Revision TKR Hmm. Not thrilled with the revision yet

[eaglemom]

Jockette it was the end of April / beginning of May time frame. Nothing specific that I did, just out of the blue the thigh was really hurting. I've started my list of questions - and your question is my #1 question.

 

[Cementless]

@eaglemom, do you have osteoporosis or osteopenia?

 

[eaglemom]

No I do not have osteoporosis or osteopenia. That's a good thought though. I do take calcium with Vitamin D daily.

 

[eaglemom]

How very disappointing. I was 'promised' a call from the surgeon's office today. It of course hasn't happened. I know he's at the hospital doing surgery tomorrow. Rude, its just plain rude to say you'll receive a call and not get it. Now, I know how busy the office / staff are and I'm not their only patient - but they said they'd call and I expect it. I have no idea how to proceed with this stress fracture. Gurrrrr. Now I'm cranky!!!

 

[eaglemom]

So I had a little come to Jesus conversation with the surgeons assistant. I was very polite but firm and forthcoming with her. She said she'd ask him a question and he said he (the surgeon) would call me. That was Thursday, today's Friday and he is in surgery. She'll "remind him" on Monday. When I voiced a concern about how I was being treated I think she was in tears. I don't care how "good" of a surgeon you are, the people you operate have lives and feelings. And that needs to be addressed. Ok I'll step off my soap box.

Please tell me if I'm being unreasonable here. It is rare I call the office, but when I do I'd expect to be treated properly. This started with his assistant calling me - but she didn't have all of the information. How is that my problem? The knee / leg isn't better - that is where the surgeon comes in - that's his job. If he weren't one of the best revision specialists I'd be trying to find a new surgeon. But then again, no one and I repeat no one will touch me with everything that's happened and is happening here. I'll step back off my soap box. Gurrrrrr.

 

[Jockette]

It has been my experience that unhappy patients (for whatever reason they are unhappy) tend to get put on the back burner.

I find this with businesses, also. We had a question about the results of a landscaping job and because we implied disatisfaction, they never even bothered to return our call. (This is minor compared to an unhappy medical patient.)

It’s very annoying.

 

[eaglemom]

You are so right Jockette - put on the back burner. I'm afraid my friends are going to hunt his house down and demand answers for me!! They are furious - but then again they see how I'm struggling to walk. Its a weekend, I had dinner delivered tonight. (With enough for at least 2 more meals.) And I've got an order at the grocery and will have it delivered tomorrow. Now I can do these things......I don't want to, its uncomfortable therefore I'm not.

The good news is on Netflix they released season 11 of Heartland. I know what I'll be doing all weekend. The scenery alone with the Canadian mountains is breathtaking, the story line wholesome & clean. Now where's the remote?

 

[eaglemom]

Blow me away. Its Sunday afternoon and I just had a 20 plus minute conversation with the surgeon. I never dreamed he'd call on a Sunday - caught me off guard.

In a nut shell, without him saying it, I know he has a 'plan' in mind. For now he wants me off the cane and using either the walker or crutches or a combo of them 100% of the time. He wants me weigh bearing, as tolerated but with a walker/crutches the weight is evenly distributed. The appointment the end of August will be the time frame to check the stress fracture, so xrays. If its healed we are good, if not...... I didn't ask. As for the loose prosthesis, he doesn't cement in the tip of long extensions. Because the femur has some movement he is thinking with the stress fracture and using a cane my weight isn't even causing some pain. He stressed walking evenly multiple times. He also wants me doing extension exercises since that is why I had #3 revision in Feb. I told him my extension is good, its my ROM. He wasn't overly concerned because the knee clearly isn't happy and that will come. Meaning swelling could he part of the issue. If anything changes I'm to call and see him immediately. I ask about the pain I'm having and he said at this point its still a baby knee and healing. Then he said.......drum roll......elevate and ice as much as you can!!! I giggled because that's exactly what I was doing when he called.

Frankly I'm glad he called today when I wasn't expecting it. I was able to focus on what he was saying and ask my questions based off what he was saying. He earned some brownie points calling on a Sunday. So, thoughts?

 

[Jockette]

I’m so glad he called you! I like your comment here:

Frankly I'm glad he called today when I wasn't expecting it. I was able to focus on what he was saying and ask my questions based off what he was saying. He earned some brownie points calling on a Sunday.

So, thoughts?

My thoughts are, you’ve had a lot of procedures on that knee within 2 years and it just may take way longer than you expect, or want, for it to heal.

I’m saying this as someone who is 2 years and 4 months post op and “not there yet” from one little partial, but I do continue to see some improvements, though not as many as I’d like.

 

[kneeper]

I'm glad the surgeon called and spent some time on the phone discussing your situation. Sounds like somewhat of a plan, at least for the short run.

 

[eaglemom]

I have been using the walker 98.9% of the time around the house. The few times we've gotten out I've used the crutches 100% of the time - to get me to an electric scooter. I really can't do much better than that.

Today I am miserable with pain in the thigh. I flat out just don't feel well, and hubby keeps asking if I'm ok. Or saying helpful things like "geeze, your sure pale, you look rotten." (Guess that's what 42 yrs of married life gets you - total honesty!!) I did walk more yesterday, with the walker. I wouldn't think that would do this, but I'm sure uncomfortable here. Being totally honest, walking today with the walker feels bad, and that's not been the case before. Going to slowly make my way to the bedroom to elevate / icing.

 

[Jockette]

What is your weather like? Any storms in the forecast? Often when my knee just feels worse than usual, for no reason, then I remember there’s weather happening and it does makes my knee hurt, which never happened before my replacement.

 

[eaglemom]

Normally my leg does a good job of predicting the weather! However, today its beautiful blue skies, a toasty 109 degrees out with minimal pressure. Its a good thought though.

 

[Jockette]

109, seriously?

 

[eaglemom]

Yes, 109 degrees. With the heat index its 118!!! Central Texas is cooking itself right now.

 

[Jockette]

 

[Motherbone]

I have two stress fractures in my left ankle. My understanding of healing stress fractures is that staying off of them as much as possible would be optimal. In fact, I am totally non weight bearing on my left ankle for the next 5 weeks (it was 6 but I'm down one, thankfully). Perhaps you are trying too hard to walk, even with the walker?

 

[eaglemom]

That is interesting Motherbone - about being non-weight bearing. I specifically ask and surgeon said walking on it was fine. Although using walker & crutches I'm very careful with my steps.

Yesterday I had a new very odd sensitization happen. At the top of the scar it just started 'feeling different' for lack of a better way to figure it out. Soreish like and tender. Today its slightly worse, and a small bump is on one side. Scar tissue? This knee....................

 

[sistersinhim]

I think I'd try and be non-weight bearing for a week or so and see if your leg feels better. When I fractured my ankle and foot I was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. It's was rough, but my breaks healed. It seems like to me that walking on a stress fracture would make it more difficult to heal. Of course, I am not a doctor and only know what I did.

 

[Jockette]

Scar tissue?

I would think it’s more likely to be swelling. Scar tissue is not all they claim it is.