Revision TKR Revision with extreme shin pain

[Jockette]

I really feel that the PT was generic for all TKR and didn’t take into consideration that I had 2 screws it tibia. I kept mentioning it but it landed on deaf ears.

I agree, I think this happens all too often. My husband had Multiple System Atrophy (a Parkinson’s type illness) and all his PT wanted him to do was strengthen, and they exhausted him. He was not going to get better, he just needed some movement. He ended up doing “PT” himself at home.

 

[Layla]

Hello @Corgilvr22
Stopping by to say Hi and see how you're doing on this two month anniversary of your revision.
Hopefully you're pleased with your progress and enjoying Spring so far.
Hope to hear from you soon!

 

[Corgilvr22]

Hi! Thanks for checking in. My knee is fantastic except I haven’t put any weight on it for 6 weeks. I am in the second month of being wheelchair bound due to my tibia/fistula fracture. The fracture is where they put screws in my tibia. I am happy it is healing but concerned it may happen again. A bridge I will cross when I am on my feet again. Looking forward to going back to a physical therapist, different than the first one. with Luck I will start in June. A full three months after surgery. Definitely having second thoughts on having my left knee done.

 

[Layla]

Definitely having second thoughts on having my left knee done

Understandably so.
I hope you get back to therapy soon and meet the perfect PT to work with. I can only imagine the patience this is taking. I am sure your days will become easier this Summer as you begin to enjoy steady progress on your way to complete healing. Wishing you a good day!

 

[Layla]

Hello Corgilivr,
It's your three month anniversary. I hope its a happy one and things are looking up for you.
With any luck you're enjoying therapy by now with a fantastic PT and feeling hopeful.
Wishing you all the best!
@Corgilvr22

 

[Corgilvr22]

Hi Layla,
I wish I was in therapy but haven’t received any. i start on Monday with Aqua therapy as I still can’t weight bear for very long. I am allowed to walk with walker for brief periods. It still causes pain if I go longer.

I have another 4 weeks in wheelchair/walker. After researching I would like to share that it is critical to have dexa scan to check bone density before a revision. In addition it is crucial to discuss the use of screws and the size used if you are post menopausel. I don’t want anyone to experience what I have gone through.

the great news is even being wheelchair bound for months I was able to work on knee bends. My knee is perfect. It just takes a long time for the tibia bone to heal.
surgery revision 3/9/2023. Tibia fracture 3/20/2023. Hopefully walking unassisted by 7/20

 

[Layla]

I hope you enjoy and benefit from the water therapy. Thank you for sharing some information you’ve learned along the way. Having an awareness of topics to discuss with the surgeon is certainly helpful for those facing surgery or a revision.
Thankfylly your knee is perfect, now just waiting for your tibia to fully heal. I hope your wish comes true and you’re walking by the end of July. Please keep us posted!
@Corgilvr22

 

[Corgilvr22]

UPDATE! LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. 6 months post op. Lots of complications.

Hi! Because I have had a very abnormal recovery I feel it’s important to come back and share. If you read my previous posts you will see that after my TKR revision I developed extreme pain in my shin. This happened after 1 week of weight bearing physical therapy. No one listened to me. I was told over and over again it was just the trauma of the surgery. When the pain was so extreme that I almost passed out I refused PT until I could see Dr.

He had it x-rayed and found a fracture in my tibia & fibula. Wheelchair for 3 month it showed some healing so went back to PT. This time I did Aqua therapy using treadmill in pool. I was doing great, started walking with walker, then cane. Then BAM! pain started all over again. I ended up in urgent care.

Cat Scan showed another fracture inside my tibia that wasn’t seen before. back To wheelchair and when I saw Dr (still my knee surgeon) he couldn’t explain why or how this happened. I did have screws placed in tibia with revision.. It was then he admitted that “this” wasn’t his area of expertise. So he sent me to a trauma surgeon.

I still have to do a left TKR so above all I was afraid of the same thing happening again. I needed to understand why this happened to me.

Trauma Dr took one look at my CT scan and explained to me what happene. I have a cyst in my Tibia which has prevented bone growing and healing. It almost looks hollow. The screws distrupted the area so when I started PT it caused the fractures. They won’t heal on their own.

second surgery to put bone graft in tibia and steel rod. I am in second week of that recovery and just transitioned to a walker. Hoping to walk with a cane soon.

I hope no one goes though this. There are still questions. The knee surgeon knew of the cyst but didn’t see an issue.

my knee is great. All said and done I am happy about that. What upsets me the most is the lack of listening that happened. I did switch physical therapy places and they were great about listening to me. They cut back immediately when I was in pain.

follow your gut!

 

[Layla]

Hello Corgilvr,
Thanks for stopping by!
I am sorry for your misfortune and the pain you suffered. It is sad you didn't receive the attention you needed and deserved early on. Thank you for sharing your story for the benefit of others. Following your gut is great advice. If you feel something isn't right, don't stop until you find someone who listens.
Best wishes going forward. Pease keep us posted!
@Corgilvr22

 

[Ghostpipe]

You really are going through the mill. Thank you for sharing your story. I am facing a revision, and am so grateful for your advice re dexa scan. I shall make sure that my surgeon does a thorough prep.
So your surgeon knew that you had a cyst in your tibia, and went ahead and disturbed the area. Did he offer any explanation as to why you had this cyst?
Strange that it took a trauma surgeon to find out what happened, that the orthopaedic one couldn’t. It seems that you were let down on all sides.
However, hopefully all that is water under the bridge and you are now on the way to a good recovery. Please keep us posted, rooting for you!

 

[Corgilvr22]

The cyst was lower than where the Knee surgeon put the screws but it was the same bone. Neither the knee Orthopedist or the Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon has an explanation on where the cyst came from. I googled it and it seems they don’t really know except the possibility of childhood trauma to the spot.

I don’t blame the Knee Surgeon for the fracture. The only way he could have known is if he had done a CT Scan before surgery. I do blame his office For not responding to my pain more quickly and not referring me to Orthopedic trauma right away. I seem to be his first complication other than infection.

would I do it again, I would have waited till I had done my left TKR. But it is what it is.

it should go well but know it’s much more invasive than the first TKR. So more pain. Just be sure to listen to your body and find a compassionate Physical Therapist. The first one I went to was at the Knee Surgeons office. It was like a workout gym. I rarely saw the actual therapist just aides. Now I will go to small more hands on. Ask questions, get recommendations. Don’t just follow what the Dr says.

good luck.