TMJ - Total Joint Replacement Scheduled - Insight / Advice?

I finally scheduled my total bilateral joint replacement for Jan. 15, 2014. As you can imagine I am very nervous. Just yesterday I had screws removed from my latest surgery on September 13th. Back on September 13th, I was to have undergone a bilateral arthrotomy with fat grafting but unfortunately I had some scary complications and that particular procedure was not done. I ended up having an exploration of the left neck, open reduction and internal fixation of the left mandible, extraoral vertical ramus osteotomy and condylectomy and an open left TMJ arthroplasty. Plus I had a left cranial base bleed which I was sent emergently from the OR to interventional radiology to locate and control and bleed and spent several days on a ventilator in the ICU.

Currently, my bite is so off to the left side that it is not even funny. I look like Rocky from the movie "Rocky" when he is screaming...."Adrianne!!" and his mouth is sort of way off to one side.

Can anyone out there who has had TMJ Concepts joints replaced lend me any guidance or advice? I am unable to chew and have been on a non chewing diet since March and am only able to open my mouth two fingers and talking hurts quite a bit.

I know I am making the right decision for me as I have been dealing with this for years.

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Walking And Stairs After Total Hip Replacement Advice?

I've had a lot of very useful info from this forum since I joined not so long ago - thank you all very much! I have a couple of questions:

1) Post LTHR op to exercise must I walk outside, or can I walk just inside the house (difficult terrains outside the house)? Has anyone in this situation just walked inside the house and got better?

2) Will I need to move the bed downstairs, or will I be able

to use the stairs? Does the PT practice stairs while still in hospital?

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Total Knee Replacement - Developed A Knee Effusion And Pain After 2 Years

I have now developed a knee Effusion and have tremendous pain.  Put onto Celebrex.  Do I use crutches again or strap knee?  Doctor says i need to rest it as much as possible

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Dent In Knee :: 21 Weeks Post Total Knee Replacement

hi I seem to have woken up this morning with what looks like an indent on the right side of my new knee.  It was completely round last night but now has a dent in it.   I am nearly 21 weeks post TKR.  Anyone had anything similar and  why this is?

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Clicking Knee On Bending After Total Knee Replacement

It has been almost 14 months since my TKR, and it is making a clicking noise when I bend it,and straighten it.

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Knee Braces Helpful After Total Knee Replacement

I am a 31 year old female about to have a TKR due to severe arthritis caused by PVNS. Currently I have very weak quads and calves in my bad knee from major loss of knee extension. I've heard that it's really hard to go into replacement surgery with weak muscles. I was wondering if I should get a knee brace for after surgery to help with some support until I get my strength back? Has anyone tried these webbing braces and if so do they help? I know some of the immobilizing braces actually cause atrophy.

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Knee Brace After Total Knee Replacement

I am 6 months after TKR stopped medication not working still in pain i am told by the physio all my exercises are excellent however can't stop the pain.  Today cut the support stockings and tried it on my knee stopped pain all day until i took it off.  I am wondering if anyone has tried a knee brace or has anyone been told not to use one

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Partial Knee Replacement After Total Hip Replacement

I've had a thr April 2015 and was recovering well then both knees went and I was back in Crutches again. I had an arthroscopy and it was found I need the knee caps have to be repaired as i'm bone on bone. Has anyone had this procedure? Im also lined up for the other hip to be replaced as well. Im 53 and a bit worried.

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So Tired After Total Knee Replacement

I just wondered if anyone else just feels so tired.. I am 6 weeks today post op .the op went well and I am progressing well. But I am just so tired. How is everyone else feeling ? 

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Both Knee Replacement Due To Osteoarthritis - Any Advice?

I have been told today that i need both knees replaced has anybody got some advice for me?

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Failed Partial And Total Knee Replacement

Had partial knee replacement which was not successful. 19mths later had total knee replacement. 6 years later still suffering severe pain and lack of function e.g. taking 10mg Amitriptyline every night to get some sleep. Have had 2nd opinions but told nothing can be done which I feel is because no one (inc. surgeon who did both) wants to touch it. Gp agrees.

Now need other knee replaced and for obvious reasons reluctant in case same thing happens again. Know lots of people whose replacements have been successful.

Would love to hear if anyone else has/had similar problem.

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Total Knee Replacement - Hurts More On Inner Aspect

TKR 1 and 3 months ago. No work now for a year. Therapy going well but right knee or 3 month knee hurts more on inner aspect. I pray its not a problem. F/U on 6-18 trying to not stress.

