1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Failed TKR.......can anyone else relate to this?

Posted , 6 users are following.

hilary76715
hilary76715

I had a diagnosis of osteonecrosis in knee which resulted in a TKR in October last year.

Despite this the horrendous pain restarted and after scans n xrays n tests it was discovered that the replacement had loosed so a revision surgery is happening next week.

I am so fed up having to undertake the surgery n pain all over again!!

Has anyone else experienced this?

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • veronica91735
    veronica91735 hilary76715

    Posted

    Yes, - you are not alone! They made me wait a full year before my revision, said the bones had to heal 100%, as it takes a lot of hammering through the bone cement to get the 1st prosthesis out. An ultra sound showed my original one to be misaligned, but the pain was unbearable for the full year - when opened up, they said it was a really bad case of mechanical failure, as it was so loose.

    I had the revision last October, so I'm over 6 months now.

    From day 1, I knew it was a better job, I could lift the leg, the pain was (almost) bearable. 6 months down the line, I am finally getting my life back. I walked 6 miles last week - can finally do stairs up and down - haven't taken painkillers for a couple of months, & I no longer look to sit in a certain place in restaurants etc so the leg can be stretched out - it fits nicely under a table!!

    I also just read the posts on here, instead of joining in with them all - apart from yours - as you are going through the same as I did.

    I had wonderful care the 2nd time around - my scar is an inch longer at each end but that's a small price to pay. I even walked on my crutches when in the hospital on Day 2 - to the loo, & left them there - I simply forgot them!

    Good luck! Will be thinking of you - but it is SO worth it! - Veronica

     

    • hilary76715
      hilary76715 veronica91735

      Posted

      Your reply gives me real hope as you can't explain the pain to anyone as been so bad!

      Knowing you have had a successful outcome fills me with hope as I struggle to walk 10 yes presently...just hope the pain not too bad as last time was horrendous!!will keep you posted n thks..just want to be normal again!!☺

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 hilary76715

      Posted

      Veronica did mention theslight increase in scar but that wasn't bad as far as healing. I mentioned my condition and the tumor that caused my problem. When the original tkr broke loose the stem was actually turning and hitting the nerves inside the bone. When he removed it, he just used his finger tips to lift it out. A slight tap caused the rocker ( the piece that was attached to the femur) to fall off. I had 3 trips to the West coast (4 hrs each way plus plane change) during the time that thing was moving around and before the diagnosis. I can understand and fully appreciate your pain. When they did the revision they used a different style of prosthesis and a different manufacturer. Much more comfortable. I always swore up and down that my foot opened up and kicked out with the 1st one. The new one tracks straight ahead and I had to concentrate far less on proper walking procedure. Mentally it's hard to think about but we'll worth it for future well being. Due to the tumor (pvns) I have had 11 surgeries, 5 complete rehabs, 30 rounds of low grade radiation and a couple of erious staph infections. I started all this at age 65 and now have it 79. I'm not flying high but moving nice and steady. Good luck.
    • veronica91735
      veronica91735 hilary76715

      Posted

      And as the esteemed & knowledgable Oldfatguy says (boy - you have been through the mill & back as we say in England) - they may well use a different prosthesis. They did with OFG, & they did with me. My 2nd one has a sort-of-ligament attached - it moves much easier & straighter when walking. Think positive - I kept telling myself it couldn't go wrong twice & it didn't. Today I've walked all around Plymouth in the scorching heat, eaten outside in a cafe with my husband & our dalmatians & then nipped into a play centre to pay for our grandsons birthday party next month. When I got back in the car it finally dawned on me, - I have got my life back......& so will you.
    • hilary76715
      hilary76715 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Yr experience kicks mine into touch...! Nice to know that you have come through so strong..hope I can do same x
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 hilary76715

      Posted

      You will........sometimes it seems almost overwhelming but piece by piece it falls into place. Daily, I have to sit and watch my wife continue to travel the slow and bumpy downward decline in her losing battle to Parkinson's disease. I realize the huge difference between pain and despair....of hope and complete hopelessness. Most of the time we have no choice in lifes' cchallenges but if we did we would gladly accept our own instead of taking on others.
    • hilary76715
      hilary76715 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Such inspiring words when you have been through so much yourself!! When I feel a bit low I will remember them.
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 hilary76715

    Posted

    I had a different diagnosis (pvns) with the same result. The tumor are the bone away and the prosthesis broke free and had to be replaced. It is just the exact same process. Unfortunately, I complicated the whole issue when I fell the next day and broke the femur requiring a 2nd surgery the following day. Due to the eventual removal of the plate that was inserted to repair the broken bone......then a reoccuring staph infection and an set of problems had to have the revision removed for 4 months and a third appliance inserted. As far as the revision, the replacement was a much better appliance than the original. If I hadn't of aggravated it with my own negligence I think the new one was actually an improvement. Its just that you have to go through the rehab process again which is no fun. Just plan on starting over but with the knowledge of the process behind you. Sorry for your complications but you'll be fine........maybe even a little stronger

  • saman71988
    saman71988 hilary76715

    Posted

    God bless you sir!

    Really surgery will be a double burden. Please keep cool. Must doctors are doing these for your betterment.

  • terri59470
    terri59470 hilary76715

    Posted

    Oh Hilary, you poor thing. I have a horrible feeling that I may be facing a revision sooner rather than later, and I feel sick just thinking about it......

    I wish you the very very VERY best of luck next week. Stay strong, you know the drill xx

  • terri59470
    terri59470 hilary76715

    Posted

    Oh Hilary, you poor thing. I have a horrible feeling that I may be facing a revision sooner rather than later, and I feel sick just thinking about it......

    I wish you the very very VERY best of luck next week. Stay strong, you know the drill xx

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.