Having a TKR revision as I’ve been given faulty prosthesis
Posted , 3 users are following.
I'm in the UK. 4 years ago i had a TKR on left knee, 3 years ago right knee, same hospital, same surgeon. The left one has always caused me problems, i had to have it 'bent' twice under general anaesthetic to get over 100 bend. I've always been on diclofenac potassium as have arthritis elsewhere and it seems to have masked pain. I had anaemia and took me off all anti-inflammatories, after this suddenly hit by excrutiating pain in left knee. I've now found out the joint has moved, cement lose and i am having a TKR revision in December as I’ve been given faulty prosthesis. I am now suing for medical negligence as the National Joint Registry knew there was a problem with this joint in 2015 and still put it in to 100's of patients, unfortunately I've got two! With my surgeon I am the 12th one he's revising, there could be many more.
Reaching out to anyone else with this problem, i know you're out there somewhere!
2 likes, 15 replies
barbara66703 sharonc67
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Sorry that this has been your worst nightmare with regards to knee replacement. It's such a horrible struggle to get surgeons to listen after surgery and rehab . There is a huge difference between surgical joint rehab compared to damage and harm caused to the patient by the implant surgery . I had same experience with faulty implant and a class action lawsuit was against the manufacturer after 3 years. The surgeons don't seem to ever be held responsible even though they know the implant has faulty parts and or failue reports. It's usually the manufacturer that pays for all damages you suffer once the revision is complete.
sharonc67 barbara66703
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Hi Barbara,
This particular case is in UK? The National joint registry knew about this problem in 2015 and kept on getting surgeons to use it! Makes me so mad as I've got 2, one in 2017 & the other in 2018, both could have been avoided. The surgeon was told to keep on using it as he works for NHS, he was so disheartened, he's had to re-do 14 himself! Now I've got a solicitor involved and have my operation to replace the first one on 1st December. I can't really convey how upset I am about it all. It makes me so mad that I've got to go through it all again!
mary12001 sharonc67
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can you tell me the name of your prosthetic please? i have a similar problem
sharonc67 mary12001
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Hi Mary, this particular case is in Uk? All i know is that its the next generation options tibia and the high flex knee and a patellar resurfacing. If you do have problems please get referred to your surgeon, the National joint registry knew about this problem in 2015 and kept on getting surgeons to use it! Makes me so mad as I've got 2, one in 2017 & the other in 2018, both could have been avoided. Apparently there are 400 cases of the same issue! Now I've got a solicitor involved and have my operation to replace the first one on 1st December. I can't really convey how upset I am about it all. Let me know if you think you've got the same issue.
mary12001 sharonc67
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i'm also in UK.
i had a stryker Triathon CR cobalt chrome prosthetic in 2016 and it oroved unstable. ive just undergone a revision and I feel like a different person. the op was only on the 25/10 so Im still recovering but it just all feels do different to before. do u think I have a case for six years of suffering where I ended up oractically crippled?
mary
sharonc67 mary12001
Posted
i would certainly look into it. Apparently you have 3 years to claim after you knew something was wrong, something like that. i hope your recovery goes well. my surgeon actually told me there was a problem and it's in writing, so easier for me, Good Luck! my operation in 2 weeks, hoping for good outcome after many years of pain!
barbara66703 sharonc67
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Mary ...yes you do have a case against the manu Stryker.. info online . Stryker knew the two metals cobalt /chromium caused the damages due to many complaints as far back as 2011 made eith the same metals. Please look up the model and obtain your surgery records will have the sticker from the old prothesis with model number and contact the UK joint registry for info on patient claims.
sharonc67 barbara66703
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thank you for this information, i will look to see if this is the same one for me. Did you have yours revised & claim? Apparently theres about 400 if us!
mary12001 sharonc67
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i had a revision knee op in the 25th October and so far feel great.
i was glad to get rid of that poisonous Stryker Triathlon CR cobalt stupid knee out of my body, which I carried around for nearly six years, and which for the last two years was bent on crippling me.
i lost so much quality time which I could have spent enjoying my retirement and being with my granddaughter.
Plus of course all the shoes I had to get altered because one leg was longer than the other.
Now they're back to being the same and I've had to rummage around for an old pair of shoes that hadn't been altered.
I've spoken to Stryker and they say that there was an issue with the slap dish but that was 5 years ago! What on earth is a slap dish? anyway any information on this please let me know? i live in the UK
sharonc67 mary12001
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I am pleased to hear so far, so good for you! I'm in my early 50's so i can definitely say it's ruined my life so I'm really hoping for a good outcome after my revision. I've asked my surgeon for more details on my prosthesis, I'll let you know if it's the same one.
mary12001 sharonc67
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yes - the surgeon should have registered it with the National Joint Registry. you can fill out a form online and request all data on your knee.
mary12001 sharonc67
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hi
can u give me the name of your solicitor please?
sharonc67 mary12001
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Apologies Mary, I've been asked not to give out any information on my case, just look for a no win, no fee solicitor (thats what i did) and they will let you know if they can deal with it. i was quite lucky as my surgeon admitted to problems straight away. They will look at it on its own merits.
i had my operation yesterday, now in great pain! Hope you are getting on well. great that your legs are now the same length.
barbara66703 sharonc67
Posted
can you contact the nurse you shouldn't be in any pain. can you take pain meds on a schedule and stay ahead of the pain. pain meds are important to get thru the early stages after revision surgery. i had revision in 2018 and i was never in a lot of pain other than the pt pushing me to walk on my op leg. i refused to do it
it took 2-3 months before i could walk with a cane while putting all my weight on the OP leg. they had to do a lot to remove all the primary components in theigh and replaced the metal ball with ceramic. after 6 months i was so happy to have full mobility back, and you will too.
sending healing blessings your way.
mary12001 sharonc67
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hi
just been to Orthodics and they tell me that since having the revision surgery, my two legs are now the same size. now to get all my shoes altered back!