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Fusion Long ride to a successful Fusion

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My dear woman, what a great result! I am delighted for you. As for that other bone head, I really don't know how such people can live with themselves knowing they had messed up people like that.

I look forward to hearing more. Specially about the court case! :wink:
 
Hi Wanttoride,

I am sorry you are having RSD as a possible result of the 1st surgeon's incompetence! The 2nd surgeon sounds like he is great, but I am sorry that you had to have rods inserted on each side of the knee.

In a month, I will be having my right knee implant taken out and replaced with another type of knee implant. I have osteomyelitis, and I think that my original OS should have been more forthcoming in sending me to a specialist!:shk: I would have had a better chance of avoiding losing this knee replacement if he had told me two months ago to head for a specialist! As it is right now, the doctor will be fighting to save my leg.:hissy:
 
They're not rods, Sonja. They're extended stems on the implants. I expect they would be similar to this on the left. On the right is an ordinary knee replacement.

 
thanks for posting the pictures, Jo! That's exactly what is in my leg now.....much easier to "see" what it is than to explain "rods". THANK YOU! ....TeachMath912, we have GOT to talk!!! Where did you have your knee replacments done? Bangor? You have GOT to go to Portland.....I cannot stress it enough. What gall that surgeon has to tell you that....well la-dee-dah...aren't we just something! Kiss him good-bye!!!! You want to get an opinion at Orthopedics Associates of Portland on Sewall Street and get in to see either Dr. Stephen Kelly (my surgeon) or Dr. Becker. I know it's a long way down there from Aroostook County, but you have got to get in touch with them. Write them a letter and explain what is going on and they WILL get you in for a consult. Looking forward to talking with you again!
 
Blessings to you, Wanttoride...... I feel awful that you had to go through such torture the first time. So glad you found a good surgeon and he was able to fix things so well.

Good luck in your recovery!
 
TeachMath....listen to Wanttoride....it's an inconvenience I know, but you really want the best person possible to give you that second opinion.

Wanttoride, my jaw just dropped when I read what your new surgeon discovered. I am sick that you got connected with such a poor doctor and agree that this is DEFINITELY a time for you to seek compensation. Heaven forbid that he would do this to someone else too who might not be so strong as you in seeking the truth!!

But the bright spot is your new doctor. It certainly appears like he has been able to correct the problem and get you on your way. I agree that you will probably have to go a little slower in recovery, but just being able to make those small steps forward will be so sweet for you. Relish in them....you deserve to have things go your way now.

God bless you and please continue to let us know how you are doing.
 
Thanks Jamie! yes....pt and "rehab" are going to happen much slower this time, but that's ok.
I want everybody to know how much this forum has helped me. "Bonesmart", Jamie and Jo...along with many supporters and people going through what I did and sharing their ups, downs, and concerns REALLY helped keep me centered and "on track". It would have been sooo easy to just give up....depression and countless roadblocks will do that to ANYONE. Nothing is impossible. This is YOUR life, and you MUST fight for what you want, need and require.
After my surgery....I think it was day 3....I sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed my walker and got ready to stand. I can honestly tell you I broke down and cried hysterically and uncontrollably. "Here we go again" was what I was thinking, and then in the same instant..."Thank God I didn't give up". I think the cry was needed...it had been a long time, and I'm not one to give myself a "pity party".

I seriously concidered cancelling my surgery about a month before because I just didn't want to go through all the pain again and wasn't sure if I was strong enough to go through it again. I HAD to take the chance....my "inner voice" knew it, but my body was saying "you've got to be kidding me"! (LOL) I know every case is different and specifics certainly come into play, but what we all share is the desire to be ourselves again....as free of pain as we can be, and know that we have done EVERYTHING we can within our power to put ourselves first.

A Dr. isn't "God", but many think they are...and yes, Dr.'s are human and make mistakes. There ARE good ones out there...you just may have to bite the bullet and seek out somebody that isn't in your "backyard". Communication is the key....before and after surgery.
I'm here for all of you....so if you need me, even just to vent, just let me know......"Bonesmart" is the place to be. THANK YOU!!!:dogkiss: I'm doing pretty good today....I think I'll walk a bit further on my crutches today! Oh...and since my surgery, NO MORE BACK PAIN! The "gears" are finally in alignmnet now! Yay!!!!
 
I just caught up to this thread. I hope all is well - am really thinking about you and holding you in my thoughts and prayers. Can't wait to hear an update.
 
No more back pain? Wow! That's wonderful! And hopefully, no more knee pain very soon!
 
I actually had my surgery in Dover-Foxcroft. I feel bad because I really like my surgeon- he was my first orthopedic back in 1989 when I ripped my MCL playing high school basketball- and I have always gone to him. He has admitted to me that he might have made a mistake and cut a muscle, but he isn't sure what is going on and therefore he doesn't know how to treat it- which frustrates the heck out of me.
I see him again on Tuesday and he has told me that he would get me a 2nd opinion if I would like (which I would.)
If I can't get one, then I will call my primary doctor to get a 2nd opinion since I cannot refer myself due to insurance limitations. I haven't gotten a 2nd opinion yet because I have been hoping that things will improve- that maybe I haven't given it enough time or maybe I need to do something different, etc. - but things haven't. I will be 15 weeks out on Tuesday and still cannot fully extend my leg, cannot take a step without pain, and cannot function like I know I should be able to at this time. I still have to take pain meds and even with sleep aids wake up from pain every time I roll over or move the wrong way. Sorry for complaining and making it about me. That was not my intent...
I am so happy that you have found some relief in this new surgery and I hope your recovery continues to go well! You are such a great example of someone who was her own advocate who bravely went in for another surgery. Way to go!
Thanks for the advice on a surgeon in the Portland area!! I really don't mind the drive down as I have a sister who lives just 30 minutes away from Portland so she and my brother-in-law would be more than happy to help me out in that aspect. It is just getting in to see someone and not having to wait 6 months for an appointment that is a problem sometimes!
 
