Left TKA Revision

CTMike · June 3

Had the original TKA in Dec2020, never really got any relief. 4 1/2 years of living with and finally decided to see what can be done. Met with an ortho at Yale how specializes in revisions. Originally her plan was to just replace the plastic bearing surface on top of the tibial component with a thicker piece to try and stabilize the joint.

At the 4 week pre-op we both independently came to the conclusion that maybe it would be better to replace everything and start fresh.

So Wednesday 28May was last day in the office so that we could spend Saturday with our 7 y/o granddaughter for her 7th birthday - it was mine also. Best gift I ever could've received.

Anyhow, sh!t sucks - I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Currently waiting for the Oxy to kick in.

As for the "What are you drinking now" thread, seems there is a shortage of IV electrolytes, so Gatorade is free flowing.

GrateEggspectations · June 3

Wishing you a speedy (and pain-free - to the extent possible) recovery.

Botch · June 3

TKA is...? (sounds/looks like a new knee, MacOS tells me it's a Puerto Rican boy band...)

zaphod · June 3

geez, that's gotta hurt.

caliking · June 4

Oh man. Hope your recovery is uneventful, Mike.

In the meantime, keep kickin' arse with the good leg!

CTMike · June 4

Botch said:

TKA is...? (sounds/looks like a new knee, MacOS tells me it's a Puerto Rican boy band...)

Total knee arthroplasty.

shtgunal3 · June 4

Godspeed pal

lousubcap · June 4

Don't know anything about TKA but SWMBO had a total knee replacement and was home the following day. Lots of rehab with the chiller water circulating rig that looks close to your setup. PT was aggressive (all about the bend angle) and had a peddle rig that was programmed to get results. Program adjusted 2x per week based on visit by the PT. Did the trick.
The PT should be aggressive but worth the effort. Here's to a speedy recovery in terms of motion and pain absence. All FWIW-

zaphod · June 4

anglican priest I knew had both knees done. Was told she could no longer climb mountains (not a problem for her) or kneel....

... ah. that one was tricky for her line of work...

CTMike · June 4

lousubcap said:

Don't know anything about TKA but SWMBO had a total knee replacement and was home the following day. Lots of rehab with the chiller water circulating rig that looks close to your setup. PT was aggressive (all about the bend angle) and had a peddle rig that was programmed to get results. Program adjusted 2x per week based on visit by the PT. Did the trick.
The PT should be aggressive but worth the effort. Here's to a speedy recovery in terms of motion and pain absence. All FWIW-

TKA is the medical term for total knee replacement.

lousubcap · June 4

So much for my skills at medical abbreviations. 😎

Canugghead · June 4

Mike, wishing you speedy recovery and manageable pain given the circumstance.

Botch · June 4

CTMike said:

Botch said:

TKA is...? (sounds/looks like a new knee, MacOS tells me it's a Puerto Rican boy band...)

Total knee arthroplasty.

Ten Que!

Ozzie_Isaac · June 4

Hope you have a fast recovery and long term pain relief!

MaskedMarvel · June 4

Dang man - put a sock on that thing!!

… wait…. Ooooooooooooh…..

get well soon!

Bellavista52 · June 4

I feel your pain. I had TKA 1 1/2 year ago on a knee that had a partial knee replacement less than two year earlier and the tibial component got loose and I could barely walk. Three knee replacements on two knees!

Best wishes for full recovery!

paqman · June 6

Hopefully it will work for you this time, pain sucks! I am meeting with a specialist next week to check options for my knee, I have to admit it scares me…

Ragingirishman2 · June 6

Wishing you a speedy recovery. You’ll be dancing with your granddaughter on her 8th birthday.

CTMike · June 10

Thanks for the kind words all. Today is post-op day 7 and the PT exercises ramped up today. Also the wound vac times out in about 30 minutes so I'll be able to remove it and finally have a real shower.

Called the surgeon's office asking what to do with the vac - "It just gets thrown away" was the reply. How incredibly wasteful, and we wonder why healthcare costs are astronomical in this country. A quick search of the name shows that it sells for several thousand dollars.

I understand the potential for infection if used for multiple patients, but surely the tubing and vacuum/collection chamber could be replaced with new and the pump refurbed/disinfected.

SMDH
Bit of a difference in hardware in the before and after x-rays:

After:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/5a/ou28cb2gbygs.jpeg

fishlessman · June 10

for the cost of the procedure the pump is disposable. im at 14 days with an internal leg infection, its not worth the risk for any exposure after what you just had. i thought i had another dvt blood clot the way my leg blew up and the pain was alot worse than the last one. i think i got lucky with the antibiotics treatment

zaphod · June 10

ouch. get better fishless. antibiotics can be rough on the system, hope yours are friendly.

Ozzie_Isaac · June 10

Glad you are healing, you could use the pump for vacuum sealing!

zaphod · June 10

or have saved money and used the vacuum sealer for his post-op knee

fishlessman · June 10

zaphod said:

ouch. get better fishless. antibiotics can be rough on the system, hope yours are friendly.

The one they gave me was beer and bourbon friendly so that was good, but no caffiene

zaphod · June 10

oh that *is* friendly.

CTMike · June 10

fishlessman said:

for the cost of the procedure the pump is disposable. im at 14 days with an internal leg infection, its not worth the risk for any exposure after what you just had. i thought i had another dvt blood clot the way my leg blew up and the pain was alot worse than the last one. i think i got lucky with the antibiotics treatment

Damn dude that sounds horrible. Glad you're on the mend.

fishlessman · June 11

CTMike said:

fishlessman said:

for the cost of the procedure the pump is disposable. im at 14 days with an internal leg infection, its not worth the risk for any exposure after what you just had. i thought i had another dvt blood clot the way my leg blew up and the pain was alot worse than the last one. i think i got lucky with the antibiotics treatment

Damn dude that sounds horrible. Glad you're on the mend.

I'll take antibiotics anyday over what you have going on

lousubcap · June 11

For the record-and totally an opinion based on data points of only three slice and dice deals, any time a Dr suggests anything less than the total joint replacement, they are just looking for another paycheck for the final deal.
That said, go for the replacement (knee or hip) early in the game. Don't do what I did (knowing the replacement was the ultimate landing zone) and use the steroid shots to defer the inevitable.
My workarounds before surgery have severely cost me in terms of range of motion even after the surgeries.
Go early-after all it's not gonna improve over time.

CTMike · June 11

lousubcap said:

For the record-and totally an opinion based on data points of only three slice and dice deals, any time a Dr suggests anything less than the total joint replacement, they are just looking for another paycheck for the final deal.
That said, go for the replacement (knee or hip) early in the game. Don't do what I did (knowing the replacement was the ultimate landing zone) and use the steroid shots to defer the inevitable.
My workarounds before surgery have severely cost me in terms of range of motion even after the surgeries.
Go early-after all it's not gonna improve over time.

Sage words Frank. When it was time for the initial replacement, I was given the option of a partial or a full. I asked how long each lasts, was told 19 - 15 years for a partial, 20 - 30 for a total. I opted for the total as it didn't make sense to sign myself up for another guaranteed surgery down the road.

Left TKA Revision

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