Revision TKR Tkr revision just changing spacer

[Gazynoah]

Let me start by saying I'm partially bionic, I served in the United States Army and did two tours to Afghanistan which resulted in a few surgeries including this one.

I had my total right knee replaced 9 months ago. I had the painful 3 months of torture but as the weeks went by that continually got better until I was pain free. I haven't felt pain or had crazy swelling, just stiff in the mornings or after an active day.

10 weeks ago I had to get another screw put in my ankle to fuse an adjacent joint to the one that was fused 2 years ago. This ankle surgery has left me bedridden but I kept doing quad exercises as best I could.

Well 28 days ago my knee dislocated as I was sitting it got stuck in a 80 degree angle I placed my hand behind my knee and manipulated it back. It did not hurt before during or after the dislocation just a little scary.

3 days later it happened again. I saw my surgeon he said before we think about surgery let's strengthen the leg and update him 8 days later it slid again and 10 days after that one more time.

Now my surgeon says it's slipping/dislocating to frequently that revision is my only option because it can cut circulation when it dislocates. They have to put a thicker spacer with a larger lip to prevent the slipping. When asked why.....was it something I did or didn't do.... he said no, there was too much space and too much lax and sometimes this happens but it was hardly ever seen.

Has this happened to anyone he said this is rare he has had it twice in his career. He said it's not as painful as the tkr surgery and said I would be good in just a few weeks.

My surgery is in 2 weeks does anybody out there have any advice for recovery or what to expect replacing a spacer. I'm a little anxious as I'm still healing from my ankle fusion but what is going to do to the progress I made with the original knee surgery am I back at square one.

 

[Jaycey]

@Gazynoah Welcome to BoneSmart! What was the date of your original TKR? And what is the date for your revision? I'll put the information in your signature for you.

I'm glad you are finally having a revision. It certainly isn't good to have constant dislocations. Is the same surgeon who did the original TKR doing the revision? Do you have the option of seeing a revision specialist?

We do see many TKR revisions here. But most are due to infection. It does sound like this surgery will be a bit more straight forward.

 

[DEL2021Feb-17]

Yes I had the same spacer replaced last Dec. the reason for mine was same as yours, it did not dislocate as frequently as yours ( 2x in less than 3 months. ) Surgery was quick I think maybe 30 minutes?? As far as recovery its still going to hurt but considering the surgery itself is not as involved recovery time is a lot less.

 

[Gazynoah]

Thank you that puts my mind at ease. How is your knee now if you don't mind me asking?

 

[DEL2021Feb-17]

While that particular surgery was not bad the knee itself has been problematic. So far 19 surgeries 6 have been total knee the last revision in Dec was the spacer. Dec. 31 having another TKR. I have been having a lot of instability issues along with pain and swelling the surgeon feels confident a hinged knee is going to help

 

[Gazynoah]

I'm sorry to hear that. Good luck on your next surgery I hope this one helps and you and I don't have to do this again.

 

[Gazynoah]

Also to answer Jaycey. My Right Total knee replacement was done on Febuary 9th 2020 by Dr Shervin Oskouei. I was at Emory hospital in Atlanta for a week because of pain controll, what a way to spend Valentine's right. Dr Oskouei is one of the best and is one of the few that is within his specialty, he is regionally and internationally renowned as an expert in primary and revision total knee and total hip replacement surgery also partial joint replacement. He is working hard to advance biomaterials and is developing ways to make soft tissues attach more readily to orthopaedic implants. He is an amazing surgeon and is going to do my revision as well on December 1st 2020. I know I'm in good hands I'm just nervous of post op pain and going through recovery all over again.

 

[Celle]

Replacing a spacer is a much less severe operation than having a total knee replacement.

Yes, your knee will have to be opened up again, but none of the metal hardware will be removed or replaced - just the plastic spacer that separates the two metal components.

That makes the surgery time much shorter and the amount of trauma is less as well. You will have some pain from the cutting and stitching necessary to access your knee capsule, but you shouldn't have any bone pain this time.

Your knee will probably be swollen and sore for a while, so use plenty of rest, elevation and icing, as well as taking your pain medications on a regular schedule.

Because the larger spacer will increase the distance between the tibial and the femoral components of your knee replacement, your knee will probably feel stiffer at first, until your tendons adjust.

Overall, your recovery this time should be shorter and less painful than your original recovery.

 

[Gazynoah]

Oh Thank you for that I needed to hear that. The anticipation before any proceedure is the worst and just mentally preparing for it just makes it easier. The bone pain was one of my fears so knowing I won't be going through that again is a sigh of relief. I have a coolant machine and I have the ice pack back up on the back up one so that I am prepared for. I do have a question that I didnt even think to ask how long until I will be walking on it? Thank you again for giving me peace of mind.

 

[Celle]

I do have a question that I didnt even think to ask how long until I will be walking on it?

You should be up and walking (with walker or crutches) before you leave hospital.

 

[DEL2021Feb-17]

Depending on the time of day you could be as Celle put it within a few hours after surgery. Its going to be rough but the sooner your up and moving the better off you will be.

 

[CiscoKid7]

Thank God, you did not have to go through what I did. I had my TKA in July, 2020, and after 6 surgeons, 31 months of pain. I am going to have a larger spacer put in. The surgeon I have now, was the first to do a bone scan, which showed I didn't need another TKA (THANK YOU. GOD), but there is some looseness, and inflammation. Good luck and thank you for your service!

 

[Land surveyor]

I had TKR 5/10/22, 6 months later pain in shinn.. diagnosed w/mid flexion instability. Didn't feel unstable, but made knocking noise, I walk 5 miles a day surveying, use a brace for stability. Studied everything available for the last 3 months on the subject. Dr. Advised to have poly. spacer exchanged with a thicker one. My research noted that doesn't work for all instability issues. But it's quick an cheaper than full revision. Dr's won't give a reason for the instability, take no responsibility. Kind of at their mercy. Going in 3-2-23, little nervous about recovery time. Out of work $$$$$.
Revision surgeon won't know exactly what's wrong or treatment until I'm opened up. Having hard time trusting them. We'll see....