Hi, I was just wondering when other people were going for TKR surgery were they told by the surgeon the failure statistics or risks involved ? Replies appreciate Rose
Yes, the surgeon went over them very quickly, everything up to and including death. Plus you have to sign a surgery consent that also lists everything that could possibly go wrong.
I was not. As a matter of fact, the surgery was explained to me as being relatively easy. My experience was far from that. 11 weeks out and still dealing with stiffness that makes it difficult to walk correctly. Physical therapy 3 times a week up until this week...I changed it to 2 times now.
But no information given to me in advance about failure or risks.
Yes, my surgeon told me and the hospital had a video on its website that nearly put me off having the surgery! I was told that there was a 1% chance of infection, the possibility of a fracture, nerve damage or damage to a blood vessel that in a worse case scenario could lead to amputation although extremely rare. . I was also told about 15% of patients consider themselves no better off after surgery and of those 5% wish they'd never had it done.
I still went ahead!
had my first tkr in june last yr was not told of anyunsuccessful Replacement but should’ve known better because mine has been a nightmare still having problems due to have left one done s replacement but should’ve known better because mine has been a nightmare still having problems due to have left one done new surgeon will look at right one while im under The anaesthetic just want to be able to walk without pain sit without pain sleep without pain
Agreed. My dr told me I would be fine to return to work in 3-4 weeks, and made it sound like this would be basically a piece of cake. NOT! I am still angry with him at 7 months post, and am having some issues with the knee. I will not be recommending this dr to anyone based on his follow-up care. My family dr called the knee doctor's behavior "medical abandonment."
I'm sure I signed a form but I wasn't explained what was written in the form....or asked to read it before I signed it.... I just signed it for consent to be operated on...I was shown the prosthesis they would be implanting alright, just wish I was told then what I know now....ie 1 in 5 wish they never had it done, me being one of them, and I'm one of the 10% who is no better off after having it done...I'm worse now than before...I'm so cross and angry, my life is on hold and have been in pain since the day I got it done...June 2018 ....I need it done again he told me as my knee is loose...I don't understand, does this mean the prosthesis wasn't fitted properly....it didn't just get loose because the pain is there since day 1..... Rose
Same here Kathy, I was telling him I have a cousin who found the pain excruciating after operation, and he just passed it off....it's not like that now he said.
Fair play to you Lynda, if I was told that I wouldn't have had it done. I take it you have no problems after.. that's great
Hi Kathleen , it's Rose here , we're still in terrible pain...it's awful to leave us like this...I'm so angry...my life cut short due to that operation😡
Hi Rosemary, I've had two TKRs and both times I was given the talk, basically, infection, failure rates etc. I think that's pretty much standard procedure, or rather, should be. Have you gone yet for the TKR?
Doria
It's still early days for me, just over 5 weeks. i was told it would be very painful, could expect to be walking short distances in 6 weeks, which I am - around 20-30 mins, should be able to do most of my previous activities by 3 months, although could take longer and 12 months for a full recovery. Physio starts next week so that should be fun and we'll see how we go from there.
My decision to proceed was helped in that I knew several people who had already had it done successfully. I'm sorry to,hear of your issues. Loose components do happen. Did they use cement or was it a cementless replacement? Maybe too much bone was drilled out?
Some people are fine to return to work in 3-4 weeks, but only on Fantasy Island. In the real world where we live it takes much longer.
I have had 2TKRs. The first one eleven years ago and the 2nd 13 weeks ago. My first TKR was done at an orthapedic hospital and I received a binder and a DVD with a cartoon surgery plus my surgeon went over the risks. I also did lots if research on the internet and watched an actual operation and I knew all tge risks The first was very easy compared to the 2nd one. Prior to the surgery i had MRI's, xrays and several consults as i put off the surgery for several years but saw the surgeon annually till i was ready. I also knew at that time that both knees were bone on bone.
By the time i had the second one the knee was giving me a lot of pain and i had decided it was time for a TKR I took a DVD of my knee. The surgeon took one look at the DVD and showed me the implant and glanced at the knee. His secretary in a room full of patients in between answering the phone and sending patients in to see the doctor quickly read through and had me sign the paper work. i had chosen this surgeon based on a friends recommendation and had read on line reviews that for the most part were positive. When i was talking to the surgeon i said i know it takes about 3 months to feel normal and he corrected me and said ...a year. I again did research on my own and knew the risks associated with the surgery. My complaint with him was that i did not receive enough pain meds. My prescription was for 50 pills that were gone within 10 days. It was hard to do physio and exercises on extra strength tylenol. My current progress is slower than anticipated but I have come to accept it. I am still exercising and working to get the knee to feel normal.
I have had quite a few surgeries and always prior to these do as much research as possible.
I do believe that some progress much faster than I am progressing. I expected a 6 week recovery....or close to a recovery, and was sadly mistaken. I can pretty much do normal every day activities like shop...clean...cook. But walking any long distance isn't possible yet without stiffness and a limp. Hoping I continue to slowly improve each week. This has been a long journey.
Alimarie you sound like me and my story....7 months ago I got mine done....to hear him say last week I need it done again....anyone would think it was a bad hair cut I got and just a matter of fact get it done again! Just like that....😡
Rose, will you have the same surgeon do it again? I would get a 2nd opinion. You should not have had to suffer so long. Did you have PT, deep tissue massage. What did he tell you when you saw him or called in to report it was no better. I do not think I would trust him. Basically after my surgery my surgeon was like a car salesman. He did the surgery, got his money and was done with me. I was only give 5mg of Norco. Nothing else for the pain. It was major surgery and this is what he deems enough for pain. I know you have to do the home exercises the PT gives you. I am just starting week 10. My knee has been numb, swollen, stiff and extremely painful. The PT is great. But it still swells and I can't get my leg straight. If I ice, walk, bike it all causes swelling. If not for icing and the ice machine I would have given up long ago. I also have Diabetes and Fibromyalgia which I am told cause you to heal slower. Have not had one day without pain of some kind. Please let us know what you do. Hang in there, we are all in the boat.
Lynda I don't know if cement or not was used, I wasn't told anything like that...I live in Ireland are you in America? I bet you have much better health care than we have here .
Hi Doria, yes I had my TKR in June 2018 I wasn't told anything about what could go wrong, in fact he made it sound easy and nothing to worry about...I'm in worse pain now...I wish I never got it done.
Hi Jean, I don't like looking at operations on telly or DVD...I trusted the hospital and surgeon to look after me...did you wait 11 years to have second knee done, that must have been very painful for you... I don't understand What you mean about having DVD on your knee....do you mean you had your operation filmed during the procedure Rose