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Interesting discussion with new knee doctor yesterday!
I have had problems with my first knee replacement (right knee) which was done two and a half years ago. I will say it is finally feeling better.
New knee doctor gave me some help with answers to my many questions without my asking them. He did new X-rays on both knees as the left is bone on bone. He told me that part of my long surgery was the fact that more bone was removed due to osteoporosis and more metal used on both top and bottom of knee replacement. E watched me walk and feels that my gait is not just my bad knee but something more going on. It may be just my peripheral neuropathy but feels there might have been a minor stroke because being hospitalized for three day after surgery is not normal. He is sending me to a neurologist to have some things checked out before we continue talks about additional surgery. In the meantime, we will continue with gel injections and I will get my first next week after insurance is cleared. I probably should share this in the peripheral neuropathy group as well. Although the trip is an hour each way and it was rush hour coming back, my new doctor is definitely worth the trip.
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I’m so happy that you were taken care of before any disaster happened. Yes. It is wonderful that we still have our legs. God bless you. The numbness of your foot may be a neuropathy as a result of the trauma.
I remember hearing that if you need both it’s best to get the hip done first. Everyone is different when it comes to recuperating and healing. But your knee has probably been exacerbated by the hip surgery. Doctors don’t seem to want to rush with CT scans. I’m not sure why. How about a visit to your primary care doctor while you’re waiting for your next appointment with the surgeon. Or call surgeon and request an earlier appointment due to knee pain. Best wishes.
Hi. Is a CT scan the same as an MRI? I will definitely call the surgeon's office for an earlier appointment. He is so ridiculously busy that he personally doesn't see the return patients he has an associate do that. However, I will call tomorrow. Thanks.
CT and MRI are definitely different but I don’t know the actual differences. I’ve had MRIs for the knees and CT scans for kidney stones. I think the CT scan can see more maybe through dense tissue.
I think seeing the doctor’s assistant is becoming the norm all over unless you book an appointment with the doctor weeks ahead. I’ve experienced the same where I am. Good luck with everything.
Cindi,
I think it will take another week or two for the hip to settle down.
As for the knee, women tend to have more trouble with their knees than men. The reason is that men's hips align with their knees, while a woman's hips are slightly wider and not directly over the knee. I'm not a Dr. - it's possible the knew knee now has the femur properly aligned and it is aggravating the knee because of the angle of the femur coming into the knee joint. That's a guess but I'd ask the Dr.
X-rays can usually tell if a knee replacement is needed. It shows if the bones are rubbing together, and the degree of degradation of the cartilage. Ask him about your x-rays.
Even if a TKR is warranted, I'm sure he'll ask you to wait until the hip is completely healed. And you should.
I have had osteoarthritis in my feet (two bunioneictomies) and my knees (two TKRs) and now find out my shoulder is arthritic and someday will probably need to be replaced. I'm an orthopedic surgeon's dream. You might have inherited the arthritis gene as I did,
All the best to you Cindi! Joe
Thanks, Joe. I've been told that I need a new knee but should start first with the hip. When I asked why, the surgeon said, "We always work from the top down." OK, I thought, I'll accept that as an answer. But insofar as healing goes, I can hardly walk yet, the knee is what's causing me so much trouble. I intend to see the doctor earlier than scheduled if possible, i'll call tomorrow. I don't think I inherited a disturbed gene, I think what's happened is that I twisted my knee in high school during a basketball game when some lovely player (all girls) threw me down. Nice. Since then I have been against contact sports as much as possible. I should have sued the school, but back in those days we didn't do those things. The doctor took out part of the torn cartilage and I've had trouble increasing since then. That's a long time ago. Thanks for your reply.
Since this earlier post, I’ve seen a neurologist who did extensive bloodwork, and MRI’s on my brain, neck, and upper back. No findings. But she asked that ii do one more thing and see a vascular surgeon. So I did. He found that my blood is pooling at the bottom of my legs causing some of the pain and discomfort I’ve been having. So I’ve started a procedure that will kill off bad veins and the blood will then go to stronger veins stopping the pooling and the many spider veins I have. The procedure concludes in early October. I’m hoping.
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2 ReactionsCT scan uses xrays, & MRI uses magnetic resonance imaging. CT scans are generally best for visualizing bone, MRI for soft tissue, (ligaments, tendons, etc.)
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1 ReactionI was in the hospital for actually 2.5 days because of pain and I had issues walking. I also had tons of arthritis which makes me wonder the same now if they had to remove extra bone. I may ask that questions when I go in for my one year in a few weeks. Thank you for sharing that. Of coarse my surgeon says everything looks good and it's functioning normally.