I've changed the date of your Bilateral Revisions to May 14, 2021.
Revision TKR After years wearing a knee brace, doctor may be able to fix my knee!
- Thread starter Cjackso21
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Thanks!
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Hello,
I had my 6 month post op check up last week. Left knee is great, hardware is great but, it seems my ligaments on my right knee have stretched more, almost to where they were. My doctor said to wait until 1 year from surgery, so May and he said either another surgery or a brace forever. He said he feels that my knee creates so much scar tissue that it stretches the ligaments (my knee is visibly bigger than the other). Has anyone ever heard of this? To me another surgery seems like it will end up the same way but he said he has one more options. Is there any way to prevent excess scar tissue from forming? I am also wondering why my right knee seems to do this but my left, that also had surgery, but less invasive, does not. Appreciate anyone’s thoughts. Thanks!
I had my 6 month post op check up last week. Left knee is great, hardware is great but, it seems my ligaments on my right knee have stretched more, almost to where they were. My doctor said to wait until 1 year from surgery, so May and he said either another surgery or a brace forever. He said he feels that my knee creates so much scar tissue that it stretches the ligaments (my knee is visibly bigger than the other). Has anyone ever heard of this? To me another surgery seems like it will end up the same way but he said he has one more options. Is there any way to prevent excess scar tissue from forming? I am also wondering why my right knee seems to do this but my left, that also had surgery, but less invasive, does not. Appreciate anyone’s thoughts. Thanks!
While I'm happy to hear about your left knee doing well, I'm sorry your right knee is still having problems. I don't recall that we've had anyone on the forum with arthrofibrosis to the extent that you are experiencing. It's not a common problem and I've not seen any scientific information that would explain exactly why your right knee continues to have adhesion growth and ligament stretching.
Are you still with Dr. Chow? What is the "one other surgical option" he's proposing?
It is possible that your right knee is more problematic because it has had more procedures over the years. Or maybe your gait is such that you favor your right leg over the left and therefore it gets more "work." But frankly, that's just a supposition on my part. I know it somehow helps to have a "why" answer, but sometimes it's just not possible to know what is causing a recurring problem.
You have one good knee and that is a good thing. You have a second knee that appears to have stretched ligaments and the options are to try one more surgery or agree to brace the knee for the rest of your life. You could try to find another surgeon to take a look at your case. But if you trust the surgeon you have it might be best to consider staying with him for your treatment and whatever this last option might be.
There is a school of thought that the more you can keep inflammation and swelling down in your knee, the better your chances for not developing adhesions. The heat generated with irritation and inflammation causes tissues that should glide smoothly over each other to dry out and stick together, forming abnormal scar tissue. It's always a fine balance between exercise/activity and resting/healing after joint replacement. So, if you decide to go ahead with this additional surgery, it will be important to take things very easy and be gentle with your knee. I would suggest you ask your surgeon to use thebroken link removed: https://gekohealthcare.com/both before and after surgery to keep swelling at a minimum. I've linked you to their corporate website, but we will soon have our own pages on this new product that has had great success in reducing lower limb swelling. You might also consider using the OneStep recovery therapy along with your local therapist so that you ensure your gait is balanced from the very beginning of your recovery. I recall that you registered for OneStep at some point, but I'm not sure if you participated in the program. If you did, how did it work for you?
This is definitely a difficult situation and my heart goes out to you for being in this position. There are no really perfect options. All have risk and a downside. While I don't have any answers for you, we will be here to listen and support as you work your way through the decision process. Please don't hesitate to post your thoughts and fears for the next step. It helps not to be alone when you're making these big decisions.
Are you still with Dr. Chow? What is the "one other surgical option" he's proposing?
It is possible that your right knee is more problematic because it has had more procedures over the years. Or maybe your gait is such that you favor your right leg over the left and therefore it gets more "work." But frankly, that's just a supposition on my part. I know it somehow helps to have a "why" answer, but sometimes it's just not possible to know what is causing a recurring problem.
You have one good knee and that is a good thing. You have a second knee that appears to have stretched ligaments and the options are to try one more surgery or agree to brace the knee for the rest of your life. You could try to find another surgeon to take a look at your case. But if you trust the surgeon you have it might be best to consider staying with him for your treatment and whatever this last option might be.
