TKR Help

[My Recovery]

I had my first right knee surgery In April, 2022. I did everything they asked including PT. By October, we realized I couldn't bend my knee more than 90 degrees without a lot of pain. So, the orthopaedic doctor decided I needed revision surgery. He replaced my right ACL with a metal device and cleaned out "a lot of scar tissue" in February, 2023.

The second recovery has been worse. As happened with the first surgery, I could bend my knee to 118, then, slowly it went to 115 degrees. Last July a nerve in near my medial collateral ligament started becoming very painful and I had to stop and ice and ice and ice and elevate and elevate and elevate. I returned to somewhat normal activities in October, but my knee continued to swell and the pain in my nerve became worse. So, I went back to icing and elevating.

On March 18, 2024 I stopped doing all activities that would stretch my knee. As of April 20, the pain is gone next to my right knee, but my knee continues to swell and hurt, especially if I've been sitting. I can bend my knee more than before but maybe to 110, but I am not doing any activities. I can't walk downstairs very well, either.

I miss my life where I used to hike, bike, ski, and play pickleball. I have an appointment to see my Orthopaedic doctor about this, but it is taking two months to set up an appointment in May, 2024. I am very discouraged.

 

[mendogal]

Welcome to BoneSmart.

I'm so sorry you've been having ongoing problems that limit your activity and quality of life.

In your situation we strongly recommend getting second and even third opinions. These should be with orthopedic surgeons who are revision specialists, not affiliated with your original surgeon, and who also don't practice at the same medical center.

Hopefully there will be a clear consensus on a path forward for diagnosis and treatment.

Meanwhile, icing and elevating, plus walking and stretching as tolerated are appropriate.

My ten month old knee has some scar tissue around my lateral (outer) quads that makes prolonged sitting painful. It's not as limiting as what you're experiencing. I have been doing self massage with a fair amount of pressure a couple of times daily on the affected lower thigh area to help loosen things but it's definitely an ongoing issue.

 

[mendogal]

If you provide the exact dates of your two procedures we will create a custom signature so members can see at a glance your history.

Please excuse my ignorance: was the second procedure another open surgery or was it arthroscopic?

 

[Layla]

Hi My Recovery,
Thanks for joining us! I'm sorry for the long journey you've endured with your right knee. It sounds like the pain has improved a little, but not enough that you're able to engage in all that you love. I hope you're able to receive answers at your appointment next month along with a plan to work toward the goals you're hoping to meet.
Please stay in touch and let us know how your appointment goes.

I applied the blue TKR prefix to your thread title and created a signature also noting your first procedure as a TKR and the second as a TKR Revision. Since your last surgery was over a year ago, we don't need exact dates, we only need confirmation that your procedures were a TKR and a Revision. Please confirm, or provide the procedure name for each surgery...Thanks in advance!
@My Recovery

 

[My Recovery]

Yes, the first surgery was a TKR and the second surgery a Revision with replacement of the ACL with a metal part.

 

[My Recovery]

Will someone get back to me? Do you have any idea when?

 

[benne68]

Will someone get back to me? Do you have any idea when?

What is it that you need a reply about, @My Recovery?

I've just reread your initial post from Saturday and don't see a question for us to respond to. If there is something specific you want to know, please re-post.

 

[My Recovery]

I need to know what to do about the pain next to my right knee which keeps me from being able to fully use my knee and the constant swelling and heat in my right knee from the Revision Surgery. It has been too long (14 months) for this to continue. Can you recommend a proceedure or a doctor to consult with about this????

 

[benne68]

I agree with mendogal's post above that you should get a second and even a third opinion given what you've been through.

I've tagged our administrator, @Jamie, who may be able to help you find someone. Are you willing to travel beyond your immediate area to see a specialist?

 

[My Recovery]

Absolutely! I will travel to get help. I just don't know any other doctor in our area that will see me. Also, I think I will try massage therapy.

 

[Jamie]

The closest surgeons I have on my list in Oregon are in Portland:

Portland

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
503-494-6400
Dr. Ryan Kagan (primary and revision; hip and knee)
Dr. Kathryn Schafer (primary and revision; hip and knee)

Summit Orthopedics
4103 Mercantile Drive
Lake Oswego, OR
503-828-1245
Dr. Amer Mima (primary and revision; hip and knee)

Rebound Orthopedics & Neurosurgery
360-254-6161
Dr. M. Robson Fraser (primary and revision; hip and knee)

Massage therapy may be helpful. Just be sure you seek out a physical therapist or massage therapist who can do trigger point massage.

 

[My Recovery]

Thank you for your help and advice. I appreciate it.

 

[Peterfox]

Did you ever get checked for a nickel allergy

There is one blood test