Knee Replacement Problems

[Ceremony1963]

Hi everyone.

I first underwent a knee replacement in March 2013 this proved a challenge due to a Patellectomy I had some thirty years ago, I’m now 55.

The initial TKR didn’t go to plan and it turned out that it hadn’t been fitted all that terribly well so a revision was needed in February 2016.

Since then things haven’t gone to plan either, firstly my Extensor Mechanism ruptured still unsure how that happened. This was reconstructed in June 2017, an horrendous recovery time ensued with my leg being immobilised for six months then I found out that I’d need a MUA to regain my ROM, this was in August of last year.

The ROM did manage to get my leg fully bent to 130 degrees so that was successful however pain wise I’m no bettter now than I was prior to my TKR, in fact I’m worse amd so is my mobility as I still rely on walking aids.

I suffer from acute pain in my lower leg below the knee, I literally can’t stand without aids for more than half minute resulting in me having to slowly try and move whilst taking my weight. The pain is excruciatingly painful.

The other issue is when I stand from being seated if I have knee bent, that also is very painful and I have to literally wait around ten seconds before attempting to move.

Last week I saw the consultant and as usual the X-rays show no misalignment but the consultant has decided to check my bloods to rule out an infection and as also ordered a CT Scan which I’ll have this coming Thursday.

Now he’s mentions that it may well not be my knee replacement that is causing the problems amd it could well be originating from back, I do find this odd as my back is fine however I do have cervical spinal issues in my neck from a long standing works accident.

The other thing which no one seems to take me up on is a rash I have on my shoulders arms and legs, I’ve had numerous bloods done one for metal allergy but all came back inconclusive.

I have to say I’m now beginning to get rather down about all of this which isn’t me as I’m a “ as long as I’m here to moan about it “ type of person. The question is who else has found themselves in a similar position?

[Icequeen10]

What a long journey! Stay strong - you aren't alone . Have you been seen by a Rheumatologist? Possibly you might have an autoimmune disorder?

[Hidden]

One option you can consider is to ice your lower and mid back with an appropriate soft ice pack with a proper fabric insulator to prevent damage from being too cold. The ice pack is highly anti-inflammatory and if you have problems with nerves that run from the spine to the leg it may temporarily relieve or alter the current pain you are experiencing in your lower leg. If the icing makes a difference in any way, then your doctor may be right and the pain is originating in your spinal area due to nerve antagonism or irritation.

Art

[ddmagee1]

I am so sorry that you’ve had to go through this horrible, painful time! I can relate. I had a C-3 back crushing fracture, of my back, back in 1976, that was very painful. Then, with me having a job, where I was always standing, walking on concrete, the years took their toll, with arthritis of the knees. About 10 years ago my knees were starting to get more and more painful, and, my right knee, especially, was locking up on me. I’d get bothersome Charlie horses and painful spasms in my legs, making it hard for me to stand for a long time or walk. I had to use a cane for a while. My GP had the x rays taken, showing arthritis. It wasn’t until we moved from the small town to the city, where I saw specialists, that I finally got some action done. I went to an orthopedic specialist, who took x-rays, and he stated that the cartilage was about gone in the left knee, and it was bone on bone, in the right knee. He also said I was bow legged, which didn’t help matters. It looked like knee replacement would be in my near future. That was three years ago. He recommended I use a cane, when the inflammation was acting up, and they did a very expensive procedure. They infused both of my knees with knee joint fluid, which made a huge difference with my pain level, in easing the pain. Also, my rt. knee was not locking up. I was having trouble with jaw spasms, tremors, back and leg spasms, that were still making it difficult for me to walk. I was diagnosed with Ataxia, about 6 months after I saw the orthopedist. My Family Doctor thought I had Parkinson’s Disease, because I was having so many problems. He referred me to a movement disorders specialist, who took a history, and examined me, and then put me on a trial dose of Sinemet, for a few weeks. The Sinemet was like a miracle drug for me! The pain in my knees was more relieved, because the spasms in my legs had stopped, with the Sinemet. The hand and neck tremors stopped, and I could actually stand and walk for a bit. I could get up easier from couches, and, suddenly, after about 7 years, life became a lot more normal and less painful, for me. So the neurologist did diagnose me with Parkinson’s disease. I’ve had adjustment’s to dosages of Sinemet made, by the doctot, to have as little “off” time, as possible, and he added another medicine. I don’t feel a need for knee replacement at this time. I don’t have the pain I once had, and my knees are still fairly flexible. I’m going to hold off having knee replacement, as long as I can, especially after reading your story! My aunt has both knees with replacements, and she has had many problems. Once she fell, and couldn’t get up, because her knee replacements wouldn’t bend a certain way, allowing her to get up. She lives on a farm, in the country, so she had to try to crawl to get to the phone to call somebody, because she was in the house by herself. I wish you the best, and truly hope the docs. will get you some better pain relief and help soon!