Clarabel
junior member
I had my left partial (oxford) knee replacement done in 2014 and unfortunately things started to go wrong after about a year. I have been back to the surgeon three times now, complaining of intermittent, significant swelling which regularly immobilises me and I have just been fobbed off. Last time I was told that it was general arthritis and that swelling was a typical feature of this. He wanted to give me a steroid injection but I do not see this as a long term solution and it has a risk of infection.
For over 6 months now, my knee swells when I walk for more than about 5-10 minutes. I work 3 days a week in an office, and it is fine, then typically I go shopping on my first day off and while I am out it swells with little warning and I end up laid up in bed unable to walk without crutches for 1-3 days. It comes on suddenly while walking and starts with a funny, fluttery sensation in the medial joint space (or at least the same area that was the focus of pain before the op). It happens every weekend, almost without fail. I have to carry crutches in my car (automatic transmission so luckily can still drive) as when it goes I am usually out and about and can just about make it to the car but by the time I have driven home I cannot walk unaided at all.
I recently went for a second opinion with another local knee surgeon. He said I had advanced patellafemoral arthritis and general arthritis throughout and implied that I should have had a TKR instead, my GP said the same thing. The original surgeon did not take up to date x-rays for a year before the operation, which I now think was wrong, as they may have shown the spread of my arthritis. A partial should not be done if there is arthritis in the rest of the knee, surely? The new consultant mentioned a "slight overhang" or "lip" to the implant but sounded very casual and did not give me the impression it was a problem. I have had lots of physio, all exercises aggravate it, and I am now using a kneehab daily and game-ready ice /compression when it swells. I am wondering if this overhang could be the cause of the irritation, i.e. my ligament may be rubbing over it. I have little faith in the consultants being up front and honest about what has happened as they all know each other.
I need to find a knee revision specialist, so I can be sure this will be dealt with successfully. I am 46 years old and devastated to be so disabled and facing the prospect of another huge operation, which is likely to cost me the job I love due to the time off required. And I am scared of what the future holds if the next one does not last long.
I have googled found specialists who have expertise in revisions but they are all too far away. I am on the south coast of England and can travel a bit, but not to the other side of the country. Can anyone recommend a surgeon?
For over 6 months now, my knee swells when I walk for more than about 5-10 minutes. I work 3 days a week in an office, and it is fine, then typically I go shopping on my first day off and while I am out it swells with little warning and I end up laid up in bed unable to walk without crutches for 1-3 days. It comes on suddenly while walking and starts with a funny, fluttery sensation in the medial joint space (or at least the same area that was the focus of pain before the op). It happens every weekend, almost without fail. I have to carry crutches in my car (automatic transmission so luckily can still drive) as when it goes I am usually out and about and can just about make it to the car but by the time I have driven home I cannot walk unaided at all.
I recently went for a second opinion with another local knee surgeon. He said I had advanced patellafemoral arthritis and general arthritis throughout and implied that I should have had a TKR instead, my GP said the same thing. The original surgeon did not take up to date x-rays for a year before the operation, which I now think was wrong, as they may have shown the spread of my arthritis. A partial should not be done if there is arthritis in the rest of the knee, surely? The new consultant mentioned a "slight overhang" or "lip" to the implant but sounded very casual and did not give me the impression it was a problem. I have had lots of physio, all exercises aggravate it, and I am now using a kneehab daily and game-ready ice /compression when it swells. I am wondering if this overhang could be the cause of the irritation, i.e. my ligament may be rubbing over it. I have little faith in the consultants being up front and honest about what has happened as they all know each other.
I need to find a knee revision specialist, so I can be sure this will be dealt with successfully. I am 46 years old and devastated to be so disabled and facing the prospect of another huge operation, which is likely to cost me the job I love due to the time off required. And I am scared of what the future holds if the next one does not last long.
I have googled found specialists who have expertise in revisions but they are all too far away. I am on the south coast of England and can travel a bit, but not to the other side of the country. Can anyone recommend a surgeon?