Ligament question

[chemteacher]

Hi Everyone;
First of all, I have been seeking info about TKR [and learning the acroymns!] for several weeks and you guys are the best!!!! I have learned to much.
History: I fell down a set of stairs when I was 19, in the hospital for 5 days until the swelling went down and then in a hip-ankle cast for three weeks. After that, I did leg lifts to strengthen the muscles. I was a poor college kid with no insurance.
My knee has bothered me my entire adult life [I am now 54]. It would "lock" on me and my husband would have to pull my leg to get it to "unlock". The pain and instability has gotten much worse over the last two years. I saw an OS[orthopedic surgeon?] last fall and he suggested a brace, PT, and time. I was reporting a pain level of 4 out of 10. The MRI showed 1 inch of cartilage left in the joint[inner edge], at least 17 bone spurs, and no ACL.
So, the pain has been getting worse and I am forced to think about surgery.

And here is my main question [for right now]: do "loose" ligaments, the few I have left, affect the possibility for a good outcome with TKR?

Thanks again for all the good info I have found on the threads I have visited so far.

 

[JenniferG]

Re: New Member Ligament question

Hi chemteach, and welcome. yes OS = the guy with the knife (or gal). OK, my thought on your question is just a opinionated guess. Look for Josephine, she's the brains of the operation. Loose ligaments may be able to be tightened and strengthed? Therefore still hope? Muscles play a part (BIG PART) in the rehab, so ligaments are only part. Have you done the PT? that is also going to very importanttowards a sueccessful outcome. Even before surgery. Do you have a surgery date yet?

 

[chemteacher]

Re: New Member Ligament question

Jennifer;
Thanks so much for the response.
No surgery date yet. We have been trying all the alternatives first. My pain was not debilitating. I see the OS next week.
I have been doing exercises and PT for several months. I have muscles I never knew I had. Not much range of movement [ROM?], though-only 90 degrees--negative 3 extension and 87 flexion. I think I am hitting up against one of the bone spurs.
I have lots of debris in my joint, I think. There are days when I stand on it wrong and I can't put weight on the joint or I can't bend it or I can't straighten it. My pain level is definitely not a 4 anymore.
From all I have read on this site, that seems to be the kicker. Is the pain of surgery and recovery worse than what I am going through now???? I guess that is the question we all need to ask.

 

[Josephine]

Re: New Member Ligament question

chem, don't worry about the ligaments because, based upon what you have said, I imagine you will be getting a "cruciate sacrificing" knee meaning that the prosthesis will take over the functions that were previously the job of the cruciates. Any other ligaments such as the ones around the outside of the knee will be strengthened during PT.

As for the post op pain - and we are nothing but brutally honest on here - yes it can be worse but it's a different kind of pain, one that will eventually dissipate as you will learn if you read around all the other threads in the After Knee Replacement - Recovery Discussions forum. But to quote an old saying, sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better.

 

[1jt@atime]

Re: New Member Ligament question

But to quote an old saying, sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better.

Like Josephine said, it does get worse before it gets better but you go through this knowing that better is on the way and you are no longer on a downhill slide to worse.... Post often! We're all here to help each other out with whatever concerns you might have. Karen