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When To Start Enbrel After Total Knee Replacement

I'm having TKR on September 1st and I have asked my doctor and my Rheumy when to start Enbrel after the surgery and she wasn't too sure , she responded with a vague Maybe 2 weeks after? I didn't feel too comfortable with that I will ask my OS

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Total Knee Replacement :: Air Travel - Socks?

I am 6 months post TKR and going on holiday in 10 days time.  We will be flying to Dubrovnik before embarking on our cruise.  The flight itself will be just short of 3 hrs and not being a seasoned traveller, I am wondering if for this journey, I will need to wear those travel socks, if so I am wondering if the socks you have to wear for six weeks after your op will suffice.  Unlike many I have seen, mine given to me by the private hospital I was in are quite smart and comfortable and comfortable to wear.
Doric

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Opinions? Physiotherapy After Total Knee Replacement

I would like to ask a question re Physio.  Some of you seem to think your PT has been superb.  Can I ask what he/she does with you.  I feel that mine has been a total waste of space and I'm not sure what to do yo try to improve the angle of the bend in my knee.

I go back on Thursday to see my surgeon, it will be 7.5 weeks since the op.  I want to be able to speak honestly to him about my experience.

Today I went into town with my daughter and 5 year old granddaughter.  Hitchin is an old market town with cobble streets and lots of steps up and down on and off pavements.  I went without a stick, big big regret.  I am almost 7 weeks post-TKR.  My leg was in agony and I couldn't wait to get home.  That was really depressing as I thought I was doing so much better.

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Total Knee Replacement :: Left Side Of Leg NUMB

It has been nearly ten months now since my first TKR, and the left side of my calf remains NUMB. I am not experiencing this on my right leg on which I had my TKR about five months ago.

Will the numbness always be there?

Why such a difference between legs/numbness?

I have no difficulty MOVING either leg/knee, but the NUMB feeling just feels so weird!

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Advanced Changes In The Patellofemoral Compartment - Total Knee Replacement?

As I still have sometime before my specialist appt.

I am anxious to know whether I am looking at a total knee replacement.

My results are tricompartmental oa with advanced changes in the patellofemoral compartment with loss of joint space.subchondral sclerosis, subchondral cyst formation,and osteophyte formation, loose bodies projected at the intercondylar notch.degenerative bone spurring at the tibial spine,meniscal chondrocalcinosis,bony ossicles adjacent to the superior pole of the patella.

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Total Knee Replacement - Return Of Symptoms After 3 Months

i had TKR 26/02/15. All went well, been back to near normal for 3 months or so. Had fantastic holiday where I swam, did all exercises in the pool, had 2 weeks no pain in any of my useless joints. Woke up on Monday this week with terrible pain just below kneecap, thought I had turned funny in bed, I was in so much pain today  I saw my doctor. She thinks I might have an infection in the replaced knee, bloods and x rays will tell her. I have just looked up what this means, not good possible the replacement will have to come out to get rid of the infection and then start again. 

I did not realise that at six months plus this could still happen? Also have had xrays on my good knee, this is not as good as I thought, it will need to go. At the moment I am in a turmoil. 

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Total Knee Replacement Follow Up - 66 Days Post Op

I ceased heavy pain medication a couple of weeks ago and that was a mistake. I am back on Norspan 10 mg patches and can now do all my exercises and achieve a few hours sleep before I need to top up with a Tramadol.  I've lost 12 kgs in weight simply because my appetite diminished but now I'm trying to eat 3 meals a day and include protein at every meal instead of nibbling and feeling like I want to sleep all day.

I am allergic to many pain medications (unknown until post op) so pain was a big issue for me. If you are contemplating TKR's or have already had them, then get your pain medication stabilised and physio will be so much easier. I have also found hydrotherapy (pool walking) to be a god-send. Today is the first day post op that I feel any where like normal. I was a fit, energetic 63 year year old before my op and I hope to return to that state with much improvements in my knees, in the near future. I believe I will be looking at 6 months recovery time before I can resume a "normal" exercise program of spin, walking, boxing and weights.  

No one tells you about the pain, the depression, the disruption to your life, especially not your surgeon. Just be patient, eat well, try to get a walk in each day or a swim and stay positive. At nearly 10 weeks I can see the light at the end of that long tunnel.

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