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Jamming sensation after knee replacement

Posted by savagegirl2020 @savagegirl2020, Feb 5, 2020

I had a right knee replacement in April 2019 with complications. There was nerve damage from the knee into the foot and to help with the partial foot drop the hospital PT tried to put me in an AFO brace, but was not done properly and it resulted in a large blister on the outer side of my leg just above my ankle. You can imagine the terror I felt and even after that blister healed I kept breaking out in blisters on the outer side of my leg, the same side that most of the nerve damage was on so I thought there was connection, saw the surgeon multiple times, my primary and went to the wound care center every week for 8 months only to find out 8 months later and one visit to a dermatologist that there was an infection in my leg that no one bothered to test for. But during this time because we were not sure what was causing the blisters we backed off on my rehab which resulted in some scar tissue forming. But the one thing that I have had ever since surgery (and the surgeon says my x-rays look fine) is a jamming feeling in my knee if I try and press up with my foot and my knee is flexed close to 90 degrees and it can be like a sharp pain at times. I have now lost some flexion and am back down to about 85 degrees but has anyone else had that jamming sensation? is it just due to the scar tissue which the surgeon says is permanent and won't suggest any invasive measures to break up? Also has anyone tried vibration to help break up scar tissue?

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killerbees | @killerbees | Feb 5, 2020

My heart goes out to you. After numerous surgeries over the years (very athletic since little) I have learned one important lesson. Listen to your body! You live in it and you know what is normal and abnormal in it. I have learned that you must be your own advocate and not let the doctors intimidate you when you know something is definately wrong. Did you suffer the nerve damage before the surgery? If not, and it appeared after the surgery, your peroneal nerve was damaged during the surgery. That is the nerve that, if damaged, can cause foot drop. I had it happen a year ago after when I had my TKR in my hometown. Those full AFO braces are torture! My surgeon agreed that it was absolutely not helpful for me..a petite female athlete. My PT found me one one line that velcro's to my ankle and attaches to my shoe laces to pull my foot up when walking. Research them online. Amazon has some and so do other companies. Also, research possible treatments to help keep the foot from dragging. I have found a number of them, most involving minor surgery to treat the foot drop. I am planning to discuss with my surgeon and my neurosurgeon. I knew there was something terribly wrong with my TKR and my doc kept saying "your Xrays look great". However, Xrays do not show nerve, or soft tissue, ligament, etc damage. I was also told by my second opinion surgeon that the implant was to big for my size knee, the cement was not holding and thus the knee is very loose. I have consulted two additional well regarded knee surgeons and plan to have a revision surgery this Spring. We have been discusssing all the options.....custom knee, Stem cells, or conventional with robotic assist. I encourage you to research online, educate yourself, reach out to others (glad you found this forum, as you will learn you are far from alone due to complications) and schedule appts for consults with other surgeons you can discuss your issues in your area or go to a well respected medical faciltity that has a good reputation re: TKR surgery results. Finally, don't get discouraged and do not give up. You will find the answers and a surgeon who can help you.

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willieblack | @willieblack | Feb 6, 2020
In reply to @killerbees "My heart goes out to you. After numerous surgeries over the years (very athletic since little)..." + (show)
@killerbees

My heart goes out to you. After numerous surgeries over the years (very athletic since little) I have learned one important lesson. Listen to your body! You live in it and you know what is normal and abnormal in it. I have learned that you must be your own advocate and not let the doctors intimidate you when you know something is definately wrong. Did you suffer the nerve damage before the surgery? If not, and it appeared after the surgery, your peroneal nerve was damaged during the surgery. That is the nerve that, if damaged, can cause foot drop. I had it happen a year ago after when I had my TKR in my hometown. Those full AFO braces are torture! My surgeon agreed that it was absolutely not helpful for me..a petite female athlete. My PT found me one one line that velcro's to my ankle and attaches to my shoe laces to pull my foot up when walking. Research them online. Amazon has some and so do other companies. Also, research possible treatments to help keep the foot from dragging. I have found a number of them, most involving minor surgery to treat the foot drop. I am planning to discuss with my surgeon and my neurosurgeon. I knew there was something terribly wrong with my TKR and my doc kept saying "your Xrays look great". However, Xrays do not show nerve, or soft tissue, ligament, etc damage. I was also told by my second opinion surgeon that the implant was to big for my size knee, the cement was not holding and thus the knee is very loose. I have consulted two additional well regarded knee surgeons and plan to have a revision surgery this Spring. We have been discusssing all the options.....custom knee, Stem cells, or conventional with robotic assist. I encourage you to research online, educate yourself, reach out to others (glad you found this forum, as you will learn you are far from alone due to complications) and schedule appts for consults with other surgeons you can discuss your issues in your area or go to a well respected medical faciltity that has a good reputation re: TKR surgery results. Finally, don't get discouraged and do not give up. You will find the answers and a surgeon who can help you.

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