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Spacer replacement 4 years after TKR
Has anyone been told their plastic spacer is too thin and should be replaced? My knee has been having all kinds of pain, pinching and burning sensations for months now. Xray shows implants are stable, but the spacer may be too thin and gives me the unstable feeling. Surgeon suggests going in and replacing, but not a fan of surgery. Anyone have it done? Successful? Wished they didn't? Thanks for any comments.
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Hi @george12345,
I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled:
"Spacer replacement 4 years after TKR"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spacer-replacement-4-years-after-tkr/
This discussion is a bit lengthy but there are many members discussing spacers after their knee replacement. @jerseygirl21, @eprovostva, and @cedarrose all discussed getting or needing a spacer and may be able to share their experience with you as well.
@george12345, are you experiencing some bone loss around your TKR?
Doc says some bone decay caused by loose hardware and spacer is falling apart. Total revision needed. Hopefully we do larger spacer and that will slow the bone decay.
I am 8 years out from TKR and dong fine till last 5 months. It seems the spacer used is defective. Knee swollen and some pain, level 3 on a 1 to 10 scale.
Doctor tells me a Revision is needed because spacer bad and some bone deterioration around the hardware . I would like the doc to try to change to a bigger spacer and use bone cement around deteriorated bone.
Has anyone had this type of experience?
I'm 80 years old and are afraid of the 3+ hours of surgery. Plus the dangers of infection, rehab, etc.
@JustinMcClanahan
Yes, osteoarthritis. Hardware has laxity. TKR was cemented in 2020. New surgeon wants to insert a cushion instead. I’m very concerned about going in again. Pain is only felt on stairs. I’m thinking of foregoing it. I’m 72 and like everyone else, very apprehensive. 😟
@george12345
I feel your pain George! I’m 72 and don’t relish the thought of rehab, etc.
thank you..
@jerseygirl21
I would like to find a good excuse to not go thru a Revision. Big surgery plus bigger rehab than the original TKR.
@george12345
Exactly!!
My TKR 12/23 did not provide a good result.
Many months of severe pain along the lateral side walking and stairs were basically impossible.
My surgeon was not helpful (read: loser) and I fired him.
Four opinions from well qualified surgeons (UCSF, STANFORD , etc) diagnosed mid flexion instability.
(Research this if you think this may be your problem. It is an area that knee surgeons debate as it is not completely understood.
There is a ‘gap’ in the knee /implant that is too large allowing it to ‘slide’ around. Not good.
My first revision to correct this was to increase the size of the spacer /insert to tighten up the knee.
I knew this was a 50:50 gamble and it did not help. ( the recovery was very quick which was an upside)
The second revision 4/26 resolved the severe lateral pain but I don’t think my knee will ever be right or pain free.
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Do some research /reading so you can ask good questions; when you find a well qualified surgeon who will listen to and work with you.
Good luck
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1 Reaction@dbduffer
I have spoken to my well qualified surgeon and he does not think that just replacing the spacer with a larger spacer will work to my benefit. He would not do that. I would like ti find someone who would do that surgery. Like you said, 50/50. ? Rather try that first prior to Revision, 3+ hr surgery, plus a tuff rehab for a 80 year old man.