Message to anyone who has had to have a revision knee replacement! I had a TKR 16 months ago which failed and had to be redone. I was told ( after getting a second opinion!) there were problems with alignment and rotation, hence the reason it failed. The whole thing had to be redone 4 months ago, and I now have a rotating platform prosthesis with long stemmed rods which go into my tibia and femur. This has been a horrendous time for me, as I used to be fit and very active ( 62 ) and only had it done because I had worn my knee out as a runner. . Anyone out there had a revision, and if so, how long was the recovery? I am now at 4 months and it's still painful to walk any distance. Cheers Catherine
I had my revision on October 27th last year, after a year of pain. Mine too was misaligned, when I was opened up, one year after the primary TKR he said it was mechanically loose as well as "slightly out" (they stand together these surgeons!) & would never have worked.
I think I have the same replacement as you. He said it was like a false ligament, & pivoted, making movement easier - which it has done compared to the 1st time around! 7 months on, & I still have a bruised lower leg, which the revision surgeon said was due to lots of small minute fractures on the inside of the bone, caused by hammering out the useless prosthesis. That will take a year to go. I too, was very active, & have been very down - but just recently have pulled myself together, & started the route back to being "me" again by walking - last week (according to the fitbit) I walked 26 miles. It's a start, & although not all weeks will be like that, I'm hoping I can one day not know the flipping thing is there. It is always stiff, restricts getting in & out of cars unless the door is held wide open etc and I ALWAYS feel it moving inside my leg.
You are at 4 months - I couldn't walk distances then - but at 7 months I can - so will you. Our legs have been brutally assaulted twice, & need time to get over it. I still take a couple of painkillers when it all gets too much, but not daily anymore.
If only I'd know, I really would have held on to my "bad" knee for longer!! As for the other one - I'm hanging on to it for dear life!! - Veronica
OMD I'm so sorry for you what a nightmare, I can only sympathise though as I have just had my first TKR at 65 it's been years since I was active so im my resigned to the recovery time as I can already do a few things I was not able to do for the longest time. Keep the faith and I really hope you find someone on here who can help you Cheers
Hi Veronica
great to get your message, it all sounds so familiar! Like you, I expected everything to be fine first time around, and it's been quite a challenge to say the least. I had burning pain and have found that Gabapentin is helping ( nerves regenerating they say!) but I am also on other pain killers daily. Great you walked 26 miles last week. My bend is only 95 this time around, but am hoping it will get better as it was 120 after the first TKR.
To have pain and immobility for nearly 2 years has been horrific, as only 4 years ago I was walking 4 miles a day and jogging! onwards and upwards!
No two stories are the same, but good to hear at 7 months things are better for you. Catherine
Hi catherine
I also hadvthis problem . Am presently recovering from fourth tkr to left leg. I am having problems with muscles. I am 54
Just one thing Catherine - the surgeon I had to do the revision, doesn't believe in measuring bends - he says we are wound up enough without feeling we are not doing well. I've seen him 3 times since the op. - he gets me to walk down the corridor, sit, cross my legs both ways (which is still uncomfortable) & just says I am "where he would expect me to be" & then says "well done"! I have no idea whatsoever what the bend or straightening is - but after almost 20 months, I'm at the stage where I could no longer care! Just would like the feeling that it doesn't belong to me to go away & start being properly active again!! The fitbit (only had it since 4th June) has been brilliant, as I'm challenging myself to up the "steps" almost daily. Started off at 4,000 steps per day, & have now worked my way to 7,000 steps per day. I love a challenge!!
Omg this is scary! Im 17 wks tkr and struggling since last wk! Im in agony and leg and foot keep swelling. The pain is the worst its been all along! Im taking morphine! I rang my surgeons secretary today for advice only to be told go back to gp! When i visited surgeon at 10 wks they said any probs we are here! Tried to get gp appt to be told end of next wk! Help! Fed up! Hope this isnt my problem how do you know! All was going well until end of last wk! What do you think? Thanks
Hi Debbie
My advice would be to insist on seeing the consultant, especially if it is getting worse. The GP in my opinion is ok for pain management but that's about it. Any new problems and the consultant is the one to see, and ask for an X-ray maybe? Catherine
Just a quick question,...what exercises were you doing at 4 months? Everything seems to ache more after I do the physio I have been advised to do! The physio is suggesting ankle weights now too for leg raises! Catherine
I was discharged by my physio after just 2 visits - she had seen me for about 6 months during the 1st TKR's life & we both agreed I was doing OK & had the books, t-shirt & all the other puns! By 4 months I was not having set physio routines anymore at home. I just got on with what I could cope with in my normal life. If I sat in a chair, I raised my operated leg, & counted as far as I could before it shook - I also leaned against my wardobe doors (or any door or wall) legs slightly apart & slowly slid down until my knees struggled - I made myself walk the dogs (but still don't do it on my own - they are large lively dogs) daily, but often asked if we could go back, as the leg started to stiffen. BUT - daily elevated & iced, I still do it one a day now. I've noticed that I now walk at the same pace as my husband - whereas at 3 or 4 months, possibly 5 months too - I was very slow, & kept asking him to slow down. It's a gradual process, but I firmly believe the improvements will keep coming. I've been told it can take up to 2 years, so at that rate - it's still early days!
Thanks for the info. It's good to hear that you are doing well now, I have forgotten what it's like to walk pain free as its been so long! I use ice a lot still and also find heat pads very soothing. Pain levels are better but still between 3- 6 out of 10, rising as the day goes on. Like you say, it's very early days still!
We have booked a holiday in September which will be the 7 month mark, so fingers crossed things will be better by then. Many thanks for your advice and support, Catherine
Thanks Catherine. I am at physio mon so wil see what they say then! If its still hurting as much on mon i wil ring secretary and insist i see surgeon. Gp doesnt know much as you said they are good for the pain! Thanks
Please let me know how you get on. I have been through so much in the last 18 months, and now I am beginning to see a light, but I had to be very assertive with the medical profession (who kept telling me nothing is wrong etc...) in order to get to this stage! Catherine
Thank you i will. Im going to grill the physio i think they know quite a lot. I had an xray at 10 wks and all they said was that everything looked ok and in place so they would see me in a year! But any problems get intouch! Then when i did she said see gp! It may simply be i have over done it and need to rest more. The swelling wil cause a lot of pain but i dont want to take any chances! Its my day off today so im resting icing and exercising it. Im off the wknd and mon so wil see if this helps and what physio says mon! If im stil concerned im going to be assertive with secretary and ask to go to surgeons clinic! But thanks for your support!
Hi April
you mention it's your 4 th tkr! May I ask what happened to the others and how you are doing now? Catherine
Hi Debbie
how is it this week? What did the physio think? Catherine
Hi Catherine thats very kind of you to ask lovely ! It was a lot easier at the weekend as i wasnt at work. I rested a lot more and elevated it! I went to physio mon and said about my concerns of the swelling and pain. He checked the strength in my knee and leg and said it was strong. My problems were due to me over doing it! I have come home from work iced and elevated! I feel lazy but i do think i was overdoing it, i think because i was back at work i thought i could cope. Anyway iv got some glute exercises then i wil be back. Stronger! Its a fine line and i shouldnt of pushed myself so much.