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Back to surgery or not

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willdo1023
willdo1023

Hello I'm 55 had tkr 4 years agao. Was in therapy for 1 year 3 months. Had a manipulation on the knee 2 month after original surgery. During physical therapy I got to 114 degree bend but everytime the push to 120 I went backwards and started to 80 degrees again. Did this 3 times and at the 4th time I only recovered to 100 degree. I was released from therapy cause they cant do anything more. Now to present time 4 years later my band has dropped below 90 degrees. Went back to doctor and they say I have three choices. 1 do it all again not recommended. 2 have an orthoscopic surgery and have scare tissue burned and remove and start therapy to get some bend back. No guaranteed it will work. 3 do nothing and live with the lack of bend. I am very active and enjoy the outside life. Want at least to ride a bike. What should I do. Must decide by the 21 June 18.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • arizonaone
    arizonaone willdo1023

    Posted

    If it is the original ortho surgeon that is giving you these options I would get a second opinion from a different ortho. He may have a different Outlook and opinion.
    • willdo1023
      willdo1023 arizonaone

      Posted

      Thanks this is a different knee surgeon then the one that did the surgery
  • avie47
    avie47 willdo1023

    Posted

    I would get another opinion also. I had my right knee done in may, 2017. It went so well I had the left one done in September. By winter I was walking in snow with no cane. I had 9 days of physical therapy in my home. For the second kneeing bought a recumbent bike. It was brutal at first, but Ikept working at it. Therapist suggested I pedal backward at first. It took a few times to go the full circle. Finally I pedaled the proper way. First time I pedaled the full circle I screamed, but then it was easy. If you can find another surgeon, I'd try that. I googled "best knee surgeon" in my area and came up with 3 names. I kept researching before picking the one I got. Best care ever. Best hospital. Best team. I was lucky. I have seen some bad knee replacements. I know a woman who had 3,and now she had her leg amputated. You need the best surgeon in that field you can find. When I was searching, a local hospital advertised one of its general surgeons for knee replacement. Uh uh. I want someone who ONLY does knees and hips. Please seek other opinions.

    • willdo1023
      willdo1023 avie47

      Posted

      Thanks. This is a different knee surgeon then the one that did the surgery. I have a recumbent bike and I can barely go around at the most extended position. Not able to advance to a regular bike.
  • jenny61596
    jenny61596 willdo1023

    Posted

    I am confused about scar tissue ? Where is that ? Have they said what’s stopping your knee bending? I had reallyno physio afterminebecause it was too painful , butcan bend and straighten it fine , think some physios are to brutal and end result is no better . Don’t know what country you are in but I would get another , third opinion as I though they could do another replacement quite easily , was it faulty surgery or your body just not accepting it?
    • willdo1023
      willdo1023 jenny61596

      Posted

      I live in the US California. My body excepted the new knee fine it's just my scar tissue grows very fast and prevents my knee from bending. Scar tissue grows around the wound and it's very hard. Once it grows they do an orthoscopic surgery and burn it away cleaning the area around the knee.

    • jenny61596
      jenny61596 willdo1023

      Posted

      So it will keep doing this even if they do another op? Seems a long period of therapy was that because of the scar tissue ? I think I would try second option first or maybe leave it , no way of breaking down scar tissue by massage ? What a nasty dilemma for you , if you can walk  okay  maybe better to leave it, I would worry they make it worse . Can you see scar tissue ?  If joint is fake how / where is it forming?
    • arizonaone
      arizonaone willdo1023

      Posted

      What about a third opinion? Can't hurt if your insurance will pay for it. Also I'm sure there are excellent surgeons in C A. What about Googling for the best in your area? Or the best in the State?

      There is a site called bonesmart.org. Once you become a "member" they have a database of great orthos throughout the country. I know some of the members have traveled to see certain ones and have been quite happy. Just a suggestion. :-)

  • PeterAK
    PeterAK willdo1023

    Posted

    You might find new PTs also.  Look for PTs the runners, and sports people use. I wouldn't necessarily work with the PT's associated with the doctors office. There can be a fine line between too much bending too fast and not enough. I'm on 5th week of my 2nd knee replacement and I'm been holding at 90-95 degrees bend for about 1.5 weeks as we work around some bad pain allowing it to heal before proceeding to my target of 117 degrees. Tried once, got to 100, and back to 90 immediately due to pain. Everything else is progressing nicely. Just taking our time.

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