Knee Infection* Stage Two Revision Completed
- Thread starter arizonaone
- Start date
Oh, and just to let you know, right after I tagged Celle last night I found out she’s offline for a few days, that’s why you didn’t hear from her.
My friend, you MADE IT!!! You were so wise to speak up to the pain management doctor. And, when you got no help, you were also very smart just to go to the ER in the hospital where your surgery was scheduled for tomorrow. You're one sharp cookie! So now I hope you are relaxed and pretty much pain free, anticipating tomorrow when you'll move into recovery.
You are correct that your state's medical board is the place to start with a complaint about your pain management doctor. I'd also fill your surgeon in as well. Hopefully he's man enough to be concerned for your wellbeing and will think twice about recommending this pain doc to others. You may hear from others that "you should sue the doctor" and, of course, that's always an option. But frankly, lawsuits are a real pain and it's very difficult to win a case. I think the better route is the one you've chosen and that's to work with a detailed complaint to the state. I don't know exactly what the process would be after a complaint is made (and each state is probably different), but I sincerely think your poor treatment by this doctor should be documented in this manner. Who knows how many people he's done this to? For the life of me I cannot understand why he would have cut you off cold turkey.
However....save all those thoughts for later once you're well healed. Right now your focus is surgery tomorrow and getting better! We'll be here for you for that as well. I'm assuming that you'll be discussing your pain management program with your surgeon. Be sure that you speak up if whatever is being done isn't working. And....when you have time, you might want to read our special section on pain management. You will find it at the tab at the top of the page. The wound section is a good one too to help you understand more about how the incision is close and how healing takes place. There is a tab for it at the top of the page too.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you once you're in recovery!!! (((((HUGS)))))
You are correct that your state's medical board is the place to start with a complaint about your pain management doctor. I'd also fill your surgeon in as well. Hopefully he's man enough to be concerned for your wellbeing and will think twice about recommending this pain doc to others. You may hear from others that "you should sue the doctor" and, of course, that's always an option. But frankly, lawsuits are a real pain and it's very difficult to win a case. I think the better route is the one you've chosen and that's to work with a detailed complaint to the state. I don't know exactly what the process would be after a complaint is made (and each state is probably different), but I sincerely think your poor treatment by this doctor should be documented in this manner. Who knows how many people he's done this to? For the life of me I cannot understand why he would have cut you off cold turkey.
However....save all those thoughts for later once you're well healed. Right now your focus is surgery tomorrow and getting better! We'll be here for you for that as well. I'm assuming that you'll be discussing your pain management program with your surgeon. Be sure that you speak up if whatever is being done isn't working. And....when you have time, you might want to read our special section on pain management. You will find it at the tab at the top of the page. The wound section is a good one too to help you understand more about how the incision is close and how healing takes place. There is a tab for it at the top of the page too.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you once you're in recovery!!! (((((HUGS)))))
arizonaone
member
@Jockette Thank you for letting me know. I knew there was a valid reason to hey we didn’t hear from Celle.
@Jamie - I agree with you about complaining rather than suing. The latter is a real pain in the butt and in FL can be next to impossible to accomplish given that Drs are not required to carry medical malpractice insurance. And many don’t which I don’t agree with but that’s a conversation for a different venue.
Besides my only “damages” are being horribly sick and in pain. However if that had caused me to be unable to undergo surgery well that’s another story.
I would much rather have him fined or sanctioned or whatever it is they do. Someone else may not fare as well as I did. And he needs to be re-educated at the very least Again thank you for your kindness. It is so appreciated.
@Jamie - I agree with you about complaining rather than suing. The latter is a real pain in the butt and in FL can be next to impossible to accomplish given that Drs are not required to carry medical malpractice insurance. And many don’t which I don’t agree with but that’s a conversation for a different venue.
Besides my only “damages” are being horribly sick and in pain. However if that had caused me to be unable to undergo surgery well that’s another story.
