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TKR TRKR 10/13/23 - Moving Forward with Many Detours

@dubloosh , I am trying to be consistent in using the salve. I am also trying to use the TENS unit I bought at least a few times a week. I think between the two, I do feel relief from pain. Plus, this forum is really helping me stay positive about my recovery. Thank goodness!!
Yes, this forum offers helpful information and encouragement. I'm glad I joined, too. Though I've not used comfrey prior to using a TENS unit, I have used it prior to applying a heating pad. Hope you don't get burned as it is greasy. Glad you're feeling better. My patella doesn't hurt; seems the quad is the favored area for pain today.
 
Hi everyone! Today's a new day with the knee: this morning lots of pain yet bending was easy. Go figure. Yesterday I emailed my surgeon and told him I'm seeking a second opinion; he replied it's always a good idea to do that. What is causing him to drag his feet? Initially when I told him I had pain and where, he suggested a revision. Why is he denying the MRI report? I am thinking of filing a medical complaint against the radiologist as I was unable to speak with anyone in his office, and because my surgeon denied the findings. What would you suggest?

Looking forward to appointment next Tuesday.

Because I've read comfrey is to be used for a short time I'm taking a break today and taking only ibuprofen and acetaminophen. I may use the comfrey on my thumb joint when I resume using it as the cortisone injection so far hasn't taken effect.
 
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I’m not understanding what the basis of a complaint against the radiologist might be. Although you can be provided a copy of the radiology report, these specialists do not normally discuss results with a patient. Although they may answer questions during the procedure, the results were ordered by your doctor and that’s who is charged with discussing them with you. If you believe the doctor is blowing your results off, then you’re doing the right thing to seek another opinion. Even in that case, there isn’t much to complain about formally with your current doctor. Right or wrong, he’s entitled to his opinion on your case. I think you’re better served by just seeking other opinions. You have no requirement to email your surgeon about second opinions that you seek and I wouldn’t advise doing that.
 
I’m not understanding what the basis of a complaint against the radiologist might be. Although you can be provided a copy of the radiology report, these specialists do not normally discuss results with a patient. Although they may answer questions during the procedure, the results were ordered by your doctor and that’s who is charged with discussing them with you. If you believe the doctor is blowing your results off, then you’re doing the right thing to seek another opinion. Even in that case, there isn’t much to complain about formally with your current doctor. Right or wrong, he’s entitled to his opinion on your case. I think you’re better served by just seeking other opinions. You have no requirement to email your surgeon about second opinions that you seek and I wouldn’t advise doing that.
Hi @Jamie I apologize for being repetitive and won't mention the past again. You're right, and thank you. I'll post about the new appointment when I get home.
 
It’s okay…..we’re here to listen when you want to vent. Believe me, I understand how frustrating it is to not have the support you want, need, and deserve from your medical professionals. This happens, but there are good people out there! Sometimes you just have to look for them a little. Don’t ever worry about expressing your feelings here. I just wanted to be sure I understood what you were asking for to give you the best response possible. No apologies needed!
 
It’s okay…..we’re here to listen when you want to vent. Believe me, I understand how frustrating it is to not have the support you want, need, and deserve from your medical professionals. This happens, but there are good people out there! Sometimes you just have to look for them a little. Don’t ever worry about expressing your feelings here. I just wanted to be sure I understood what you were asking for to give you the best response possible. No apologies needed!
Thank you @Jamie I appreciate you saying this and appreciate this forum. At the core: I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that he was dismissive. It was not on the radiologist, you're right. Time for a new start with continued care.
 
It is so frustrating when the doctor is dismissive or hard to reach, especially because right after surgery you absolutely don’t feel up to the difficult task of finding someone else. I feel for you and hope you can get the help you need. I would go ahead and request copies of your important records so you have them if needed. Some offices will provide them on the spot but others will only mail them after some delay.
 
It is so frustrating when the doctor is dismissive or hard to reach, especially because right after surgery you absolutely don’t feel up to the difficult task of finding someone else. I feel for you and hope you can get the help you need. I would go ahead and request copies of your important records so you have them if needed. Some offices will provide them on the spot but others will only mail them after some delay.
Hi @MSuki you're right. Thank you for the suggestions. I received images of my January 8 xray and the images and report of my January 25 MRI. The new office wants a list of medications and allergies; I have these. The challenge is to find a knee surgeon whose practice is unaffiliated with the same hospital as mine, and I prefer not to travel into NYC. That's what happened a few weeks ago; the surgeon I spoke with knew my surgeon. Another office said to wait one year post op before contacting again. I feel positive about next week.
 
