One year later second TKR

Hello Everyone,

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful Info. I did have my 2nd TKR on my right leg on May 11th. I did great at first and actually only spent 2 days in the hospital. I did have quite a challenge with the blood thinning, etc. but once that was under control, I did get going on Physical Therpy.

My knee became kind of stuck at about 90 degrees so my doc decided to so a procedure to break the scar tissue loose. This was fantastic and I went from 90* to 107* and then I was able to advace to 115*. I wish the story ended there but now about 10 days after the procedure, I am having terrible stabbing pain at the back of my knee on the outside. Went to the doc who handles my vein problems and he said he thought the reason the bottom of my leg is so huge, red and swollen is just due to the surgery and the fact I have a Baker's Cyst. He said come back in a month. Then this stabbibg started. I know it is nerve related but I don't think nerve regeneration. It starts and the stabbibg goes on for hours no matter how I put my knee. Then it goes away but before it is going to begin again, I can feel my ankle begin to kind of cramp then tighten---then the pain hits and it could knock me to my knees! It is serious pain. After the procedure I hurt really bad for two days bu that eased up.

Anyone have any comments on this? Otherwise, doing good!

<<I am a bit more nervous this time as I know what is coming. A friend has a cousin who recovered very quickly by using a machine that exercises the new knee while you are in bed right away and it also ices it, perhaps that will help with recovery.>>

The machine is called a cpm machine. My husband couldn't use it last year for his TKR because the one they used at that hospital didn't fit right and messed up his spine alignment. This year, he had to have surgery again for Arthrofibrosis. Different hospital, different doctor, and different machine. This one worked great. He brought it home with him and uses it 6 hours a day. Hopefully, it will keep his knee from stiffening up like it did last year.

About the ice -- apply it IMMEDIATELY when swelling occurs or the knee starts feeling hot or starts to hurt. Bob didn't do that last year, either. They've discovered with athletes, that waiting even a few minutes to apply ice after an injury can cause a much more prolonged recovery time.

Hi Annabeth

Ny name is Nick and I am almost 9 months out from having a BiTKR. Thats right both at the same time. I did exceptionally well, had a GREAT surgeon and have been back to my full time job since november and my part time job since January.

I havn't heard of the problem you are having of pain from side to side. There may be others on here who have and can tell you what they did to correct it. I don't know what your doctor is talking about in saying they are tightening replacements better now. If the replacement is done right it is either cemented to the bone or the bone is allowed to grow into the replacement. Either way I haven't heard of retightening an existing replacement. Usually the stability of the new knee, At least what my surgeon has told me, is that the knee muscles are what stabilizes the knee. The stronger the muscles and ligaments around the knee are the more stable it will be. I excerise my knees at least 3 to 4 times a week with a recumbent bike and a bow flex machine and my knees are very stable and strong. When I move my knees from side to side I can feel the replacement part moving on the plastic between the metal but there is no pain.

My surgeon does not use the machine you talked about, he says he can see no difference at 6 months post surgery so he does not use it. Every surgeon is different about this I have found out. Everything my doc told me about the replacement and what would happen came true. I have complete trust in him and I researched the topic extensively before I had it done. A lot of surgeons won't do both at the same time but he was fine with it and proved he knew what he was talking about by the results I got.

I am sure someone else will be along that can help you. This is a great site for info and everyone here wishes the best to everyone who has to go through this surgery. Be sure ti check back reguarly. I try to check the site at least every other night and if I can help in any way just let me know.

Good luck with your pending surgery. Let us know how it went.

Nick