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TKR Brownie's Good, Bad, & Uglies

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HI Everyone
Well I feel like Shelly did when she came back from her visit! Dr. apologized for the lack of responsiveness but blames it on his office not being supported by the hospital. I am not really sure what it means but he says it is definitely not Wilbur's fault. Anyway, spent 40 min in xray getting films of right knee. He showed me the alignment which is perfect, hip to ankle. So if it wasn't for my left knee he would have seen me in 2 months. He doesn't care when I go back to work. Interesting. Wish he would explain that because it comes off as not caring. But maybe he means that my knee if fine now and use it to tolerance. I will never know! Anyway so he acknowledged my concerns about my left knee. He was really busy but took time to aspirate the fluid. 35cc! He sent it for all the cell counts, crystals and that arthritis stuff at my request for my rheumatolgist. then he injected injected the cortisone. hurt a bit then within 5 minutes I was completely pain free in left knee and still am. Wow does that ever feel good. So he wants me back in 3 weeks to get an injection of Synvisc and get xrays of left knee. I talked to one of his nurses a little. She used to work on the ortho floor where I stayed. She sayed all the nurses are afraid of him and that it's because he is so meticulous. She said in surgery he is also very meticulous. He also turns down patients who have other issues more than other docs do. Remember I had 3 surgeons who didn't have a problem with drilling through my femur tumor whereas he said that should not be done as it spreads the cells all over. Anyway now I have to decide if I continue with this guy. Confused. But one thing is I have a perfect job on my right knee regardless of the technique, everything is in alignment and functional so it's hard to decide!!!
Couldn't sleep last night due to pain. Over did it again yesterday. Nap time!!!
 
Thanks Marianne for your update, you really had good results today if you think about it. Your OS was honest with you and you got fluid extracted and a cortisone injection in your left knee. Plus, you got great feedback from one of the nurses about his character. :thumb: All good in my book! Now you have a very hard decision to make, do you stay or do you go! I hope that shot gives you great relief!
 
Hi Marianne, I'm glad you got a better response from your doctor today then you've gotten in the past. And I'm glad the shot provided some relief. You already have the appointment set up with the other OS, there is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion or "shopping" while keeping your current appointments - kind of a back up plan - in case you get the brush off again. But I do think you can take comfort in knowing that while he might not have the best bedside manner or personality he is a very good OS.
Good luck with your decision. Congrats on your flex and extension - that's awesome! :santaclap:
 
So you got a good result but still a bit confused. So glad the injection worked cos youve been suffering with that knee for a while havent you. I think perhaps seeing the other OS wouldnt do any harm would it.If you dont you might regret it later so just to put your mind at rest. Hope you get a better nights sleep tonight. Take Care
 
Marianne, can't remember if I asked you, or if you told, but you said the fluid that was drawn was tested for crystals, do you have condrocalcinosis? That is what I have. Doctor said it is rare.
 
My OS has a very bad bedside manner but I know he is a great surgeon so I would rather that. He tells you like it is and doesn't beat around the bush or sugar coat anything. He also has the "I don't care attitude" about me doing things but what I gathered from that is that if I can handle it and want to then he won't stop me. The difference for me is that my OS office calls back usually within 24 hours.

I hope you get a long relief from the shots and make the right choice about your OS. We need a "fingers crossed" smilie for things like this! Lol
 
Thank you all so much for your feedback. Haha I was a little scared to check. :rolleyes: I am horrible with this kind of stuff! Yes today really did make me think about the . I think in future I will just know that I have to be a nag if I need something from the office. But it really hit me when I saw this big red line on the xray running from my hip to my ankle, all lined up. Plus I'm doing well. And he finally did listen. Maybe I should bite the bullet on his poor bedside manner. I talked to my Dad tonight. Of course he has a few of Dr's features (which may be why I get so upset about it) but my Dad felt like I should stick with this guy since it came out so well. But then I think..oh shouldn't I be going with an OS doing the more modern technique where you pull the muscles to the side? But then...you can see where this is going. Right now I don't have to make any decision. I can switch later. Since he is responding right now about treating my knee, which I'd have to do first I can think about it. Its funny how with guys like this you feel so happy if they act half way normal! Know what I mean? My standards for him now are if he just helps me medically. I will get all my info from others! Such as I just realized that I have my 6mon appt for a routine dental cleaning. I think his info said I had to take trophy ABX so I have to call the office for WILBUR. :heehee: Here we go again! Who else has to take prophylactic antibiotics????
I am still thinking about Shelly's cookies.
 
By the way the cortisone injection worked immediately and still no pain in left knee.
Also Debbie I have no clue about that, it's just something he mentioned. I hope I don't have that!
 
OK, can't sleep, so up reading posts. I have to take antibiotics one hour before my dental appointment. But had to laugh at the "prophylactic antibiotics" comment. I thought, what there are condom antibiotics?
 
Marianne loved your serious post the ended with " still thinking about shellys cookies" Made me smile :loll:
 
Debbie_joints said:
OK, can't sleep, so up reading posts. I have to take antibiotics one hour before my dental appointment. But had to laugh at the "prophylactic antibiotics" comment. I thought, what there are condom antibiotics?
Click to expand...

Yup Deb, you are short on sleep! However, :rotfl: way too funny!

Yes Marianne, I have to take antibiotic and hour before dental work, cleanings included, for the rest of my life. I believe it's common practice.
 
Marianne, I think my OS recommends 2 yrs for condom prophylactic antibiotics--I just had first hand experience with it at my recent dental appt. getting prepped for two crowns, which was sandwiched between my two knee replacements. I am one expensive old gal!
 
My orders are not just for dental but also for my pap smears and any other medical treatments like that. Anything that can cause an infection needs to be pre-empted by antibiotics for a couple years now.
 
I had never heard that we might need them for pap smears. In fact I had one only about 2 months after my knee replacement. Nothing was said about it.
 
Yeah, they gave me a whole list of things that I need to have them for. I was surprised because I had heard about it for the dentist but not the other things.
 
Marianne, congrats on your new knee.
I stayed out of work the full 12 weeks that my state allows. I work in a hospital and am on my feet most of the day. When I first returned to work I was on limited duty for 6 weeks- limited to only 4 hours a day on my feet for 6 weeks. I was tired and the knee ached a bit at the beginning. I iced and elevated for month after I returned to work. (Then had a setback but am now totally recovered and even better than ever!)
Maybe you can do restricted duty for a month or so?
Also, my OS has prescribed abx (2 grams of amoxiliin) 1 hour before dental procedures. I am going to check on the need for them for other procedures. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck and Happy Healing.
 
I was thinking about you the other day. I watched a video on YouTube. I can't seem to get the link on my iPad but it was UWTV minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, if you type that in or even google it you will find it. Anyway, he explains what the difference are and who is a good candidate. This OS is known around here as one of the best. Anyway the last thing you probably need right now is more information. ( re: whether to change drs). I am a sucker for someone who is nice/reasonable even if they have burned me before. Just sayin'. Glad your left knee is feeling better. I would be hard pressed to get another TKR right now, luckily I don't have to.
 
Marianne! I was just looking at Nightquilter's thread and was reminded of some of the problems with your OS. If you are wavering about doing more surgery with him I suggest you go back and read your own posts! He sounds terrible and if he can't admit responsibility for problems, that is not a good sign. Just sayin'. I'm not usually one to give tons of advice but he sounded terrible. Plus I don't necessarily agree that bad bedside manner can be excused if the doc is technically good. Bad bedside manner means not listening to the patient, not responding, and just relying on what he thinks he already knows. Not good in my book.
 
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