3rd New Knee

[calico1597]

I had both knees replaced four years ago. The left knee started having pain and swelling earlier this year. My ortho surgeon could not find the cause and sent me to another specialist. He immediately saw cement failure securing the implant to the bone. I don’t know why the first dr didn’t see this on his X-ray and MRI.

My surgery is this week. From what I’ve read a second surgery takes longer and has a longer recovery. I sailed thru the first two surgeries and rehab with gold stars. Hoping to do the same again. Anyone out there have a redo and have advice for me?

I have also read about lawsuits for cement failures. Is this worth looking into?

We are snowbirds with a home in Arizona, my goal is to be there by December 1st.

 

[Boho]

I have no experience with this but it would be nice to get another opinion on whether there really was cement failure, in addition to finding out whether there's cause to sue. A lawyer could have the x-rays and MRI looked at by an expert witness, I assume.

 

[W2R]

I have heard that there are orthopedic surgeons that specialize in redoing failed knee replacements, and that it's preferable to get a surgeon like that. Apparently the revision surgery can be more complicated than the original surgery? I don't know for sure.

 

[braumeister]

I have a friend who has had seven knee replacements (along with six hip replacements). Nothing wrong with the surgery, it's just her arthritis that keeps deteriorating what bone she has left. The process is very well understood these days, so you might ask the second doc for an opinion on whether it was a failure of the cement or the bone.

No advice, just best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

 

[harllee]

I had both knees replaced four years ago. The left knee started having pain and swelling earlier this year. My ortho surgeon could not find the cause and sent me to another specialist. He immediately saw cement failure securing the implant to the bone. I don’t know why the first dr didn’t see this on his X-ray and MRI.

My surgery is this week. From what I’ve read a second surgery takes longer and has a longer recovery. I sailed thru the first two surgeries and rehab with gold stars. Hoping to do the same again. Anyone out there have a redo and have advice for me?

I have also read about lawsuits for cement failures. Is this worth looking into?

We are snowbirds with a home in Arizona, my goal is to be there by December 1st.

My BIL had the exact same problem. After TKR his knee started hurting, went to several doctors, they concurred it was cement failure. He got a new TKR in that knee (went to someone who does a lot of redos on knee replacements). That was a few years ago and the new knee is fine, no problems. He looked into the class action lawsuits but for whatever reason decided not to pursue. I would suggest trying to find a doc who does a lot of knee replacement redos (BIL used a doctor at Duke) and go ahead and get it done ASAP.

 

[gerntz]

My uncle had 3 knee replacements in the range of 30 years ago. Somehow one developed an infection inside the metal - probably from the surgery - & antibiotics couldn't cure it.

 

[Koolau]

DW has had knee pain on and off even since TKR (both). She's been reevaluated a couple of times and after 16 years, everything "looks" okay. Docs usually say: "Well, you do still have arthritis." Thanks Doc!

 

[jam12]

My right knee started to make noises when I was 57 and after hip replacement at 72, everything went downhill. I cannot do another replacement, no way. I manage and thank goodness I had a good very active dancing and exercising life prior.....now it's a walker .. and I may eventually get back to PRP as it does work for so many, many just give up too soon as it's not insurance covered.... And otc low dose pain otc meds every 6 hrs. And glucosamine and MSM.

And I don't know anyone over say 50 who does not end up with arthritis and it does NOT get easier...my mom and her sisters all had it too.

 

[Bamaman]

Obviously arthritis is difficult--and often inherited. My wife's a victim. She had a laminectomy 15 years ago, and continues to undergo periodic back injections setting her up for another ablation on her back and eventually an implanted spinal cord simulator. Another injection is coming up on 12/8.

After a knee replacement 2 years ago and major shoulder surgery last year, she's facing surgery 12/31 to do a mid foot fusion on 7 bones in her feet. After 3 days hospitalized, she'll go to rehab for 20 days. And no weight on the foot for 2 months and a 1 year recovery. The goal is pain reduction, as she's miserable. When she recovers, she's got to have the same surgery on the other foot.
'
My wife remains active and you'd never know she suffers with pain every day. Her pain management clinic has backed her off pain meds dramatically per government directives. But now problems that were medicinally covered up are showing up.

We hope and pray that the surgeries will cease after this.

 

[jam12]

Yes arthritis is a major criminal to our health, but so many manage their lives as best they can and many do not continue to go under the knife....I will not do that again....and those injections, if she is getting steroids, they are continuing to break down the bones...Look that one up if you don't know...I had 2 scripts for epidurals yrs ago and NEVER used them, could not do it..

If you wife is so active and does not appear in pain, she's doing more surgeries.....I'm not active but get around as I need and I'm content with my lot in life, am I in love with what has gone on, no, but no more surgeries for me.....good wishes to you both....