I try to handle things on my own and figure things out... and then I get so stressed or to a breaking point and I inevitably find myself back here... "dumping" on you lovely people. Last I wrote a couple of months ago I had seen another (local) OS for a another opinion, who pretty much wrote me off as my surgeon trained under this guy as a resident. (Just my luck!!) : )
I followed up with my OS a couple of weeks after that appointment and filled him in on the visit. He didn’t have much to say except I think he was surprised I had seen another OS for another opinion. He knew I had had a consult with a neurologist a few months back, but doesn’t know about my visit with the neurosurgeon or my trip to NYC for an appt with an OS there.
As has been typical with my follow up appts with my surgeon, not much happens. I usually just tell him it still hurts and it still sucks and he basically says he has nothing to offer me. He seldom does any type of exam, and typically does not even look at my knee, let alone touch it This time I expressed again my disappointment with the entire surgery and how I was much better off before – and it was pretty bad pre-TKR, so I don’t say that lightly. I told him I was losing more ROM and that my PT agreed.
He did get the little doohickey out and measured by ROM. I had lost 8 more degree in less than 3 months. Normally not a big deal probably, but when you are less than 50 to begin with, 8 is significant. A couple more degrees lost and I’m back to being unable to get my leg under the dash to drive my car. As it is… some days I have to take my shoe off before I use the leg lifter and lift my leg over my driver’s door and squeeze it in past the frame to sneak it under the dash. (Not very lady-like… if you are getting the visual here!)
The options he has given me are (and none said with even the slightest bit of confidence in his tone):
A second manipulation. I asked if manipulation was something I could look forward to every 6 months or so in the future, and also asked if the scar tissue would keep forming thicker after each one. He said he had “no clue” and he was more concerned due to the fact that there appears to be such significant scar tissue now, about breaking my leg. He said it took two doctors last time to get my leg to bend… he wasn’t sure what it would take this time. (I’m officially going on record that I do NOT like the option of a broken leg)
Surgery. He said he could go in there, wing it and clean up the scar tissue surgically.
My issues remain – I still have nerve damage. After a manipulation or surgery, without the ability to bend my leg on my own, the scar tissue will form again and I will eventually be back to where I am right now. It scares me that not only does no one know what actually happened during my TKR to cause this, but that no one seems to know what to do, or what might happen in the future.
Before I left my surgeon’s office last time he said to me that he was not scheduling any further follow-up as he has nothing to really offer me. He also said that if I want a manipulation… to call him. If I want surgery… to call him. Talk about feeling abandoned and left in the lurch…. Ugh.
My 24 y/o son says I need a surgeon with a set of b@lls (sorry). Someone willing to go out on a limb or do a little research… do something. Do anything. I’m all for being my own advocate… but this is a bit much. I like my OS and I know my issues might very well not even be due to anything HE did incorrectly during surgery…but I’ve lost faith in him and his lack of knowledge/confidence in everything to do with my case.
What are your thoughts/experiences with multiple MUA? Do they get more difficult with each subsequent one?
I live in the Albany, NY area and am also wondering if any of you know of or have personal experience with a reputable OS in my area. Closer to home is better but I’m willing to do what it takes to find some help and don’t mind traveling 2-3 hours (NYC, Boston, PA, etc) if it gets me to a great surgeon.
Thank you again… as always… for being here and “listening” to my woes. Any thoughts or suggestions would definitely be taken to heart.
United States
