Symptoms of needing subsequent TKR

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tempgal

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Mar 11, 2009
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Hi --

I'm writing this for my husband because he does not use computers.

His total knee replacements are now 14 and 17 years old. He is concerned that he is approaching the wear-out period for the older one but he is not sure what the symptoms are.

Is there anyone out there who has had a subsequent knee replacement or repair of the first who can describe the symptoms that brought you to that point? Husband says that he feels a tingling but no actual pain.

Note that I mentioned replacement or repair. The orthopedic surgeon who did the first two said that he occasionally repaired TKRs where only part had worn. However, the orthopedic surgeon in the community where we live now says that he does not do repairs, only another total replacement.

Would appreciate hearing of your experiences.

Thanks.
 
Tempgal,
Welcome to the forum! I had BTKR in June of 2008. This June I will have my one year appointment and the OS will take an x-ray of each knee joint to view the compartment spacer which essentially is taking the place of cartilage (made of plastic). This will be my baseline x-ray. Every 2 years I will have to go back to the OS office and have additional x-rays taken to access the wear on the spacer within each joint. When the wear in the spacer is to the point where it needs to be replaced, the OS told me I should not be feeling any pain. When the pain starts is when you are doing damage to the replacement itself.
So, essentially according to my OS there are no symptoms to feel, just view on an x-ray. Has your husband (dh) had any x-rays done of his knee to access if there is wear within the joint?
Frankly, I would seek out an OS who had the best interest of his patient at heart, not his own financial well being by performing an additional surgery.... If it were my dh I would find an OS to take an x-ray of the joint and evaluate hm and his needs even if I had to travel to another town or city to find a qualified OS and get the referral from my PCP.
Best,
Crystal
 
Good advice, Crystal.

Tempgal, welcome to the BoneSmart family. Our forum nurse, Josephine, will check in soon and can offer information from a medical perspective. In my opinion, the best thing to do will be to locate a surgeon who is willing to consider repairs to the knee in place. Are you near a larger city where you could do some investigating?
 
Spot on Crystal! Wear can only be defined by comparing the new xrays with the post op ones. Other problems such as loosening, the second most common problem arising with long term usage, will most likely give rise to low grade, tooth-ache type pains. Nothing that is going to impair function too much but more than just the aches and pains you get when, for instance, the weather is cold.

I would strongly urge you both to not dwell on this. If there are no symptoms then don't worry about it. Perhaps get a routine check xray done if it helps to reassure you but there are many, many people walking around out there who had their TKRs done way back in the 80s, 70s and even in the 60s and are still going strong. The chances are very strong that he will be one of those!

However, if his knee has wear it can be, as Crystal says, that just the plastic wearing component (spacer) can be changed and manufacturers, even though they keep bringing out new versions, will keep the old ones in stock for this very reason.




 
Hello, again --

Just wanted to tell you that husband read all three replies and feels that they answered his questions perfectly.

Our sincere appreciation to you all.

Regards,
tempgal
 
Glad to have been of help.
 
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