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Ask another doctor
I've had two conditions that have prompted me to consult another doctor not connected to my 'operative' doctor.
My TKR done 12/24 was not done well. The operative doctor said my pain and swelling was 'scar tissue' and would resolve. It didn't.
My NEW, super competent, orthopedic doctor saw by just looking at it that the capsule was herniated (swelling) and the patella was off location (subluxed); painful!! X-ray showed there was no patella 'button' to keep it off the metal femoral orthotic = more pain.
Now I'm having to get it repaired for those 3 defects. And as you know, more recovery.
Plus, 12/25 I had five (5) vertebrae fail in compression fracture due to osteoporosis. This was super painful - far worse than I had ever imagined.
My NEW, super ortho doc (same NEW as above), spotted a vertebra problem from the X-ray taken by the previous ortho a month of awful pain earlier. A new MRI clearly showed my NEW ortho doc five (5) fractures. He repaired them with minimally invasive surgery a 'day later'. Pain was gone!!!
Moral of my story: if you think you have a problem with an earlier procedure, don't hesitate to seek a second opinion from your PCP or another specialist not connected with the original.
Good luck and God Speed to you all.
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Granpun, cheers to your NEW super competent orthopedic doctor. Do you mind dropping his name? for bdiver (@bdiver1verizon
Thanks for your post with all of it's encouragement.
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2 ReactionsSecond moral: get a great surgeon. It sounds like you did the second time around.
who is the doctor that helped you? where? thanks
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1 ReactionI have also experienced continuing pain in one area after a TKR in the right leg. Right now I am 3 months after surgery and I have pain in the back of the right knee. It hurts every step. I have been told I am impatient What do you all think.
Here and in Reddit I see what appear to be standard surgeon replies to patients who experience problems: everything is fine, it is a traumatic surgery, you need time, x-rays look great, etc. etc.
I think your surgeon is full of crap. A good doctor looks for solutions, not standard replies.
Assuming it is not minor pain, and assuming your are not overly sensitive to pain, you should see another doctor.
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1 ReactionAbsolutely see another doctor. You are so right! Wish I had.
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1 ReactionThank you this is my story. Almost to a T . My total knee replacement knee is still hurting painful swollen poor walking ability since the surgery in September/25. I also have had lumbar disc disease for two decades. I am overwhelmed with pain. I wish you would feel comfortable letting me know where your doctor is the one that helped you.
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1 Reaction@roxie12
It would be easier if you told us where you are or if you are willing and able to travel for the surgery.
Grandpun: May I ask what part of your knee stayed swollen, that your new "super doc" noticed right away as a problem, not as scar tissue that would go away?
After 7 months TKR of right knee, a swollen lump stays on front left side. After my "Home exercise program, HEP" and after walking a few blocks, the swollen lump gets a lot larger. (I ice after each HEP.")
My surgeon offers "manipulation under anesthesia" combined with "arthroscopy" to remove scar tissue, but transparently says it could give me more ROM, but it also is possible that it would make my ROM worse. With a current 90 degree bend, I doubt that I'll risk those two procedures and just live my life out glad that I can do steps, drive and some outdoor walking.
My lump(s) is due to a leaking 'capsule' around the knee join. Whether herniated or damage in the TKR process can't be discerned at this point. It's located just below the joint on the front of the tibia. Another small one is just to the right of that. On first visit the doctor drained 60+ cc from the main one. It was just fluid with a bloody color. And it filled up very shortly after. Hopefully he can find and fix the leak(s) when he repairs the main problems which are the displaced (subluxed) patella and the arthritic patella. Both the above he immediately saw looking at my knee. Also, he'll add the "button" plastic surface on the underside of the patella to end the arthritic bone on metal contact.
I hope and pray this will fix the pain on standing up from a chair as well as the pain up and down stairs; very limiting.
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