what a nightmare!!!

[jayno]

I went to Cleveland Clinic yesterday and now I have to have a redo. My PCL is torn and they say that is why I am having so much pain and the knee is so unstable.I don't know why my original doctor did not pick up on this. This doctor knew in a minute what was wrong. He says I have no other options but to do this. So I have to start all over and I have already lost 9 months with this knee. The thought of doing this again makes me sick. I will probably do it in Sep't with more rehab, cpm machine, and all that other good stuff. I am so discouraged and wish I had my old knee back. By the way, he has no idea why my PCL tore but I am thinking maybe the mua might have done it. Any suggestions?​

 

[Sticker Lady]

Jayno--
I'm so sorry to hear all that you have been through and all that you have ahead of you. Others will be on who can answer your question, but I wanted you to know you are being thought of.
Blessings,
Irene

 

[Texas]

Hey Jayno I'm so sorry I was asking my husband what all that meant for you. I posted is somewhere and I dont know where it went oh well....You need to take it easy I know it stinks but at least you have someone now that well has a brain and is helping you....I know you dont want to do this again but it will be fixed this time and you didnt go thru all of that to have these results...Good Luck to you we are all here for ya....Please post anythime. I know its disappointing and Im so sorry. You will be in my prayers...

 

[Judles]

Hope everything starts getting better for you NOW, Jayno!!

 

[brs0660]

Oh no Jayno...how discouraging. :rant: Just remember that there will be better days. So glad you found a doc who knew why you are having so much pain...soon it will be history.
Barb

 

[petuniafish]

Jayno,
I am soooo sorry. This really is a nightmare.
From the little I know a PCL is difficult to diagnose. You probably already know that it is usually caused by the classic "dashboard" injury- motor vehicle accident when a patient goes flying and knee is struck and bends backwards by the impact of the dashboard. (I'm a nurse and have worked ER awhile back.) But it doesn't sound like that was the case for your original injury no?

I've not a clue how this occurred tho- did you have an MRI? And is it a complete (grade 3) tear? Glad you are at the Cleveland Clinic. You are very fortunate- you should get the best of care. It would be within the realm of possibilities that you original OS could have missed a PCL tear- like I say difficult to diagnose, especially since you had a lot of other stuff going on with your knee prior to your surgery. (You did have a knee replacement recently yes?) In any case, it's understandable that you would be really angry. Take your time being upset, you deserve it....it will pass and soon you will be in a recovery mindset.

I've written in another thread that last week I tore (no I didn't tear-my neighbor's 150lb dogs did it for me) my MCL. It is generally not surgically repaired. I'm on bedrest for a month and then will have it "re-evaluated" by my OS. Most people are 6-8 weeks off or until you don't limp anymore- then it's considered to be have formed enough scar tissue to have mended. It's killing me. I was doing fantastically after my surgery, returning to all usual activities- back to work in 4 weeks. And then I started trying to please people, not offend people and it ended up with the dogs charging into me and bending my fresh post-op knee backwards. We have similar injuries, but yours can be repaired surgically. I am a little envious.

Will be anxious to hear more from you. I am doing nothing but lying in bed, crawling to the BR, reading, sewing, computering. keep in touch. My heart goes out to you!

 

[Texas]

Hi Jayno, just wondering how you were doing today....I hope things start to look a lil brighter....You can join me and Nancy we all have a pulled or torn something..lol...It will all be ok. The sooner its fixed the faster you will recover...try to keep your chin up....I know its tough sometimes.....;)

 

[Josephine]

If your PCL went during an MUA then it probably wasn't in good nick anyway. In that case, your surgeon should have used a cruciate sacrificing knee replacement. They're much more commonly used anyway as it's rare to find an arthritic knee with good strong cruciates. Bad choice in his part and now you have to cope with the consequences. My heart goes out to you.

