Good knee acting up since TKR

[dw6928]

I had my TKR on my left knee on 1/22. I am able to walk on my own, go up/down stairs and fulfill my PT schedule. I am still on Percocet/Advil. My issue other than the standard no sleep is my good knee. The only surgery my right knee ever had was a year ago January for a small meniscus tear. Since my surgery the right knee is making these awful grinding sounds, snapping and popping and a good amount of pain in the lower left quadrant of the knee. I am sure that favoring it all these years hasn't helped but this came out of the blue.
Perhaps if it is localized osteoarthritis, I can get away with a Unicompartmental MIS down the road. I do have an Unloader brace. Any thoughts? Thank you. Wayne.

 

[TitaniumMan]

dw; The unloader brace was a waste of time and money for me and the insurance company. Maybe you should check into shots of SYNVISC or just get a orthoscopic procedure to clean out the knee and check for any damage that you dont know about. After getting my new knee, my feeling is get right in there and see whats going on and avoid the long drawn out process of PT, meds, and braces. Perhaps check with your Dr and see if he will order an MRI and schedule an orthoscopic procedure. You will be back on your feet in a few days...they (orthoscopy)are nothing like a TKR.
Respects,
Chuck

 

[dw6928]

Thanks Chuck. We are on the same page. I spent more time adjusting and readjusting that brace. It continually came undone or slipped. I can't imagine how pro athletes play with these on. I wish this right knee issue had popped up prior to the TKR and my OS could have done the major and minor surgery the same day. Meanwhile, this is a wonderful, caring and informative forum. I have learned a great deal and found solace about pain and insomnia.

 

[dw6928]

Another thought for those who may have not heard of it or not tried it:
Voltaren gel was approved for osteoarthritis and I have found it is better than
all of the ointments/cremes I have used rolled up into one with virtually no side effects. It is applied to the area (knee) and 15 minutes later the pain is gone.
Check with your OS; mine had only read about it but was willing to see how it worked. He is now using it frequently.

 

[lyn]

I am having pain in my good knee also, I had a replacement on that one 2 years ago and it has not hurt for a long time and now the last couple of days it is worse than new knee? could it be the rainy weather? I am 12 weeks on Tuesday and back at work so maybe that is why, as everything is hurting lol Lyn

 

[dw6928]

I just am baffled by the grinding, bone on bone sounds. I have both meniscus
in the knee so I don't know what is causing it.

 

[Josephine]

dw6928, you said you had a meniscal repair - well, sad news is, that any surgical intervention can give rise to some arthritic changes. This then acts like a worn concrete step and as you use the joint - and you have been overloading it lately - then bits of cartilage, both meniscal and articular, wear off and become loose debris in the joint. The best thing you can do is get it arthroscoped and washed out. I had mine done in June last year and have been so good since I have given up on thoughts of TKR!

 

[dw6928]

excellent. the arthroscopic surgery was nothing compared to this TKR. I can certainly live with a week off from work maybe come Summer. Do you think some Synvisic injections might help?

 

[Pattipoo]

They didn't do anything for me. In fact, among the people that I know personally that have had it, they couldn't tell that it helped them either.

We were probably "too far gone" though...

 

[dw6928]

That expression perfectly describes my left knee which just was replaced. I clearly waited well over a year too long due to work considerations. I am sure this has had a very negative impact on the right knee. Hopefully the arthroscopic option will obviate any more TKRs in the near future. I need to sleep again!