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TKR Recovery diary

Thanks for the encouraging replies- it’s so hard to be patient, especially when it’s looking like I’ll have to find a new job in this current not good job market. I can hardly do 4 hours of work at home, much less the current job I was doing at work. It’s scary to go looking for a new job right now :(

also something else on mymind- when you all walk, do you hear/feel the prosthesis “clunk” and feel like it’s catching on a tendon/muscle ? Is that normal ?And I get pain when this happens too? I beginning to wonder if this is the source of swelling , from constant irritation. The swelling is not on the area that my oa was in (medial tibia). It’s interesting he lateral lower thigh / lateral femur. Ohh this is so frustrating. Thanks for your guys help in this ...
 
As @Sara61 and @doodlebug60 have said, the OA in my bad (non-operated) right knee feels worse than ever these days (6 months post-left TKR). Sometimes I feel mad, like, "Why didn't anyone tell me that my remaining bad knee would make it harder for my new knee to recover?" At least, that's how it feels to me. For example, it was beautiful out today, so I went out for a short walk (just up and down my street). My bad knee hurt so much that I couldn't wait to get off my feet. Then recently, my surgeon told me that my left-leg quads (TKR side) are still too weak, and if I don't get them stronger, "I'll have problems." (This was after I told him I'd like to get my right knee done later this year.) So I'm doing exercises to strengthen my left-leg quads only, because if the exercises involve both legs, it's too painful for my right leg.

I take hope from @Jockette saying that it wasn't until her second year that she felt "good" improvement. Maybe some of us just take longer than others. I had Synvisc in both knees last May and, for me, it was a waste of time; so I understand your disappointment with that. I'm sorry you need a nerve block for the pain; I wish your doctor could determine why there's so much pain. I'm sure the pressure from your job for you to return isn't helping your stress level. I really hope that things get better for you soon!
 
Well, I had the genicular nerve block yesterday, and I was pain free for 4 hours!!:yes!: First time I’ve been able to walk “normal” in 6 months ! And then of course it started wearing off and I was back to the original pain level. So, clearly the source is the knee , not the back.The swelling is still there though, and has actually shifted from lateral to antero-medial and makes it mechanically hard to walk.
ive made an appt with the ortho as he did throw around the CRPS possibility, and I want him to check the joint as when I get up like from a chair (or toilet) something catches in the back lateral part of the knee (and it’s painful too). That has to be why it’s swelling up like that-constant irritation. It catches when I walk too, but not as painful.
Hope to get somewhere with this ...
 
Hi-
LTKR 11/19. Per surgeon, no complications.I have had nothing but pain and swelling ever since.Still taking gabapentin and tramadol, and muscle relaxers- my quads spasm sometimes.
Surgeon basically shrugs his shoulders and say I cant offer any other explanation. Supposedly x rays are ok .I have seen him for f/u probably 6 times since the surgery.Was told , maybe needs more time(?????)
Went to pain mgmt for genicular ablation. The test nerve blocks gave me great relief- for 4 hours. It was the best I had felt in months. I could actually bear weight and walk normal .I had high, high hopes for the ablation. It's been two weeks , and i feel exactly the same as before the RFA. And let me tell you, that procedure was one of THE most painful I have ever had- I was in tears. They also don't do conscious sedation, and I understand that some docs do.
So now am incredibly incredibly upset, and scared of not being able to work. The more I move , the more the quads area /patellar area swells up, and then I cant even straighten my leg or walk normal. So much stress is being put on my rt knee- which is also bone on bone, I can hardly walk around the store. I'll be darned if I EVER consider replacement surgery on the right after this fiasco.
So, any suggestions as to what to do or can be done? This is not a good quality of life- worry about being the main breadwinner,bills to pay , cant enjoy any activities due to swelling/pain,too young to retire, etc. I talk to others who have had their TKR and they are so pleased with the results, and are exercising , working, playing golf, etc. I feel crippled.
 
You'll notice that I have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
  • That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you start new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, 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.
 