 

[jayno]

There is some things about all this that I just don't understand. This new doctor is going to go in and remove at least the top component and he is not sure yet if the whole knee has to come out. I have been trying to find out if everything I know about a torn pcl but he did say the whole knee is so unstable and I have no options but to do this revision. This will be my fourth surgery in ten months. This new guy is so good, though. He helped invent the stryker knee and this guy has people coming from all over the world to see him. So I know he is really good and says he has no doubt that he can fix me. He says I am basically looking at another year of this ****. Possibly sooner, depending on my rehab and all that other stuff. I want to thank you all for responding and your prayers and encouragement. It sure does help cause right now I feel so mentally defeated and I know I have to have good outlook going into this next surgery.Thank you all so much!!!!

 

[Texas]

Hey Janyo I went thru 5 surgeries in 6 mths.Then the TKR then the MAU. ended up going to another Dr. which I should have done sooner. So if your comfortable with this new OS then stick with him. Maybe right down all your questions and ask each and every one. You deserve to have all of them answered. If he knows what you have been thru he wont mind at all. I hope you can get thru this with as lil difficulty as possible. My heart really goes out to you.....Try to think positive I know its hard but it makes a difference....

 

[Josephine]

There is some things about all this that I just don't understand. This new doctor is going to go in and remove at least the top component and he is not sure yet if the whole knee has to come out. I have been trying to find out if everything I know about a torn pcl but he did say the whole knee is so unstable and I have no options but to do this revision.

Well, it's all about the difference between a cruciate sacrificing and a cruciate sparing knee which is the triangular peg in the centre of the plastic insert (spacer). Notice the difference in the inter-condylar slots on the two femoral components as well.

.. cruciate sacrifing ........................... cruciate sparing

.............

Since you were fitted with a cruciate sparing prosthesis, the femoral component doesn't have such a slot so it needs to be changed. But the metal tibial part is suitable for both. So he will just need to replace the femoral prosthesis and the insert and that will be it! Job done!

However, if he finds he cannot fit the new insert into the existing tibial component or there is some other problem, then it will have to be changed as well.

 

[jayno]

I have another question. In May, I was sent to have a three phase bone scan to rule out infection. My doctor told me it was negative and nothing wrong. When I got my report to take to Cleveland Clinic, I read the results of that bone scan. It said it was a positive three phase bone scan and suggested I do a white blood cell scan. Not once in the report but it was suggested twice. When I got to Cleveland Clinic Clinic, they wanted to know Why I didn't have that test? Did my doctor here just think it was normal or did he just mess up again? That report also confuses me. Now I think I have to do that white blood cell scan.

 

[jayno]

Thanks Josephine!!! That really helped me out alot. I understand it now. I really appreciate your input.

 

[Josephine]

Yep - I'd say he made a major boo boo again. You need to get that blood test done PDQ. And speak to the new man about it as well.

Professional incompetence comes to mind ..... got a good lawyer?

 

[petuniafish]

Jayno~
How fortunate to have someone here as knowledgeable as Jo to be able to explain things!! With a picture too. Cannot believe how messed up things are. Doctors don't speak ill of another's work, but bet your new OS's mind is reeling. I am SOOOOO sorry for you. You have a right to be furious. But thank goodness you have a fine OS now, who will take care of you. There are many people here who can provide you comfort and support along this route. Don't know what I'd do had I not found this site.
My heart is with you. Thank you too, Jo, for all you give!!

 

[Judles]

Well, you don't need to be reminded again.....but what an IDIOT your first OS is!!! Glad you found omeone with a brain now to straighten you ou once and for all!!!!

 

[jayno]

Thanks again everyone! I have learned more on here than anywhere else and I would love to take Josephine on every appointment with me. You all have been wonderful and caring and i hope to give you all good news sometime soon.

 

[Judles]

Best of luck, Jayno! Be sure to keep us posted!!:thmb:

 

[Josephine]

I'm only ever a post away! :thmb:

 

[Judles]

And an Ocean!!:skp: