knee replacement complications
I originally wrote Knee1 in May 2005. I had a failed arthroscopy in April 2004 and then had a tkr in April 2004. Had difficulty with rom from the beginning and severe chronic pain. After a bone scan, mri, and numerous xrays I was told repeatedly nothing was wrong with it. I was sent to pain management which was no help as that doctor said it was a bone problem and there was nothing he could do. I went to a licensed massage therapist to see if I could get some relief which helped a little but only temporarily. When I could take no more I went back to my orthopaedic surgeon who said the only thing left to do was open it up and do a possible revision and see what the problem is. Well the problem was the implant was hanging on by a thread as the first surgeon used a Zimmer Nexgen cementless implant and my bone did not adhere to the implant which is what was causing my severe pain. I had a total knee revision done in Sept. 2005. This doctor used a Howmedica knee implant. I am still having very severe knee pain and am still taking vicodin. I have done everything I was told to do physical therapy, exercises, ice on the knee but to no avail. Nothing helps!! I keep complaining about it and its almost as if the doctors do not know what to do with you if the surgery is not a great success. He keeps telling me the pain will improve with time so far it has not. I can bend in the 90s but it is still painful. Stairs are extremely painful. I am probably going to have to retire from my job as a bank teller because I cannot do the standing. I currently have an attorney trying to get me SSI benefits. I am so depressed. I am totally mentally and physically exhausted I cannot even think straight. Even my family is getting disgusted with me but I can't help it. I feel like these doctors refuse to address the pain problem. And it gets annoying when they keep telling you everything is okay when you yourself know everything is not okay. Is it okay to cry in pain everyday?? I have also been referred to a psychologist like he thought it was all in my head! That was offensive and didn't help and I only went twice. I feel like so hopeless. Any comments or help would be greatly appreciated. Nora54
From:
Nora Higgins - rhiggins1@neo.rr.com
