Having a knee revision

I made a big decision today during my appointment with Ortho Doc No. 2. I'm having a revision on my knee replacement. I can't live with this pain any longer. He was actually very understanding for once ... he didn't give me this spiel like he did the last time and said if I wanted to have it redone, he would do it. I was in tears and started yelling at him before he said that. I said I didn't want surgery but didn't see a way out of making it better. I've been wearing the brace for two weeks now and have been in more pain than before ... plus, now the left knee is hurting because I'm putting more weight on that knee as the right knee feels like it's giving out on me (like it did before the replacement) and my left hip is hurting me a lot, too. So I don't see any other way to fix this. He said the fall I had in February probaby stretched or tore the posterior cruciate ligament (wish I knew that back then, I could have gotten more out of the building management company, but the PA blew that diagnosis).

So I'm scheduled for a revision Jan. 5. I'm waiting til after the holidays because I know I won't be able to get enough time off until after the 1st of the year ... too many people want time off in December. I know I'll make it easier on my boss this way (and he'll appreciate that).

I'm apprehensive about this, more so than the first one, but I'm tired of living in pain and becoming more disabled than before. I feel without doing anything I'm headed for a wheelchair at worst and back to a cane at best. I didn't have WLS and knee replacement to become disabled ... I did all this work so I could improve my quality of life, and instead it's become worse (for the knee because of the knee replacement, not the WLS, that's made my life better, of course!)

I will need all of your support, of course ... I have to find someone to come and help me for awhile in January (I have to ask my brother for a  favor again but I think he won't be able to help this time ... maybe my sister-in-law now that she's retired!)

Thanks for listening to all my whining and crying through this. You've helped me make this decision.

Eileen,

Sorry to hear that you will have to endure another surgery, but hopefully this one will do for you what the last one didn't and you will once and for all able to enjoy the life you had hoped to have!  I will be hoping and praying (as I am sure all of us will be) for your outcome to be the best one!

And, at least you have time to prepare and get the help you need in place.  Sorry I don't live closer. . .

Hugs, Laureen

(I will try and control myself and not drive up there and kick the crap out of your surgeon)

Just kidding... sorta...

i don't see that you have any alternative, and I am sure this will finally fix the problem and you will be on your way (again) to restoring your life.

No surgical procedure, or anything else for that matter is 100% perfect.... mistakes are made, stuff just doesn't heal right, etc... I am sure sorry you had to be in that tiny percentage that wasn't succesful, but the odds are now that it will be fixed!

I am guessing that the surgeon resisted re-doing the surgery because this is tantamount to an admission that he screwed up... so he will use "the fall in February" as a way to save face.... who cares, as long as he gets you all fixed up and on your way again... so hopefully this will just be a bump in the road that you can get past.

I am sorry i can't do more than just offer advice and sympathy... but I am on the Sick/Lame/Lazy list myself.... besides, I am a guy and would just try and get you drunk and pantiless while I was there.... Muhuhahaaha!!!!!

I know, I'm an idiot .... but you smiled didn't ya....

i know that this is not an easy decision for you and i know that you are deserving...i only wish that i could afford  to take a week or two off and come up to stay with you once you are home....
you are certainly, as always, in my prayers...love m

Are they going to put in another knee?  Maybe a better one?  I pray that this is the relief you so deserve.  Love, Diane

I'm sure these are questions I need to ask ... and can ask when I see Ortho Doc. 3 next month (he's the one who actually said it should be done when No. 2 said I didn't need a revision ... so ha!) I guess I need to do a little research. I just want to get out of pain, whatever that method is.

 Eileen,

  So sorry to hear you will have to have another surgery but gosh, maybe this time it will be done correctly.......

I can only imagine the pain from your back and your knee.... it's a wonder you get around at all.  I would be a mess ....  Meds are great but I get woozy with them.

Keep on "keepin on"....   Millie

Oh Eileen,
I am so sorry for you, I totally understand.  If it helps at all I will be more than happy to come visit with you during your recovery. I know all about knee problems, and totally know exactly where you are coming from.  I went to my Ortho today.  Here is how it went:

I went to the knee doc today and he gave me a shot of cordizone (sp?) in my right knee.  OUCH.  Anyway they took xrays and said actually my left knee is in worse shape, anyway he had xrays from 5 years ago and compared them and said that I have arthritis very bad in my knees and all he can do for me is to give me shots in them until the steroid doesnt work anymore.  He said I am too young to do replacements so he wants me to wait until I absolutley can't stand the pain anymore, he said within 5 years I will probally be totally bone on bone.  I told him about my RNY and he said that he cannot prescribe any anti-inflamitory drugs because of my pouch, which I understood.  He said even if you lose 200 lbs it wont cure your arthritis its just something I am going to have to live with.  He said go ahead and exercise and just do what I can, and if what I am doing irritates them to just slow down and do the best I can.  I guess I won't be running in a marathon anytime soon.  DARN....but it's ok there are alot of people who have alot more to deal with that my problems.   

Anyway, sorry again for what you have to go through!  Lets do coffee soon, so we can have ourselves a pity party together, darn its hell getting old isn't it. 

Don't know how old you are, Debbie, but I'm just 53, and have had one knee replacement and now they're going to fix whatever's wrong with it. When I had this one done in 2006, I was 51 going on 52, and was told they do knee replacements on 50 and older. (At least at Orthopedic Associates.) I don't want to run in a marathon, as I told Ortho Doc No. 2 at the same office, I just want to walk normally, sit at my desk normally and without pain, sleep without pain, ... just be without pain.

Yes, let's get together soon. You know my schedule. I am off to the pain clinic in GR tomorrow morning bright and early (9:20).

Eileen, I am so glad that this is finally happening. You have gone through much to much up until now. Now there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you know that the end is going to happen soon.

I am so glad that you found this doctor and I pray that he is the miracle that you have been searching so desperately for. I will keep you in prayers, but I know that you already know that. After all we are sisters with different mothers. I am here for you if you need me, but I hope that you already know that.