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← Return to Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR
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Damage from Iovera Nerve block prior to TKR
Joint Replacements | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (222)Comment receiving replies
I am 10 months out from the replacement and still have some numbness. It's normal. It may or may not come back. I am grateful that you posted about the cryoneurolysis procedure. I couldn't get it in time before my knee surgery and had wanted to try it. Yours is a cautionary tale. Also, in reaction to coffecup's comment, my surgeon is not only unconcerned but totally absent from the recovery process. The mechanical appliance works, but the whole leg is a mess of chronic pain and swelling. The surgeon is supposed to "manage" the recovery and "collaborate" with the physical therapist to "individualize" the therapy. HAH! Reality is the complete opposite. Are all ortho surgeons so indifferent to their patients' recovery and pain? I am so discouraged that at this point I think the whole replacement was a huge mistake.
Replies to "I am 10 months out from the replacement and still have some numbness. It's normal. It..."
Your comments saddened me beyond belief. Once upon a time, as a kid, I had orthos who were a little less empathetic than I liked. I knew later, as an adult, what kind of behavior I would not put up with and carefully researched where I went for ortho help. I’ve had two TKRs and after the first one and a disappointing reaction I wasn’t expecting from my surgeon, I cancelled my second TKR with him after telling him why. He was good but not quite there for me. I found a human being ortho thru further research and interviewed him explaining that I was already approved but needed to know we would be a good fit. Suffice it to say I am now knee pain free and he also replaced my shoulder and oversaw two hip replacements which were performed by another surgeon in his practice.
I insisted. I am lucky maybe but I think you have to say “I won’t put up with this baloney” and express your concerns to the ortho doctor directly. If you don’t want to see the NP or PA and want to see the surgeon, ask before whether that is a problem. Also interview some; READ the reviews posted about particular doctors; ASK them and interview until you find a fit with competent skills and a good record. Ask other doctors who they would recommend and NEVER stay with a surgeon “just because.”
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I do believe that is the standard now, at least for knee replacement. After surgery, it is turned over to the doctor's staff. If I ever get the nerve to have the surgery, I will go into it knowing that the doctor will be unavailable unless I need another TKR. A PT said that 1 in 5 will still have pain after TKR, but my surgeon says it takes at least a year to heal so maybe the pain will eventually go away, I pray that it does.