Lounge Doctor

TKR Wrong Sized Implant?

Don't worry about being negative. Frankly I think we've all be there at one time of another. Recovery is a long processes. Even if you think your ready for it, its so much different.

This might sound somewhat 'crazy' to you. You've said with your appointments the surgeon / associate is in and out quickly. I used to have a surgeon whom was that way. Wait an hour for him to see you less than 5 minutes, etc. So..... And I'm by no means recommending this. When he came into the exam room I immediately moved my chair and myself in front of the door. Flat out blocked him from leaving the room. When he asked what I was doing I said "I have to pay $15.00 to park. Then I've waited over an hour. Your not walking out of here without talking with me. I deserve that as your patient." He was dumbfounded. Then he said I was right - lets chat about your knee. I think the offices are so hurried they are going through the motions unless we as the patients demand their time. Demand the time so you can understand and all be on the same page with your recovery.
 
Your posts reflect your experience in this recovery, negative or positive. It's that knee that should be apologizing for giving you so much trouble. I'm sorry you're going through this.

I agree with @eaglemom - demand the answers from your surgeon that you need to move forward confidently. I've been with my surgeon for both replacements (over 7 years) and he now knows that I will have a list of questions for him after he goes through his process. After his exam, he now says "ok, what are your questions?" because he knows I have some written out. I write them down because in the wait-wait-wait-wait-rush, I forget.
 
GoodMorning, @DogTiredKnees ....I’m so sorry you are having a rough time. I agree with the others here have said. Also, as with @hawk2go ... I keep a small notebook that I can tuck into my purse or pocket when going to any Dr, with any questions or concerns. I keep it handy wherever I am, & jot down any concerns or questions I might have. I’ve always had a bad memory, & find this very helpful, as I often think of something, & if I don’t note it, forget.. My surgeon, like @hawk2go’s, now knows my questions are coming, & I think maybe he appreciates it. (My husband says the dr seems to get a kick out of me & my notes ☺️). Often, I think the Drs have heard these same questions & concerns, & have an answer or possible solution, but they might not think to address it, or know it is a concern unless asked. So the notepad really helps.
Since I read some of the earlier advice given you in regards to walking, I have taken heed. We walk daily, weather permitting, & had got up to a little over 2 miles, roughly. An hour, or 6,000 steps.... but both of us experiencing backaches, and fatigue later in the day. Back to 1 mile ( 3,000 steps, 1/2 hour. Really made a difference. And, on Saturday, I found myself really tired late afternoon, & stretched out on the couch & rested. It really helped.
I just re-read some of your posts, and am trying to implement some of the advice given you. Reminding myself how important rest is, & listening to my body.
I do hope today finds you even just a Tiny bit better... each day’s progress adds up, though it seems so slow at times. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers, think of you often. If I could, I’d send you & your cute little pups some of this beautiful sunshine we have today ( although you probably don’t want our 11 degrees we woke up to this morning ☺️). Do take care, and I hope your next Dr visit goes well & hopefully, he gives you some good advice & encouragement. I’m tucking him into those prayers also, for wisdom, & a better attitude.
 
Hello @DogTiredKnees, Hawk2go, Reader25, Susie-Q, BENNE68, Jockette

Hello @DogTiredKnees, Hawk2go, Reader25, Susie-Q, BENNE68,

First, thank you to Jockette. Each time I try to remember all of the valuable suggestions, you are there sharing this most valuable list of helpful hints. @DogTiredKnees, Jockette is so right on and helps us remember never to allow anyone to push harder than is possible. My swelling was horrible, and the PT could not make it go where there was no room.

I have been reading your thread, and although some of it is a bit older, I finally feel like I am not alone. I felt like a failure to have family/friends offer advice, especially from those with no idea of this awful and painful surgery. The advice came from someone they knew and who had made better progress than I. It hurt to be judged when they had no idea what this pain was like, having a botched Revision. I let it slide as confrontation is not who I am. But, they had done it again a few more times, making me few like a loser. I knew how hard I tried day in and day out.

