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One fall results in five surgeries and now possibly infection and more
My four year old grandson trips me and i fall (Jan/2013). Dr. x-rays and says nothing is broken...months later pain continues....suggest therapy..after much therapy and all test negative...ortho surgeon says that because of pain i changed way i walked and had a meniscus tear. Does meniscus arthroscopic surgery, no change..pain continues, more therapy, one shot of SynVisc then later a cortisone shot. Finally I am pain free. Then follow up visit, Dr. suggest partial knee replacement since he says the cortisone shot was a temporary fix and pain will return...Had a trip planned, scheduled upon return of trip...Minimal anpain, and go to surgery....I had a partial knee replacement on right knee 7 years before and was doing fine, full time teaching, wore heels, danced....etc. so why not this one now to help with pain... Well post surgery of partial knee replacement, I began to lose control of my leg, knee gave out and fell several times. Dr. ignored, he said it could be that they touched a nerved...Had neurological test done, nothing was wrong..Then i fall and break my wrist,(Feb/2014) Dr. believes me about losing control of my leg, MRI shows that quadriceps tendon is torn, so he said he needed to operate this and fix it (March/2014). Had a knee immobilizer for 6 weeks, then began therapy and fell again, MRI showed tendon tear and another surgery was done in May/2014...Same process immobilizer, therapies, lots of pain and in October i fell again....This Dr. said to go to someone else, he didn't know what to do..Found a Dr. that specializes in tendons and takes care of athlete (Miami Dolphins),, does surgery in 11/02014...Everything seemed great but my would got infected.,They removed a good portion of flesh and when it started growing out, a boyle pops up and gives out pus...I have been with this problem ever since, blood doesnt show infection,but now they are telling me because I got another at the end of the scar, it may require revision surgery of both the knee and the tendon...I walk, do all my daily stuff, have no pain, raise my legs, etc..
HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING SIMILAR? DESPERATE !!!
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Oh my goodness, you have had an awful time. I haven't had these problems, but I wanted to let you know how sorry I am that you've had to go through these experiences.
My recommendation is that you make an appointment with the appropriate physician at The Mayo Clinic closest to you for an examination and evaluation of the problems you're having. My husband and I have both been helped by the Mayo doctors. Once in my case, I was able to avoid surgery that was recommended because of a misdiagnosis.
I hope you hear from others on this site, and that they are able to offer good information to you. Gail B Ledesma
I would like to echo what Gail said. If at all possible, do make an appointment at one of the Mayo Clinic locations. Last year (2016) I was in a wheelchair with severe leg pain that no one seemed to be able to diagnose (I live near Philadelphia). I saw an orthopedist who told me that I needed IMMEDIATE surgery or I would be paralyzed. I was a self-referral to Mayo in Rochester; after PT and epidural injections, I am able to walk. I will eventually need surgery but not right away. Please, please do try to get to a Mayo location.
Helen
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1 Reaction@magmar Wow, you have been thru a "war". I echo what others are saying about getting to Mayo as your first choice, but since you mention that you are near Philly, do you know about the Rothman Institute across the street from Jefferson Hospital in Philly. I had both knees replaced there in 2004 and 2006 and was walking without pain within hours of the surgery and have great flexibility with both. I understand that the hospital has one whole floor dedicated for Rothman patients. I went to a seminar pre-surgery and they mentioned that the nursing care there was excellent and to see if that was right, I was amazed. Every time I rang the bell for a nurse, someone responded within 15 SECONDS or less. And they made arrangements to get me home or to a nursing facility post surgery so you don't have to have someone come to get you. Now Rothman has many offices throughout the area within 60 or so miles. My surgeon now has hours in KIng of Prussia, and I now live in Lancaster and still see him for routine checks. But if you can get to Mayo, that should be your first choice. Best wishes. gailfaith
Thank you for your recommendations. I live in Florida not Philadelphia
@magigar, @bernese...Sorry. Someone who responded to you lives near Philly, so this is addressed to both of you.
"Right church, wrong pew" as they say. gailfaith
Please get to Mayo! I had similar but mine was above knee. They saved my life i was so full of infection by the time i got there
can you tell me more how yours got infected, and symptoms? I saw another ortho today in Miami and told me that I should have a complete wash up of my tissues, then replace the plastic in knee, and put me on an immobilizer for six to eight weeks...He hoped that my quad tendon was alright, otherwise I may not walk again...but the problem is that as ugly as my leg looks, I can walk with no pain and have no signs of infection... Would you have surgery no. 6?
Thinking of going to the Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. Closer than the one in MN.