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Very, very scared to have knee surgery and hip surgery
I am in constant pain, usually when I walk or stand, knee and hip. Of course, when I am on my recliner I'm not in much pain so I stay there a lot. I used to swim until about 5 years ago, but I notice the hip pain was even worse after I swam.
When I was much younger (I'm 77) I had a torn cartilage (basketball game where some kind soul [yes, sarcasm] pushed me down), and subsequently the cartilage was removed. That's what I remember the doctor told me. I was young (16) and healthy, I recovered quickly enough, but had swelling and trouble for years until finally it became unbearable. I would get cortisone shots lbut eventually stopped doing that. (They were painful anyway.) But about 5 years ago, pain extended to my right hip, excrutiating, more so than the knee. (Don't know why.) I've seen several doctors and they all tell me to get hip and knee replacement. I am scared. But the problem I'm having now is that the doctors (I've seen quite a few) all tell me that I need to have a replacement, that I have arthritis. One doctor got upset when I asked him for more detailed information. And I didn't know how to ask the surgeon for detailed info, like what would he do and could he please explain what the x-rays showed. (Also, why do I have pain?) But the pain really impedes me from living a normal life, that is, cleaning, organizing, straightening up, etc. I made an appointment with a surgeon near enough who has a reputation of being very kind and compassionate. So I hope he'll bear with my questions.
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There are quite a few techniques out there - each appropriate in different cases. For example, my surgeon would not use the anterior approach on my hips because I am small, and he did not feel he would have an adequate view to get everything positioned right. My friend had one minimally invasive knee replacement, and the other a full long incision - he knew there was extra damage in the second knee he would need to work on.
Sue
That makes sense. Another question I'm going to ask is about if he uses minimally invasive, and how does he determine? I know this is putting a surgeon (at least the ones I have known) to the test, but then again, I wonder if they're taught to not bring up any more than the patient brings up. hmmm, I wonder...but -- it's ok because now I am better prepared. (I hope.)
I will look forward to the videos, thank you for sharing. I would love to come to Mayo for that surgeon. But I don't think I can. Anyway -- I'll keep praying, and thanks for the videos.
Yes, but are you feeling better than before the surgery? That, I suppose, is the important thing.
I had to have patience. I can say it gets better each day. I still have a lot of swelling that I hope gets better each day.
Are you still using the magic treatment - ice? After my ACL/MCL replacements, I iced for nearly 6 months - even once a day at work. The other helps for swelling are "legs up the wall" lie on your back with your legs resting on a wall (moves fluid up to the abdomen where body can get rid of it.) And lymphatic massage using a "stripping motion" toward your heart (if someone can do it for you while your legs are up it is especially good.)
Your determination to recover are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Sue
Depending on the surgeon, I think some don't go into the detail they could because they are used to older patients that the doctors think can't or don't want to follow the medical technical terms. My brother-in-law is like this, he is a smart man, but when it comes to medicine he just wants it done and over and is not interested in the details. I, on the other hand, feel like I need to know everything involved, all your questions are very good! Any reputable doctor should be pleased to have a patient that tries to understand and be involved with their own care. My surgeon sometimes throws out terminology that I am not familiar with, so I try to repeat back to him what I think he said, and he can correct me if I misunderstood. Nothing sillier than nodding your head and pretending to understand when you need a better explanation.
As far as determining the size of the replacement part, my PT guy said he sometimes gets to sit in and watch some of the surgeries. He said they have a selection of sizes ready in the operating room. He said sometimes they even have joint sales reps attending with new and improved models that may be needed in difficult cases.
I was a very athletic and active person. I had a workmans comp case and had to wait for 5 yrs to try multiple therapys before my THR. I couldn’t hardly work at that point so much pain. The DAY after my surgery I felt so much relief that I was a new person. Yes PT & pain but nothing like daily pain. Since then I've had both knees replaced. Short memory of surgery. Compression socks & PT ! You can do this! From this 63 yr old woman living a good life! Good luck!
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1 ReactionThank you, I know I should trust a 'good' surgeon, but -- it's difficult for me, however, it might need to be done. OTOH, today for some odd reason I'm experiencing much less pain, and this always makes me think I can avoid surgery, but I really know I can't. I put on a capsaicin patch on my knee yesterday and I am feeling better. But I know probably the pain will come back and it's excruciating. So I AM seeing 2 more doctors, one a surgeon, I'm collecting my records asap from the docs I have seen, including x-rays, to show these 2 doctors, one a pain specialist, the other a highly rated surgeon. Thanks for all your help!!! Boy it's taking me a long time...
Thank you so much for the encouragement. 🙂 I really appreciate it and will remember it, and will let you all know how I'm doing as time goes by. Thank you!!!!