((((((((((((((Bonnie))))))))))))))  just hugs, I know nothing about this.  
Keep us posted, please.

Bonnie, I know you must be terrified...Just sending hugs
and prayers...
Cindy

Will they have to re-open the knee?  What about the new minimum
invasive procedures they have now?  Do keep us posted and know that we
are praying for you.  Don't panic - take a deep breath, hold it, now
release very slowlylllllllss.  ((((((((((((((((Bonnie)))))))))))))

{{{{{{{Bonnie}}}}}}}

Hi Bonnie, remember that there are a lot of GOOD PEOPLE here who care about you
and wish you well.

Hi Bonnie:

I understand your panic, and empathise. You have had some major health
challenges, and I empathise. Any one of your health problems would
have been too much for most people, but you have gone through breast
CA and RA like a real fighter.

I did some research to see what I could find out for you. From what I
have read, I don't think it is that unusual for the tibial component
to "sink into" the bone. The following paragraph is from:
http://health.enotes.com/surgery-encyclopedia/knee-revision-surgery

Knee prostheses can come loose for one of two reasons. One is
mechanical and is related to the fact that the knee joint bears a
great deal of weight when a person is walking or running. It is
unusual for the metal part of a knee prosthesis to simply break. This
part, however, is inserted into the upper part of the tibia, the
larger of the two bones in the lower leg, after the surgeon has
removed the upper surface of the tibia. The bone tissue that receives
the metal implant is softer than the bone that was removed, which
means that the metal implant may sink into the softer bone and
gradually loosen.

I don;t know how reassuring that will be for you. I myself have had a
revision. I had my first tkr in 1979  and that was revised in 1984. I
have had good success with the revision. I know that this was a long
time ago, and the procedure and prostheses have changed a great deal
in that time. I am not really sure why my first knee replacement
failed, but do know that there was a major improvement in the five
years between my first surgery and its revision. Incomparing the
revision surgery with the tkr in my other leg, there was little
difference in post op pain or recovery time.

The fact that you had post op complications means that you have not
had a typical recovery, and perhaps the infection and increased
inflammation as a result of the sponge being left in contributed in
some way to the loosening.

Revision is more complicated than the original simply because there is
less bone to work with, and sometimes grafting is necessary. Some
doctors specialize in revisions, but I don't know if it is easy to
find someone in your area that does that or if it is necessary.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I love doing
internet research, and will try find more info for you if you would
like.

I will be thinking of you and hoping that all is well with your test
results, and for your revision to go smoothly.
    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.