I would much rather have him fined or sanctioned or whatever it is they do. Someone else may not fare as well as I did. And he needs to be re-educated at the very least Again thank you for your kindness. It is so appreciated.
Crlnagrl
new member
Hello all! I am so happy to have found this post.
I had a left TKR July 2017. Rough rehab due to scar tissue but have been doing fine since Dec 2017. Started having pain and some swelling August 2018 and Dr said I probably just did too much on vacation. Pain gradually became worse, mostly on bending, up and down stairs etc.
Went to Dr and referred to a local arthritis knee clinic, thought at first it was quad tendon, sent to physio, then thought it was femoral nerve. Still worse and by mid Septrmber was limping all the time. Had xrays, ultrasound, blood work. But was all normal, xray showed no issue, US showed "severe reactive joint effusion". Went back to surgeon and he said he was stumped and put me on crutches. He did try and pull some fluid but got nothingl.
Since then I have had more blood tests, all good, and had a bone scan last Friday. Bone scan "suggests infection or loosening around the tibia and femur". Went to family Dr yesterday and she feels for sure infection and referred me to Infectious Disease.
Waiting on call from Surgeon for next step. Dr said good chance infection can be cured without surgery??? Praying that is true as I dont know how I will endure the 2 stage revision!!
Meanwhile right knee needs a TKR !! Getting fitted for a brace and Symvisc injection this Friday in hope it will help RT knee and it is doing all the work right now.
Sigh Anyone have suggestions of tests, imaging, etc., that will help?
I had a left TKR July 2017. Rough rehab due to scar tissue but have been doing fine since Dec 2017. Started having pain and some swelling August 2018 and Dr said I probably just did too much on vacation. Pain gradually became worse, mostly on bending, up and down stairs etc.
Went to Dr and referred to a local arthritis knee clinic, thought at first it was quad tendon, sent to physio, then thought it was femoral nerve. Still worse and by mid Septrmber was limping all the time. Had xrays, ultrasound, blood work. But was all normal, xray showed no issue, US showed "severe reactive joint effusion". Went back to surgeon and he said he was stumped and put me on crutches. He did try and pull some fluid but got nothingl.
Since then I have had more blood tests, all good, and had a bone scan last Friday. Bone scan "suggests infection or loosening around the tibia and femur". Went to family Dr yesterday and she feels for sure infection and referred me to Infectious Disease.
Waiting on call from Surgeon for next step. Dr said good chance infection can be cured without surgery??? Praying that is true as I dont know how I will endure the 2 stage revision!!
Meanwhile right knee needs a TKR !! Getting fitted for a brace and Symvisc injection this Friday in hope it will help RT knee and it is doing all the work right now.
Sigh Anyone have suggestions of tests, imaging, etc., that will help?
I pray your surgery is a complete success! Let us know how you are as soon as you can.
I've been travelling. I'm back now.
I agree with Jamie about the Tylenol. Also, are you icing your knee? Ice is a great pain reliever.
As for the IV site - can you let your doctor know? It may need to be re-sited.
I agree with Jamie about the Tylenol. Also, are you icing your knee? Ice is a great pain reliever.
As for the IV site - can you let your doctor know? It may need to be re-sited.
Madbkseller
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@Crlnagrl Just read your post. Sure hoping that it isn't infection.
I had left TKR 11/13 that became loose and had to be replaced on 3/15. That surgery went very well. Then about 8 months after that my knee started swelling and being inflamed. My OS suspected scar tissue build up and suggested arthroscopic surgery to clean it out. He found a lot of scar tissue and inflamed tissue. My knee felt so much better after that. Then a couple of months after that it all started again.
My OS was going to try another arthroscopic but wanted to do blood tests to make sure there was no infection. There was no swelling, warmth in the area, I had no fever and no illness. Blood counts were high so he did an aspiration. One week culture - INFECTION. Yuck.
