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MRI on Rt knee..

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 10/1/2015 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Had my appointment with my PMD.I see the Nurse Practitioner.

My PMD jotted "Recommend Surgery" on the MRI Report.

I'm going to an Orthopedic Surgeon that I saw 3 years ago.He told me then that I'd have to have a replacement inside of 10 years.

My knee is eaten up with Arthritis.The only thing that stuck with me is that I have 2 Cysts behind my Knee-Cap.

I guess Knee Surgery of some type is coming.

I really trust the Young Orthopedic Surgeon I'm going to see.He was 100% straight forward with me last time.

I'm apprehensive about dealing with the sharp increase in pain after surgery.

Hope y'all are having relaxing low-pain evenings.

Take care.

Rick
Posted 10/2/2015 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ugh-that doesn't sound to great.

I hope, if you do need surgery, it's quick and easy. Prior to surgery, I talk about pain control to the Dr. I've never had a problem. My pain doc also wants to see me within a few days of being discharged.

Hopefully your Drs will listen to you and stay on top of the issue.
Posted 10/2/2015 8:00 AM (GMT 0)
Don't borrow trouble here Rick,most knees are replaced due to increased pain making post op experiences better than pre-op.
Posted 10/2/2015 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
Vickie,I'm scared to death of a Knee Replacement.

But it's getting to the point where something needs to be done.

It's never hurt like this.Been this non-functional.

I'm expecting my PMD to set up an appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon.


The Surgeons I'm seeing are here where I live.They're are a Man and his 2 Sons.I think they all have their Specialty,or what I've heard that each is better at.

I live in a small City.It's still got that small-town charm of gossip.You can find out about anyone and any Doctor if you know enough people.

People here love to spread information.And I'm as guilty as anyone I reckon.


Take care everyone.

Rick
Posted 10/2/2015 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Rick, I have read many different type of MRI reports & have never seen a radiologist recommend surgery in any report, only the findings of the scan was listed. With this in mind I am wondering who read your scan, a radiologist or actual dr?

You mentioned a prior ortho you have seen previously, can you get your PM dr to refer you to him?

Will keep our fingers & toes crossed the ortho may think something different than a replacement can be done. My SIL had a total replacement at the age of 52 & did great. She also used an ortho that specialized in knees only & that can makes a huge difference. She was back to work in 6 weeks.

Take care.
Posted 10/2/2015 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
My Pain Management Doctor jotted "Recommend Surgery" on the Report after she read it.

Not the person that read the MRI and wrote the Report.Sorry about that.

The Nurse Practitioner saw where the Doctor had written it on there and told me.

Yeah,they're sending me to the same Ortho.I've heard his brother is better with knees but I really liked this guy.

He examined my knee.Told me his opinion of it.That was 3 years ago.My knee is much worse.

I'm hoping the pain is related to the 2 cysts,which from what I've read are just fluid sacks that either need drained or removed.

Take care.

Rick
Posted 10/3/2015 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had a joint replaced but know people that have. My partner suffered from AVN for years before having a total hip replacement 11 years ago. She said the surgical pain was different in that she knew there would be 'an end to it' versus the ongoing pain from AVN.

Another friend of mine just recently had her knee replaced. She said basically the same thing! She is moving around so well now, her whole demeanor has changed from the pain going away, I hardly recognized her!

Both of these women are recovered alcoholics like me. Both had major concerns about pain management post op. Both were off pain meds within 2-3 months.

Hopefully, the same will be so for you!
Posted 10/4/2015 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Were those Baker's as those are common. Don't worry about things yet until you've seen the surgeon. You need to start your list of questions such as:
1 what type of a cyst?
2. What type of pain meds do you recommend or prescribe, (more and more doctors are going towards a norco only pain controls, this was also a huge concern for me and I had to get my meds prescribed by my pain management doctor as my knee ortho only prescribed nocro)?
These are your main concerns and you need honest answers, so make your list of questions.
Finally get a positive mind set on how much better you will be doing after surgery as that helps a lot too...
Many well wishes...
Posted 10/4/2015 8:30 AM (GMT 0)
Rick there are different types of cysts and the majority don't cause issues unless they are growing in a confined space such as under your knee cap,pushing against something else as they grow in size and again depending on the type the growth can be years in the making or months,some get to a point and never increase in size at all while others rupture and this is seen more in OB/GYN area's above other area's. That fluid like sack or capsule in a vast majority of cysts is extremely tough tissue and prevents them from rupture again ovarian and uterine are different but after most do rupture the pain ceases,doesn't happen with those tough encapsulated ones such as you likely have under the knee so they will cause pain and mobility issues in the joint especially if they are situated directly under the hinge like part of your knee. Think of it like when dirt or pebbles get in something and it almost closes but just won't latch until you remove the pebble or dirt.

