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TKR From 30 - 90 rom and wanting more
- Thread starter Pjmc
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OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
Each time I call my surgeons office, they seem to tell me anything I bring up to them will take a year. This does not sound true to me. I feel like they dismiss my valid worries.
Last week PT told me to call the doctor and report my leg had pus, was red and swollen, warm and the swelling was still there . I called the doctor's office right away. They gave me the run around.
My family doctor saw me and put me on antibiotics right away. I called OS again today since it still felt warm and had pus discharge, fluid. The nurse said it was normal to be warm for one year. She didn't have answer for discharge or fluid. She said if my family doctor was more convient, just go there.
Okay, so I want to find an orthopedic doctor that will pick me up. Not sure if any will. The one I have clearly has no follow through. Care has been non existent. I am so angry!
Pam
Last week PT told me to call the doctor and report my leg had pus, was red and swollen, warm and the swelling was still there . I called the doctor's office right away. They gave me the run around.
My family doctor saw me and put me on antibiotics right away. I called OS again today since it still felt warm and had pus discharge, fluid. The nurse said it was normal to be warm for one year. She didn't have answer for discharge or fluid. She said if my family doctor was more convient, just go there.
Okay, so I want to find an orthopedic doctor that will pick me up. Not sure if any will. The one I have clearly has no follow through. Care has been non existent. I am so angry!
Pam
Pjmc......I have merged your latest new thread with your previous recovery thread. We need you to keep all your updates, questions and concerns in this one thread for recovery. The reason is that it puts all your history in one place where we can easily go back and see what has occurred previously. When you post in multiple threads, it's almost impossible to see what you've experienced prior or to know what advice has been given. So please continue to post here for issues related to your specific recovery.
I agree that your surgeon's office responses have been horrible. I think you need to stop talking with the nurse and just make an appointment immediately to go in and see the surgeon. Tell him what you've explained here. It's quite possible that he has no clue Nurse Rachett is behaving the way she is. Then.....IF he gives you the same feeling, start a search for a different surgeon. But do give him a chance to make things right.
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
Thanks @ Jamie . I just feel my surgeon was like a salesperson . He made the sales pitch I had the surgery and just no follow up . Each time I call they say they will ask , tell Dr and see what he says and then they call me back. One nurse is sugary sweet . This one Mandy has been abrasive she pushed me on the phone when the agency failed to show up to change bandage the day thy were supposed to . She thought she thought she could bully me . No ,I pushed back . I am not wanting to give the Doctor anymore chances . I was crippled by a Doctor in 1977 after the car accident . I do not want to give this Doctor any more money . Doctor saw me once four weeks after surgery . Did not want to see me again til Jan. I personally think that is too long . The swelling ,fluid has been a concern this whole time . Soon be two months . I feel like enough already !
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
I do not mean to sound like an idiot but how many chances should. I give this Dr. ? Jamie I understand your point thinking I should talk to Doctor . Really I would not even get to see him it would be his PA or An intern . I truly am so angry at my dr right now . I am hurting , I do not know if he messed up . I do believe he had to have an idea before surgery that is was not going to be the normal knee replacement . I saw him briefly at hospital . He never talked to my family after surgery like most Drs. Do. He saw me once in his office at four week check up . That is it ! Does not want to see me til Jan . 1, 2014 . I need to be seen , my leg is still swollen hurts like crazy . I am so used to living with pain , but this has left me a broken woman . I am tired of taking meds . Almost two months . My inscion has open wound , still has drainage . Never did I dream this would be such a regret at 8 weeks after surgery .
RestAssured
alpha
Pus, discharge, open wound? Call the emergency exchange and see who is on call if he won't see you during normal business hours! You have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and he took you on as a patient! He NEEDS to see you, whether it is after hours and he has to drag his behind back to the ER because he wouldn't see you until Jan. When you see him, have a list of things that are happening, so you won't forget! Hold his feet to the fire, then if he blows you off, tell him you are getting a second opinion.
By the way, does the pus, and discharge have an odor to if? That will be helpful to know as well!
Good luck to you!
I will be praying!
By the way, does the pus, and discharge have an odor to if? That will be helpful to know as well!
Good luck to you!
I will be praying!
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
Thank you everyone I called Family Doctors office not sure why they have not returned my call . The wound is small size of eraser on pencil top .i hope I didn't make it see worse than it is . The other spots seemed to have closed where there was light drainage . When the surgery was done and I could see incision site this spot was like a pucker in the skin before staples were out . It actually looks better this evening . No odor ,not much color , redness is not there anymore . Over ten days of antibiotics must be helping . I will call I morning and see if another Ortho will see me ASAP . The one my husband had surgery on his wrist / forearm Seems good . I found him after I was not happy with my Doctor . I know this week I have been back on pain meds . Two months I just thought I would be so much further along . I also know Doctor said six weeks of pain. At no point did he say a year for everything , as his nurse seems to repeat every time I call . When she tried to bully me in the beginning and I didn't buckle to her demands . I truly feel she is still bugged by that . Too bad . I plan to write them a letter when they bill me .
