A year later and problems

[okiegal66]

Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

I hope this thread is in the right place. I wanted to introduce myself. I am from the US, female, age 44 and had RTKR on 2/25/11. My replacement was due to arthritis and years of pounding my knees with running and other high impact sports. So far things for my left knee look good at this point, and I should need a replacement for that knee.
My new knee and I are getting to know each other better, and I am very happy at this point with my recovery. I am still have home PT and begin outpatient PT on the 21st. I am at 99 and 0 right now. My biggest problem is extension and impatience. My pain is manageable with medication. Sleep is not too bad, I wake about every hour or two.
I am very thankful for this board, as it is a wealth of knowledge and information. I read the board for weeks prior to my surgery, and I truly believe it helped prepare me mentally for the surgery and is helping with my recovery.

 

[Jaycey]

Re: Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

Welcome to BoneSmart! I'm glad you decided to join us officially.

Patience is on the "most needed" list post-op. But it sounds like you are doing very well. Don't be too worried about the numbers at this point. Just staying comfortable and icing is more important.

And as you have probably already read here - sleep is a post-op problem. Things will get better soon. Don't fight it.

 

[Jamie]

Re: Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

Hi, Okiegal....welcome to BoneSmart!!! I'm so glad to know the forum has been a help to you already. But it's even better to know you are officially a BoneSmartie now.

It sounds like you are doing well in recovery so far and I hope to hear more from you as you progress. You're right that the patience thing can be a hurdle!!! We start feeling a bit better, arthritis pain is gone, and we want to go, go, go!!! It will come....but don't be surprised if you have some setbacks as you become more and more active. You'll know when you've overdone things....which we ALL do as part of the recovery process. When that happens, just scale it back for a few days and start again.

 

[okiegal66]

Re: Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

Thank you. I appreciate the warm welcome.

 

[referee54]

Re: Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

Welcome to the forum! there is a great wealth of information here---from our library to the folks that frequent the forum. We have all gone through what you are going through, so don't hesitate to ask any questions.

It is also a great place to vent or to rant---remember, recovering from a TKR can be a long, frustrating process, so we will be here for you.

It sounds like you are doing well---just keep icing and elevating.and try to nap when you can. I can commiserate with you about sleep problems.as I had them too. They will go away with time.

 

[RestAssured]

Re: Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

Hi Okiegal! Welcome to BoneSmart!

I am glad that you decided to join us! If you have any questions never hesitate to ask! We are a big family, and someone will always have an answer for you.:biggrin:

 

[Bees Knees]

Re: Introduction, and 18 days out and doing good

Welcome Okiegal,

You are doing wonderful. Rest,ice,elevate and take care of yourself. It takes time for this TKR to do it's healing. I am four months post RTKR and one day I realized that every thought I had was not some how related to my knee and it did not hurt. It takes a long time to heal and everything in the world moves quickly so hang in there. You are doing great.:THUMB:

 

[okiegal66]

It has been a year, February 25, since my surgery. I feel like I am going backwards. I started out great right after surgery, and then things went downhill from there. My ROM regressed, and in June I had an MUA. My PT even stated it was one of the cleanest MUA’s he had seen, as in my ROM improved from about 80 to 125.
I was faithful with PT and at home exercises. However, I went back to 90 fast and that is where I remain on a good day.
I have pain every day, especially when lifting the knee, say from the gas pedal to the brake, bending the knee, doing leg lifts for quad strength, etc. I can ride my indoor recumbent bike, but a regular bike, forget it. I am limited to about two miles of walking and stairs or inclines are a big issue. I get stiff from sitting, and I limp when I walk. I know that most knees make noise, but this thing makes an audible clunk with every step.
At first, I thought my problems were due to quad strength, but I no longer think that is the only issue.
I had a visit with my OS in September and he told me that sometimes there is nothing they can do with scar tissue, and he thinks this is my issue; come back in two years for a follow-up.
I called my primary for a referral, and he told me that most surgeons will not see you if they did not do the surgery and suggested that I contact my OS for another visit. So, I have made an appointment with my OS since I have made it past the magical one-year mark.
If I get the same canned answer from him, would you suggest that I seek out a revision specialist for an opinion. I dont' think I need a revision, I would just like for something other than "live with it" as an answer.
I want my life back!
Thanks,
Brandi

 

[Mimi]

Welcome Brandi. You deserve to get your life back. I think I would seek out another opinion and a revision specialist might be a good one. Good luck with finding a Dr. that can figure out what is going on in that knee.

 

[maryo52]

Welcome! You'll get GOOD help here.

