Revised PKR to TKR At a loss

[Mr.ink]

Hey guys,

I apologize this is long, just wanted to include details.

Wanted to get your opinion on my situation. I have strange swelling that I'm thinking something is wrong, even though I'm getting told it's just swelling.

My surgery details are all updated in my signature. But to sum it up I'm 37, 13 knee surgeries between the two. 12 of them since 2016. I've had 2 dislocations from patella Alta, since then I've had patella realignment surgeries, partial replacements, many minor ones like lateral release's, scar tissue removal, hardware removal.

I'm going on a month now of my knee being like this. I woke up one day and it was swollen off to the side. Since then it's gotten worse. It never lessens. Once it gets larger it stays like that until it gets larger again. The only injury that might of happened was 4 days prior at the VA office I went to get up from a chair without armrests (I normally have to use armrests to get up) and when trying to stand up my knee hurt really bad, I literally grabbed it.

It randomly burns throughout the day, it hurts if it's bent. As of today when I step the pressure hurts the bump.

1 week into it, I went to my surgeons office (saw a different surgeon since my surgeon wasn't there) he told me it's water on the knee from arthritis that it will go away in a few days.

Went back this Tuesday to see my actual surgeon. He said it's just swelling and was gonna prescribe me a stronger anti inflammatory (diclofenac) which I'm already using the topical version of it. To use a stationary bike and a cane if I need to.

It's already larger then when I was there on Tuesday. It has to be more than just swelling right? I'm just not sure what to do anymore.

 

[Jaycey]

@Mr.ink So sorry you have had such a hard time with this knee. Have you tried icing the swollen area at all?

When you saw the surgeon who said it was water on the knee, did they suggest draining the area? Sounds like you need to get a second opinion on this. Can you find someone with no connection to your current surgeon?

 

[Mr.ink]

Yeah I've iced it, elevated, meds and nothing lessens the swelling at all.

I mentioned about draining it to the one other surgeon but he said he doesn't think it needs it. Then my surgeon didn't mention it at all.

I travel 7 hrs round trip to see my surgeon since he's a specialist that deals with younger patients for replacements. There's only 1 surgeon i know of around me that has good credentials but when I called his office they told me he doesn't do 2nd opinions.

 

[eaglemom]

What does the bump feel like? Is it soft? Squishy? Does it move around? Is it hard? Is it warm?

Since the physicians think this is water, maybe they are thinking your body will reabsorb the fluid. That way they don't have to drain it? That would be my only thought.

I'd keep documenting when it swells more, hurts more, etc. Have you seen your PCP? That might be a source for another name of a surgeon possibly.

 

[Mr.ink]

What does the bump feel like? Is it soft? Squishy? Does it move around? Is it hard? Is it warm?

Since the physicians think this is water, maybe they are thinking your body will reabsorb the fluid. That way they don't have to drain it? That would be my only thought.

I'd keep documenting when it swells more, hurts more, etc. Have you seen your PCP? That might be a source for another name of a surgeon possibly.

Yeah it's squishy like liquid and yeah little warm compared to the rest of my knee.

Yeah the 1st surgeon said it's water on the knee that it would go away inna few days, that was 4 weeks ago.

One thing I don't get is that no matter how much I elevate it, ice it ect it doesn't go down at all.

 

[Westendavr]

I notice that you are in New York. Surgeons at hospital for special surgery give second opinions, including some as virtual appointments. It’s worth a look at their website.