RestAssured
alpha
No odor is usually a terrific thing! It sounds like when they put your skin back together, they "might" have mismatched a little causing a pucker. Please keep after them for your peace of mind, but to hear no odor is truly a great sign!
A staple had worked its way under my skin and I was hurting very bad! When Dr. Maale found it, a terrible smell came out with it! It was infection. They already had me on antibotics, but when he changed the dose it cleared up quickly!
A staple had worked its way under my skin and I was hurting very bad! When Dr. Maale found it, a terrible smell came out with it! It was infection. They already had me on antibotics, but when he changed the dose it cleared up quickly!
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
judgar And al others I went back on the Ibuprofen the last couple days . I think my family Doctor must have been correct . Today I am so swollen like I was in the beginning . I went back on it wanting to cut pain meds . Tonight I am so swollen . It hurts again . I have been drinking tons of water take blood pressure pill and prescribed water pill , elevate it . No idea what else to do .
I can see that you have totally lost confidence in your surgeon and his staff. Therefore, you really do need to find another doctor as soon as possible and get in to see him. This may be difficult because you are not very far out from surgery. But try anyway. If you can get to the Mayo Clinic, go there.
You did have a very involved surgery. It is possible under those conditions to have pain and swelling longer than others in recovery. Two months is frankly not all that far into recovery for a normal TKR, much less a difficult one. So the swelling you're having could be a problem or maybe just a reaction of your body to the trauma.
If you have pain and swelling, you need to stay on your pain medications. Going on and off or trying to cut down really only makes things worse for you, as you are finding.
Sonja is correct about the pucker of skin you describe. I had several of those with my first TKR. They do take longer to close up, but they will. And they can drain as long as they are slightly open.
However.....these things are bothering you and you deserve to have someone help you determine if there really is a problem or not. This person should be a doctor...not a nurse, not a PA and not someone over the phone.
Have you called your surgeon and asked for an appointment? If so, do they REALLY tell you no???? I can hardly imagine that, but if it's what's happening, then you really must seek out someone else immediately. I'm so sorry you ended up with such an unreachable and aloof surgeon. I know there are some out there, but I hate to hear of anyone being subjected to their "care."
I need to know the following information as well:
1. What pain meds are you on now (name and prescription strength) and how often do you take them?
2. How often are you icing and elevating and for how long a period of time each time you ice?
3. What activity and/or exercises are you doing each day? Include things like meal prep, house chores, and any errands. Are you walking any distances, running errands, driving or riding in the car?
Answering these questions will help me see if there possibly is something you could do to help reduce the swelling and pain.
You did have a very involved surgery. It is possible under those conditions to have pain and swelling longer than others in recovery. Two months is frankly not all that far into recovery for a normal TKR, much less a difficult one. So the swelling you're having could be a problem or maybe just a reaction of your body to the trauma.
If you have pain and swelling, you need to stay on your pain medications. Going on and off or trying to cut down really only makes things worse for you, as you are finding.
Sonja is correct about the pucker of skin you describe. I had several of those with my first TKR. They do take longer to close up, but they will. And they can drain as long as they are slightly open.
However.....these things are bothering you and you deserve to have someone help you determine if there really is a problem or not. This person should be a doctor...not a nurse, not a PA and not someone over the phone.
Have you called your surgeon and asked for an appointment? If so, do they REALLY tell you no???? I can hardly imagine that, but if it's what's happening, then you really must seek out someone else immediately. I'm so sorry you ended up with such an unreachable and aloof surgeon. I know there are some out there, but I hate to hear of anyone being subjected to their "care."
I need to know the following information as well:
1. What pain meds are you on now (name and prescription strength) and how often do you take them?
2. How often are you icing and elevating and for how long a period of time each time you ice?
3. What activity and/or exercises are you doing each day? Include things like meal prep, house chores, and any errands. Are you walking any distances, running errands, driving or riding in the car?
Answering these questions will help me see if there possibly is something you could do to help reduce the swelling and pain.
