Knee revision April 26, spacer was loose first TKT July 2016

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi all-

I had my knee replaced last July- the first 3 months I was ok. My Oct appt- I let my Dr know my knee was giving and I would almost fall. He gave me another 3 months off and said it's takes time. Jan came and I went back to work on light duty- in pain still. I told him it's still feels loose and keeps on giving out about once a week. He told me that the spacer maybe loose and maybe needs to be replaced and my next appt was in July.

In March I saw his PA, still in pain. I asked his PA if they can insert a scope and look around to see why my knee was still in pain and still giving out. He told me they have to wait a full year to do a bone scan and can't do a scope check. Of course I did not listen- I scheduled an appt with the primary surgeon at the same office- he saw me within a week- told me he will go in with a scope, look around and replace the loose spacer if needed. All that happend a week later- April 26-2017.

I'm still in pain- but I am positive I will get better.

Has anybody went thorough a loose spacer revision less than a year? What's your story? Any support is great. This has been awful 10 months.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey Rob,

    My doc had to but 3 spacers in the day of surgery. I had this cruching and pain for months. Pain was bearable but was slowing me down on left leg. I have a high pain tolerance to begin with. After a cortisone shot was ineffective, which proved it was not soft tissue, doc scoped me this past Wednesday. He found bone spurs. Feels much better! Already can do stairs better too. Quad still weaker on that side but i am optimistic! I will be at 6months in 3 more days!

    Good luck!

    AuntE G

    • Posted

      *put not but!
    • Posted

      Thanks! I'm looking forward to a full recovery.

    • Posted

      Hello-

      So the spacer was put in last wed... and you can do stairs? I'm afraid to put my full weight on my knee...

    • Posted

      No, the spacer wasnt last Wednesday! It was Almost 6mo ago w the initial surgery he went thru 3 different spacers. Locking mechanism malfunctioned on the first two. So then i had pain and crunchy feeling over the next (almost)6months. The xrays proved the hardware was ok. A cortisone shot proved it wasnt soft tissue so doc did scope (arthroscopy) may 10th.

      I can now do stairs and feels way better! I have been able to full weight bear since day one of surgery. But i had bilateral partial knee replacements. Total knees lose the acl and pcl and makes a knee less stable while the lateral ligaments do all the work until the patellar/quad tendon tighten up.

      It gets better Rob!!

    • Posted

      Sounds awful you've both had this but hopefully you will get there.

      I had TKR with patella resurface.but he retained my Posterior Cruciate Ligament. I think if it's in good nick they do that.

      Amazed at the difference t replacements especially in USA. Here in the UK think we get a standard replacemen but not complaini g pleased and grateful for it.

  • Posted

    I'm glad you saw the surgeon.  It "giving out" once a week sounds unusual and painful.  Was the spacer revision surgery as bad as the replacement?

    • Posted

      The pain is about the same. I have some nerve pain but I know that will pass.
  • Posted

    OH MY GOODNESS!   That sounds horrific Rob!  I'm SO sorry to hear this and hope your recovery goes well now!!!!!!

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