PKR Having LTKR and praying for a successful outcome…”

[Jockette]

I was a little depressed over this stupid knee last week and the lack of finally being able to do everything I want to do,

He said I never slowed down with this surgery

This is a year long, on average, recovery, even for a partial! I know, because I have a partial also, and my recovery didn’t go the way Dr. Google, nor my surgeon said it would.

If you’ve been overdoing things all along, your recovery could be slower than others.

I’m going to tag @Josephine for you.

 

[Josephine]

how do you know if the stiffness is normal or something you need to see the OS about?

Well, read on!

My knee is stiff but it doesn’t hurt I just push through the discomfort.

Doupie, do you remember that I left you some questions back in July (post #91) where I said this "And don't forget to factor in other forms of pain such as soreness, burning, stabbing, throbbing, aching, swelling and stiffness"? So by saying your knee is 'stiff but doesn't hurt', then you're telling me you've obviously forgotten that!

So you need to take some pain meds - Tylenol should do nicely, 1,000mg at a time!

I would also advise that long term, low grade pain can be very debilitating and cause depression.

 

[Doupie]

@Jockette and @Josephine thank you guys I did forget you told me those things before and I will start taking Arthritis strength Tylenol on a regular basis. This stiffness is with me 24/7, not just in the morning like @NavyGunns but all the time, especially when I have to sit for long periods of time. I ride my stationary bike about 20-25 minutes twice a day, do you think that is too much? I can walk the dog for a short period, not my usual mile to a mile and a half. Trying to get back to normal, but the crunching is awful. Is it true my scar tissue will disappear after a year? A doctor told me that at a Christmas party, he was just a little drunk also...lol

 

[NavyGunns]

@Doupie, the best thing I can say is if you don’t feel it’s normal, then go see them. Don’t let them treat you the way you describe. Hold them accountable. Easier said than done but it’s in your control.

 

[Jockette]

Since you still have this much discomfort I would cut back on the bike. Two 20-25 minute sessions sound like a lot. You can always work back up to that if you want. Maybe be you don’t even need to do the bike at all right now. It sounds like your ADLs are more than enough exercise for your “still very young” knee. This is a long haul even for a partial. (I’m actually very unhappy with mine and it will be 2 years in March)

 

[Josephine]

I will start taking Arthritis strength Tylenol on a regular basis.

Arthritis strength Tylenol is only 650mgs per tablet. I had advised that you use extra strength which is 500mg per tablet. Take two and you have a dose of 1,000mg to take 4 times a day at 6hrly intervals.

 

[sistersinhim]

This stiffness is with me 24/7

Stiffness is the result of swelling. Swelling comes from doing too much.

I ride my stationary bike about 20-25 minutes twice a day, do you think that is too much? I can walk the dog for a short period, not my usual mile to a mile and a half.

I believe you need to cut way back on your bike. Try doing it about 15 minutes a day then walk your dog your regular time. Walking is better for you than bike riding. Of course, as long as you have that stiffness, you need to be icing and elevating.

 

[Doupie]

I have not been on the forum for years, but I have struggled every day after having a Makoplasty RPKR back in June of 2018, I thought I was getting better but I have taped, worn several different braces, Iced, rested, topicals, you name it. Found a new surgeon who is highly rated, he decided to inject my knee with cortisone due to the arthritis coating my kneecap and said that he would have never done a partial on a knee as bad as mine. I told him I have suffered and never received any relief from the surgery at all. I have tried to ignore the pain, stiffness and inability to function normally and I’m tired of people asking me why I am limping. He said this should give me some relief but eventually this knee would have to be replaced....

Additionally I am now suffering with tibial tendinitis and just went through physical therapy for that. I have a brace on my ankle and a brace on my knee. Last night was the absolute worse night ever....
My knee hurts sooo bad I haven’t slept much and was up massaging, icing, applying Pennsaid, etc. I finally put my brace on took 3 Tylenol PM and went to sleep, but this morning the excruciating pain is still there. I have an appointment to see my OS in the morning but have to suffer through today.

Do you guys think I will have to get a TKR or is there anything they can do to fix this? I had such a hard time with the first surgery and I am not looking forward to going back under the knife. My friend thinks the COVID-19 vaccine may have contributed to the pain. I guess I’ve put this off too long, I have a high tolerance for pain and prayed that it would get better, but it’s not. At this point I‘ll do anything for relief...

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Welcome back to BoneSmart.

I think you may have answered your own question. Perhaps you should talk more extensively to your new surgeon re TKR?

 

[sistersinhim]

I think you need to go to a revision specialist. One that is out of your area and has no contact with your current OS. This way you'll have a brand new set of eyes looking at your knee. It does sound like you will need a total replacement to me, but only a doctor can tell you that for sure.

It is very unlikely that your vaccination had anything to do with your knee's pain. I've not heard that, that is a side-effect of the shot.