I decided recently to defend myself! I asked them if their friends had suffered at the hands of a surgeon who did not care about their problems or were never available for any problems? In fact, I informed them I was in these awful circumstances because "I slipped through the cracks" when they forgot to put compression socks on me. And they took no measures to protect me from blood clots. Or have a surgeon who judged their progress negatively, knowing the leg swelled, while also having a surgeon that would not treat the clots. I showed them a photograph of my surgeon's work, notching both the tibia and femur where the clots developed. They were shocked that a different surgery was performed other than the one I agreed to!

Your conversation set me free. I can't thank you enough.

Was I wrong to defend myself, or should I have kept silent? I don't know for sure. I only know I feel bad for spouting all that out but had grown so angry for judgemental comments.

I told them I had been afraid for over a year of losing my leg from the complications of the blood clots. Taking Warfarin and warned if I fall, I could die. And I was now going to a lymphedema specialist because my surgeon damaged my lymph nodes, causing me to carry 24 pounds of fluid.

I felt good standing up for myself but ashamed, embarrassed, and guilty! I usually never blow like that, but I could not hold back. I am 18 months in recovery, and it just keeps getting worse. I do not feel it will ever end, but I know in my mind that it will. Today I was told I had lost 30 degrees in ROM due to the edema and damaged lymph nodes. I have gone through all of this to have still no freedom to tie my shoes. I felt down and discouraged, but now tomorrow is another day.

I am sharing this with you because I wanted to thank you all. Sharing your experience here in Bone Smart allowed me to read the challenges you've endured and know that I am not alone. I'm hopeful that your suffering is all in the past!

As a united group, we can cheer one another on to VICTORY!! We all have our own stories to tell, and by doing so, you will touch someone else's life, perhaps changing it forever! For whatever reason, tonight, as I read this thread and others, I found peace in knowing I am not alone.

All I have to offer you back are my prayers, an ear to listen, and my complete support! If I read this correctly, most of you are between 3 months to a year post-op. Don't get discouraged. I know that is easier said than done, but REMEMBER, WE ALL STAND UNITED! And we all deal with the progress at different rates of speed.


Thank you all for sharing,
Mamie
 
@eaglemom...that was excellent advice. I have done that to a few in my life but never to a surgeon. But why not? If we are not our own best advocate, then who will be? I keep remembering a commercial long ago for some expensive perfume. It ended with Who deserves it more than you?

That's the truth. Thank you for reminding me of that advice and quote!

Mamie
 
Thanks, @eaglemom, @hawk2go and @benne68. I have a list of questions and feel quite prepared for my appointment with the surgeon this week. Will report back, on what he suggests.

Thanks, @Catalien45, I hope that you are further on your journey, and are recovering well :)

Thanks, @Mamie. You’re right, this group has been SO helpful. I don’t know what I would have done, if I hadn’t been able to share my experience here, and learn more about the recovery. It’s good to know that you’re not alone.
 
Hi, @DogTiredKnees ... I’m looking forward to seeing how your next Dr appointment goes. Hopefully, he will have some good advice & reassurance for you.
Thankyou for asking about my recovery, that’s so very thoughtful after all you are going through yourself. I’m doing well, we now walk most days, and I’m catching up on some cleaning out & organizing. I mostly have to be careful to not overdo, and to do my exercises. I’ll see my Infectious Diseases Dr tomorrow, & we’ll decide when I stop my antibiotics , I’m hoping for late August/ early September to be sure. And, on our way home, we’ll drive through Wendy’s for our Jr Bacon Cheeseburger. Yay! That still tastes Sooo good to me, & an inexpensive little treat!

I’ll be keeping you in my prayers for a good outcome with your Dr, and for your recovery to improve. I just re-read some of your earlier posts, and remembering that you had infections along the way. So it seems your body has had a Lot to deal with, so that might make your recovery seem slower than you think it should be. I hope you’re being sure to get plenty of rest, and not overdoing. I think that is what helped me the most .... I wasn’t very realistic after my initial TKR, but after the second surgery, I really did follow that rule of resting anytime I was tired, & also not overdoing. Take care of yourself, & enjoy those cute little dogs. Sending another virtual “hug” for you all!
 
