Revision TKR Knee replacement is not nice to me...

[Josephine]

If it was nerve damage or nerve related, wouldn't it be getting better, not worse? It's been almost 10 months...

Not necessarily but I don't think that's the issue. I think (and I believe I said this earlier) that your implant is loose. DON'T go and see his colleague - you'll never get an unbiased opinion that way. Go see a revision surgeon who is completely unconnected with your surgeon or his practice. That usually means going to another town or city to make sure they are not even golfing buddies. You need this eyeballed by an expert in spotting problems and that's a revision specialist.

 

[parla]

Coachie,
I am not a nurse like Joe, but just having gone through this your story sounds very similar to mine. You should see a surgeon (revisionist) it sounds like your knee is loose to me. Also the way your doctor spoke to you and said you couldn't have a bonescan. I was told to wait a year before thinking about a revision and that doc was totally wrong. I couldn't live in that much pain anymore. I could not do tasks of daily living. I also was very athletic too & never was a slow healer before. Listen to your body I wish I did. And see a doc who is from another practice for an impartial point of view.
Keep us posted.
Parla

 

[Coachie]

The surgeon I want to see is about 150 miles away, but he is young and I've heard some good things about him. Now I just need to wait for my family dr to call in a referral. I called that office yesterday just to ask some questions, and they have openings within a month, so hopefully I can get in!
I appreciate all the advice on here- makes me feel a little better and less like I have no hope left.

 

[parla]

I know exactly how you feel! I was so stressed about my inability to do
Simple things and on the fence about revision cause I had no proof. But
Have learned again to listen to my body & my intuition. I am in pain but the knee
just feels more normal now & I seem to be progressing well. The nurse said
I was her gold star patient. I don't feel great but I believe
her when she says I am doing great for all I have been through
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Message me any time you need to vent cause
I understand.
PARla

 

[PhoenixS]

Physics and Math, UGH! More of a Bio/Chemistry person. In fact, that is my degree. I'm a different kind of Geek, I guess.

Those pegs do look a bit close to the surface.
When are you seeing the Revision Specialist?
Sounds like the whole thing is banging around in there.
I sure hope you get to the bottom of this thing.
Best,
Sandy

 

[Coachie]

I tried to point the sharp edge out to the ortho, but he kind of ignored me. At the end of the appointment, I talked about it again and he said that possibly it was scarring that had formed on top of the knee cap? He said he couldn't feel it (of course not, he didn't bother to spend the time to do so...) and that on the x-ray it looked fine. Of course the x-rays were from November and I couldn't feel the peg through my knee cap then, it's only been about the last few weeks that I could feel it.
Come to find out, the orthopedic I went to see on Monday had talked to my original ortho at a conference they went to a few weeks ago, so he based his evaluation on what my original ortho said.
I'm going to be going to one in a few weeks that has NO connection to either of these (except that they all practice in Maine.)

 

[Jamie]

Let's hope they didn't all share stories at that same conference!!! :wink1:

I think this is an excellent plan! Hope you can get that referral quickly. Keep pushing....sometimes you have to be a pretty strong advocate for yourself. After all...it's YOUR body that's the issue here! Very important!!

 

[referee54]

Not necessarily but I don't think that's the issue. I think (and I believe I said this earlier) that your implant is loose. DON'T go and see his colleague - you'll never get an unbiased opinion that way. .

I agree! People who work together tend to have the same outlooks and philosophies. Hence, if you see a surgeon, his partners will look at your knee the same way with the same ideas.

See a specialist who is skilled at seeing these types of issues; that way, you can get this issues resolved as soon as possible.

 

[Coachie]

I hurt pretty bad today and was really hoping to hear from my family doctor to see if I could get a new referral, but haven't heard anything. I've been a bit of a pest as I've called 4 times in the last 3 days and am at a loss of what else to do to help myself. Many times during the day, I wonder what to do next and how do I get further ahead than where I am now?
I've also not heard anything about the pain management clinic that the last ortho I saw said he was going to refer me to- so once again I sit here waiting and doing nothing since I can't take a step or move my leg without pain.
I'm very frustrated and discouraged- especially when I read of others successes and know that could be me if we could get this figured out already. I'm fairly jealous of those who can go out on a walk or a run (even if I could just walk for 50 feet without hurting I would be happy!) It is very hard to be in the position I am in right now after being so active all of my life.

