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Sutures in knee after a year TKR

Posted by joyanna @joyanna, May 13 11:25am

I have what appeared to be three bones sticking out at lower inside part of knee after 1 year of TKR. I had an appointment for my yearly check up with my surgeon. He felt them and said they were sutures and that he could remove them. They do hurt at times! He said they could be taken out now or taken out whenever I wanted to get them removed. He acted like it was not a big deal. I thought all the sutures were removed but still can’t understand why I have 3 that are at the inside of knee. He will have to do a small cut to remove them. I’m concerned to have anything done as I don’t want to get a knee infections. Can anyone tell me why they are inside the knee? Thanks!

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pb50 | @pb50 | May 13 2:51pm

Yea they are there because the surgeon closes the wound in layers and uses dissolving sutures - that sometimes don't full dissolve. If they are in a layer of skin or muscle near the surface they will sometime work to just beneath the skin or work their way out.
I’d just call the doc and ask how he would like you to handle. He may want you to come in so they can remove.

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2 replies
cindymattern | @cindymattern | May 14 5:43am

Sometimes they don't dissolve for some reason....PT massaged my scar each time I went in and the sutures would slowly come up to the to of the knee and they would remove them with tweezers when they came out enough. I'd get them removed if it was me. My knee was injected 2x and I had no issues with infection. Perhaps if you're worried he would let you take an antibiotic before the procedure and a bit after.

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1 reply
joyanna | @joyanna | May 14 11:31am
In reply to @cindymattern "Sometimes they don't dissolve for some reason....PT massaged my scar each time I went in and..." + (show)
@cindymattern

Sometimes they don't dissolve for some reason....PT massaged my scar each time I went in and the sutures would slowly come up to the to of the knee and they would remove them with tweezers when they came out enough. I'd get them removed if it was me. My knee was injected 2x and I had no issues with infection. Perhaps if you're worried he would let you take an antibiotic before the procedure and a bit after.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much. I have been so concerned with my healing. Especially with what felt like 3 bones sticking up. My surgeon said he could go in and removed them. I will have him remove them for sure. I do take an antibiotic for dental work and cleanings! My surgeon is very careful with me and I’m sure he will want me to take or he will give me antibiotics when he removes the sutures. I have a bakers cyst behind my knee and we are watching that carefully. Other than this I’m doing well from my knee replacement! I appreciate all the help you have given me. Thanks!

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1 reply
joyanna | @joyanna | May 14 11:35am
In reply to @pb50 "Yea they are there because the surgeon closes the wound in layers and uses dissolving sutures..." + (show)
@pb50

Yea they are there because the surgeon closes the wound in layers and uses dissolving sutures - that sometimes don't full dissolve. If they are in a layer of skin or muscle near the surface they will sometime work to just beneath the skin or work their way out.
I’d just call the doc and ask how he would like you to handle. He may want you to come in so they can remove.

Jump to this post

Thank you for explaining this. I was so nervous when I saw my surgeon that I didn’t ask what and how the sutures got there. They were very hard and didn’t know he did inside sutures but at the top and he removed those. Thank you for explaining this. So appreciated!

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ezas123 | @ezas123 | May 15 3:43pm
In reply to @joyanna "Thank you so much. I have been so concerned with my healing. Especially with what felt..." + (show)
@joyanna

Thank you so much. I have been so concerned with my healing. Especially with what felt like 3 bones sticking up. My surgeon said he could go in and removed them. I will have him remove them for sure. I do take an antibiotic for dental work and cleanings! My surgeon is very careful with me and I’m sure he will want me to take or he will give me antibiotics when he removes the sutures. I have a bakers cyst behind my knee and we are watching that carefully. Other than this I’m doing well from my knee replacement! I appreciate all the help you have given me. Thanks!

Jump to this post

For bakers cyst osmo patches work wonders ….as for me the lumps on my knee they don’t bother me and I so do not want anymore procedures. Good luck

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1 reply
joyanna | @joyanna | May 15 9:29pm
In reply to @ezas123 "For bakers cyst osmo patches work wonders ….as for me the lumps on my knee they..." + (show)
@ezas123

For bakers cyst osmo patches work wonders ….as for me the lumps on my knee they don’t bother me and I so do not want anymore procedures. Good luck

Jump to this post

Thank you so much I will get that cream and try it. I hope it helps the backers cyst. They are so painful. Thanks!

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1 reply
ezas123 | @ezas123 | May 16 10:17am
In reply to @joyanna "Thank you so much I will get that cream and try it. I hope it helps..." + (show)
@joyanna

Thank you so much I will get that cream and try it. I hope it helps the backers cyst. They are so painful. Thanks!

Jump to this post

https://www.osmopatch.com/how-it-works/ Here is site I order from …. They are patches take a look they are pricey but works amazing ….you put on at night draws fluid out …. Does smell a little but I put ace bandage around it ….

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joyanna | @joyanna | Aug 17 11:50am
In reply to @pb50 "Yea they are there because the surgeon closes the wound in layers and uses dissolving sutures..." + (show)
@pb50

Yea they are there because the surgeon closes the wound in layers and uses dissolving sutures - that sometimes don't full dissolve. If they are in a layer of skin or muscle near the surface they will sometime work to just beneath the skin or work their way out.
I’d just call the doc and ask how he would like you to handle. He may want you to come in so they can remove.

Jump to this post

@pb50 We had discussed sutures that were in my knee after TKR. I had my surgeon remove them as they kept hurting. I had to go through everything like I was having a knee replacement except it was 4 sutures that were not disposable but permanent. I’m so thankful I had them removed as the pain on that side of knee is no longer there. My surgeon said they would not come through the knee. I know this is an unusual situation but at least it’s done. Thanks

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pb50 | @pb50 | Aug 17 12:10pm

Good for you!! Glad you persisted.

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