Whether or not to have second knee replacement...?

Amethyst_
Amethyst_ Member Posts: 3
edited 15. Apr 2025, 10:31 in Living with arthritis

Hi everyone. I'm new to the website and to the forum (and I apologise in advance for the lengthy post!).

I am a 56 year old lady and have osteoarthritis in one knee and the other knee has had a total knee replacement (due to arthritis) in October 2022. I also have arthritis in both shoulders, and have something going on in my ankles, but I'm yet to hear results of an MRI on what that is (though I was convinced it was more arthritis, this didn't show in the x-rays).

Aaaanywaaay … the point of my post is - I'm trying to decide whether or not to have the other knee replaced, and I'm keen to hear from others with similar experiences.

The reason for my hesitation, is that the first knee replacement didn't go so well. After my op, the physio team in the hospital were keen to get me to a 90 degree bend to free up the bed, and were a little too enthusiastic in physically forcing my foot backwards to achieve the 90 degree bend. It hurt like crazy and I was in hospital for days longer than I should normally have been. On going home, I tried my best with the physio exercises, but it was excruciating - all the time. I know now that I needed to push through that pain and rely on the painkillers more to get through it - but, hindsight is 20/20, right? I went back in January 2023 for a manipulation, which helped somewhat, and since then, my knee now does slightly more than a 90 degree bend - not ideal perhaps, but okay for my needs.

But … I still get a LOT of pain inside the knee. I've had various other x-rays, scans, etc. to try to find out the reason for the pain but nothing shows. I mean, everything inside it is new, right - and is either plastic or metal - so exactly what is hurting? So, my first question is - are there others out there who are getting this mystery pain from a knee replacement that was over two and half years ago? Is this normal, and am I wrong for expecting it to no longer be hurting?

I had an appointment with my consultant last week, who kind of shrugged and said it is what it is, and now I need to decide whether or not to go ahead with the other knee. I'm worried it will go the same way as the first and the consultant did say that there is a good chance that the second would be a similar experience. But the pain I'm getting from the unoperated knee is pretty bad. I take prescribed codeine daily (up to three or four times a day), but it really doesn't seem to reduce the pain by that much. I tried steroid injections, which I think helped a bit, but I'm told you can only have three of those in the same place in a year, and they still didn't quiet the pain completely. Does anything completely eradicate the pain? Are my expectations for pain relief unrealistic?

Although my operated knee is definitely stronger than the unoperated knee, the fact that it still hurts a lot is the problem. There are times when it actually hurts more than the unoperated one.

So, hit me with your experiences, thoughts, advice, and thank you, in advance.

Kat

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Comments

  • chrisb
    chrisb Moderator Posts: 781

    Hi @Amethyst_

    Welcome to the versus arthritis forum.

    I hope that you receive some useful input from forum members to help you with your decision.

    Here's a recent dialogue that you may find useful to read/join in with:

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/64188/knee-replacement

    Also, in case you haven't visited our website, here's a link that may be relevant:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/april/top-tips-to-help-knee-pain/

    Hope you get some useful input.

    Best wishes

    ChrisB (Moderator)

    Need more help - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 79

    A difficult decision to make, given your experience of the first knee replacement.

    Are you seeing a different consultant this time? I wouldn't use the same one as last time!

    Is your knee suitable for partial replacement (ie the OA restricted to one part of the knee, usually the medial compartment) ? Is your consultant trained in partial knee replacement? This information can be found on the National Joint Registry, and just how many they perform a year, and over the last 3 years. If he isn't then he is unlikely to suggest it even if you are suitable!

    Up to 45% of those needing knee replacements are suitable for partial knee replacements according to NICE and their guidance is that those who are suitable should be offered it (but many aren't) Partial knee replacements have a higher satisfaction rate than total knee replacements - 10% are left with some residual pain, compared with total knee replacement of 20%. It is also less invasive, and the knee feels more natural.

    If it were me, that is what I'd look into as a first step, to see if I were suitable. And I'd then find a surgeon with a lot of experience in them, to see what they advise. That way you'd be getting the most suitable type for you. In some areas there are very few that are trained. Also do be diligent with physiotherapy before and after the surgery, to have good core and leg muscle strength before surgery as well as maintaining as much range of motion as possible.

  • Northernhippy
    Northernhippy Member Posts: 22

    I’ve had both knees done now, the first one was done at a specialist treatment centre for knees & hips in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. This was a much better, holistic experience than what I’ve had recently from a general hospital. My advice would be to ask for a referral to a treatment centre or an orthopaedic hospital rather than a general hospital & talk to the consultant about your outcomes & fears. If your other knee is still so painful, there must be a reason for it.

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