There is a school of thought that the more you can keep inflammation and swelling down in your knee, the better your chances for not developing adhesions. The heat generated with irritation and inflammation causes tissues that should glide smoothly over each other to dry out and stick together, forming abnormal scar tissue. It's always a fine balance between exercise/activity and resting/healing after joint replacement. So, if you decide to go ahead with this additional surgery, it will be important to take things very easy and be gentle with your knee. I would suggest you ask your surgeon to use thebroken link removed: https://gekohealthcare.com/both before and after surgery to keep swelling at a minimum. I've linked you to their corporate website, but we will soon have our own pages on this new product that has had great success in reducing lower limb swelling. You might also consider using the OneStep recovery therapy along with your local therapist so that you ensure your gait is balanced from the very beginning of your recovery. I recall that you registered for OneStep at some point, but I'm not sure if you participated in the program. If you did, how did it work for you?
This is definitely a difficult situation and my heart goes out to you for being in this position. There are no really perfect options. All have risk and a downside. While I don't have any answers for you, we will be here to listen and support as you work your way through the decision process. Please don't hesitate to post your thoughts and fears for the next step. It helps not to be alone when you're making these big decisions.
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Thank you Jamie, for your detailed, information filled response! Yes, I am still with Dr. Chow and trust him but another opinion might be helpful. He only mentioned that he had options, which I believe was to increase the thickness again of the spacer. I have time to decide what to do and gather as much information like this as I can. Yes, I signed up for the OneStep App but honestly forgot about it amidst working too early after my last surgery etc. I believe that starting work too early after my last surgery probably did not help things. Dr. Chow has always promoted being active after surgery (except the first 2 weeks) and I have asked him many times if biking is ok, and he said yes, but with the brace. Living with this brace is doable but it needs adjustment constantly and I still cannot stand for any period of time and walking is limited. He feels this brace is the best one to use. Thanks again and I will check out all of the info you sent!
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Hello,
Wondering if anyone has had stretched ligaments after a TKR? I have had multiple revisions on my right. They finally discovered my right had stretched ligaments. 2 more revisions later to fix this and ligaments have stretched again. Last surgery was 5/2021. I am also frustrated as the incredible surgeon who has been taking care of me, has now gone our of Network on his own. My coverage is only 50%. He was also very distant and distracted, unlike all other visits. He said to build muscle and is referring me to a specialist for this and to come back in a year. I have been wearing my knee brace for 8 months and would love to not wear it forever. I have pain if I walk too much but get through it. Has anyone been successful with using muscle build up to compensate? I of course have done PT and exercises constantly, every morning forever. Not sure what to do now but will try the specialist…..Thanks!
Wondering if anyone has had stretched ligaments after a TKR? I have had multiple revisions on my right. They finally discovered my right had stretched ligaments. 2 more revisions later to fix this and ligaments have stretched again. Last surgery was 5/2021. I am also frustrated as the incredible surgeon who has been taking care of me, has now gone our of Network on his own. My coverage is only 50%. He was also very distant and distracted, unlike all other visits. He said to build muscle and is referring me to a specialist for this and to come back in a year. I have been wearing my knee brace for 8 months and would love to not wear it forever. I have pain if I walk too much but get through it. Has anyone been successful with using muscle build up to compensate? I of course have done PT and exercises constantly, every morning forever. Not sure what to do now but will try the specialist…..Thanks!
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My tendons were stretched by a fall about 6 weeks after my TKR, eventually I had a revision with a hinged TKR 2014.
A hinged prosthesis stabilizes the knee medially, laterally, and posteriorly, allowing full extension and flexion of the knee. A hinged knee made a huge difference in my life and activity.
A hinged prosthesis stabilizes the knee medially, laterally, and posteriorly, allowing full extension and flexion of the knee. A hinged knee made a huge difference in my life and activity.
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Thanks so much! One of the doctors I saw before I went to my current one, suggested that but my current did not think it was a good idea. Unfortunately, I have had so many revisions that I am not sure that I have enough bone left to do another. But I will check with him. Thanks again for reminding me! Did they ever suggest just trying to strengthen to compensate?
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Can I ask if they successfully were able to redo your uncementedK KR operation
@Cjackso21 …. Sorry I am slow responding….somehow the alert for your tag didn’t register for me.
I’m sorry to say that I don’t know of another revision surgeon in your area that is as experienced as Dr. Chow. Have you checked into his fees? They didn’t seem all that bad to me for consultations and follow-on visits and, as I understood it, if surgery was required, it would be covered under Medicare if you are eligible for that.
