Revised PKR to TKR Agilitymom's revision recovery<<

[agilitymom]

After a long wait, 2 months, to culture some possible nasty infection in my knee, results are in and the infection did not travel from lungs to knee. That is the great news. The not so great news is my surgeon said based on xrays that nothing is wrong with the new knee. He has no clue why it gets so swollen or painful. He does not think there is anything to be done but live with the pain. He did put in for a MRI on lumbar spine thinking the Pain going down my leg and into my foot may be caused by a squished L5 nerve root. Bummer. Well I will take whatever I can get.
I left his office in a real funk because he told me that I would need to see him in person every 6 months so that I will have someone to complain to about my knee pain as he said all my friends an family will be tired of hearing about it soon. Kinda left me in a bad frame of mind but by the time I drove the hour home I was ready to fight through it and get my active life back. Just seemed like a strange thing to say to me.

 

[Jaycey]

Pain going down my leg and into my foot may be caused by a squished L5 nerve root

As you can see in my signature I had spinal decompression due to the same symptoms - shooting pain down my leg from knee foot. At times it felt like someone was trying to rip off my knee cap.

It's good that you are going for an MRI. That will definitely identify any compression in your lumbar spine.

 

[agilitymom]

Thanks @Jaycey . Did you end up having an arthroscopic surgery?

 

[Jaycey]

Did you end up having an arthroscopic surgery?

No, the surgery was not arthroscopic - standard surgery to allow the nerves more space. It did relieve the horrid leg pain but I still suffer chronic spinal pain.

 

[agilitymom]

@Jaycey so had my MRI last month. I was sent to a Pain Med Dr and he did a couple of steroid injections into those nerves in my spine. No help with leg pain but woke up on the day after with terrible lower back pain which has not gone away. Did not have lower back pain before but sure do now even 3 weeks later.
Second visit to Pain Dr and he did another injection in a slightly different method and I got about 24 hours of slight pain relief. At that visit he told me he could not do much for me and referred me to a spine surgeon.

L4-L5: There is a small broad-based disc bulge and spondylitic bar, slightly asymmetric to the right. This, in association with moderate ligamentum flavum and facet hypertrophy and congenitally short pedicles, results in mild to moderate central canal narrowing and mild to moderate right neural foraminal narrowing, with encroachment upon the exiting right L4 nerve root. There is no significant left neural foraminal narrowing.
L5-S1: A moderate to large broad-based disc bulge and spondylitic bar, asymmetric to the right, impinges upon and posteriorly displaces the right S1 nerve root, and congenitally short pedicles and moderate facet hypertrophy contribute to moderate to severe central canal stenosis and right greater than left lateral recess narrowing and mild to moderate right and moderate to severe left neural foraminal narrowing.

I really don’t understand most of the above language but tried looking some of the terms up. The pain around my knee and then down outside of my leg keeps getting worse. I sure wish there was a good knee fairy to fix this blasted knee for me.

 

[Jaycey]

@agilitymom You do need to see a spine specialist. Bottom line is that the space for nerves to run along your spine has narrowed. This means nerves are touched/pitched in several areas. This will cause knee and leg pain right down to your foot.

Please keep us updated!

 

[agilitymom]

Thanks @Jaycey . I have had 3 cervical spine surgeries culminating in a 4 level fusion. I was hoping I was done with spine problems.

 

[Jockette]

I sure wish there was a good knee fairy to fix this blasted knee for me.

I agree! I‘m sorry you're having all these issues.

 

[Jaycey]

I was hoping I was done with spine problems.

I hear you my friend! I have chronic spinal problems. Not fun!

 

[agilitymom]

@Jaycey I am seeing the spine surgeon tomorrow. The pain doc says there is nothing more he can do for me. However, he did speed up the appointment by 3 weeks. s afternoon I am making my list of questions for yet another Doctor.
I attached a photo from my MRI just for grins.

 

[Sun catcher]

Wishing you the best with your appointment tomorrow. I have an L3-L5 fusion. I put it off for 10 years out of fear. Best thing I have done, I just wanted you to know there are success stories out there.

 

[eaglemom]

Do let us know what you find out. We'll be thinking about you.

 

[Jaycey]

@agilitymom All the best today. Please let us know how your appointment goes!

 

[sistersinhim]

I pray you get answers today that will lead to a successful outcome.

 

[agilitymom]

Good news and not as good news. L5-S1 needs to be fused and central canal needs to be fixed also. Dr says he can fix both. He is concerned about the degeneration of L4 also. I really liked the new surgeon. He comes highly recommended by a family member who is also an Ortho surgeon. Supposed to set a date for November or December. He agrees with knee dr that fixing the nerve should ease my knee and leg pain and hopefully help with swelling. Thanks for all your support.

 

[Jaycey]

@agilitymom Well, spinal surgery is a challenge. But if you obey all the restrictions (no bending, lifting or twisting) you will be fine. Are you going to be in a brace after fusion? Sounds like you are also having decompression (that's what I had). And they may be addressing an issue at L4.

I have to say the pain that radiated from my hip all the way down to the front of my foot disappeared post spinal surgery - literally on the day. I still have lower back issues. But sciatic pain is the worst!

Please let us know when you have a surgery date.

 

[agilitymom]

Had spine surgery on the 20th of December 2021 to fuse L5 -S1 and 3 other things they set out to do. Dr had to go in from front and back and after a horrible 4 days in the hospital I got home just in time for Christmas. Pain management at the hospital was terrible and could have been avoided but it wasn’t. It continued at home for several days due to the holidays but finally we got it together. Then I got COVID and man was that painful coughing. I am now 7 weeks post and doing well. Following all the protocols and not trying to force it.
However, the surgery has not helped my knee at all. I know they are thinking it is nerve damage from the spine and that could take upwards of a year to feel relief. But my knee is still losing ROM and the pain is even worse than before.
Tomorrow I see my knee surgeon for my every 6 month follow up. Since I continue to have chronic pain he says he wants to see me every 6 months forever. I am going to ask about C=RFA and PRFA possibilities. I have had good results with the latter with cervical spine issues so maybe? Who knows. More tomorrow

 

[Jaycey]

One step at a time @agilitymom ! Don't forget that there is no "window of opportunity" for gaining ROM on that knee. You have enough to deal with post fusion. It's all about time and patience.

 

[Scaredycat10]

agilitymom
You have my admiration.
The next time I wince and mutter a swear word under my breath, I'll think of you and tell my inner self to shut up!

 

[Jamie]

Your body has been through a lot. It's going to take some time to see how things shake out as you continue to heal. I know it's rough, but try to give yourself some time. If there is any nerve damage, it can take such a long time to resolve. Nerves grow very, very slowly. Hang in there and just try to manage one day at a time. We'll always be here to give you a boost if you need it. Don't hesitate to post.