Hello!
I am 44 years old and have had numerous surgeries on my knees.  I was told several years ago that the only thing left to salvage my right knee was a TKR. However, because of my age-they wanted me to wait as long as possible. By last fall, I finally decided I absolutely couldn't take another step and scheduled the surgery. I

I am now 7 months out and my new knee is not what I had hoped for.
Lots of issues, but oddest one is that I feel the prosthetic mechanism with every move I make - even non-weight bearing movements (like moving leg position while sitting). Sometimes I can hear it too.  It is a very weird feeling. Almost like it doesn't "fit".   Does anyone else experience this??   

Thank you.
Sandi

Hi Sandi,

Try not to worry, your knee should be fine. As long as you don’t have pain you will get used to the weird feeling all TKR’s clunk and move around a bit (Some more that others) there is nothing like your own knee but at least you are pain free and as I said you will get used to it, as MyKnee2010 says, 7 months is still a short time after the op, give yourself time, at least 18 months.
My knee sounds like castanet’s when I wiggle my lower leg, I can make it clunk whist sitting and it clunks audibly whilst walking (It’s a great party trick) It used to worry me sick but now it’s just something that I have to live with and most of the time I just ignore it.

MyKnee2010, Sorry to hear that you are still in pain, good luck in September I hope you get some answers and that they can resolve the problem.

Good luck to you both.
Cheers, Martin

Sandi

Your last post shows a fair few similarities with my issues. I've ended up with a load of scar tissue due to other problems but I was given the same options of fusion or amputation at one hospital years ago.

I rebelled big time and asked to be referred to a guy at a different hospital who specialises in revisions and complex problems. He couldn't believe that my previous Hospital was recommending those options and threw their letter in the bin.

7 weeks ago I had a further soft tissue OP only - the Knee Prosthesis was restrained from massive scar tissue after 30 Operations and 4 TKRs.

He carved away as much soft scar tissue as possible and did an extension of my Quads Tendon by cutting it in a V cut and re-attaching with a Y stitching, which I understand lengthens the quads tendon.

Still early days for this Operation but my ROM has improved massively. My leg is straight and my bend is improving although not past 70 yet. He stressed I had to make sure it was straight first before I bent it. and the tendon had fully healed.

Never gonna be perfect and I'm sure many will have much better movement than me - but in my opinion a much better option than fusion or amputation.

I got the impression that the first hospital had run out of ideas and couldn't be bothered with complex issues.

Certainly no pain - my only problem is regaining the bend to allow walking down stairs - but I'm told this will come.

Hope this helps

Andy

Sandi

The Quads Tendon Operation is often called a 'Z plasty' (which I believe is just a different way of cutting and re-attaching the tendon)

By lengthening the tendon it allows more bend and also more chance of getting full extension.

Certainly worth asking your OS, even if it wouldn't work with you

Andy

An acquaintance had a TKR and they ended up putting in a "male" knee (too large?).  I didnt know there were gender specific knees but I guess that makes sense.  She had to have hers redone and a smaller one put in and things have improved.

This was response to original poster who can feel the mechanism and questions the "fit".