So the OS finally agreed that I need to have a revision done after the fluid showed no sign of infection. He gave me paperwork for my PCP to fill out. I had an appointment last Thursday afternoon for that appt (after getting blood work and a chest xray done). Imagine my surprise when I got a call Thursday morning saying that the OS had referred me for a nerve conduction study before he would schedule the revision. Now, I do have nerve issues dating back from the muscle flap surgery and they have definitely gotten worse since the TKR. The OS had mentioned that the implant might be impinging on the nerve but never said that he wasn't going to do the surgery until the study was done. I can't get the nerve study until December 1st.. Oh, and he said he won't do the surgery unless the insurance company approves a plastic surgeon in the room to deal with the skin graft (original TKR was done without one).
The OS also has a strict no opiods before surgery policy so, despite the fact that I'm at a pain scale of 7-8 every night, he basically said to deal with it. I have been icing and elevating as much as possible but don't feel like it does much good except to make everything numb. LOL!
My PCP wasn't any happier with the hoops I've been made to jump through than I am. He really wasn't happy with my blood pressure since it's usually on the lower end and it was 170/85 at 4:00 p.m. He gave me pain meds and is pulling me from this OS (which he's had to do with a few other patients according to his nurse).
So, I'm waiting for the referral for the new OS. He said he'd put a rush on it so I should be getting a call within a week. I'm really lucky because I have the support of my husband, Mother-in-law (retired RN) and work family. I can't imagine going through this alone. I know there are a lot of great surgeons out there because I've had some. The bad ones.... well, they should all have to have these surgeries to straighten out their heads.