stand without effort. When I do- I shuffle few feet. Isolating, devastating. I had always been active and fit. Have become mush. Hoping this next one is successful, and I can take my life back

@taillie I’m so very sorry to hear of your trials. This is just so very disappointing. Please understand, I’m not throwing stones here. Rather, I’m trying to share the candid conversations I had with my friend/ortho surgeon.

He specialized in hips and knees. When he was on call over the weekend, if he saw someone in the ER with a problem other than a hip or knee, he evaluated the severity of their situation. If they could wait until Monday, he’d stabilize them and wait for a surgeon who specialized in their particular issue. Believe me, this guy is not short of confidence in himself.

We should always ask around for “the best in town” for your particular issue. It’s not always the first person you see. Another way to look at it is the old adage of what you call the surgeon who graduated last in his class…..Doctor. Doesn’t mean you want him/her to operate on you. I’m a CPA but you sure don’t want me to prepare your tax returns. Not my specialty.

Another comment my friend would make is that, unlike many of his partners at the Ortho practice, he wanted to do revisions on hips or knees (his specialty) because he’d see what the other surgeon did wrong (or at least what went wrong). Many surgeons steer clear of revisions.

I live in the Midwest but went to Florida (where my friend lives) to have my 2 TKRs because I thought he was the best I knew of and didn’t want to settle for less and could do the travel easily.

Best of luck!

@fwintracy

Great advice. I would also extend it to having to wait for appointments. I wouldn't want a surgeon who didn't have a waiting list. I had a magical surgeon (3 years ago a left hip replacement with no post surgery pain; 3.5 months ago a right knee replacement again with no post surgery pain and ROM at my first PT session of 122. But I had to wait to get on his surgical schedule.

During that time I remained in pain; but the pain for a few extra months was worth the results. I told my magician before the surgery that I wanted to be back on the golf course by the end of the fourth week (I am an 80 YO male). He said it was aggressive but he accepted. On the 27th day after surgery I was playing golf.

My brother had a knee replacement in the Midwest 5 days before me. He had a highly rated but traditional surgeon who used a tourniquet, cut the tendon to get access to the surgical site, etc. He had severe pain and was struggling to get his ROM above 90. He is an athletic person who does rock climbing for fun. His last comment to me was "I should have traveled".