Knee Replacement Failure - Need total reconstruction

@merpreb Thanks, but I checked out the MGH website and there were only two that seemed to fit my needs, and if I do go to Boston I have decided which I would use. It’s feeling a little bit better than it did yesterday so at this point I am doing nothing.

I decided that if I do make another appointment I will go to this guy in Manchester, Dr. Parisien. If it came down to needing surgery I would go to Boston for a second opinion and if that doctor concurred I would have it done there. For now I will just hope it will heal on it’s own.
JK

Have fun at the wedding.Good luck with your pain management. I know they don’t like to prescribe much other than Motrin.
Dr Fitz has a great reputation unfortunately he doesn’t take my insurance. I think I will google “conformis knee” and find the list of MD’s that fo it.

How does someone really find an excellent surgeon when you have commercial insurance? Sure, there are ways like calling top PT clinics and asking if any particular surgeon has better results than most, but then, you have to check to see if they're in your network. There are websites like Vitals and Health grades but most people comment on office staff, waiting time, and the surgeon's bedside manner. Not the surgery itself. So how do you find the best surgeon? I am 6 months PO and getting a second opinion next week because I am still in agony. I feel something is wrong, my surgeon said my X-rays look great and referred me to pain management Grrrrrr

The bad news is that no ortho surgeon I know of will see you until you are 1 year post op. I live near Boston - best medical care anywhere - and they all had this policy. I've also had terrible pain for a year, and only had it validated by a great surgeon who I researched to death. The good news is you have time to research. I don't now where you live, but I'd find the closest teaching hospital or ortho-only hospital and start there. Your idea about consulting PTs is also excellent, get a list of name then log on to your insurance company and see if they are in-network.

@babette Actually, I am being seen by a new OS next week for a new pair of eyes to look at my knee. My current OS works in a teaching hospital so I thought he might be great. Good luck to you and should you get the revision, just think, you will probably feel so much better.

@dkapustin, I think I had an excellent surgeon for my TKR. He also did my Delta Reverse shoulder. It did take about 1 year to be able to get up in the morning and walk across the bedroom without noticing that I had an artificial joint.

When I visited him because of the pain, he took Xrays and then showed them to me and told me that the surgery looked very good. With a gentle hug, he said, "I am so sorry Chris, "it is the facia."

He was absolutely correct. I didn't even know what the word facia meant. He was very helpful. After three years of Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR), I was finally able to start walking again. Not the 5-8 mile walks...the 1-mile walk. Just two weeks ago, I had another "flare". Yesterday, I started to see some daylight. So I don't know if it was something I said that the darn fascia didn't like or ???????. Be free of suffering today....Chris

@artscaping That is interesting and something I might look into. I"m sorry you didn't sail through the surgery like so many others but I guess it just wasn't in our cards. The good news is though that you found out what the problem was and can work towards healing. My surgeon has never showed me the X-rays he takes, nothing. Just says "everything looks fine" and that's it. He may be right but I am just going to get a second pair of eyes to take a look. It can't hurt. I just want to know why I am in excruciating pain 6 months PO. Some pain is expected but honestly, I'm miserable. If it's just part of the healing process, I'll feel like an idiot but be more hopeful at there being light at the end of the darn tunnel. I hope you are feeling better!

Thanks, @mwatts91757
You are right, these days they are very hesitant to prescribe much. I am post-transplant (liver) and the only OTC pain reliever I am allowed to take is Tylenol, which is not much help.
I am surprised that Dr. Fitz will not take your insurance since he is part of Brigham and Women's. Usually those large hospitals take pretty much every insurance I thought. I am sure you will find a good surgeon who uses the Conformis too.

@dkapustin I am really glad that you are getting another opinion. It can't hurt and it may be very helpful and enlightening. I hope the new surgeon will be able to shed some light on what the problem is.

@artscaping That's great that you are moving forward and doing better. What a huge relief that must be for you.
JK

Thanks, I have read stories where people insisted that they knew something was off even early in their recovery but like me, had to wait at least 6 months before getting a second opinion. Many people claim that a doctor will not see you until you are 1 year PO but I found that simply not true. At least in the Tampa Bay area. Any surgeon will see you because they are in the office that day to see clients and it only benefits them to take an xray and consult with a new patient. I am also going to need my other knee done one day so I am also a potential future surgery client as well. LOL So sadly, it REALLY is about money in the medical industry. 🙂 I appreciate the support and I realize that I just may be a having a hard recovery and I hope that is all that it is. We shall see.

I'm curious in how the insurance companies treat reimbursements for second and possibly third opinions....??