Well, first off, that's not true that nothing can be done about the scar tissue. I had arthroscopic removal of my scar tissue for the same reason. Another OS will offer you more options.

Secondly, infection should be ruled out. I'm in the process of having my knee evaluated for possible low grade infection -- waiting for cultures right now -- but infection can be behind the persistently stiff knee. My ortho did a simple blood test to look for infection markers (it was negative). I eventually had my knee aspirated, and that's what's being cultured.

I'm pretty sure your problems are fully resolvable. The trick always seems to be finding the right doctor.

 

[Jamie]

Mary is right. There are things that can be done. If your original surgeon is not confident about a course of action when you meet with him, you really do need to find a good revision specialist to see. It is possible that you don't need a revision, but you want a doctor who is experienced enough to determine what is really going on.

Please let us know how you are getting along.

By the way....I have merged this thread with your old recovery thread. We like to keep all the information in one place to make it easier to check back and see what your total experience has been.

 

[okiegal66]

Thank you for merging the thread. I tried to open the old one to post to it, but it was closed.

Also, thank you for the quick replies.

I have one more question, if anyone has time. I have noticed that on the lateral side of my knee the bone pushes out a lot and just to the inside of that there is pain by pressing on the tissue. I assume that is from the placement of the component and normal?

I realize only on OS can give the answers officially, but I would like to be armed with as much information as possible for our visit on Monday.

 

[MapMaker53]

Hi okiegal66. I'm not sure why the bone would be pushing outward there. Has it been there from the start? It possibly was hidden by swelling, and with swelling going down is now more evident. Just considering the mechanics, I might guess the tibial component that was used could be a little too large for you and is inflaming the lateral ligaments rubbing against it. A simple x-ray can rule out the size issue, but I would get a second opinion from a different OS because your current one doesn't sound very sympathetic and may not be inclined to admit a component he used was the wrong size -- IF (big "IF") in fact, that is the root of your problem. I'm just hypothesizing here.

 

[Josephine]

Honey, we always have time for you! :wink1:

Can you take a photo of that lump? Does it show enough?
Have you got an xray?

You primary is so wrong though it depends what kind of surgeon he is talking about. a regular knee surgeon might not be interested because it's revision surgeons that are used to clearing up the regular chaps' messes and usually have no reservations about stating their opinion! And they see more problems so have a better eye than the others. Whatever, you need an opinion at the very least. Like the other's have said, search one out for yourself.

 

[okiegal66]

My first time uploading pictures to this forum, so I hope I did it right. The spot I am talking about is hard to see on the picture (not the picture of the full knee). The “bone” has been like this since the surgery. It is more prevalent on the days that the swelling has decreased. Most days the knee is swollen. The only reason it looks somewhat normal today, is that I have been home ill for three days and off my feet.
I do not have copies of my x-rays; something I plan to remedy soon. The OS and PA always say the x-rays look great.
Thank you again for helping. I do not post much, but I am on the site every day! I have learned a lot from this forum.

@Josephine:

 

[Cynthia07]

i have similar swelling in same spot. it makes it hard to walk, yes?
luckily I can sit down most of the day at my job. I think I had the
swelling before the TKR too.

 

[okiegal66]

Cynthia,

It is really not swelling, it is like the bone is pushing out from the position of the replacement. This was not present before the replacement.


Yes, I have trouble walking, and I am sorry that you are too. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate all of the support here so much!

 

[maryo52]

Not that it matters, but is the "bump" truly hard as in hard as a rock? Or does it give if you push on it.

I have a big bump on my lateral side, and it's the effusion pushing tendons and other soft tissue out!

I have been researching orthos and went to the u.s.news and world report doctor and hospital ratings. It looks as if I have an infection (culture pending), but if so, I'm going to a top hospital with a top doctor. My first year post-TKR was hell and if I need a "do over," I'm going to do everything I can to make it the best it can be.

 

[Dhare63]

Hi Okie,

Sorry to hear about your ongoing flexion issues. I feel for you. I am still fighting for extension, now about 8 degrees from straight, not too good and limping as a result. I started seeing a massage therapist for very specific work around the joint to see if we can stretch and loosen up what I believe is a muscle contracture. Three visits so far, the visit today gave me hope that this might actually be working. I am not sure if this is something you could consider, but at this very early stage, I am cautiously optimistic. Just don't give up and accept that this is your life. Relief is out there and persistence pays off. I hope you find Answers and we are all here to support you.

Best, Dawn

 

[Jamie]

I'll let Jo know that you posted some photos.