 

[Jockette]

Found a new surgeon who is highly rated, he decided to inject my knee with cortisone due to the arthritis coating my kneecap and said that he would have never done a partial on a knee as bad as mine. I told him I have suffered and never received any relief from the surgery at all. I have tried to ignore the pain, stiffness and inability to function normally and I’m tired of people asking me why I am limping. He said this should give me some relief but eventually this knee would have to be replaced....

I think you may have answered your own question. Perhaps you should talk more extensively to your new surgeon re TKR?

I agree with Roy.

I have a brace on my ankle and a brace on my knee.

Are these helping any?

I had such a hard time with the first surgery and I am not looking forward to going back under the knife.

I totally understand this. But from what I‘ve learned here, a very experienced surgeon can make a big difference in your recovery experience.

 

[Jaycey]

@Doupie Welcome back to BoneSmart.

You will notice that I merged your newest post with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:

• That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
• If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we will get it changed for you.

If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.

 

[Jamie]

Doupie, I know after all you've been through and with the pain you're currently having, the last thing you want to hear is that you may need additional surgery. But the reality is that your knee is not going to get better. There are no treatments to make a failing partial knee replacement work.

I am glad you've found a new surgeon and that you trust him and his opinions. You must have that to go forward and get this fixed. I'm assuming this new surgeon does many revisions, right? If that's not the case, be sure you seek out some opinions from experienced revision surgeons too. You want someone who has seen this type of problem and successfully fixed it for others. The chances are very good that, with an experienced surgeon, your conversion from a PKR to a full TKR will greatly improve your knee's function and lessen the pain.

Please don't wait to get this attended to. Continually trying to walk on a painful partial knee replacement can result in further deterioration of the bones and soft tissue in your knee and leg. You're seeing some of this with your current tendonitis. Limping can also cause problems with your back.

You can look back and think about choices that were made that didn't work out, or you can seek opinions as to how to make things better. I hope you choose the second option. When you are in the hands of an experienced surgeon who knows his stuff, your experience with a second surgery can be completely different than the first time around.

Please let us know how you're getting along and if you need help finding additional surgeons to meet with. We care about you!

 

[Doupie]

hey guys you are sooo awesome and I am seeing my OS in the morning and will let you know what he recommend. My husband wants me to get a second opinion but Dr. Aluisio is known as the surgeon’s surgeon, he’s highly recommended by several of my physician and physical therapist friends. I understand that I may need a TKR and will gladly get it to Alleviate this pain. My brace and Tylenol helped me get through today and I iced when I got home.

Any other recommendations as always will be greatly appreciate. I still have my walker I think and my recliner, iceman, wedge, etc....
Thanks again guys for all your help!!!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

My husband wants me to get a second opinion but Dr. Aluisio is known as the surgeon’s surgeon,

There is no harm in a 2nd opinion; I consulted 3 doctors then went back to the original one now sure of my choice. But that's just my take; if Dr Aluisio is your choice, so be it.

Here is my checklist (just mine, not BoneSmart's) that I devised for help in decision making.

- if your knees rule your life , it's time
- take charge, don't be dictated to; it's your knee, your future
- don't believe in either horror stories or miraculous recoveries that happened to 'a friend of a friend'
- there is no such thing as too young or too heavy or even obese for TKR
- choose a specialist surgeon who does several hundred TKRs a year. Ask the nurses, if you can; they know who's best
- all replacement knees are very similar, don't believe that a special new one will give magical recovery -- it's the skill of the surgeon that counts
- if you need two done, think carefully about the time gap between surgeries, it's not a trivial decision
- try to plan for at least 12 weeks off work
- your recovery is your time to be selfish and idle; plan to embrace this, you'll need it
- don't think you can work hard (even if you're an athlete ) to speed recovery, healing works at its own pace
- look at our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread and for full reference the Library index.

- finally, if there's any part of this that you aren't clear about, ask here; it's what BoneSmart's for.

 

[Doupie]

@Roy Gardiner thanks again and I’m looking forward to not letting my knee dictate my life....

 

[Jockette]

@Doupie How are things going?

 

[Doupie]

@Jockette I am doing much better thanks again for all your help through this rough patch...
I started cryo and compression therapy and it’s helped a lot. My knees no longer dictate my life...yay
Praying that this last for awhile and will not have to get tkr any time soon...

 

[Jockette]

I’m so glad things are better!

 

[Doupie]

I’m getting ready for a TKR on my left knee, I’m scheduled for surgery on July 27th. We purchased a lake house last year and my knee has not done well. If I sit for a meal in a restaurant I have to stand for 2-3 minutes before I can move…

My OS says that he doesn’t understand how I’ve dealt with this for so long. I’m bone on bone and the knee is full of bone spurs and arthritis…ouch
He says a total replacement is the only way to go. Additionally I have tibial tendonitis in both ankles because of my flat feet.

Is there anything new I should know about before having this surgery? OS wants me to do PT 3 times a week for 4 weeks after surgery, I told him we will see how I’m doing before I decide on that course of action…

You guys are my best resource and I will be reaching out regularly that’s for sure!…