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Spacer too large – needs replacing in both knees
I had bilateral knee replacement one year ago and my recovery has been very slow and painful with swelling in both knees and ROM limited to 90 degrees. Surgeon now says that spacers in both knees are too large and need to be replaced by smaller spacers. Has anyone else had similar issues and, if so, I would be grateful to hear any comments that might be useful to me before I commit to the surgery. Specifically I am keen to know how long the recovery process is likely to be and the rate of success that this type of surgery has been with others who have undergone similar surgery. The plan is to do one knee at a time and, based upon the success of the surgery, then the second knee will be done after I have recovered. Sadly it sounds like it is likely to be a long recovery process.
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I had a spacer replaced in September. I felt the pain was just as intense but the recovery was shorter. However my knee still hurts when I lift it in bed and when I climb steps. And the knee has buckled some. I am working on strengthening my quads hoping this will help. I do not want any more revisions to this knee which has been a problem since it was put in about 3 years ago. I have another knee replacement on my other knee with no pain. Hope hints go well for you.
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2 ReactionsSo sorry to hear …. I can relate… I had tkr in 2022 the dr put replacement that was 3 sizes too big I could not get past 75 degrees….it was very difficult year I found another dr got second opinion who informed me it was to big and that it would need to be replaced ….. I was almost relieved… but than it set in I had to go through having another tkr …. The good news the second time around was amazing from the time I awoke from surgery was totally different the first time woke in terrible pain this time no pain …. Was able to do steps within an hour and get around without much pain unlike first time…..my new dr fixed what first dr messed up …..,recovery has been long but I will always be work in progress…. Unfortunately having to have 2 surgeries caused so much more scar tissue so I tighten up ..,, I go to the gym 5 days a week now which helps keep scar tissue at bay …. So keep moving …. I talked to few lawyers and found out dr are allowed to put in few sizes to big with no repercussions ….i was very angry nothing I can do but write a review about my old dr warning people to beware …. Good luck to you and keep on moving ….
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2 ReactionsSo very important to find the best most skilled surgeon. There is a huge difference in competencies. Do your research!
Thanks EZAS123. Do I understand you correctly that you had a have a full TKR replacement second time around as opposed to only a spacer replacement?
Thank you for this information. My 1st tkr in 2017 has never been right. We’ve tried many different avenues before setting a revision date and my 2nd surgeon wants to put in a bigger spacer. He warned me recovery would be hard and I might not get any better results. I’m not sure after 7 years if I want to go through this again. It burns and is so painful all the time.
Yes ….. but I had wrong size knee put it ….. sorry for the confusion …. Just can relate to the frustration
Who did your revision surgery and where?
Thanks it’s too late statute limitations are up now my first tkr was august 2021….. I contacted 3 lawyers one did not bother calling me back another said there was no case and third filed something against dr but he would not admit any responsibility….. lawyer told me could not get anyone to dispute what he did … I am baffled by the whole thing …. That a dr can do this with no responsibility ….
My first tkr was 3 sizes too big which I know sounds like a lot but is not much but enough that was not able to gain flexion … I had 2 tkr year later I looked back at reports that were able to use some of the parts just changed knee hardware that was too big…
Was that successful?