1. < Joint Replacements

Misleading Advise

Posted by ouch89 @ouch89, 3 days ago

This forum is generally for patients to ask questions, but as another unsuccessful TKR recipient I have exhausted all my questions and come to this conclusion.
As a lay person when it comes to medical issues, I cannot respond to whether the many answers to questions that patients ask have merit or not, but I notice that responses cover everything on the spectrum from soup to nuts. Answers to questions can be misleading when responders relate their personal experiences. This can take the questioner down a rabbit hole with bad advice that may end in more pain, additional expenses, and frustration.
Consensus from many unsuccessful TKR recipients state that following surgery and months’ apart follow-ups you are on your own. Doctors are good at blowing you off by giving you hope and optimism for about a year before they subtly dismiss you by making no more appointments.
It is a sad commentary on our medical community when patients in pain, distress, and frustration reach out to other patients for advice and recommendations.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 3 days ago

@ouch89 I am sorry that you are discouraged by the feedback you read here. None of us is a medical professional, just people sharing a tough situation.

The purpose of Mayo Connect is to allow people to share their health journeys. Many times, what is suggested as "this worked for me" gives someone just the initiative they need to approach their doc one more time, maybe in a slightly different way or to try PT again.

People today are faced with limited access to their docs and other providers, so getting some of their answers here can get them through a rough patch. And they get a realistic answer here about how long complete recovery can take, and that it is hard work - most doctors don't share that very clearly before joint replacements.

You may notice, too, that when someone seems to be facing a danger to their health - dislocation, infection, joint failure - they are urged to consult their care team. And when the Volunteer Mentors or the Mayo Connect Moderators see someone headed down a questionable path like unproven meds or therapies or potentially dangerous supplements, we are quick to correct.

On Connect groups like "MAC & Bronchiectasis" expert medical personnel are HARD to find for our rare conditions. Most people never heard of the infection or condition before they were diagnosed, and we provide them a support community where they can learn about treatment options and how to find the right care.

Finally - remember - you are reading posts from the 10-15% of knee recipients whose surgery had complications - not the 85-90% for whom it went smoothly.

If you were in charge of Mayo Connect, what would you do differently?

REPLY
1 reply
cathymw | @cathymw | 2 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@ouch89 I am sorry that you are discouraged by the feedback you read here. None of..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@ouch89 I am sorry that you are discouraged by the feedback you read here. None of us is a medical professional, just people sharing a tough situation.

The purpose of Mayo Connect is to allow people to share their health journeys. Many times, what is suggested as "this worked for me" gives someone just the initiative they need to approach their doc one more time, maybe in a slightly different way or to try PT again.

People today are faced with limited access to their docs and other providers, so getting some of their answers here can get them through a rough patch. And they get a realistic answer here about how long complete recovery can take, and that it is hard work - most doctors don't share that very clearly before joint replacements.

You may notice, too, that when someone seems to be facing a danger to their health - dislocation, infection, joint failure - they are urged to consult their care team. And when the Volunteer Mentors or the Mayo Connect Moderators see someone headed down a questionable path like unproven meds or therapies or potentially dangerous supplements, we are quick to correct.

On Connect groups like "MAC & Bronchiectasis" expert medical personnel are HARD to find for our rare conditions. Most people never heard of the infection or condition before they were diagnosed, and we provide them a support community where they can learn about treatment options and how to find the right care.

Finally - remember - you are reading posts from the 10-15% of knee recipients whose surgery had complications - not the 85-90% for whom it went smoothly.

If you were in charge of Mayo Connect, what would you do differently?

Jump to this post

This is the site which helped me to go forward with my MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia). I would not have a better functioning joint if I had not proceeded with it.
I do disagree with you about the stated 10-15% of unhappy replacement folks. The stats are much higher than that depending on sources and I believe surgeons definitely do not self-report either. My surgeon was reluctant to do an MUA, saying he had only performed a handful???
The KSS score does not allow clarification- I could freely walk up stairs from the get go. Why does it still hurt to go down after almost a year?

With every surgery comes all of the variables, patient's and surgeon's- so much to consider as a consumer- this site helps, so appreciate this site.
https://www.jbjs.org/summary.php?id=272
https://josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-022-03205-2

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irenesara | @irenesara | 2 days ago

Both articles were very helpful enlightening. Thank you for sharing. 👍🏼

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cathymw | @cathymw | 1 day ago

The one article spoke of corticosteroids injected during for pain control and movement enhancement- I had triamcinolone injected during my MUA. Major side effects. Every one possible. Worst was my heart racing and pounding. Never again.

Never think a steroid shot is something to take lightly.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/kenalog-40-side-effects.html#serious-side-effects

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