 

[maryo52]

Coach, here's a link to a revision suregon in Lewiston-Auburn and one in Portland:

broken link removed: https://www.cmogroup.org/physicians_jbush.html

broken link removed: https://www.orthoassociates.com/orthopedic_specialists/kelly.php

 

[Coachie]

The one in Auburn (Dr. Bush) is the one I am trying to get into. Dr. Kelly, in Portland, denied my referral back in November (and then again in January) because he said he "didn't feel comfortable working with someone of my age..." I'm not sure if he knew my history or just went on age, but that statement alone made me not want to see him. My ortho said he couldn't believe that since dr's are supposed to treat the condition, not the age.
Due to insurance limitations, I have to wait for my dr. to send a referral- which they do like once a week in her office, and even though I called and asked if they would please, please, please think about sending the referral earlier than next week, I don't think they did.
I'm just out of fight. I'm exhausted and tired of this.

 

[Coachie]

Thank you. I will try to hang in there

 

[ginger322]

Parla is right, Coachie. You cannot be out of fight. You HAVE to be your own best advocate. Most of us know firsthand that once in a while doctors need to be hounded, for their own good. They will get tired of hearing from you soon enough and you will have that referral.
Good luck, Coachie.

 

[maryo52]

Coachy, I understand! We all have moments when we exclaim, "I give up!" That's part of regrouping. I did it during my first birth experience with unrelenting back labor. I looked my midwife in the eye and said, "I quit!" and she just looked at me and calmly said, "OK." And then came the next contraction. Hey go have a good ol' pity party.

Every hospital and doctor's practice has an administrator. That's who you go to when repeated attempts have failed. Don't waste your breath talking to the assistants. I'd call the administrator first thing Monday morning.

Do you have a significant other or close friend who is by your side in this process?

 

[parla]

Mary is correct about not wasting time with assistants! Go to the top, even with your own insurance or the insurance commissioner in the state. Without all the facts I can't say which is your best bet, but do see if the hospital you had surgery at has a patient advocate. Some hospitals have people they have that work for them that help the patient. But you need a revision specialist now, I am guessing or at least a different doctor who has an impartial view when it comes to implants.
Parla

 

[Jamie]

Coachie.....have you considered getting in the car and going to the doctor's office if you cannot get a referral letter done?

 

[RestAssured]

A bone scan is not a possibility as both of the orthos have said you have to wait at least a year (if not 2 years) before having one.

They are misleading you about the Bone Scan! I had one done 3 months after the right knee and again 3 months later! So I would have to say these docs are wrong! I also has a white cell scan done at the same time.:biggrin:

 

[parla]

Coachie,
Agreed with Sonja.. I had mine about 6 months, but I did have to be a " squeaky" wheel. Please let us know how you are, you have angels on your shoulders worrying about you! Hope you have been resting and elevating and thinking positive. Visualize yourself playing basketball again soon, and just think of this as time on the bench, while you find the correct doctor. You must think positive, I know! Talk to yourself as if you were a student. I bet you would have nice words of encouragement.
Parla

 

[Coachie]

Coachie.....have you considered getting in the car and going to the doctor's office if you cannot get a referral letter done?

I'd already planned on calling again tomorrow- and I'll be near the clinic in the morning for an eye appointment, so can stop in if I don't get through with my phone call. I need to stop feeling like they are going to think I am a pest because I know that I need to be a pest at this point!
I have an appointment with my original ortho on Tuesday so maybe he can hear me as well.

 

[RestAssured]

Coachie,

I am proud of you for trying to talk to your original OS tomorrow. Just don't let him get you down! Insist on seeing a revisionist and don't take "no" for an answer! As one coach to another, stay in the ballgame and don't give up! You are worth it!