These are the only surgeons I have that are even reasonably close to Phoenix:
Possible knee revision specialists within 200 miles of Phoenix:
Dr. Mark Spangehl, Mayo Clinic
Dr. Eral Feng
Tucson
Tucson Orthopedic Institute
Dr. Chad Hills, DO (primary and revision hip and knee)
East Office
TMC Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower, First Floor
5301 E. Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: (520) 784-6200
Dr. Edward Petrow, Jr, DO (Primary and revision hip and knee)
Northwest Office
6320 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite 200
(2nd floor of the Gateway Building)
Tucson, AZ 85741
Phone: (520) 382-8200
Dr. John Maltry, MD (primary and revision hip and knee)
Northwest Office
12315 N. Vistoso Park Rd.
Oro Valley, AZ 85755
Phone: (520) 544-9700
Oro Valley Office
6320 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite 200
(2nd floor of the Gateway Building)
Tucson, AZ 85741
Phone: (520) 382-8200
I’m sorry to say that I don’t know of another revision surgeon in your area that is as experienced as Dr. Chow. Have you checked into his fees? They didn’t seem all that bad to me for consultations and follow-on visits and, as I understood it, if surgery was required, it would be covered under Medicare if you are eligible for that.
These are the only surgeons I have that are even reasonably close to Phoenix:
Possible knee revision specialists within 200 miles of Phoenix:
Dr. Mark Spangehl, Mayo Clinic
Dr. Eral Feng
Tucson
Tucson Orthopedic Institute
Dr. Chad Hills, DO (primary and revision hip and knee)
East Office
TMC Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower, First Floor
5301 E. Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: (520) 784-6200
Dr. Edward Petrow, Jr, DO (Primary and revision hip and knee)
Northwest Office
6320 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite 200
(2nd floor of the Gateway Building)
Tucson, AZ 85741
Phone: (520) 382-8200
Dr. John Maltry, MD (primary and revision hip and knee)
Northwest Office
12315 N. Vistoso Park Rd.
Oro Valley, AZ 85755
Phone: (520) 544-9700
Oro Valley Office
6320 N. La Cholla Blvd., Suite 200
(2nd floor of the Gateway Building)
Tucson, AZ 85741
Phone: (520) 382-8200
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I have had many surgeries on my right knee including 3 failed replacements. After this several orthopedic doctors said I needed to wear an ACL brace forever. I went to a different Orthopedic doctor today to get a new prescription for a better brace. She was who amazingly thorough and in the end told me they thought that they think they can fix my knee so I don’t need a brace!! I had given up and now there is hope. So for everyone who has stopped trying keep trying and find different options when the normal ones have not worked.
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That is great news.
It's wonderful to have hope again.
It's wonderful to have hope again.
My goodness, your poor knee has been through it, hasn't it! At least you have found someone who has a new idea on how to fix it. I'm sure you feel better about it now! Have you scheduled your new revision yet?
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Hi and welcome back!
You have quite the history with your knees...and still you soldier on. Amazing strength! I sense your elation and I'm glad you found someone who took the time to listen and be thorough. After all you've experienced, that really matters. I hope this surgeon is a revision specialist. I'd hate for you to endure another surgery / recovery only to be told afterward that your situation was more complex than expected.
Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread and updated your thread title to reflect your current situation. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting. You can post all updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. I look forward to following your journey. Keep us posted.
A great rest of the week to you!
@Cjackso21
You have quite the history with your knees...and still you soldier on. Amazing strength! I sense your elation and I'm glad you found someone who took the time to listen and be thorough. After all you've experienced, that really matters. I hope this surgeon is a revision specialist. I'd hate for you to endure another surgery / recovery only to be told afterward that your situation was more complex than expected.
Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread and updated your thread title to reflect your current situation. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting. You can post all updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. I look forward to following your journey. Keep us posted.
A great rest of the week to you!
@Cjackso21
Wow!!! What a wonderful surprise to hear this good news from you today. I sure hope what they believe is true and you can finally get a fix for your knee. I’m going to be eagerly awaiting any updates.
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Hello, thank you everyone and I’m so glad this forum and you folks are still around! And thanks for merging everything. I will ask her and their new doctor who is apparently very good. Ironically I had surgery years ago with another doctor in their group and so I went to him a few years ago and he told me he didn’t want anything to do with trying to fix it. Just the beginning of this new option for me. Getting a CT scan and checking for infection.
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Good luck with the scan. Hopefully there's no infection. 
Wishing you discernment as you seek answers and choose the best path forward for your situation.
We're here for you always!
@Cjackso21
Wishing you discernment as you seek answers and choose the best path forward for your situation.
We're here for you always!
@Cjackso21
