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I HAVE SEVERE PAIN/NOT WALKING 1 MONTH AFTER KNEE SURGERY

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Posted 4/21/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
HI I AM NOW 1 MONTH POST OP OF KNEE ARTHOSCOPY. STILL NOT WALKING, I TRY TO BEAR WEIGHT ON IT. PT SAID MY EXTENTION IS A -5 , AND BENDING IS 109. WHICH IS VERY BAD. I ASKED THE DR WHY IM NOT WALKING HE SAID HE DONT KNOW, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN WALKING BY NOW. IM IN SO MUCH PAIN, AND STILL NOT WALKING. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Posted 4/21/2011 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! I'm sorry you are having so much trouble!!

I had knee arthroscopy and walked out of the hospital - with a walker. The next day I hardly needed any assistance. My surgery was pretty minor, just removing some torn cartilage. It hurt too much to walk far before surgery. I have pain from kneecap or maybe it's a tendon slipping, seeing doc next week. I'm hoping for just an exercise to do myself , or maybe more PT.

I'd be asking about another MRI to see what is going on. Something isn't right - unless you had a major problem that they expect to take a long time to heal - like reattaching a tendon. He might have to go back in and take a look.
Posted 4/21/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Jenna, I'm sorry that you are still in so much pain. I have had several knee surgeries in a short period of time so I'm pretty sure that the fact that you are not walking is adding to your misery. I hate to say this but you may just have to work through the pain to get through the recovery. Are you doing all the home exercises that the PT has given you? You really need to in order to increase your range of motion and leg strength. What about walking while using crutches? That way you can control the amount of weight bearing and gradually increase it. Ask your PT about that. If your dr keeps offering you no solutions maybe you will need a second opinion. I don't know what else to say but to encourage you to keep working hard on finding a solution even if the work may be painful. Please take care and keep us posted.

Lee
Posted 4/21/2011 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
 

   Hello Jenna!

         Did your Dr not suggest a MRI or possibly a CT scan, after he realized that you were not progressing normally? ODD!

               I don't have any suggestions, but I would think they would be concerned and start looking for an answer through these type's of test. When are you scheduled to go back for a checkup?

      If he seems to be brushing you off, then it would alarm me, and I would start seeking out another opinion from a qualified surgeon. Have you made this known to your PCD?

          It takes quite a bit of time too heal from this type of surgery, but they should know about where you should be at this time Post OPP. If their saying that it's bad then shey should also be doing some testing, unless thay are waiting for the swelling to go down first.

       Please keep us informed. Good Luck!

       SE wink

Posted 4/21/2011 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the others. I think it is time for an MRI or CT scan. My brother, when he was 13-14 had knee surgery after he severely tore the tendons, ripped the muscles, and heavily damaged the cartilage. It took him about a week before he was up and walking without crutches and about a month before his knee didn't hurt at all.
Posted 4/21/2011 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Jenna does your therapist think you have developed scar tissue which is causing the pain and preventing you from being able to stand and bear weight? I have had 4 scopes on my left knee and one on the right. My 2nd scope was to clean up scar tissue and clean the the knee up in general. I could not extend my knee and I had a lot of swelling.

If this were me I would consult with an orthopedic that specializes in knees only. That makes big difference when you have a dr that does knees only. I did this after the first scope was a failure. For sure get a 2nd opinion because you should be able to bear weight.

Let us know what you decide.
Posted 4/22/2011 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
mad still not walking. i can bear a little weight w/ crutches but not much. dr hasnt offered a mri or anything. he said keep trying with the pt.
Posted 4/22/2011 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
i did try and get a 2nd opinion but dr said he cant see me because i just had surgery. this dr is young graduated in 2004. i need my knee this is crazy :(
Posted 4/22/2011 3:26 PM (GMT 0)

  Good morning Jenna,

    I hope your pain in down somewhat today. You have been through a lot and I am so sorry you are unable to walk still. When you talk to your doctor about your inability to walk does he offer anything suggestions than PT. Like perhaps getting a MRI in the future, or is it just "More PT"?

     I am sorry the doctor you went to for a second opinion did not help. Perhaps you could talk to the physical therapist and see if he feels you should have an MRI. Maybe he can make a recommendation to your doctor? How many times per week are you going to physical therapy? You know...  Might even try talking to your Primary Care doctor about it all, he might be able to help.

     Most of all, I am terribly sorry that after enduring through such a painful surgery, you do not have your mobility back.  I hope you are able to keep the pain down somewhat. Please know you are in our hearts.

*huggs*
    dani

Posted 4/22/2011 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Is your PT doing water PT?? Maybe ask your PT about doing water exercises,
water will take the weight off your knee to some degree and it might be better for you
That's what helped my mom after her knee surgery was the water PT part...
they can submerge you in a chair and they you move your knee, maybe this would help.
ask about it.....
Or like the other said and get a new MRI done.
Hope you can get a low pain day soon. Well wishes...
Posted 4/22/2011 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Jenna, what was the reason to do surgery on your knee? Was it a torn meniscus or what? Have you talked to your PCP about the problems you are having? Your PCP should be able to find you a knee specialist to be seen by for a 2nd opinion. Another good source sometimes is to ask your therapist for the name of a good knee specialist. Have you been riding a stationary bicycle in PT yet?

Let us know.
Posted 4/22/2011 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
i been doing pt for 3 weeks have not seen any improvement.i see the dr again on moday.2 weeks ago he was able to get fluid out f my knee and gave my a injection. the fluid was bloody but clear. i had the surgery for a lateral meniscus tear. dr said my meniscus was abnormally big calling it a discoid meniscus. he also removed my plica on the medial side. he said he did see a tear in my acl but didnt want to do it that day. he hasnt suggested a mri or anything like that. he said there is no reason wht im not walking. so, i dont understand. could it be from my acl?
Posted 4/22/2011 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
the pt just do stretchs and stuff they arent really any help
Posted 4/22/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
dr basically said i got to get walking or my muscles will get too weak
Posted 4/22/2011 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
If the doctor is telling you that you need to walk or things will get worse, you really need to do that. Use the crutches to control the weight bearing on that knee as long as you do put some weight on it to start with. This sounds like one of those times when you have to suck it up and push yourself through the pain or you are going to be in worst trouble than you're in now.

BTW, a torn ACL doesn't mean you can't walk. I did a week's vacation in Florida including Disney World with a completely ruptured ACL. That was a lot of walking and my knee was able to do very well with it.

Good luck, Lee
Posted 4/22/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Jenna I really doubt the ACL is preventing you from being able to walk. I would imagine the reason the dr has not done another MRI is they don't unless there has been a new injury to the knee. Are you doing any weight lifting in PT? Any talk about adding more to your current PT regime, need to ask the therapist about this too. Riding a stationary bicycle is one of the most safest exercises a knee patient can do. You are not putting stress on the knee but it really will help strengthen a weak knee.

I think somehow you are going to have to push past the pain and walk on the crutches and be sure that you have your weight distributed evenly. You should also elevate and ice your knee for any swelling. Your knee should be iced after doing PT. Keep us posted on this if you would.
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