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Sutures in knee after a year TKR

Posted by joyanna @joyanna, May 13, 2024

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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roxannroberts61 | @roxannroberts61 | Mar 6 12:25pm
In reply to @pb50 "Yea they are there because the surgeon closes the wound in layers and uses dissolving sutures..." + (show)
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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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@pb50
I was told I would need to be put under anesthesia to have mine removed. Seems like a lot to have to go through, especially after just having TKR. Feeling a little frustrated. Tired of the pain!

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pb50 | @pb50 | Mar 6 2:19pm
In reply to @roxannroberts61 "@pb50 I was told I would need to be put under anesthesia to have mine removed...." + (show)
Profile picture for roxannroberts61 @roxannroberts61

@pb50
I was told I would need to be put under anesthesia to have mine removed. Seems like a lot to have to go through, especially after just having TKR. Feeling a little frustrated. Tired of the pain!

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@roxannroberts61

I am going to assume that for whatever reason they didn't believe they could do local or regional anesthesia - where they deaden the knee - but usually most if not all of the leg from the groin down.

There are multiple options now - not just the femoral block that literally blocks function of both motor and sensory fibers. Now they can just get sensory fibers and you can literally still walk (with some restraints and assistance because you can’t feel what you are doing) and to grab a couple of sutures seems like they could have done something much more local.

But what do I know???

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jcintn | @jcintn | Mar 7 12:19pm
In reply to @roxannroberts61 "@joyanna I have a suture knot that is painful just to the right of my scar...." + (show)
Profile picture for roxannroberts61 @roxannroberts61

@joyanna
I have a suture knot that is painful just to the right of my scar. My surgeon said it could be removed. Did you need to go under anesthetic when you had it removed? And, do you know if this happens often?

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@roxannroberts61

I’m guessing no. Probably an in office procedure. If it helps I was told I seriously massage the area with vitamin E oil. Hope this helps.

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joyanna | @joyanna | Mar 7 1:25pm
In reply to @roxannroberts61 "@joyanna I have a suture knot that is painful just to the right of my scar...." + (show)
Profile picture for roxannroberts61 @roxannroberts61

@joyanna
I have a suture knot that is painful just to the right of my scar. My surgeon said it could be removed. Did you need to go under anesthetic when you had it removed? And, do you know if this happens often?

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@roxannroberts61
Hi, yes I had to be put to sleep. They hurt a lot and my surgeon told me that he could remove them. I had four in my knee that my surgeon removed. After they were removed my knee healed! When I went back for removal of the sutures he told me that in his 20 years of practice that I was the only one that had to have them removed. The stitches were permanent and he said he no longer uses them thank goodness! I hope you heal nicely if you have this done. I felt so much better. Blessings to you! joyanna

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