Finally time to report in on my surgeon visit. I'd had the RFA procedure after I'd seen him, so this was my reporting in on it. I do think RFA did "loosen" my knee some - but the other side of the coin - or knee - is that I've had thigh soreness since the procedure. Guess that's give and take. It wasn't a miracle and helped wonders, but helped to some extent.
However, there is always a however - my extension was less than 3 months ago, my ROM was slightly better. Extension is my issue. That and pain, oh and swell / tenderness. He moved the knee around and I literally could see the wheels in his head spinning. He sat down and shook his head and said "I'm so sorry." I ask why and he said he'd give me three options - and I don't have to make any decisions now I could think on them.
#1 - do nothing and live with it. Nope not what I'm choosing.
#2 - do nothing now and 'see' if time doesn't make things better. Nope not choosing that.
#3 - schedule surgery and get moving on getting a life. Bingo, we have a winner!!
What he was proposing to do and what he said aren't exactly the same, but I think it was 'doctor talk' so I didn't freak out. I knew I'd need more surgery to get this stupid problem knee better. He and I had discussed it, so that wasn't the shock. The shock was that he plans on clearing / cleaning all of the scar tissue away and putting in one size smaller spacer. He thinks that will give me just enough to gain 8 to 10 degrees and be able to walk properly and without a cane. And probably replace the tibial head. Yea. Then he tossed out that he "wouldn't hesitate" to totally replace the entire revision if he felt it needed it. That caught me off guard for sure. He said he would have everything there to do whatever to get this knee right. Then he very carefully said this knee will have gone through 3 replacement in not many years and each recovery might take a little longer than before. No matter what he does plan on 2 or probably 3 days in the hospital. I hadn't plannned on hearing that.
I said lets get it on the books and get recovering as soon as possible. He is off the next 4 weeks (of course) then is back the last week of Jan. He wants to see me then and surgery is on the schedule the second week of Feb.
I did ask him about the compression device and he encouraged me to use it regularly. It has nothing to do with the knee however if it keeps the fluid down on the leg that's a good thing. Plus its getting blood pumping where its been slack.
There you have it. He offered me Tramadol with a refill and I took it. Then I got the lecture that having the pill in the bottle doesn't help my pain, I've got to take them!!! Cracked me up but also shows he knows me.
One last thing - I've been wearing compression knee highs for a couple of weeks. They are ok - but I think they cause my knee to swell more. So I purchased thigh high compression hose. What a difference they make in overall how my legs feel. And bonus no swelling.
Now I'm done. Sorry its so long.
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