TKR ready for revision?!

calcass

Sorry this goes on a bit but thanks for reading it lol
I'm going through a bit of a low spot at the mo - been suffering from severe fatigue and lethargy, brain fogginess, aches and pains and my IBS has recently got a lot worse plus my mygraines have returned with some frequency. My GP had done loads of bloods and she'd put a lot down to a combination of my chronic depression and medications - but saw Rheumy this week who was more certain following a physical exam that I have Fibromyalgia. Although I'd had my suspicions I wasn't too bothered when she confirmed it I was more relieved as I now can feel less guilty about having a nap and know why I feel generally poo!! :?
Despite this I am know a little more concerned about the pain and stiffness I've been experiencing in one of my TKR - gradually over past few months it's been stiffening up more either from straight or bent and now on occasion when initially standing I can't put weight on it - anybody had a revision and when did you feel was the time to think about it? (I'm hoping I'm having a blip) xx

stickywicket

You have a lot going on there, Calcass, and I’m sorry about that. Things seem quite ropey all round for you right now. At least your rheumatologist sounds on the ball and, if you do have fibro, maybe dealing with that will help a lot of the other stuff.

I’ve had a knee revision and I’m probably coming up for another on the other leg but, oddly enough, I had no pain with either. The pain, with the one that was re-done, was all in my ankle though x-rays showed no ankle problems but a TKR that had slid out sideways.

Are you still doing knee exercises? If all the fatigue etc has meant these have been put on the back burner it might be that your muscles aren’t supporting the prosthesis and hence the pain.

I presume you mentioned your knee problems to the rheumatologist. What was her verdict on it? I’m afraid this is one for the professionals. Do you still see your orthopaedic surgeon? If so, why not ask for an earlier appointment?

calcass

Thanks stickywicket - I didn't bother mentioning it to my Rheumy as their response is always that they can't deal with that it's up to my surgeon who I reluctant to contact, not until I feel really sure that it is time to bother him lol
The knee in question has a chequered past and to say I have turned his hair grey is an understatement!!! He is brilliant but the knee has already had several surgeries so this could be breakthrough, etc ... I am just unsure and to be truthful a bit scared if more surgery is on the cards :?
Re: exercise, I have been making more of an effort to stretch and do some physio esp to relieve the stiffness.
Thank you and if things don't improve over the next few months I will get in touch with my surgeon
Cheers

stickywicket

Only you know the point at which 'difficult' becomes 'intolerable', calcass. I saw my surgeon about 10 months ago because my aged TKR seemed to be packing in. By the time I saw him I'd got it going again with a mixture of exercises and a support for the bad times. He was OK with my suggestion that we gave it a bit longer.

An X-ray would probably show if yours is still OK. Why not ask for one? If it isn't, it needs dealing with. If it is, you can push the exercises a bit more.