4 failed tkr's-upcoming 7th surgery ;(

beachgirl711

Hi,
I am new to this forum. I do belong to another that I frequent. My story is this. In Aug 2006 I felt my first sign of knee pain. I figured I'd banged it or something. A month later I was referred to an Ortho. He found I had a torn ACL/meniscus which he repaired Nov 06 (right knee). Pain continued and xrays showed bone on bone arthritis (I was 45 yrs). I tried all the methods to avoid a tkr, synvisc shots, pt.. to no avial. By March I was bedridden with pain. In April 2007 I had my RTKR. and as follows... 8/08 TKR Revision (implant loose, ??? why?) While told I had years to go for the left..forget it.. 2/09 LTKR. Pain continued at 1 yr.. so on 9/10 I had a LTK Revision. Right knee still hurting.. told kneecap was maltracking and I may need a second revision (at this point beside myself). Fortunately OS was able to so a Lateral release and not a revision (still had 38 staples but less pain than a revision). Now I learn my left knee is also once again loose.. So I am scheduled for a 2nd LTK revision on 2/15. I am FED UP. My OS who is head of Ortho surgery at a top Boston Hospital is stupmped (makes me feel real good, ya right
Finally thru my own research I found a site saying that allergy to the metal implant, although very rare, can cause it to become loose. (fortunately I have never had an infection.. been tested too many times to count). So on Jan 17 I have an appt w/ an allergist..by the 19th I will know. I pray that this is the case. I cannot keep going thru surgery year after year. I am now 50 and this will be my 7th knee surgery. It has greatly impeded my quality of life. I have been on pain meds for so long I am petrified my pain will be uncontrolled this next surgery. Does anyone out there know HOW many revisions can really be done on ONE knee in a lifetime? Clearly if this next one fails I am out of luck.. maybe for good.. I am pretty scared.
Appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks... Kim