Need revision 1 year after TKR?

[Ourbudd]

Hi All,

I had my right knee replaced last June (08) and ever since it has not been right, not horrible but sore and swollen. At 2 months post op, it was much worse than 2 weeks after, we had to stop PT and went to the Dr. and he put a shot into it and in the next month it got better, good enough to go back to work. Ever since then I have seen him say every 6 weeks, he has pulled fluid and put shots in a few times, did X-rays and finally a bone scan. The bone scan showed 2 problem areas, on the right side it seems the cap is rubbing and irritating it, this is the original knee cap so he plans to cut the back and install the button. on the lower left of the knee it shows irratation horizontal, this he says he will have to look at when he opens it up, possibly some rejection or a loose section are things he mentioned. I am scheduled for 7/7 for the rework with the same Dr/ I am comfortable with him though I do wonder if I am nuts? Hopefully this in time will get the swelling down (in the 2 areas) and possibly some of the lower leg swelling will also subside. Any comments are welcome especially if anyone has had something similar.

 

[loggon]

Outbudd

Think it is time for a second opinion. You may fill comfortable with him but why can he not get your TKR right.

I think it is way past time. Something is going on there and it needs to be addressed.

Hope you can get to a specialist in revision as you may be needing one.

Good luck.

 

[Motherofmany]

I agree, a second opinion would be wise! Seems your current OS has had time to set things right. A second opinion with a revisionist would be my choice, just in case.

Most insurance companies will pay for a second opinion, so you may just be out your time. Couldn't hurt, might help. Hope so.

 

[Texas]

Hi and welcome. I think I might do the same, see someone else just for an opinion. It cant hurt. Your talking about doing the button and something might be loose....Its Been going on to long.... Dont keep going thru this. Its YOUR knee . Its easy for him to say we will go in again its not his knee. Yes you need to get it fixed soon. Just an opinion. Please keep us posted...I sure hope it all works out for you....You deserve it....

 

[Jamie]

Ourbudd, you frankly don't have time to get a second opinion before July 7th when your procedure is planned. But if it was me, I would want one. I'm a little uncomfortable with the fact that he just pulled fluid out and gave you shots (I'm assuming cortisone) for the better part of a YEAR!!! Not a very good response in my opinion. Did he test any of that fluid for infection or do any blood work to see if you had elevated levels?

He said he intended to put in a button on the knee cap, but what did he intend to do if he found part of the knee had loosened? It's not like he can just "tighten" that up! If the prosthesis has come loose, it will likely have to be pulled and replaced. This is no small thing. Did he mention possibly doing that? That is a revision and you need to be sure you have a surgeon who has done LOTS of revision work. It's a very different skill set from what is required to do the original surgery.

If you have any doubts, pull back and wait until you can see a revision specialist that is in another practice so that you get a completely independent second opinion. Whatever you choose to have done, you want it to be the right thing and to only have that knee reopened once.

 

[loggon]

ops did not pay attention to the 7/7 date. Wow you have a big decision to make. I know what I would do and
that is hold off for a second opinion.

I just don't feel you should have been having this problem.

Jamie gave you great advise. You need to think about it
really hard.

Nothing wrong in telling the Doctor you are going to hold off. If you do decide to get a second opinion there is a place on this site you can look up a really good one.

Good luck in what ever you do.

 

[Josephine]

I would cancel the op! Everything everyone has said is right on the button.

You need a second opinion before it's opened up again. There's absolutely no point in rushing in before you've had it thoroughly assessed by at least one other surgeon, preferably someone who does knee revisions as a speciality. It's been a year already - a couple more months isn't going to make a lot of difference.

And I don't want to scare you unnecessarily but both loosening can also be a sign of infection. That needs to be eliminated from the list of suspects too.