Painful cracking post TKR

Jadire

I have had both my knees replaced with problems of my left knee.

My left knee was replaced in 1996 but due to adhesions forming rapidly I have been unable to bend it ever since. I had 3 further surgeries to try to get it to bend but these surgeries were not successful.

In 2008 I had my right knee replaced by a surgeon who knew about the problems with my left knee but still felt he could replace my right knee successfully.

The day I had my clips removed he asked me to bend my right knee. When I showed him that I could only get 30o he rushed me into surgery within an hour and manipulated it under GA. Thankfully this manipulation worked and I can bend my right knee.

For about a year now I have been having very painful cracking AND severe pain when my knee is bent at an angle usually when I'm getting up from a seated position. Both of these are so painful it takes my breath away.

I have had X-rays done and had a consultation with a board of knee specialists but they've put it down to my fibromyalgia. I really don't feel this is what is causing all these pain.

I have read other forums in regards to this and the consensus seems to be that the cracking is down to adhesions breaking off. With my history of adhesions (after appendectomy, gall bladder full of them when removed, left knee seizing up) I feel this is probably what it is.

Is this cracking adhesions breaking off or could it be something else? If this is adhesions how long can I expect to have to put with this cracking?

Any help, advice, suggestions on what to do about this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Jayne

helpline_team

Dear Jayne

I'm sorry to hear of all the problems you've had with all your surgeries and adhesions. I think you should trust your instincts and have a frank chat/Q&A with either your GP or surgeons re the adhesions queries as it is too medical for us to even take a guess at. Sorry we can't answer your question but we really don't know what is going on inside your knee joint whereas your doctors have access to your xrays, scans etc.

Best of luck with the doctors. If they can't say what is causing it then you have every right to insist on better pain management at the very least.

Best wishes

Simona

Jadire

Thank you for your reply. I will certainly go back to my doctor and see what else can be done.

Yours

Jayne