In 2012, Karen’s doctor recommended that she have a total knee replacement because the meniscus in her knee had worn thin and bone was rubbing against bone and causing pain. Unfortunately, Karen’s knee locked up after surgery and she was unable to move it. One month after surgery, Karen’s doctor performed a manual manipulation so that the knee would move again.
But even after that procedure, Karen was not able to bend her knee very far backwards, which made it difficult for her to walk downstairs, walk for long distances, or get down on her knees to perform household chores or other typical daily activities. Karen underwent many months of physical therapy to try to improve her range of motion but was still unable to bend her knee backwards. According to Karen, the pain she experienced was worse than it was before she got the knee replacement.
Fortunately, Karen recently underwent revision surgery and is doing much better. During the procedure, her surgeon took out the spacer, replaced the defective knee cap, and removed adhesions from the quadriceps. Karen’s surgeon reported that they have had a lot of problems with the spacer and that it is becoming more common to remove it. Karen is hoping that the horrible pain she experienced is now finally behind her.
Karen believes that all knee implants should come with a warranty from the manufacturer. “My insurance is covering the cost of the revision surgery, but that’s not always the case,” she says. “I think manufacturers should be legally responsible for these costs when implants turn out to be defective.”