Depressed

Nwf, has your ortho ever suggested "iovera" prior to knee surgery? Apparently, it provides pain relief and or reduces the amount of narcotics post surgery. It freezes the nerves for 2-3 months while they go thru the process of regenerating. I saw my ortho yesterday for possible loosening of my implant (19 months post TKR), numbness and pain L. knee and he brought iovera up. I am now going thru the routine work up scheduled to check for infection via lab work, bone scan, and EMG to see if there is nerve entrapment.

Also, did you ever say why you have had so many previous TKR revisions on the same knee? Bad luck, (I know you said infections and loosening of implant), bad doctors? I don't understand why so many? What could they have done to prevent so many revisions?

I have never heard of that?? Prior to finally getting somewhere with a fresh Dr. I went to a Pain Specialist and tried to get a nerve block. The trial went great but when they did the actual block nothing. The one good thing they suggested I see a different Ortho Dr. I really wish I could give you an answer? The Dr.s I have had are all good I did my research. There is a stupid saying " S**t Happens " I know its dumb I agree but I really do not know. Sometimes I have felt it was my fault maybe I was expecting too much or not willing to live with pain?? I have been told it does happen not often but it does happen. Hopefully this will be it the Dr. does a lot of surgeries for cancer patients who have lost bone tissue due to their disease. For what its worth he has been very thorough as far as what needs to be done in my case. He has ruled out infection ( THANK GOD !!!!!!!!!! ) and he saw the current implant was not put in properly misaligned so hopefully this time will be a winner??  

Hi Michelle,

i wondered the same thing.  I struggled with knee pain for years before they we’re replaced.  I’d have check ups with Surgeons etc and they do tell me I’m too young at 47 to have them done.  They’d say that the replacement lasts around 10 yrs or maybe longer and the op would only be done twice at the most.  That it was better to wait till I was older for that reason.  I told them I’d rather be able to enjoy the new knees in my 50’s rather than wait till I was too old.  I suppose though, if there’s a fault, problem etc, they would reoperate.  6 new knees though!!!😮 unheard of until now.  Imagine the tens of thousands they cost to replace.  

Best of of luck to all recipients.

Sue xx

yes I was told the same thing 10 to 20 and June 18th will be my 6th one. Looking back I had problems with loosening with the 3rd which led to the 4th but then I had an infection the 5th should have been okay but it was not aligned properly so here I am at # 6. As far as replacement I saw the bill for # 5 before insurance paid their part it was approx. 225K. now X 5 then add all the other surgeries I have had on the knee the total would be pretty high!!  My 1st was in my 40's and I think the real problem I use to do electrical work and use to be overweight. Climbing up and down ladders kneeling on concrete all day everyday did my knee in. If I had the opportunity to do it over I would have never done electrical work but anyway. 

nwf, I was wondering if each time they revise your knee implant, does your leg get shorter because of the bone they have to remove? I'm in a catch 22 because I am mildly allergic to the bone cement and I did not want to chance it in the implant. I am very allergic to adhesives and my skin turns red and itches. I have to be careful about what shoes I wear because the glue underneath the leather insoles cause my feet to break out in a rash and itch like crazy!!!

It started off as a urinary tract infection which then spread to my knee. My consultant said that if you have had a joint replaced and you get an infection anywhere in your body, if the infection is going to spread it will most likely spread to the replaced joint regardless of how long ago the joint was replaced.

I think that is the answer basically.

Sarah