Thank you, @DogTiredKnees!

I would be completely lost without this group and my husband. Recovery is a long one from complications I encountered, but it seems that all things are manageable with support. That feeling of helplessness or being alone is a lonely place where depression grows. If persistent and found here often, there are always those that support you. My prayers grow longer with each passing day for my friends here, my family, and even myself. I'm happy you are winning your challenge.

Mamie
 
@TiredDogKnees

Well, I managed to hit enter sending my reply, but I had not finished. I was wondering and hoping you are growing stronger. My brother had total knee surgery just three weeks ago, and tomorrow, he hits the road. He's a real estate broker in five states whose phone never stops ringing. I have pleaded with him not to push before he's even healed, but he swears to work; pushing himself and talking to people is how he improves—each of us to our own level of tolerance. The good thing is he agreed to take his portable ice machine, and it was definitely on his packing list!

Please, take care of yourself.
Mamie
 
Week 23:

It’s been 23 weeks since my LTKR, and 13 weeks since my MUA.

Saw my surgeon this morning and he has given me three months to continue trying to improve my ROM (now at 90 degrees, at a push) and extension by exercise. My leg is still very bent, and although after exercising it flattens somewhat, it pops back into the bent position the minute I start to move.

If after three months there is no improvement, he said he will have to remove the liner and replace it (and maybe another part) with a smaller component. I couldn’t really take it all in, I was so despondent at the thought of further surgery. How common is this, I wonder? The implant does look large, compared to my other knee, but I knew the replaced knee would always be bigger, so I’m not sure if it really IS that big, or if I’m just projecting!
 
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Please try to not judge whether the implant is too large by how it appears on the outside. Such determinations can only be made by looking at x-rays of your knee....IF that's a problem. It's not a common issue, so I don't imagine that is the problem.

Sometimes spacer replacements are done, though, to improve the knee's range of motion. If you could post some x-rays, that would be helpful. Here is an illustration to show you the components of your implant.

1647571092879.png


I'm assuming you are referring to the Femoral Component when you mention "liner." This is the part of your prosthesis that covers the end of the femur (thigh bone) where the cartilage has been damaged by arthritis. The white plastic spacer can restrict full range of motion if it to large. If that's the case replacing it is not anywhere near as major a surgical procedure as your knee replacement.

Would you consider trying to get a second opinion from another surgeon before having anything done? That might be a good idea and give you a little peace of mind with your decision. Since you are in the UK, @Jaycey may be able to assist you in locating a good revision surgeon for consultation. You might need to travel to London, but it could be worth it to speak with someone who will take more time with you to properly diagnose what is going on. If you're interested in checking this option out, please provide the name of the surgeon you are currently seeing and where he practices.
 
Thank you, @Jamie. My knee hasn’t been x-rayed since the day after the original TKR in October. Good to know that if the spacer has to be replaced, it‘s not such a major surgery.

I’m seeing my physio in a couple of weeks, and will see what he thinks. After that, I‘ll think about getting a second opinion.
 
I can't imagine you not having Xrays at your first after-surgery checkup. You should request those at your new doctor's visit.

From what I've learned here, a spacer replacement isn't a bad surgery at all. Of course, you'll still have to treat it gently and ice and elevate your knee, but you should do well afterward.
 
Thanks, Dogtiredknees. I’m going through another bad patch but I will get there one of these days. I think of you and your tag name and it always makes me laugh as I can sure agree with that.

But, I have wondered just how many dog tired knees are in this great group! Thanks for the laugh every day. I hope your knees and consoling body are improving.

Blessings Always,
Mamie
 
@DogTiredKnees

I’m so sad you are going through this problem. Jamie is absolutely right about getting a second opinion. My original surgery was a bad one also from the size being incorrect. I did go for another opinion and it helped shed light on many questions. Don’t ignore the problem. I did and sure wish I had known this group so that maybe advice from those who are knowledgeable in this group could have advised me.

My prayers are with you. Keep your head high and spirits soaring and you I have friends in Poole and they say doctors there are exceptional. Please keep us informed.
 
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