I had surgery on 6/29. Removed my knee, flushed with antibiotics and put in an antibiotic spacer and two rods so I couldn't straighten my leg. Then 6 weeks of at home IV antibiotics. Waited one week off antibiotics and then another aspiration to make sure that the infection was gone.
Then he told me I had to quit smoking or he wouldn't do the replacement surgery. So, I quit smoking. Had the blood test to prove it.
I had my knee put back in on 10/8. On the road to recovery ... again. Well, I didn't mean to go on so much ... it's just my little story.
I don't know about imaging or that stuff but I do believe the best thing to have done is the aspiration and culture. I know you think you will never get done with all of this. Believe me...you WILL!!! Because you have to. You have no choice.
I can't tell you how many times I have told my husband to please just cut my leg off just above my knee. I think sometimes I almost meant it. Let me know what you find out. We all need support. Can't tell you how much the people at BoneSmart will help you. They are all lifesavers!!!
I had left TKR 11/13 that became loose and had to be replaced on 3/15. That surgery went very well. Then about 8 months after that my knee started swelling and being inflamed. My OS suspected scar tissue build up and suggested arthroscopic surgery to clean it out. He found a lot of scar tissue and inflamed tissue. My knee felt so much better after that. Then a couple of months after that it all started again.
My OS was going to try another arthroscopic but wanted to do blood tests to make sure there was no infection. There was no swelling, warmth in the area, I had no fever and no illness. Blood counts were high so he did an aspiration. One week culture - INFECTION. Yuck.
I had surgery on 6/29. Removed my knee, flushed with antibiotics and put in an antibiotic spacer and two rods so I couldn't straighten my leg. Then 6 weeks of at home IV antibiotics. Waited one week off antibiotics and then another aspiration to make sure that the infection was gone.
Then he told me I had to quit smoking or he wouldn't do the replacement surgery. So, I quit smoking. Had the blood test to prove it.
I had my knee put back in on 10/8. On the road to recovery ... again. Well, I didn't mean to go on so much ... it's just my little story.
I don't know about imaging or that stuff but I do believe the best thing to have done is the aspiration and culture. I know you think you will never get done with all of this. Believe me...you WILL!!! Because you have to. You have no choice.
I can't tell you how many times I have told my husband to please just cut my leg off just above my knee. I think sometimes I almost meant it. Let me know what you find out. We all need support. Can't tell you how much the people at BoneSmart will help you. They are all lifesavers!!!
arizonaone
member
So there was no surgery yesterday. After being in pre-op for hours. Apparently during the type and screen blood work it was found in that I have antibodies in my blood. The hospital blood bank didn’t have the correct type in case I needed to be transfused during surgery. It has to be ordered which takes a few days. Therefore my OS and anesthesiologist would not do surgery without it and it was canceled.
Rescheduled for this Monday 10/ 29. The only good thing about the ordeal is that I’m getting pain meds every 6 hours. Going home today. Waiting to be discharged.
And the fun continues....
Rescheduled for this Monday 10/ 29. The only good thing about the ordeal is that I’m getting pain meds every 6 hours. Going home today. Waiting to be discharged.
And the fun continues....
Madbkseller
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Are you kidding me? I can only imagine. How horrible.
My last surgery I had a couple of scratches on my leg from my dogs. Dr Allan's PA looked at it and said that she needed to have him look at it and make sure he still wanted to do the surgery. I mean they had already marked my left knee and I was set to go. I was just praying when the doc came in and said the surgery was all above where the scratches were so he would go ahead and do the surgery. Thank God.
So... @arizonaone I can only imagine how devastating that was. And yes, I agree with Jockette that at least you hopefully are not in too much pain with your meds. GEEZ!!!! Thinking of you and still saying prayers.....
My last surgery I had a couple of scratches on my leg from my dogs. Dr Allan's PA looked at it and said that she needed to have him look at it and make sure he still wanted to do the surgery. I mean they had already marked my left knee and I was set to go. I was just praying when the doc came in and said the surgery was all above where the scratches were so he would go ahead and do the surgery. Thank God.
