TKR Knee pain

[GrasshopperRepp]

I had TKR in November of 2021. Things were progressing well until the following August. I started experiencing worse knee pain . Because the doctor said it could take up to a year to fully recover, I didn't pursue it until October 2021. At that time, the doctor still insisted I needed to give it more time. Went back in February 2022 and they determined it was IT BAND syndrome and started physical therapy for 3 months. No improvement. Went back in January of 2024 and had IT band release surgery. The IT band pain is better but I'm still experiencing pain under the knee cap. Surgeon told me to "live with it". "Get a ranch style house(which I already have) and a ramp to the front door" . I'm only 70 years old and don't want to give up living my life to sit and do nothing. Has anyone tried a pain management specialist to help "live with the pain"?

 

[benne68]

Welcome to BoneSmart, @GrasshopperRepp. I'm sorry your TKR recovery has been such as struggle.

Surgeon told me to "live with it".

How awful!

Have you sought a second opinion from an orthopedist who is not associated with the original surgeon -- ideally, someone who specializes in revision surgery?

Please let us know if you need help finding someone in your area.

Also, please let us know if it was your left or right knee, so we can make sure your signature is accurate.

 

[lrj]

Surgeon told me to "live with it".

I was indirectly told this many times. At 35 I was being told to wait till I'm 60. Between the ages of 30-36, I went to 8 doctors. Doctor #9 was the one who agreed that's no way to live and did my partial replacements, the 2nd one right after I turned 37.
Don't give up. Go get another opinion. If it's not helpful, keep looking.

 

[GrasshopperRepp]

This is my right knee. My primary care physician has suggested and approved a second opinion.

 

[mendogal]

I'm relieved you got the ok for a second opinion!
This is important enough that I'm repeating what @benne68 wrote above: look for a surgeon who has zero affiliation with your first one or even the same hospital. And it should be someone who specializes in revisions.

 

[benne68]

My primary care physician has suggested and approved a second opinion.

Glad to read this! Please let us know if you need help finding a revision specialist -- and please keep us posted!

 

[GrasshopperRepp]

I think I was having pain from the IT band syndrome and the knee cap but when we determined that the IT band was a problem, we didn't look at anything else. When they push on different spots looking for pain, it doesn't really hurt except for the IT band and that pain has subsided. The pain I feel seems to be inside the knee mostly when i do steps or uneven ground. I honestly didn't ever ask about a resurfacing with a button or whether I have my own cartilage. Maybe I put too much trust in the doctor . The doctor that my primary doctor suggested was Craig Ruble in Festus, MO. I haven't been able to confirm if he is a revision specialist.

 

[Jamie]

I looked at Dr. Ruble via a Google search and was also unable to determine how much of his practice is devoted to knees. I did see that he does a variety of orthopedic procedures, which can indicate that a person might not have the expertise in problem knees that you need.

You can always call his office and ask if he does knee revisions, and if so, approximately how many knee revisions (not knee surgeries) he does each year. I think you should keep looking, though. You really do want a surgeon who specializes in knees and hips (or better - just knees) and does at least 100 revisions a year.

Here are some options for you:

St. Louis Area

Leo A. Whiteside - knee revisions, infections, intra-articular infusion.
Missouri Bone & Joint Research Foundation
1000 Des Peres Road, Suite 150
St. Louis, MO 63131
314-775-0521
http://www.mobojo.org/index.php?display=staff

Jeffrey W. Martin
(primary and revision hip and knee)
Dr. Paul Lux
(primary and revision hip and knee)
Washington University/Barnes Jewish Orthopedics
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
969 N. Mason Road, Suite 230
St. Louis, MO 63141


Ryan M. Nunley, MD

Associate Professor and Fellowship Director
Joint Preservation, Resurfacing and Replacement Service
Washington University Orthopedics
Barnes Jewish Hospital

660 S. Euclid Ave.
Campus Box 8233
St. Louis, MO 63110

Office: (314) 747-2523

 

[GrasshopperRepp]

Just wanted to give you an update. I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Leo Whiteside for today. Immediately felt comfortable talking to him and asking questions. I think this may be a slow process, but I feel he is going to do all he can to find an answer to my problem. He withdrew fluid from the knee to check for infection (doesn't think there is any) and ordered a bone scan to see if the implant is trying to loosen. He had hoped to get that done today but the department doing that was unable to schedule it until April 17th. After hearing so many stories of long wait times for appointments, I am excited that this has moved so quickly. Wanted to thank you for your efforts and advice.

 

[mendogal]

Oh that is great news!!

 

[Layla]

Great news, Grasshopper, that you were able to get in so quickly, also encouraging that Dr. Whiteside doesn't feel infection is involved Good luck with the scan next week. Please keep us posted.
@GrasshopperRepp