Am I being paranoid?

[Coppernob]

When I was waiting for my first left knee revision earlier this year I started getting pain in my right knee too. My surgeon said it was because I was putting extra weight on the UKR in it because of the pain in my left knee and that once the revision had been done, the right knee pain would disappear. He was right! Now I'm waiting for my second left knee revision and once again I'm getting pain in the right knee too. It's not like last time though - it's identical to the pain in my left knee and in exactly the same place. I don't know whether I should just ignore it and hope it goes away again after the left knee surgery, or whether I should mention it to my surgeon in case something is going wrong with the right knee too. I keep changing my mind so what does anyone think please? Linda

 

[JudyS]

Oh, I would definately mention it, it can't hurt. I had a hip replacement on June 6th. My knees have always bothered me to some extent. Anyway, I mentioned it to my doc and now I am getting Hyalgan injections in one knee and cortizone in the other. I have stage 4 chondromalacia (knee cap arthritis)

Judy

 

[Josephine]

Mention it! He should know all these things that are happening.

 

[Coppernob]

The saga continues! I saw my surgeon at the end of last week and he took another xray of the left knee. Apparently this hasn't deteriorated as much as he was expecting (even though I am in more pain) since he last saw me in August so he then couldn't decide what to do - surgery or no surgery. In the end he decided he needed to consult with his colleagues as he'd 'not come across a case like me before', and would write to me this week telling me what the general opinion is. In the meantime I still have to go for my pre-op assessment this week, so it will be interesting to see what the staff there think I'm having done! I mentioned the pain in my right knee and, having poked and pummelled it, and scraped me back down off the ceiling, he decided I should have that one xrayed too and he would look at this in conjuction with the left one and the colleague discussions. Having finally got my head round the thought of more surgery, it's all left me feeling very disorientated and unsettled. Just needed to off-load on to people who would understand my pain and frustration! Linda

 

[Josephine]

Bless you, Linda! We know that 'scrape you off the ceiling' feeling all too well!

 

[Rowdy66]

You poor thing, I guess they would be scraping you off the ceiling. Hope things turn out okay and you get to feeling better soon without any surgery. God, I can't even think about surgery at this point. Good luck, Rowdy

 

[Coppernob]

Still no letter from my surgeon yet, but I went for my pre-op assesment this morning and everyone there seemed to think I was still having the left knee revision surgery as planned. I was declared fit and healthy in all departments other than the knees so it looks like it's all systems go for Nov 17th. Would be nice to know exactly what's going to be done though, and to know what's happening with the right knee. Hopefully a letter will arrive soon, otherwise I shall be the phone to my consultant's secretary - again. Linda

 

[Josephine]

Ring him anyway! And keep pestering till you get some answers. That's what I would do.

 

[Coppernob]

Thanks Josephine. I've spoken to my surgeon's secretary twice this week and she has finally got some information out of him for me. He apparently told her that I definitely need surgery so to go in on 17 Nov as planned. He still hasn't consulted with his colleagues, but will do so before then. Unless they come up with any other suggestions, he'll put in the new tibial tray with longer stem as he originally thought, but he'll see me before the surgery to tell me what's been decided. So much for him writing to me the week after my last appointment! At least I feel a bit happier knowing that something is going to be done, even if I don't know exactly what it is yet. We're off to Inverness tomorrow (a fair trek from Bradford!) for my stepson's wedding on Saturday, so I'm pleased to have it sorted before we go. Will keep you posted! Linda

 

[Coppernob]

Had a great time at the wedding but am suffering now after all the travel to and from Scotland and the inevitable amount of standing during the whole weekend. It has also dawned on me that this time next week I shall be post-op and in considerably more pain than I am now. Just hope it's worth it this time. The countdown has begun! Linda

 

[Josephine]

Glad you enjoyed it!