So... @arizonaone I can only imagine how devastating that was. And yes, I agree with Jockette that at least you hopefully are not in too much pain with your meds. GEEZ!!!! Thinking of you and still saying prayers.....
@arizonaone, what a disappointment. To get all keyed up, and then sent home. Now, you'll go through it again on Monday. It is better to be safe!
KarriB
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I’m so sorry! What a pain! At least it’s just another 3 days.
arizonaone
member
Thanks all. Yeah it all sucked. The worst was being in a holding pattern in pre-op and getting 5 different stories about the holdup. Not sure why the truth was so long in coming.
They were really good about pain control. When I was admitted they didn't want to give me anything by mouth with the surgery pending so they were giving me IV doses of morphine. Guess they realized that an infection really does cause pain.
When I was discharged today my nurse did a really nice thing - she asked if I had pain meds at home. I told her no, that I was going to call my pain MGMT Dr at his instruction. Just to be on the safe side she gave me the prescription that my OS had left for after surgery telling me to fill it if I had to but to use prudently as she didn't know how many more prescriptions he would give me. She didn't want me to be without anything. If he knew I'm quite sure he wouldn't be happy but ask me if I care. I'm also sure he wasn't happy about the delay but too bad. I'm done caring what my Drs think.
Didn't have to fill it as my pain Dr gave me Tramadol which is actually working . Can't wait for this ALL to be over.
They were really good about pain control. When I was admitted they didn't want to give me anything by mouth with the surgery pending so they were giving me IV doses of morphine. Guess they realized that an infection really does cause pain.
When I was discharged today my nurse did a really nice thing - she asked if I had pain meds at home. I told her no, that I was going to call my pain MGMT Dr at his instruction. Just to be on the safe side she gave me the prescription that my OS had left for after surgery telling me to fill it if I had to but to use prudently as she didn't know how many more prescriptions he would give me. She didn't want me to be without anything. If he knew I'm quite sure he wouldn't be happy but ask me if I care. I'm also sure he wasn't happy about the delay but too bad. I'm done caring what my Drs think.
Didn't have to fill it as my pain Dr gave me Tramadol which is actually working . Can't wait for this ALL to be over.
arizonaone
member
@Jockette
Motherbone
senior
I've had pretty good pain control with two 500 mg Tylenol and 50 to 100 mg Tramadol. Glad you got some relief. I sympathize with that waiting in pre op. I was told to report at 9 AM but not rolled into the OR until 2:30 PM. My back was killing me from lying on the gurney and I had to finally get up and pee. They kept coming and apologizing for the delay. I was thinking about you yesterday. These delays are nerve wracking.
arizonaone
member
@Motherbone Yes I did add two Tylenol last night before I went to bed and I was good until about 4:30 this morning. I am surprised that tramadol is really working. In the beginning I took them and they were great. But since my tkr last year I’ve needed something stronger.
You would think they could manage the OR schedule better so there are no delays
My issue is that I have hypoglycemia. My OS knew it but I was scheduled for 11:30 am instead of first thing in the a.m. And my pre op nurse wasn’t. giving me fluids to compensate for not eating for hours. I tried to tell him. But he was just not getting it. After repeating myself 4 times he finally started fluids. (Probably just got tired of hearing my mouth lol)
You would think they could manage the OR schedule better so there are no delays
My issue is that I have hypoglycemia. My OS knew it but I was scheduled for 11:30 am instead of first thing in the a.m. And my pre op nurse wasn’t. giving me fluids to compensate for not eating for hours. I tried to tell him. But he was just not getting it. After repeating myself 4 times he finally started fluids. (Probably just got tired of hearing my mouth lol)
KarriB
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I’m glad to hear the tramadol is working for you.
Motherbone
senior
It's so frustrating to me when the medical providers don't pay attention to what we have to say about our own bodies' functioning. They have a set agenda and a script to follow that our bodies can't always be shoe-horned into.
