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Scar tissue after knee replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 10 8:31am | Replies (1550)Comment receiving replies
I have wanted to ask about my situation for a long time . Thanks in advance for listening. Might want to get some popcorn and a lounge chair the story is amazing to me. In 2009 I got up from the couch and bumped my knee on the coffee table. After three days it was still bothering me so I went and had it looked at. The doctor told me I turn my meniscus as well as stage for arthritis on all sides of my knee. He suggested surgery to repair the meniscus which was performed two weeks after my initial visit. For some reason my knee didn’t respond and was still very very sore and very painful after the procedure. The doctor suggested total knee replacement after six weeks postop from the first procedure. This knee replacement resulted in a tremendous amount of pain difficulty in bending and the build up of excessive scar tissue. I decided to get a second opinion. This doctor was supposed to be the best in the state. After reviewing my case he said that the other doctor had given me a Volkswagen implant but he was going to give me a Cadillac. The results or more scar tissue and more pain. I go to physical therapy and it would be OK for a month or so and then slowly return to my inability to bend it or straighten it. Fast forward to today. Since 2009 I’ve had eight total knee replacements as well as over at least 10 manipulations. During that. On one occasion my knee became septic and the implant was removed while I sat in wheelchair for eight weeks with a pick line. I was also saying during that time a pain medicine physician taking a significant amount of medication. The last surgery performed was a hinged knee surgery. I have fallen numerous times including once where I broke my wrist in three places that required surgery. Currently my knee is worse than it is ever been I am unable to bend it at all I’m unable to get in and out of the vehicle and my quality-of-life is very poor. I can hardly lift my leg up off the floor to put it up on the couch. My knee pain seems to be centralized around my knee cap in the side of my knee I’m also experiencing What feels like electric charges shooting up my leg . Approximately a month and a half ago I want to see my pain management physician who is said the opiate laws have changed and you don’t have cancer so no you you no longer will get any pain medicine . So after seven years I’ve taking medication after two weeks of lowering it he no longer was willing to help me. He did say he would refer me to another pain medicine doctor however why would he give me pain medicine. What is the referral going to indicate that he no longer is willing to give me pain medicine but he would like him to that seem pretty ludicrous to me. So now I have no medicine I can’t walk and I can’t find any resources for help.The pain is excruciating and my surgeon says he no longer can help me. I wished he would’ve said that five surgeries ago. I participated in the program past all my urinalysis test did everything I was supposed to do and yet they claim the laws are preventing them from helping me. I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know how much longer I can deal with a situation without some kind of guidance help ideas or anything.I feel that they abandoned me I feel like they don’t care and it’s very frustrating.
Replies to "I have wanted to ask about my situation for a long time . Thanks in advance..."
Have you seen a neurologist? Your story is a horror. My heart goes out to you.
Your story is awful. Don’t know where you live, but I would seek out THC/medical marijuana. You have no choice. I have not gone to a doc for a card yet, but I am going to after my next appt next Friday. I’m even a recovering person. I’ve heard that the ideal “place” to be found is where you take the least dose that does not make you stoned (high), but have a feeling of well being. That’s why I sought out the knee replacement! Of course, we all get to choose our limits. Sometimes I feel like I’d rather not live with this mess, but then I have a god cry, tell a friend, snap back, and focus on one small task/victory. God bless you.
Hi @sarastafford - I'm glad you found Connect. And I'm very sorry to hear about all of the pain and difficulty you have had since your knee injury. In a way, our knee issues started in a similar way. It was December 2016, I sat down at my computer to do some paperwork, and when I got ready to get up, I literally couldn't walk. I had to wait for my husband to come home to go up to the attic and find some old crutches we had stored there. It was a torn meniscus. But nothing worked. 4 months later, I had a total knee replacement. I'm happy that mine worked out fine and after recovering, I don't have many problems other than a little loss of balance. But I can definitely feel for what you have been through. If I understand correctly, you surgery was in 2009, you are going to a pain clinic, and they are reducing or eliminating your pain medicine. Is that correct? Are they offering you any options for tapering off?
Hi, @sarastafford and welcome to Connect. Sara, I am so sorry for what you have gone through. It is definitely the worst nightmare I have heard of regarding a TKR. I hope you manage to find some doctor, somewhere who can help you. I can imagine how despondent you must be. Reading your tale even makes me feel helpless in not being able to offer any advice, just concern and hope for the future.
I think you need to get an opinion at the top medical center that you are able to go to. US NEWS just published their annual report on the best hospitals and departments. I would find the hospitals that have the best ortho departments and find a way to go to one of them. You don't mention where you are from, but I hope there is something reasonably close to you. I am very fortunate in that regard, I have Boston 55 miles down the road and go there for many things. Speaking of which, MGH rated second in best hospitals in the country, second to Mayo! Plus I think MGH had the most areas of excellence. Actually though, I don't think MGH is the best place to go to ortho.
Try to stay positive, there has to be some help out there.
I really do wish I could help more. Pain for that long is so destructive to a person, emotionally and every other way.
JK
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Has the pain management doctor said anything about a nerve ablation? I had knee replacement 1 1/2 years ago and have been in constant pain since (also had taken NSAIDS long term which messed up my stomach to the point I needed gastric bypass surgery). After being told I could no longer take NSAIDS my primary physician prescribed tramadol and referred me to a pain management doctor (by my request as I didn't want to be on narcotic medication any longer than necessary). After battling with the insurance company for 4 months I finally had a diagnostic nerve block last month which took away the pain temporarily. On Friday I go in for an ablation which should help the pain for 1-2 years.