HI, I hope everyone had a good Saturday. It was a long day for me, and my knee survived! Any morning I get up and bend my op knee to reach my good knee is a good morning. I had to leave at a little after 7 a.m. to proctor an exam; it was a long day. Despite the rainy and damp weather, I took care of my knee by sitting on a desk doing ankle pumps and swinging my op leg back and forth, then massaging the scar through my pants leg. Had anyone been paying attention it would have seemed strange; I didn't care. Finally able to put a heating pad on my leg and around my calf as that aches a bit. Soothing heat.
 
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Oh yay!!!!! Yes continual movement makes my knees happy!
Hi, I'm sorry I forgot to ask: did you pick up the comfrey salve yesterday? None of the vendors at local Farmer's Markets make this so I'll need to research within a certain mile radius to find who does and where they sell it.
 
Hi @dubloosh No, a winter storm prevented our many north-of-here farmer's market vendors, who are also at higher altitude, from even thinking of trying to get down here yesterday (I had called him Friday afternoon to double check, hoping for safety sake he wasn't coming).
So we're on for next week.
I will mention that buying from a local vendor is typically a lot more expensive than buying a brand made in large enough quantities to sell nationally.
 
So we're on for next week.
I will mention that buying from a local vendor is typically a lot more expensive than buying a brand made in large enough quantities to sell nationally.
Good that you will be able to get it next week. I'm sure you will feel the benefits. You're right about price from local vendors; ours here are pricier, too. Then, again, is the benefit of naturally made and fresh.
 
This is a true story and not how I planned to spend Sunday afternoon. I got home around 2 p.m. and was waiting for the elevator in the basement of our building. It came, and a neighbor who uses a motorized scooter backed out, presumably to then go forward. I moved out of the way, except he turned and drove straight into my left (good) knee, knocking me to the ground before finally stopping. He blamed me and said I was in the way, then said he has a problem making turns. I called our building management to complain and said he needs to back into the elevator so he can face the door to see if anyone is there when it opens. I called 911 for an ambulance and filed a police report. He missed my left kneecap by inches and hit the fat pad on the outside of my knee; my shin is turning black and blue. Now I walk with a slight waddle from the pain and am wearing compression hose on my left leg. The good news is my left knee is OK, nothing broken, and the hardware in my new right knee and left hip (six years this month) are all in place. I contacted my current surgeon as the hospital said to follow up, yet he has access to the records since he operates there. This I did not need.
 
My gosh!! What an idiot this man is. For him to blame you because HE has trouble managing his scooter is inexcusable. I’m glad to hear you weren’t seriously injured and you filed reports in case something shows up later. You certainly didn’t need this. I hope the pain from this encounter improves rapidly and gets you back to where you were.
 
My gosh!! What an idiot this man is. For him to blame you because HE has trouble managing his scooter is inexcusable. I’m glad to hear you weren’t seriously injured and you filed reports in case something shows up later. You certainly didn’t need this. I hope the pain from this encounter improves rapidly and gets you back to where you were.
Thank you. At the very least he could have asked if I'm OK. Icing both knees now and put Arnicare on my thigh, which hurts when I walk. It's not really swollen, more bruised.
 
Any time you have a fall….even if it’s an “easy” one where you don’t hit really hard….you’ll have a whole bunch of parts that hurt afterwards. Some take 24 hours to flare up, so tomorrow may be a bit more painful. Just keep doing what you’re doing with ice and rest. Don’t hesitate to take something for pain if you have it. Tylenol would be good.
 
Any time you have a fall….even if it’s an “easy” one where you don’t hit really hard….you’ll have a whole bunch of parts that hurt afterwards. Some take 24 hours to flare up, so tomorrow may be a bit more painful. Just keep doing what you’re doing with ice and rest. Don’t hesitate to take something for pain if you have it. Tylenol would be good.
You're right. I got up not long ago after dozing and took more Tylenol. What worries me is I'm walking a little crooked because it's painful to walk heel, toe on that leg, mainly because my quad hurts. I may have to go back the first surgeon. Do you think I should ask for an MRI to see if there are soft tissue injuries? I'm so aggravated and have a busy week ahead. Adding: don't think it needs an MRI. I was wearing a blue puffer jacket, which luckily cushioned the fall. The brunt of pain and injury is where he hit my leg below my left knee.
 
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