If your knee is otherwise in fairly decent shape they could opt to go after the cysts via arthroscopic surgery and buy you some time before the replacement is medically necessary if that's causing the majority of your pain. They really try to use replacement as the last resort even though the hardwares gotten far better and the post op experiences are way shorter it's still a very invasive and complicated procedure.

Hopefully this will help calm you some.I'm a firm believer that the only real fear is fear itself and that's usually fear of the unknown and educating and understanding something helps eliminate the unkown.

If the brother specializes in knees that's the one you want to use no matter how well you like the other one. Experience is worth a fortune.
Posted 10/4/2015 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Chartreaux.I'm pretty sure they're Baker's Cysts.They sounded small.One Centimeter I think I heard.

I'm in Pain Management and take Morphine now.
It's not managing this.

Vickie,you're right.I need to get it fixed.Get the Knee Specialist when it comes time for a replacement.

You're right about the pain.The feeling that there's something foreign in my knee.Pushing on nerves.Making my knee bones slide sideways instead of staying straight when bend my knee.

Take care.

Rick
Posted 10/4/2015 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Rick,

You're in PM taking morphine for a knee that needs replacing? And its not helping? Why prolong your discomfort, get it replaced, the sooner the better.

Yes, there is an initial painful recovery, but after the first few weeks it is so worth, you will be amazed & wonder why it took you so long. After 12 weeks you will be pretty much back to normal.

Hope this helps.

Cary
Posted 10/4/2015 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I am with Vickie, if you have heard the other brother is better with knees that would be who I would have do any surgery if it comes to that. It may save you a lot of grief in the long run. Who knows this other brother may be able to do something to help you. Rick, I have been on both sides of the fence with orthopedics with knee surgery. Believe me, having one that specializes in knees is a huge difference. Its like going from a Volkswagon to a Cadillac.
Posted 10/5/2015 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone Just wanted to stop by.Rick I've had my rt knee replaced 3 times since 2009 and 2 scopes and left knee replaced. Rt shoulder scoped then I find out I have Anklyosing Spondilitis I have been having procedures on my sacrillioc joint all year all on 4 norco a day. Want I want to say is you'll be fine . My rt knee is so swollen I only have 92 degree bend .do the surgery I still work 10 hrs a day in pain e mail sorry for the rant
Posted 10/5/2015 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Baker's Cysts are common and not RA related, so that should be relief for you, you will probably need arthroscopy to get those removed. Also you might want to ask your pm about decreasing the morphine meds so you can use it for post op pain.
The others are correct in that you want the brother that specializes in knee's as that is your best option. If you've not had the scope procedure then you will probably have to do that first dependant on your mri's and how bad your knee is, so ask this doctors your questions, make your list.

My knee ortho only prescribes norco for pain control, so I needed my pm's help for post op pain, this is a top rated knee ortho in Houston, mind you. So the DEA's enforcements are beginning to get to good doctor's. This is were I was very gratiful to my top pm doctor.

So don't get to worried yet until you talk with the knee ortho and ask if you'll be getting a scope surgery or a knee replacement. Make that you first question.

My knee doc also had me get off, omega 3s and all fish oil supplements and vitamins as well, that I was uncertain about.

And who knows you might be one of the lucky ones that heals fast and makes an excellent recovery from day 1 after surgery, I just wish I had been that lucky.
But, I had a bad tear that went out of the horn with osteoart and a cysts that was not a bakers cysts. I also had a cysts, please don't let that scare you...

Oh and get two really good ice gel packs as those help so much with recovery...reaching for your hand and I can help you thru this, you will be okay, please take all this wonderful advise from us all and do yourself a favor and go with the brother that is the knee ortho specialists and don't look back but forwards...just trying to help...

Many well wishes...
Posted 10/5/2015 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone.A lot of good information.

Y'all are right about it all.It'll definitely be better after whatever procedure I have.

Thanks everyone.

Rick
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