TKR Tight Band Feeling for 5 Years

[kneez]

I also have had the tight band feeling around my knee for 5 years now.

My left TKR was March 2018 by surgeon that is now retired and it never stopped feeling like a band and even got worse for a while last year especially when walking up a hill (actually pain at top of knee) and was told to take Meloxicam which I did for several months but didn’t like being on that med long term. Told to take meds by surgeon that did right TKR.

I went for a second opinion and that doctor said he can replace the spacer like the first surgeon and he feels my femoral component is loose and he’d go in to change the spacer but if he doesn’t like how the components look he will rip them out and put in new. I am just not comfortable doing revision surgery without knowing absolutely I have a loose component.

I had a bone scan done (by first surgeon) and it said it “could be loose”. He is the one that originally suggested replacing the spacer but he’d rather not so prescribed Meloxicam. The 2nd opinion surgeon said it was loose by wiggling my leg.

At my wits end… now my right knee sounds like Velcro tearing when I bend it (surgery was May 2021) - going back to surgeon Friday for that (same surgeon that suggested spacer and meds) as he did this knee TKR.

Anyone else taking Meloxicam without problems? How do you know for sure if you have a loose component as it isn’t necessarily painful as it is an annoying awareness of the knee with the tight rubber band around it.

Just to finish up I’ve started with PT and Chiropractic in the last 3 weeks and am hopeful that helps elevate the right band feeling as my revision surgery is scheduled for 4/18/23 but I’m seriously thinking of postponing and giving the PT and Chiro a chance.
Thanks

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome!

I‘m sorry you have had this tightness for so long. My PKR is not great, and is 6 years old, so I understand.

I am just not comfortable doing revision surgery without knowing absolutely I have a loose component.

I would also want more confidence that this is the problem.

How do you know for sure if you have a loose component

While a loose implant doesn’t always show up in tests, I did have one of my second opinion surgeons show me on my X-ray, and describe, what we would see if it was loose, and those indications were not there, in my case.

I’ve started with PT and Chiropractic in the last 3 weeks and am hopeful that helps elevate the right band feeling as my revision surgery is scheduled for 4/18/23 but I’m seriously thinking of postponing and giving the PT and Chiro a chance.

To be honest I’m not sure that either of these will relieve the tight band feeling, but they are worth a try, and might take time if they are going to be effective.

I think if it was me, I’d go for another opinion.

Anyone else taking Meloxicam without problems?

It did not agree with me, it bothered my stomach.

Best wishes as you seek answers.

 

[Jockette]

@kneez And, by the way, I moved your post into a thread of your own, so I could reply to some of your comments and other members could offer their comments, and you would have it all in one place. We are here to support you.

 

[kneez]

Thanks! I am anxious to see surgeon on Friday and since I’m postponing I could do a 3rd opinion later in the Fall. Any recommendations for the Cary/Raleigh, NC area?

 

[Layla]

Any recommendations for the Cary/Raleigh, NC area?

I will bring this to Admin's attention and see if they have any recommendations for you, kneez.
Best Wishes for your appointment on Friday. Let us know how it goes.
@kneez

 

[familybates]

Wow - I'm so sorry for your issues. I can't imagine doing this more than once and hope this all is resolved for you soon. I'm only 4 weeks out but definitely feel the tight band - I tell people it feels like I'm wearing a knee brace all the time. It also feels very odd when I'm laying on my stomach!!

Wishing you the very best and respect you for making sure what you do is right for you!!!

 

[kneez]

Thanks for your words. I feel bad about scheduling it but now considering postponing but my husband is very good about saying there is nothing wrong with postponing especially since I say the knee is not in enough pain to warrant doing surgery and is more of a “pain in the knee” because it is annoying and all the time. I’m trying to do everything I can to avoid surgery but if it eventually happens then I know I’ve tried everything I can and am sure it is truly a loose component before I proceed.

All the best to you on your recovery too.

 

[Jamie]

Here are some suggestions for you. Some are a bit of a drive, but worth considering for an additional opinion. Be sure whoever you see is not connected with any of the doctors you've seen already, either through their clinic or the hospital where they practice. Sometimes it's worth making a drive to ensure an independent opinion.


North Carolina

Raleigh

Dr. Demetri Economedes
Cary Orthopedcs
Cary, North Carolina 27511
Phone: 919-467-4992

Durham
Dr. Michael P. Bolognesi
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC
Speaker at 2018 ICJR workshop on problem hips and knees
Does lots of research into patient outcomes

Charlotte, North Carolina

Keith A. Fehring
Thomas K. Fehring
OrthoCarolina Hip and Knee Center
Charlotte, NC
Speakers at 2018 ICJR workshop on problem hips and knees

 

[kneez]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I will definitely consider these surgeons. Unfortunately my first surgeon is affiliated with Duke hospitals. The 2nd opinion surgeon is UNC Rex affiliated. But I’ll still do the research.

 

[kneez]

Went to 1st surgeon today and he said “no loose component”. He said the tight band feeling can be normal for years. The only thing he suggested is if things get worse he can change out the spacer. He would rather try conservative things first before going down surgical path. He said to try Volteran for the soreness in my knees.

Basically because he said X-rays looked great and he tested my legs and said no loose components on either knee, I’ve decided to cancel surgery for 4/18 with 2nd surgeon and see how I do later in the year after PT and Chiro and hopefully strengthen my hips. I also feel like the pain is not enough to warrant the risks of surgery right now.

Thanks for listening and your input.

 

[Shires]

Went to 1st surgeon today and he said “no loose component”. He said the tight band feeling can be normal for years. The only thing he suggested is if things get worse he can change out the spacer. He would rather try conservative things first before going down surgical path. He said to try Volteran for the soreness in my knees.

Basically because he said X-rays looked great and he tested my legs and said no loose components on either knee, I’ve decided to cancel surgery for 4/18 with 2nd surgeon and see how I do later in the year after PT and Chiro and hopefully strengthen my hips. I also feel like the pain is not enough to warrant the risks of surgery right now.

Thanks for listening and your input.

Hi, I know this post is a bit old but was it Dr. Economedes that you saw? Thank you.