I'm confused about the dates of your surgery. Your signature says it was November 27, 2019, and in your post you say November 19, 2019. Which one is it?

Have you searched for a second opinion? Your knee is less than 9 months old yet and is still healing. But, I don't believe you should be in so much pain at your stage. I would not go back to your current doctor. He hasn't given you any satisfaction. You will need a surgeon that specializes in problem tkr who's called a revisionist. Make sure he has no affiliation with your current doctor, not even golf buddies. You will probably have to travel to get a new doctor like that, but it'll be worth it.

In the meantime, be sure to ice a elevate as much as you can and cut back on the activity that you suspect is causing your knee to react this way.
 
Jrwest100 said:
Should I get a second opinion?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, 100% yes. You need to find a Revision Specialist with no connection to your original surgeon. IMO (from time spent on here, not personal medical knowledge) there could be something wrong because of all the time with little improvement. But in any case it needs to be checked out by the very best person you can find.
 
Roy Gardiner said:
You'll notice that I have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
  • That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you start new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, 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.
Click to expand...
Oh sorry, yes, thank you
 
sistersinhim said:
In the meantime, be sure to ice a elevate as much as you can and cut back on the activity that you suspect is causing your knee to react this way.
Click to expand...

Yes,will elevate/ice,Thank you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Eta: unfortunately simple walking and regular movements bring the swelling and pain on....
 
So the consensus is a second opinion is needed.
Do I have to involve the OS in this ? At my last appointment he was rather snotty with me and kind of " curt" when I asked questions. Said he could draw off fluid ( but it wasn't so swelled at that moment) but no cortisone. Basically said Ill see you for the 1 yr follow up. He did cortisone my rt knee though at my request.
Do I have to have records from him? If hes snotty from me just asking legit questions, I can imagine how that conversation will go.

I know I was desperate when I did the TKR and had no choice as I couldn't bear weight prior, but I do regret this too. I got rid of one problem for a whole different problem. They were both bad options . And I have 15 or more years to work yet ( If we lose social security like Im hearing )

So so sad. all the advertisements tout elderly people retired and playing golf , going on walks, enjoying themselves after their joint replacements. I got the dud I guess.
 
I can understand exactly how you feel. I found out after 3 months post surgery that I needed a revision. I went to a different OS. I didn’t have to bring any records with me as the second OS who does revisions regularly wanted to take his own xrays. It took me 3 more months to get the courage to have the revision. It was the best decision I made. You can then be able to be one of the elderly people who can enjoy themselves post revision. I am a nurse and went back to work post op.
 
Jrwest100 said:
Do I have to involve the OS in this ?
Click to expand...
No. You need to find a new surgeon who specialises in revision, who has no connection, professional or social, with your original OS. Please, work hard to find the best you can.
 
Well, i have sort of an update.went to a non operating ortho who has been taking care of my cmc arthritis. I asked him what he thought of the knee . First thing he said was take off some of the fluid off the knee and send it off for the whole workup. Bacteria, fungus, virus. Crystals, etc when he pulled it - it was pink and slightly cloudy.and i swear it filled right back up after ward :(.he pulled about 10ccs.said all the results will tale a couple weeks.had a little hope again....
Unfortunately i have to return to work. So if i cant do the job, ill have to quit and pray i get another one :( Which means no insurance either.
No pressure.
 
Hang in there until you get the test results. You may or may not need to get some additional surgery on your knee and in that case you’ll need insurance. Do you have long term disability available to you?
 
Thanks newlybionic- Yes its going to be a long two weeks. I 'll find out more information re: LTD
 
new question:
Now that its been a year post tkr, has anyone still noticed the exact same pain they had prior to tkr after tkr ? I still have a small effusion that came back after they pulled out 10cc fluid ( and gave me such relief and function).i still get the nerve pinch feeling on the medial tibial side of the tkr , which i fail to understand as that is all fake knee now ???
Going to see non operating ortho to get a referral to a different OS. I also am going to have to have rt knee fone soon because no more treatments for it are left (that work)
Thank you!
 
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