TKR Pain and frustration at 2+ years

[montanagal]

I'm 10+ weeks out from my second and having troubles too. It's amazing how different the two knees have been. It's like they connect to opposite brain hemispheres which react differently.

My first was more sensitive to heat but not cold. My new one hates ice but doesn't seem to mind being covered and warmer the way the other one did. Sleeping is terrible land I admit in the middle of the night I still take 5mg oxycodone just to alleviate the pain caused by side sleeping and get some more sleep.

Elevation really helps when worse comes to worse.

 

[Painpaingoaway]

Greetings….. that pain resolved to be replaced by another. Lol. I have realized I must just roll with the punches and not fret about every pain. I feel I am making progress even though it’s one step forward and two steps back some weeks.

 

[TNR #2]

I am still having some pain and swelling. I am six months out. Had exray and Dr. Says there is no infection, outer portion of knee is still numb and I sometimes experience pulling behind the knee and tingling stings that come quickly and leave, I have pain down the shin and up the thigh. Thinking some of it maybe residual pain from my sciatic nerve. Has not been a easy time.

 

[DEL2022Jan-23]

@TNR #2
It is great that your doctor didn’t find any issues in your X-rays, in particular no infection. That is very good news
This is a journey of recovery that comes with setbacks, twists and turns, two steps forward and one step back BUT it will bring a freedom when we are able to use our knees without pain!

 

[TNR #2]

Thank you for the encouragement

 

[Scaredycat10]

I have hamstring and popliteal strain problems behind the knee and have been told it can be exacerbated by the position of 'the leg' on the operating table. I am assured 'it will go eventually'.
Flipping well hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The numbness on my outer knee will also subside apparently too as the nerves which were shoved this way and that during the op, will gradually get back in place.

I am two steps forward and one back at the moment, in spite of being told 'you're ahead of schedule. Well it doesn't feel like it as my knee is stiff as a board after sitting for a couple of hours [playing Bridge] and the [pain when forgetting to push the car seat back!

I am theoretically supposed to have my right knee replaced as the osteoarthritis is advanced in that one too although not yet totally bone on bone as my left was.

Not if I can help it!

 

[TNR #2]

Well I am 2 years out on 7/21, my right knee is still painful, sometimes it hurts to walk and sometimes the knee buckles; I have had several X-rays no infection no loosening of the replacement, even had spinal injections for my back. I am so frustrated, not sure what to do next.

 

[FourCats]

I hear your frustration @TNR #2. I have pain in both knees and feel like this might be the “new normal“ for me. The pain is different than pre-replacements but can be pretty intense at times.

 

[Jaycey]

@TNR #2 Sounds like you need a fresh set of eyes to look at what is going on with that knee. I suggest you find a surgeon who specialises in knee revision. If you tell us your location and your surgeon's name we will try and help you find someone with no connection to your surgeon.

 

[midwest girl]

@TNR #2 I would try and find a surgeon who specializes in revisions and get a second opinion. After my left TKA in 2015 I was always having pain in one spot, but the surgeon always said your X-rays look fine. Over the years every Now and then I would get sharp pain at that one spot and sometimes my knee would buckle. It got to the point that in 2019 I asked my surgeon if we could do a scope surgery to clean out The knee, that maybe scar tissue had developed and was getting caught in the joint now and then. I came out of that surgery with the surgeon telling me it didn’t look good and that my implant was failing. What!! But having him clean it out it bought me time and I could deal with the intermittent pain until this past year when it became constant pain. My surgeon had moved so I needed a new one. The PA in that office took X-rays last year and it showed the tibial component was loose - in the exact spot I had been complaining about pain since the TKA. But looking at the Xrays it is such a small spot. Crazy how that small spot was causing such great pain. Since then another surgeon confirmed that and sent me to an orthopedic trauma surgeon who has done many revisions. Im Scheduled to have the revision this week. With all that being said, I would definitely get another opinion, a new set of eyes to look at new X-rays. Maybe you’ll find the right person who can give you a good solution. Wishing you well.

 

[Rain Dancer]

As a number of us have discovered, x-rays and even MRIs don’t detect all of possible post-surgery issues. I hope that you can get a dynamic ultrasound, which looks at the knee as it is put through a range of motions. I’m sorry that you are experiencing this.

 

[TNR #2]

Thanks For all of the support. I live in the Manvel, TX area. My surgeon is with Fondren orthopedics

 

[TNR #2]

Hi all, Happy New Year, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted. My right knee replacement is now 2 years 6 months. Still having pain and swelling some days it hurts to walk or out any pressure on it; other time it painful when I first start walking on it. I have had a procedure to clean it out and remove fluid. According to the doctor and several X-rays and bloodwork I do not have an infection. I am totally frustrated with this. The doctor stated he may have to go in and add more hardware I guess is the way to say it. Not sure how that’s done without doing a total new replacement. Can anyone shed light on this for me?

 

[benne68]

Welcome back, @TNR #2. I'm sorry to read the you are still struggling with your knee.

Did you ask the surgeon what he wants to add or change during the revision surgery? We need a bit more information to be helpful.

Also, have you thought about getting a second opinion? It's always a good idea before you agree to any type of revision.

Please notice that I've merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. We ask that you have just one recovery thread because

• It keeps all your recovery information in one place, making it easier for us to review your history before we provide advice.
• If you have multiple threads, you will miss posts and advice left for you in your original thread, 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.

So please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. You may want to Bookmark this thread to make it easier to find. I've change the title to the new one you used.

 

[mendogal]

I agree that it's prudent to get a different orthopedic surgeon, one with no connection to your current one, for a second opinion.

It's also really important for you, or a friend or family member, to take notes so you really understand (and can go back and review) what each doctor is saying.

 

[TNR #2]

Thanks for the advice; definitely looking for new ortho doctor.

 

[PBhips]

@TNR #2 Which surgeon at Fondren did you use? Have you found a new one?

 

[Layla]

Just a FYI, TNR #2 has not been on the forum since January 19, 2024. That doesn't mean she won't return, just want you to be aware.
@PBhips

If you hover over, or click on any members avatar, it will show when they were last seen on the forum.