Knee replacement with metal rod above knee

What ever happened with this? I have a rod in my femur and I need my knee replaced on that same side so I’m wondering how it’s going to go and what all is going to happen. How long is the recovery? Thanks!

Hi @ooshaleigh, I'm sorry that there hasn't been any responses. I know this can't be easy for you. I've had a TKR but not with a prior fracture and my recovery was pretty good at 76 when it was done. I think it was about 4 months or so until I was close to having normal use but I never did have any associated pain with the TKR. I did find an article on the topic which may help but I'm not sure.

Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Prior Femoral and Tibial Fractures: Outcomes and Risk Factors for Surgical Site Complications and Reoperations: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/os.12610

I think no one really knows the answer of how the surgery and recovery will go. My recommendation would be to find the best orthopedic sports medicine surgeon that does TKRs and discuss the risks and rewards with them.

I'm also hoping that there are some other members that may have missed your post here and will share their experience with you. For anyone that did not see @ooshaleigh's first post here is the link - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/711199/

Sorry first seeing this busy memorial weekend….. but not sure how your recovery will be ….. I had tkr in august of last year unfortunately I am going to have same one done in July my tkr is slightly oversized so I have been unable to get flexion… but I know there are many group discussion about how to get ready for tkr and what to expect…. I know for me mfr was most important I am still doing will continue right into this next surgery….I am still doing water exercises I go twice a week. I know for me I googled a lot to find information …. This site they cover a lot of topics but if your not getting what you are looking for use the web I found other discussion sites online doing that it was helpful…..hope you have speedy recovery

I am in PT getting infrared treatments twice a week. I need a knee replacement but I cannot have surgery because of the trapped nerve. It did not untrap like we had hoped. The risk of trying to untrap is too risky. I pray a lot. Good luck to you.❤️💛💜💙💚🧡🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹

Ooshaleigh, your situation was
eerily similar to mine! I desperately need a total knee replacement in my left knee, but have been postponing it primarily because I have a rod, pins and screws in my left femur due to a car accident in 2000. My surgeon believes he will not have to remove the rod to complete the TKR, but has acknowledged that the possibility exists. I am no stranger to joint replacements as I have rheumatoid arthritis and have previously had my right knee replaced and my right shoulder replaced twice. My left shoulder also needs a reverse shoulder replacement.
I would really like to hear from anyone who has had a knee replacement with a metal rod, or any advice about my situation in general. My knee surgery is scheduled for September 13th.
Thanks so much!

I desperately need a total knee replacement in my left knee, but have been postponing it primarily because I have a rod, pins and screws in my left femur due to a car accident in 2000. My surgeon believes he will not have to remove the rod to complete the TKR, but has acknowledged that the possibility exists. I am no stranger to joint replacements as I have rheumatoid arthritis and have previously had my right knee replaced and my right shoulder replaced twice. My left shoulder also needs a reverse shoulder replacement.
I would really like to hear from anyone who has had a knee replacement with a metal rod, or any advice about my situation in general. My knee surgery is scheduled for September 13th.
Thanks so much!

Curious what the Drs. did to accommodate your TKR? I have a femoral rod and my knee is failing. I am concerned about having a positive outcome given the complexity.

Hi, I had a left TKR in March. I have osteoarthritis and displaced/damaged meniscus. It is now time for the right TKR. At first the doc said the rod in my right femur should be fine. Then, he said yesterday it will have to come out because it was inserted through the knee and it will be inaccessible if a new knee is placed first. If I have to end up getting a new hip later in life the new knee would have to come out in order take the rod out. I am going to a second doctor to get his take on it. Anyone had the TKR and left the rod in place? Or taken out? @parkermary @skeleton @ooshaleigh
I guess I should metion, the rod has been there for 26 years (1999) with no issues. I am 45.

Himkbrad,
I had TKR Feb 23 it was very difficult recovery. I had an MUA the following May did Pt three times a week the CPM machine everyday cranking my knee to bend the PT cranking my knee to straighten. I would leave in tears and finally I quit all of it, my current PT said I had a severe case of synovitus and had a different protocol for me. Unfortunately, in April of 2024 I was in my kitchen took a step and fell but this time could not get up. Turns out I had completely fractured my femur. I had a wonderful surgeon who put a rod in and I have completely recovered from that. But my bend in my knee is still not good so walking is slow but doable, stairs are a nightmere without a bannister. I have had 3 2nd opinions and all three did not want to consider any revisions until next year. One looked horrified when he read my history.
So I do pt exercises, walk with a cane for any distance, take water classes, and am grateful I am not in any pain but just tightness that my pt says is mostly the nerves in my knee protecting it because of all the trauma my knee has experienced in really most of my life. I hopes this helps; good luck