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21 weeks post TKR huge problems. Consultant refers me to a 2nd consultant!

Posted , 15 users are following.

veronica91735
veronica91735

Back from hospital. The consultant has requested a second opinion with another consultant, arranged for the 23rd April. The misalignment, is 6mm, which, he says, is within the perimeter allowed for misalignment, that the body eventually (up to 18 months of hell) will adapt to the larger prosthesis, & only in exceptional circumstances of severe chronic pain, do they go in & then it would mean doing the whole thing again. That, he says, is a more serious operation than the first TKR, so it needs to be a "last resort". Meanwhile, my life stays on hold, I'll be addicted to pain killers by the time it gets sorted, & the soft tissue continues to be attacked by a lump of metal. How many of us knew there was a misalignment allowance? How many others struggle on? - it is so much a worse pain than the OA in the old knee.

2 likes, 42 replies

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  • caroline46398
    caroline46398 veronica91735

    Posted

    Oh dear. Sounds like it is what it is. Your key action now is pain and stress management. Then not making your whole identity about your knee - as I did until I pulled myself together telling myself I have two arms a brain and another knee ( albeit not a good one it's not painful) . Also my condition is structural and hopefully not lifelong or life threatening. Had to readjust to this difficult situation and treat myself to simple pleasures . Even using aids for walking not the end of the world if it helps us cope. Work with what you have and focus on things you can change . Easier said than done but good luck
  • nicky14342
    nicky14342 veronica91735

    Posted

    So sorry to hear this,Veronica. Iam experiencing similar problems 15mnths after TKR and had a second opinion last Thurs to be told I will never get more than my 90 degree bend and 24hr pain and if I had revision surgery it wouldn't guarantee any improvement . I sympathise and empathise with you entirely. x
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo nicky14342

      Posted

      rolleyesrolleyes I do hope he's wrong, and at least the pain subsides!  With 90, you can do most things, if you aren't in pain . . . fingers crossed for you!
    • veronica91735
      veronica91735 nicky14342

      Posted

      The thought of this pain 24/7, for a further year, is killing me! The whole proceedure has aged me so much. I have very little enthusiasm for anything, & I really was such a go-getter before this operation. Looks like my 2nd opinion will be a waste of time, but I'll give it my best shot. They seem to talk us out of revisions by scaring us. It's a comfort Nicky, to know I'm not alone.
  • caroline46398
    caroline46398 veronica91735

    Posted

    So so tough for you - seems like never ending - bad enough for nine weeks - fed up - and still not out of the woods. Will be a tough journey ahead but touch wood you will find a way through it 
  • margaret83646
    margaret83646 veronica91735

    Posted

    Sorry to hear this Veronica, I've never heard of this before good luck and take care x
  • tess94652
    tess94652 veronica91735

    Posted

    That's terrible for you -  i really hope you get relief  very soon and a good solution. It seems such a lottery what happens to us all!  Maybe the prosthesis i have will become the norm in time (hope so) - i've been lucky to be in the catchment area for one of UK's best NHS orthopaedic hospitals internationally and have a knee implant designed to be perfectly adjustable to all knee sizes - it's been trialling since 2012. I've been told on better authority than mine that if you are taking pain killers for pain then the risk of true addiction is  minimal - cos it's a worry when you read on the information leaflet that the drug you are prescribed can cause addiction within 3 days! Been taking my "addictive" drug for 10 weeks now, intensively at first, but only need one at night now so defo NOT addicted! Good luck and best wishes.
    • veronica91735
      veronica91735 tess94652

      Posted

      Wish I'd been offered a trial one then! 

      I have just looked up the consultant they have booked me with for the 2nd opinion, & he specialises in Knee soft tissue surgery, so my hopes are raising - as the main pain is from those swellings, caused by the bad fitting new knee. What we go through!

    • gillme1955_UK
      gillme1955_UK tess94652

      Posted

      Hi there. I am not at the point of having my TKR yet so am interested in your knee! What NHS area are you in? I would love to think that when my time comes I could have a knee like yours.

      thanks.

      Gill

    • tess94652
      tess94652 gillme1955_UK

      Posted

      Hello! The hospital is called The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt orthopaedic in Gobowen nr Oswestry in Shropshire UK and the surgeon heading the trial is Mr John Paul Whittaker. Don't know if you could ask to be referred there? Its catchment area covers the whole of Shrops and in Wales as far as welsh coast.

    • gillme1955_UK
      gillme1955_UK tess94652

      Posted

      Thanks for the info. I'm in Lancashire and didn't know if it was Wrightington hospital near me as that is quite a well known orthopedic hospital. The consultant I have been seeing operates there as well as the private hospital I see him at via NHS Choices. When see him next (10 April) for a steroid injection I'll ask him if he does those knees! 

      Thanks again.

      Kind regards,

      Gill 

  • marlene17141
    marlene17141 veronica91735

    Posted

    sorry to hear you have so much pain at 21 wks im in a lot of pain and i only had it done on the 5 of march so im worry mine wont get any better and that scares me as i cry now due to the pain, and i wish i hadnt had it done, i cant eat proper i cant sleep and just dont no what to do with myself. i hope they sort you out 
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo marlene17141

      Posted

      It is absolutely normal to feel as you do at  about four weeks. . At four weeks, I would have given anything to go back and not have it done.  No sleep, no energy, depressed, pain . .more pain . . .but believe me, this is perfectly normal.  It's not normal for poor Veronica to be in pain at 21 weeks, and her case is a very specific one. It's unlikely you will suffer the same problem . . . At around six weeks, you will probably feel better. . most of us did. . .and if it takes a bit longer try not to despair.  This is a VERY slow job. . months of effort have to go in to getting the knee to a good working condition!  I think we all should have been warned beforehand exactly how long and how hard the recuperation period is, because a lot of people like you believe that things have not gone properly when in fact they are just the same as pretty well everyone else.  Of course, there are the exceptions!  I'm at nearly twelve weeks, and it's still stiff, sore and occasionally painful . . 
    • veronica91735
      veronica91735 marlene17141

      Posted

      Oh Marlene, those first few weeks are pure agon'y - even though I have problems, they are due to the sizing of the knee & soft tissue damage. It's few & far between, you will be fine - ice/elevate/heat/rest & you see, by 8 weeks, you will turn that corner. Veronica
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