TKR Everything Comes to She Who Waits

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@Orthodoc @Josephine

MRI SCAN OF MY TKR

Very much appreciate any thoughts you might have on this:-

Background: TKR over 2 years ago. I still have the tight band/ clamp/tourniquet that sits around my knee. I have now found a pain specialist who has agreed for me to have an MRI scan. I haven't spoken to him directly as yet, but his nurse confirms that he is happy for the scan. I will see him on 23 March.

Dilemma: Whilst it would be wonderful to actually get a proper diagnosis I am worried that an MRI scan might harm my knee. I have googled MRI scans and it says: `although the strong magnetic field is not harmful in itself, implanted medical devises that contain metal may cause problems during an MRI scan'

I've read the articles in the BS library (and the information in `Ask the surgeon' ) and know the MRI scanner equipment is adjusted to be able to cope with metal knees, but from the above, there would still seem to be some risk. And the last thing I want is to do anything that might make my knee worse.

Of course I will put my concerns to the pain specialist on the 23rd, but BS has helped my decision making in the past and I am hoping it will again with this issue.
 
It is unlikely that the MRI scan would cause any permanent damage to the total knee prosthesis. Yes, the magnet is strong, but we image patients frequently who have total knees (for other body parts as well). A knee replacement is not a contra-indication for an MRI.

Orthodoc
 
The only 'risk' would be that the image is blurred as the xrays get scattered by the implant. The was a time when it was said that an MRI scanner would rip the fillings out of your teeth but that wasn't true either! Some of these sites can be rather old so be careful what you read.
 
Carol,
I had an MRI of my left ankle 6 weeks after my LTKR, there was no problem from the MRI. I did have two torn ligaments in my foot that were revealed.
I think @busylizzie recently had a MRI of her knee.
 
Hi Chris, thanks for the information. I will ask @busylizzie about it. There is another issue I am wrestling with. If (as seems the case) it is safe for me to have an MRI of my knee and the images wont be too distorted to be useful, then I have nothing to lose by going ahead. But what's the point if I know that I am not going to agree to further surgery! In fact 2 surgeons have now said they would not advise further surgery (quote: ` I do not think that her symptoms are bad enough for an open arthrolysis. An arthroscopic arthrolysis is possible, but in my experience it is rarely really successful and increases the risk of infection').

I guess if I have the MRI scan at least I would know (well I think I would know) what is causing the tight band/clamp/tourniquet. Interesting for sure, but of no practical use without the follow up action. Do you see it the same way as me?
 
@busylizzie I'd appreciate it if you could tell me how you got on with the MRI scan you had on your TKR. In particular were the images good enough to be useful, and did it cause your knee any short/longer term problems.
 
Well, if it was me, I would always want additional expert opinions. Two doctors don't know everything in the universe and things change in the medical world with time. The fact that you're thinking about it tells me you would like to be better. Please don't assume just because two doctors didn't want to help you that there is no solution. I'm just that optimist type person to always think there is something good out there if I can just keep looking....
 
@Jamie Thanks. Its helpful to get another person's take on it. You know Jamie I so wish I knew what it was like for other people. Not the people who have had great recoveries and their TKR feels like a normal knee, nor those who are struggling big time with horrible pain etc. Its the group in the middle that is of interest to me. That is where I think I am - not a good outcome, but not too bad either. I just don't have anything to compare myself with.

I wish you could feel what my knee feels like for a day. What would you say at the end of the day - `Carol, your knee is bad, you need to keep going to get it right'. Or would you say `Carol, your knee feels pretty good to me, forget about trying for more and get on with your life'. I honestly don't know if I am settling for third best or my expectations are too high.

I think the fog is starting to clear. I will take each step as it comes. The MRI scan cannot hurt me, so I will have it and see what information it reveals, and take it from there.

Thanks everyone.
 
Hi Carol @patient 99 . I now get hardly any alerts, which isn't surprising as I am rarely on here. But I just saw your thread up the top of the board so thought I would read what you were up to. Really sorry that your knee is not super smashing great. At least an MRI will hopefully give you some information, how you use that information is then up to you.

Hope the plans for your 'impending nuptials' are going well. I think the idea of escaping to a villa for a serious length of time - as long as it includes copious amounts of sunshine - is a great idea. Jealous? Yes, that would be me. We will be in UK from next weekend until November ......... as weekly racing is about to start and I will be unable to prise hubby from his boat. If I am really good I may get a week or so away for good behaviour!

I have rewarded my knee with a hot tub that is arriving next week. I think I will have to remain submerged on the bottom to keep warm it's so chilly and I will have to sprint across the patio and dive in before I freeze. I will have the thermostat so high, you will probably be able to see the steam rising across the miles to E Sussex!

Hope all goes well for you. I may not be around much, but I'm still interested in what friends are up to. Out of sight, but not out of mind.
Take care, Carol.

Chris XX
 
Hi Carol,
I am in the middle muddle with you, right at this moment my knee does not hurt. I know it will be short lived, and tonight I will be up with my knee taking care of it, medication, icing etc. If I walk too far (200 yards or more at once) it will start hurting immediately.
The OS suggestion, and he is not big on this either, is to do a low tibial osteotomy, there is a picture in my thread.
I am going to start working with my teacher on my walking, so my weight goes through my knee more evenly. I went to a PT in San Diego for a custom orthotic, she has the skills I need to get it right.

I agree with Jamie, you need to gather all the information you can before you make a decision about what direction to take.

Guess we could start the "Up a Creek without a Paddle Club".
 
Hi Carol,

I never went ahead with the MRI but I did a lot of research. The best one is a MARS MRI. MARS stands for Metal Artifact Reduction Software, it enhances the image. I was also told to go for the most modern MRI scanner, not one a few years old, technology moves on. I do have a titanium knee not a standard cobalt chrome alloy one.

The one I was booked to use initially said they had the software, but it transpired they didn't and the appointment was cancelled the day before the scan on the advice of the radiologist. I have since located another facility to have the scan but haven't booked one.
 
I am going to start working with my teacher on my walking

Chris, anything to sidestep more surgery has to be worth a try. I like the idea of the UCWP Club. Perhaps we could get charity status for it, then at least we'd have loads of money to buy more paddles.
 
Hi Iam 17 months out and my knee on the side it feels like I fell in a picker bush. I rub it and it goes away for a few minutes then it comes back. There are not sure. Xrays look good. It upsets me about this. Go through all of the surgery. I wanted a pain free knee.
 
Hi Chris @dogwheels You sound like you are doing well. A hotbub! I always thought they were for swingers. Is there something you aren't telling me. Can't understand why you'd want to sit in a tub on your patio. What prey is the attraction :heehee:.

I think its great your husband has such an all consuming hobby. Apparently one of the things that hold marriages together is giving each other space. There's got to be more to it than that, but it makes sense to me. Are you a good sailor too? I get sea sick, big time. I went on a Baltic cruise. Its supposed to be calm on the Baltic. It wasn't. The doctor was going from one cabin to the next sticking needles in people's bums - but it did the trick.

Sure could do with some decent weather now. It seems to have been cold and wet forever. I bought a summer dress from M&S yesterday. I probably wont get to wear it until its no longer in fashion!

Did you see the Conservative manifesto. They are promising to raise the inheritance tax threshhold to £1million on property. Now not only to I have to make life and death decisions about my knee I have to do so about getting married v not getting married. Chris, life's a complain. :wink:
 
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