Pain and swelling, 3 months after

[execk2]

First off, hello.

I am from Quebec and had 2 reconstruction surgeries (plate and 7 screws) since ski/snowboard collision (I was the skier) in 2005. 2006 went back and redid the plate and added a bone graft from the hip. After each operation I was off my feet for 3 months. So that's 6 months in bed basically in the first year.

The problem is that the leg was falling back into the hole where the cartiledge was removed and becoming crooked again. The only thing was a knee replacement. At 47 years old my doctor decided that I would be better off with a Smith and Nephew Oxinium knee.

On October 21st 2008, I was operated on and in 3 days sent home and we started in-home physio therapy twice a week. My flex is good, over 110 and extension is good as well. But, when I walk I can feel a click (I think people can actually hear it as well) it drives me crazy and is uncomfortable. Also the knee is HOT! (Hope it's not an infection)

Last week saw the surgeon and we discussed this. He also was concerned about the swelling still and took out some liquid, mostly red with some yellowish. It's off to be tested. I see him back on the 16th of Feb for a TACO (3 dimension thingy). It feels like it's loose. I asked what was the possibility that the cement didn't harden on the tibia portion, he thinks unlikely.

That's my story, thanks for this forum.

 

[kipper]

I think you're worrying too much now on your own while youre waiting for your test and results. Its very very unlikely your knee is wrong/loose/coming apart/ etc. i also had the click and a very hot knee with swelling still around it and I voiced my fears to the physiotherapist. he said he had never in all his time known a knee to go loose or to fail! i hope you get on alright and that you heal up soon and please come back here lots to talk. Theres always someone to talk back! You have gone through one hell of a lot and I hope it gets easier for you VERY soon. You're very brave XXX

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Execk2!!! Welcome to the BoneSmart family!! Kipper has it right....try not to worry right now. You and your doctor have done the right thing and you will soon know whether or not there is an infection in your knee.

I'm about a year out from a RTKR and my knee makes a little noise sometimes. Others on the forum have reported that too. In some cases it goes away as your leg gets muscle strength back. The most important thing to focus on is that you have pain free mobility that you didn't have before. That is sooooo important!

Don't hesitate to post anytime with questions or concerns. This is a great group of folks who are always willing to help and support those who need it.

 

[Josephine]

Swelling at 3 months = pretty normal
Knee feeling warm = pretty normal
Clicks or other noises in the joint = fairly normal. We actually have a forum dedicated to that subject on here Noise Related to Total Hip Replacement, I know it's about hips but it relates some to knees as well.
Fluid in the joint = not so normal but probably nothing to worry about. Could be the result of the swelling or just happenstance

As for the colour of the aspirate, that's not so easily dismissed. Aspirate is usually a deep, brownish yellow-orange colour. Are you really sure it was actually red?

As for your thinking it feels 'like it's loose' that's not really likely. A loose prosthesis manifests in aches and pains, not a sensation of looseness. It wouldn't move that much for you to be able to feel it.

 

[execk2]

Thanks for that. I know that since this is the 3rd big operation in 4 years that the muscle mass loss is drastic compared to the left leg. It's amazing (and I manufacture fitness machines) what I cannot do exercise wise. I do get on my exercise bike on moderate level to build quad strength, my ham-string on the bad leg exercises consist of pressing my heels into a mid-sized exercise ball and pulling it toward me (while on my back), treadmill is 3MPH at 8-10% elevation.... Loosing muscle mass is easy, building it back is hard.

The liquid was crimson red with some yellow, 2 vials full. It did feel better though when I walked for a few days.

I can make it click by moving my leg in and out....

Thanks for your replies, it's amazing how you are basically alone after the surgery. This site helps.

 

[Josephine]

That's so true and basically why Richard Warner (owner of this site) started it. He felt it was important to have a 24/7 support group to access.