Knee implant becoming loose soon after TKR

Posted by azi7 @azi7, Apr 17 12:30am

Hi. I have has bilateral knee replacement in the past year and half. Now my first implant has become loose and my surgeon says all he has to do is to change the plastic spacer to a thicker one. My concern is that doing so will result in one leg becoming slightly longer than the other one and result in posture problems and imbalances. Has anybody had such an experience? What has been the outcome? Thanks

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lonna66 | @lonna66 | Apr 20 6:22am

I had 3 replacements on my left knee due to allergy to metal, I now have ceramic and when I had my right one done, just one surgery and it too is ceramic and they are both the same…this was a 5 year process, and I’m fine!

ouch89 | @ouch89 | Sep 16 7:15pm

On the list of reasons that implants become loose, spacers are not listed on new implants, but sometimes a thicker spacer may resolve a knocking knee. I have not had this experience but I can't imagine that you will notice any posture changes with a thicker spacer. From what I've read spacers commonly range from 6mm to 12mm. This difference is less than 1/4 of an inch, and remember these figures are from minimum to maximum. Since you already have a spacer the difference in the replacement will be even less. You probably have more uneven wear on your shoes/work boots and not even noticed it. If you indeed have a loose implant you will be in pain. I was just diagnosis with a loose implant that was discovered with a bone scan. Good luck.

aliciavillarosa | @aliciavillarosa | Sep 17 7:07am

I have bilaterally replacement and have had both spacers changed for thicker ones. Painted initially feel the difference after the first thicker spacer was put in. Definitely felt longer, but my body adjusted fairly quickly within two weeks. I didn't even notice it. I think it was just a matter of settling in getting used to the new part and when I had both my knees done, I have them at the same time and my posture was radically different. My hips were not lying to the linear configuration of my new needs that was a lot of hip stretching, and pelvis realignment to get that feeling OK again good luck.