TeachMath.....this IS about you, and it's ok to make it about you here on BoneSmart! It is never too early, nor too late to get a second opinion. From what you are describing, I also went through the same. I'm glad that your surgeon said that he may have done something....and he IS telling you that he's probably gone outside his "comfort zone". Being from a small town like Dover, I'm sure you know a lot of people, and they know you. Please don't feel like getting a second opinion is going to upset the apple cart with your rapor with your Doctor. I sought my second opinion almost 9 months into the first surgery, and wish I had looked into it sooner. However...I will tell you that most surgeons will not advise until it's been a year. That's what my new surgeon told me...the reason being is to be sure that bones, muscles, tissues have healed, etc. However....every circumstance is different. I had to write a letter to Orthopedic Associates of Portland (Sewall Street) and explain my situation and "ask" if there was anybody who would at least consult with me prior to a year. As you know, I GOT IN!!! You have an advantage...your current surgeon is willing to ok a second opinion. Tell your Dr. you want to go to where I just mentioned and that you want to see Dr. Stephen Kelly or Dr. Becker. They are the BEST. (Dr. Kelly is my new surgeon). I'm not only going from my own experience, but from others who have left Bangor and other outlying hospitals and gone to OA of Portland. They are sooo far advanced! Please talk to your Dr. and let him know you would like to go there. Do NOT go to Bangor...no, no, no!!!!! ....by the way....I used to show my horses at the Dover Fairgrounds and the other horse shows they have there. It was many years ago, but I'll bet if we dropped a few names, we'd find out we know some of the same people! I'm here for you......and please...make it about you...that's the only way we here can help! Vent, get mad, be happy...we care about YOU! :cnsl:
 
WanttoRide,

I will be having the same type of knee replacement that you have just gone through due to osteomyletis eating away at my femur bone.

I have already had one semi-revision, and I don't really relish having this knee opened for the third time, but I don't have a choice.:sigh:

Let me know how you are doing. Keep me informed so maybe we can both get through this together. :cnsl: I have to wait for a month to have mine done and sometimes I think I would rather just have them cut off the leg with the amount of pain it causes.:shk:
 
Wanttoride, I see you have a different avatar photo....do you still need help with the process? It's the same as when you originally put one in. You just delete the old one and insert a new photo using TinyPic or some other means.
 
RestAssured......oh, how I do know what you are going through. I, myself, said to "just be done with this and cut it off". Really....you don't want to do that, and neither did I. Pain makes us literally go "out of our minds"! The waiting is the hardest part, isn't it? Ugh....just do it and be done and over with the surgey, right? This may be the surgery that gets you out of at least some of the pain. If your knee is unstable, it causes pain. Even though I still have "pain", it's not like it was, and I know in time it WILL get better. Chin up, my friend! Think positive, as hard as that might be right now! :thmb:
 
Congratulations Wanttoride! You are on a healing path.

You are right about some Docs, I do not think you can teach a person empathy...or humility. I would love to see these addressed in Medical School.
Maybe they are now, but my OS must have missed that class.

If your OS (or any Doc for that matter) doesn't care, he/she doesn't care.

If your doctor's ego will not allow them to tell you frankly they are at the end of their comfort zone, and refer you out, the patient feels disrespected.
If you disrespect patients in your care, and you make a mistake (and don't fess up and try to make right), you get sued. Too bad.

Kit: I lived in Portsmouth. Go to Portland.
I'd say try Boston, but you have a solid recommendation from someone who has walked that walk.
Best of luck to both of you!

Sandy
 
wanttoride, I live in southern Maine and my os is in portland too, I had a RTKR at MMC in August. When is your revision? I'm your age too, small world!
 
WrapperGirl,
I had my second surgery already....on Sept. 22nd. I don't know if you can call it a "revision", as they had to completely take every part out and replace them with new ones, along with other additions in order to make my knee/leg stable. I guess I would call it a second complete total knee replacement!

Everyone.... It was a year ago TODAY that I had the TKR that turned my life upside-down. I will never forget October 5, 2009!

Wrappergirl....How did you end up having your revision in Augusta when your OS is in Portland? Just curious.....were you happy with your Portland OS?
 
Had my second visit with PT today. Flexion is 94 degrees, extension is at 8 degrees. Can you all remember how long it took me to get that far after my first surgery? MONTHS AND MONTHS!! My PT says that my hips are aligned now, and says how much better I look! She's still in shock regarding the "before" and "after" difference when comparing the 2 surgeries!
I'm still a bit woozy from the pain meds, and they make my blood pressure drop when i'm standing up doing PT exercises. I'm hoping to be off the oxycodone soon. That's the drug that seems to put me over the edge on the "cotton head" feeling. I get my staples out (all 32 of them!) on Thursday. YAY!!! Had pretty bad shin pain last night, and the RSD symptom of coldness and change in color started in on my lower left leg and foot. (Warming socks really help!) The Dr. told me that shin pain was something he expected, and we are watching the RSD symptoms very closely. PT is going to be taken VERY slowly...nothing aggressive at this time.

Overall, I feel pretty good...not a lot of energy, and just taking a shower and washing my hair will do me in for the morning. I've got to pace myself with any activity right now, but each day will be better. Just have to remember I just had surgery, and I'm almost back to square one again. Soooo much better than a year ago, that's for sure!!!!
 
Hi Audrey I am so so glad you found a surgeon who could repair the awful mess that your first surgeon left you in!

Hopefully your recovery will be very smooth take care xx
 
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