Revision TKR Here I go again!<<.

[Jordon6]

@Josephine ROM is about 80 on my own. The therapist can push to 95. She said it felt 'springy" which means that, in her opinion, can move. She said that a hard stop would indicate a mechanical problem.

I don't know why it's not better. Three doctors and 2 different therapy places are confused too!

 

[Celle]

Well, there's one problem straight away. Allowing a PT to push on your knee is a sure way of setting up inflammation, which will hold back your ROM.

Have you been going to PT all this time? If so, it obviously hasn't been working for you. Why not give it a rest for a while, and see what happens?

 

[Jordon6]

I took about 6 months off but recently started back when I wasn't making more progress.

 

[Jordon6]

@Celle @Jamie What other explanation is there for lack of ROM progress? I am impatient-its been 18 months. I feel worse that I felt before I had the TKR. At least then, I felt like I had options. Now, all of my options have been exhausted. I need relief. I can hardly manage day to day activities. Work, housework, and enjoying my family is limited to my limping and immobility.

I get the suggestions for gentle PT but I tried No PT and that didn't work either. I 'm looking for answers. After all, they have to know more than me (I'm a teacher, not a doctor or therapist)! I realize that its not an exact science, but there should be someone out there that can give me answers without traveling the globe. There are so many opinions and schools of thought that it becomes overwhelming! I feel like a guinea pig!

 

[dadman35]

I am 4 weeks post and am starting to hear crackles when I walk at home, probably too loud at pt, I was going to ask about them. Are you advertising for rice crispies? Wow!


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[Jordon6]

No rice crispies here just Turtle races !

 

[sistersinhim]

@Jordon6, I think if I were you, I'd look for a revisionist that specializes in knee replacements. Someone other than your original OS needs to take a look and see what's going on. Have you had an allergy test for metals? Just a thought. Please let us know how you do.

 

[Jordon6]

@sistersinhim Thanks for your words of encouragement!

I saw a revisionist that didn't not see any need for a revision. He didn't think it would be wise and worth it. He mentioned that my bone density may be low, but I had that test and it was ok. I've had blood tests for allergies-No allergies found.

I've had MRI's, X rays, bone density tests, and blood work for allergies. 2 rounds of PT at different facilities. Same results-nothing!

I'm at a lost

 

[Celle]

I'm sorry you are having to go through this.

I don't know what's causing your problems, @Jordon6 and I'm not telling you what to do. But I think if it were me I'd probably be doing two things. I would have the MUA, to see if that helped. I would also be looking for a third opinion, from a specialist who is not connected in any way - professional or social - with either of the surgeons who have already seen your knee.

Surgeons who specialise in revisions see problem knees every working day. They can look at your knee with fresh eyes and sometimes spot a problem that has eluded the other surgeons. That doesn't necessarily mean that you will need a revision.

 

[sistersinhim]

Oh my goodness, you have definitely tried to find out the cause for this pain. You had a MUA back in June, so that's almost like starting over again. Maybe you still need some healing. Are you still swelling? That would lower your ROM. I wish I could help you, but I have no other ideas except for what Celle said. Something is not right and you need to find out why.

 

[Jordon6]

@sistersinhim @Celle I agree that something's going on! I'll keep looking! Thanks for listening!

 

[sistersinhim]

That's what your friends here are for!

 

[Angiebabe]

Jordon I don't know much (heads up) but am having an MUA next week as my ROM is stuck too but I'm only a few months post op. But what I do know is lack of ROM makes my leg ache when I walk and I would hate for it to be like this forever so please do not give up keep searching for a resolution.

I have been reading a fair bit about arthrofibrosis and what a specialist field this can be is this something that is relevant to you? I saw an interesting and fairly basic piece on YouTube about it by someone from the USA arthrofibrosis organisation but it made a lot of sense. Sorry don't have the link but you could search. Or maybe this isn't your problem I don't know?

 

[Jordon6]

@Angiebabe It probably is! I've read a little about it. I'll check the video out! Thanks!

 

[Jordon6]

So after almost 2 years of limping, pain, and stiffness, my second bone scan shows that my implant is loose and need a revision. I cringe at the thought of going through this again. Even after talking with my surgeon (a revisionist) I have a few questions that maybe @Josephine or some others on the forum can help me answer.

1-My surgeon wanted me to understand that the revision is primarily for pain so what's the prognosis for my instability and lack of ROM (ROM is about 80)? Should I expect more stability and better chance at gaining ROM?

2-why would he say " I have one chance at a revision?" Sounds kinda grim and just wondering if it's worth it?

Please help! I need direction!

Forum directors- please change my thread to revision.

 

[Celle]

I am so sorry to hear this.
At least you now have a reason why your knee isn't right.

If you continued with a loose implant, it would keep on getting worse. Being loose, it would never have worked properly. The revision needs to be done because whoever did the first TKR didn't get it right.

It also isn't true that you only have one chance at revision. There are people who have had more than one revision, although it can become problematic if you need more than one.
However, if your surgeon gets it right this time, there will be no need for any more revisions.

 

[Jordon6]

@Celle thanks for your words of encouragement! I need all I can get! You're right- at least I have an answer to my suspicions of something being " not right!"

 

[skigirl]

I am annoyed at doctors who make alarmest statement, "this is your only chance of a revision" and then don't explain to the patient why they said that. You were probably in shock and did not ask him what he meant. But, it is not too late--call his office, ask for his nurse, have her ask him and call you back with an answer.

 

[Jordon6]

@skigirl i thought about doing that but I just wasn't sure how he would receive it. I don't like feeling like I can't ask him questions that I have! After all, he works for me!

 

[Josephine]

My surgeon wanted me to understand that the revision is primarily for pain so what's the prognosis for my instability and lack of ROM (ROM is about 80)? Should I expect more stability and better chance at gaining ROM?

Well that's true because a loose implant causes pain but the secondary reason is to fix the loose implant.

why would he say " I have one chance at a revision?" Sounds kinda grim and just wondering if it's worth it?

There is actually no title such as 'revisionist'. These are just knee surgeons who tend do have in interest in redoing problem knees. But his comment doesn't imbue me with confidence because it leads me to suppose he doesn't have too much confidence in his own skills and/or is merely laying the ground to protect himself against any future possibility of litigation. I suggest you find another surgeon who does lots of revisions to make sure you get it done right this time.