I was experiencing serious problems with stiffness and tightness ( very little pain) after my TKR on 2/28/24. An x-ray was done during my post surgery check up 5 weeks later. The doctor said that things were looking good and I should just continue with therapy.
However , my feelings of extreme discomfort from tightness and stiffness in the knee did not improve ( sometimes I felt as if I was going crazy) . I asked the surgeon to do some additional imaging (MRI, CATSCAN, etc.) to eliminate soft tissue issues. I was hoping that the additional imaging would help the psychological aspects of my healing by excluding any surgical problems.
He asked me to come in but did not recommend the additional imaging. I was seen and the PA asked me to walk and then decided that I needed to do a MUA .
It was done on 5/1/24. I did an EKG and bloodwork. No imaging was done prior to the MUA and the surgeon made numerous notes on my treatment plan saying " NO XRAY " My understanding is that a CAT SCAN or MRI ( I defer to the experts) not necessarily an x-ray would have been the most appropriate imaging, but he did not prescribe any of them. The entire imaging for the TKR and MUA surgeries consisted of 1 set of x-rays prior to the TKR in February and another set for the post surgery visit.
Things have improved a little, but I am still experiencing a lot of stiffness and tightness .My main concern is that I still do not know what is happening inside my knee that is causing these issues. Scar tissue build up ?Sure? But what is contributing or could have led to it ?
The surgeon did not explain his rationale. If it was insurance issues, I was willing to deal with it
but the discussion was never held.
Question :"Is it normal for a surgeon to proceed with an operation without having an inner map of the body part to more clearly determine what needs to be done ?"How did he know how to perform the MCU effectively without seeing inside the knee prior to doing it ? Don't I have the right to participate in the decisions that are made regarding my treatment ?
I would be extremely grateful if someone could help me to understand the doctor's unwillingness to take additional pictures. Thanks.