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

[brs0660]

Coachie..you are doing great. You might not think so, but you have a PLAN. This is a huge step. Please post and let us know what the new doc says. I want you to get back to yourself!!!

 

[Jamie]

Perfect, Coachie!!!!

 

[Coachie]

Had my appointment today. From what he could see, my replacement is not loose. There could possibly be some knee cap issues- possibly some tendonitis or something like that, or maybe the bone hasn't fully grown in yet- he wants to wait 6 months or so to see if it is something that will heal on its own. I am very discouraged and frustrated. I would be able to accept life with a disability easier if we knew what was causing it, but not knowing makes it so hard for me to live like this. It is finally a nice warm day out- it hit 60 degrees today in Northern Maine- and I can't even go for a walk and that is so hard for me. I have always been such an avid outdoorsy person, very active in sports, outdoor adventures, etc. and now I can't do anything without tremendous pain.
I am going to a Physiatrist (pain management specialist) next Monday and having an EMG at some point too. Until then, I guess I need to just continue holding on, though it's getting harder and harder to do so. :frown:

 

[maryo52]

I had my fingers crossed on this one. Oh dear.

 

[Coachie]

I'm going to step away from this site for awhile. It's not anything that has happened or anything anyone has said, but for my own good, I think I need to take a couple of days off.
I am very happy for everyone who has had such a good recovery. It is great that you can all get back to doing what you enjoy doing, and you should all be very proud of yourselves!
However, at this point in my recovery (or lack thereof) I am jealous of those that can do things at 10 weeks, 15 weeks, 5 months, etc. I am 10 months out and cannot walk around a grocery store without grasping a cart for dear life, having to stop every 10 feet or so to do my "stork stand" and pull my right leg up to rest it and hope for it to stop hurting. I cannot go out and enjoy a nice walk in the spring weather like I could last spring. I can't stand up or sit down without my knee cap screaming at me, and I cannot walk without limping. I am jealous. I want to enjoy all those little things in life that I always enjoyed before- walking in the woods, shopping, standing up in the front of the classroom while teaching, etc.
I'm not trying to fill this post with the "I can'ts" or trying to get anyone's sympathy or anything like that. I know that it doesn't even matter if I come on here or not, so I guess I am just venting.

 

[BigGene]

I do not want to walk in your shoes. You have every right to vent. And those considering this surgery need to understand that you are the face small number and low percentages.

Back in December when I was struggling with this decision, when told that "bad" results were very few I said. One in a thousand is meaningless if I turn out to be the one!!!

I have the fortune that on day 13 post I am doing well, but make no mistake I go to bed every night knowing that it can change tomorrow.

Please vent, please accept sympathy and support for what it is and recognize that those who have yet to decide can and should hear reports from the entire spectrum of results.

 

[Coachie]

I had to come back for a bit and say that I am not trying to worry anyone who is early on in their recovery or who is thinking about having a knee replacement or anything like that. I would never do that intentionally.
I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't keep the post on here? I don't know.

 

[Dewy]

Coachie,

Never feel you can't post here about just how bad it is.

But look don't feel that it is permanent - if you have what is termed Unexplained Pain, research shows that the majority of people do recover with conservative treatment, so the odds are still on your side. I've seen postings of people here who had bad pain for a year or more out, and have since either recovered or are on their way to recovery.

Maybe you don't feel like hoping at present after the big disappointment, but perhaps the pain specialist can help tide you over until you turn the corner?

I think you must be a very strong person to have endured it as long as you have.

 

[maryo52]

I understand that jealousy. I have a friend who had no pain after TKA. He complained that he had two days of pain after his second TKA. This is while he visited me a few weeks after my surgery and I was on a 4 hour schedule of percocet to keep comfortable. I joked to my husband that I wanted to leap across the room and strangle him.

This friend recently developed a joint infection, so now I'm feeling slightly guilty. But in any case, I have had many moments on this forum wrestling with feelings of envy. Glad you're making this move to take care of yourself.

 

[lionsm13]

It's only taken me a year (with very many doubts and much confusion along the way) to get where that I think I am starting to get out of the woods. Then again, my PT said that it could take up to this long, and then some.
It's very hard to be patient with this, as we are continually comparing ourselves with others.
The bottom line though is we are powerless over this procedure as well as the healing time.
It has not been easy..
Had I known it was like this I might not have went through it.
Toughest thing that I have went through.

 

[maryo52]

lionsm13

I feel exactly as you do. Working on not having regrets, and telling myself the knee had to be done sooner or later. But every day I am bothered by not only the pain but all the other sensations in my knee and leg, and the fact that I'm still very limited by lack of stamina. Felt at times that my misery put too much strain on my marriage. Hopefully things will continue to get better for us all.

 

[Josephine]

I hope I'm not putting you off with my comments, Coachie. I would be most concerned if it was.

Had my appointment today. From what he could see, my replacement is not loose.

Okay .....

.... so why this comment?

or maybe the bone hasn't fully grown in yet .......

he wants to wait 6 months or so to see if it is something that will heal on its own.

if the bone isn't fully grown in after 10 months, another 6 months isn't going to make much difference! The bonding of bone and implant occurs in about 3-4 months. If it hasn't happened by then, it's not going to!

And saying it's 'probably' a soft tissue issue is such an easy thing for him to say but not easy for the patient to hear.

I am very discouraged and frustrated. I would be able to accept life with a disability easier if we knew what was causing it, but not knowing makes it so hard for me to live like this.

I can only imagine, my dear. I feel frustrated for you. I think you need to find yet another revision surgeon who has more sense!

 

[Coachie]

I hope I'm not putting you off with my comments, Coachie. I would be most concerned if it was.Okay .....

.... so why this comment?

Do you mean why did I say that or why did the surgeon say that? He said it because he said that in 6 months he will check again to see if it's loose.

Don't worry about comments. I am not put off by many comments- after all, I teach 9th grade math all day- and sometimes those 14 year olds say things that are "iffy"! I simply appreciate the help here and hearing advice from different people.
He did mention that maybe a brace would help me feel more stable for the time being? I don't know what kind of brace as I initially decided no to the brace and then later on thought maybe I should try it, so I called back and his secretary mentioned some sort of hinge brace? Wouldn't a brace be more of a hinderance to my recovery- like a cover-up to what is really wrong?

 

[Coachie]

By the way- I am feeling a little better today and am ready to start fighting again...

 

[Josephine]

Okay - to redefine:

The surgeon said "the implant wasn't loose" but then he went on to say "maybe the bone hasn't fully grown in yet" which doesn't make sense.

And I said "if the bone isn't fully grown in after 10 months, another 6 months isn't going to make much difference! The bonding of bone and implant occurs in about 3-4 months. If it hasn't happened by then, it's not going to!"

Do you see? He can't have it both ways. If the bone isn't 'grown in' after 10 months it's not going to grow in now, so what's the point of waiting any longer? It's just putting you through unnecessary pain and suffering.

Wouldn't a brace be more of a hinderance to my recovery- like a cover-up to what is really wrong?

Absolutely! Time to find another surgeon to consult with, I think. This one's obviously not firing on all cylinders for you!

 

[Coachie]

Ahhh... I understand. I am a little dense sometimes :th_heehee:
My ortho is going to do some more research; I see the Physiatrist on Monday, and will have an EMG soon, so hopefully something will come out of it.

 

[Jamie]

Coachie, if you'd like to have me help you search for another revision specialist, I'd be happy to. I would need your zip code and the names of the surgeons you have already talked to. If you prefer, you could send me that in a private message.

I know this must be TERRIBLY frustrating for you. But the fact is that sometimes you must really hunt to find the right doctor when you're having problems.

Whatever you decide...we'll be here if and when you need us.

 

[Josephine]

Yes, I really wouldn't let your surgeon choose for you. I may be doing him an injustice but they do have a terribly strong buddy/cliche system going in the medical fraternity!

 

[maryo52]

You're so close to your one year anniversary, maybe David Becker's office will schedule you. I have heard on all fronts he's the leading guy in Maine. However, if you're game to travel further, you could consider, for instance, someone at Mass. General. I have a friend who had his shoulder replacements done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. I think if I were running into your kind of trouble, a trip to NYC might be worth it.

 

[Coachie]

I'm waiting on a call from my primary physician to see what she thinks I should do next.
Jamie- I sent you a pm since I don't want to put my private information on here. Thanks!