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
Jamie Yes, I honestly did call Drs office a week ago Monday and tried to have them see me as soon as possible. They never got back to me . Called them first thing last Tuesday and reported , repeated everything that was going on . Mandy the nurse was not any help . She just said that "the stitches sometimes are spit out by body . " end of conversation . This week I called again I told her again there was some pus and swelling still . She said I might be able to get in to see John, never heard of him so nut sure if he is an intern . Then she said very clearly that I could just go to my general practitioner . She ended conversation with that . I kind of felt like she just wanted rid of me . At no time did I act nasty or say anything rude to her . I called GP office today left message asking for an appointment and details of leg not healing and swelling . I will call her again in morning . When I first broke my femur in 1977 car accident went through windshield of van . The Doctor I has was not Orthopedic and he did more harm than good . I actually had the Orthopedic Doctor Rao that rebroke ,put screws and plate in as well as bone graft . He told me the first Doctor crippled me . Which I know is true. I know the ortho I had now had an added challenge with the plate and screws. Yes,icing and elevating Most of the day and still elevated now . Went back to taking the 10-325 Oxycodone -acetaminophen one every four hours . I do see on bottle it says I can take two . This is what Dr gave me at four week check up I did not ask for it .was surprised when he gave me script for it and one for 20 OxyContin . I did not take the other med at all . Activity today walking outside to do chores . Cleaning house , no PT and just walking... My husband bumped my knee today . Ouch ! No driving muscle spasms had been crazy they are Better today . STIFF . I try to work on bending but the stiffness prevents that . Gratefully Yours, Pam
I'm not trying to be difficult, but sometimes it is best NOT to talk to the nurse when you are having problems like this. What I was trying to get at (poorly, I guess) in my suggestions to you is that you call your surgeon's office and ask to speak to the appointment desk....not his nurse. Then just make an appointment with the surgeon and insist that it really IS with the surgeon and not a PA or other medical staff member. Is this something you've tried and been stonewalled on?
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
I have tried . I do not call and ask for the nurse . Seems that is who they always put on the phone . I do value your adivice and help . I can try again . Though I will most likely get appointment with PA not actual dr. I see my Jan 1, appointment is not withdraw . So I saw dr. once at four week post op that is it .
Jozilla
supremo
Did you try calling when the office was closed? I have done this, left an urgent message and have always received a call back from the doctor. No office staff to deal with. I think you deserve a call back from the OS himself and he would be getting an earful. I do hope however you can get to Mayo for another opinion! Take care.
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RestAssured
alpha
Are there other choices besides your OS in your town who is not affiliated w him? When you call today you might try the following...
Hello I am ________________. I need to see the OS today, not on Monday. No, I don't wish to speak to the nurse, or see a PA. They did not do my surgery, so they can't answer all the questions I have. Yes, it is urgent. If need be I will come into office, w my pillows and ice and prop up my leg and "chat" with others until the OS sees me. I paid HIM to do the surgery, I expect HIM to provide my answers.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
P.s. check and see if he is the doctor on call at the ER this weekend, because you could also add, if he doesn't have time for me today, then perhaps this weekend!
Stay firm,
Jamie is right though, he is your OS for now. Most OS would refer you right back to him.
Hello I am ________________. I need to see the OS today, not on Monday. No, I don't wish to speak to the nurse, or see a PA. They did not do my surgery, so they can't answer all the questions I have. Yes, it is urgent. If need be I will come into office, w my pillows and ice and prop up my leg and "chat" with others until the OS sees me. I paid HIM to do the surgery, I expect HIM to provide my answers.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
P.s. check and see if he is the doctor on call at the ER this weekend, because you could also add, if he doesn't have time for me today, then perhaps this weekend!
Stay firm,
Jamie is right though, he is your OS for now. Most OS would refer you right back to him.
Do you have an urgent care clinic near you if you can't get to see your GP or surgeon?
OP
OP
Pjmc
senior
Jozilla I do that with my family doctors office left two voice messages and talked to a staff member at length earlier in the week . Not one call back yet ! I have her cell I should have called it earlier today . That is a great idea about leaving message after hours with OS . It is easier for me to let a message . I prefer to do that I get to say what I need and get to the point . I will try to call I have a feeling there is no place to do that .will def find out. @ Rest Assured thanks your input is great . I have the gift of gab , so I doubt if they want me to chat up their other patients . I did show two of them my Incision at my four week .a man said he had a different doctor . The lady said she had same dr. As me and was not sure why she was there to see him again . She did not sound pleased with him . The office I got appointment for my husband is set up so much more efficient .
Jozilla
supremo
I do hope you get some kind of response soon! My GP of 25 years joined another practice and due to problems like this I ended up having to find another primary. Now i heard she also left this group and currently not practicing at all. She understood me completely and I just cannot get comfortable with my new doctor. I am interested in how you make out! Keep us posted
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Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart®
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