What is in your cup?

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

which is why I NEED TO GET BACK TO TEACHING SKIING!!!!! (sorry I just found out that I am probably going to need a second knee replacement today) I told the DOc that something wasn't right... even I could tell on the xrays today (when I finally got to see them) that even visually without training, something wasin't right

OK, what I said earlier. You need a "revision". I know it's scary, and I know you hate the idea. BUT, coming out of it, you should be a LOT better. A good knee replacement is as painless and "normal" as the original, though usually with somewhat less actual range of motion. On a revision you might well have 135 degrees, but if you get at least 117 degrees of flexion you should be able to just about anything, including riding a bike. And do spend the effort to get as full an extension as you can. Being able to get to a full 0 degrees of extension will put far less stress over time on your other side.

I had a good friend with a bad knee job. She was in constant pain for >3 years, scared the heck out of me going into mine. But shortly after I had my TNR, she had hers revised, by a different surgeon, and the pain is now gone and she's a lot, lot, happier.

Good luck, and my thoughts are with you.

ETA: oh, and Peet's Major Dickason's this morning.

[kindlekitten]

to be clear, I am seeing a different surgeon.
I'm constantly learning more about what I have going on here, apparently I have an actual cyst in the bone under the apparatus. the questions are;
why
how
when
will/can it happen again
why has it taken you idiots so long to figure this out since I have been in constant pain since pretty much the beginning and pointing to the place that is now identified with a cyst?

[CRussel]

I don't know the answers, though I have some suspicions. But the first line of your message, KK, is the most important part. But also, do your due diligence on the new surgeon. Think of it like a house if you will. Do a title search, and an inspection. In the case of a surgeon, check for any past complaints, and _try_ to get some direct information about the quality of his/her work from other medical professionals that you know. You've been in real estate for long enough you must have made some happy clients who are doctors that you can ask over a beer or cup of tea.

I want you to have a great experience. I want you to stop being in pain. And I look forward to the day when you can look back and not remember the last time you took a Vicodin. And I want you to be able to ski. <hugs>

[cromag]

First mug of tea for the day (after a couple of tall paper cups of coffee at the writers' workshop). Finally home after tracking down the right (hopefully) tiny screw for my laptop and then getting the windshield washer nozzles on the minivan replaced. Apparently, being repeatedly encased in ice over the winter was bad for them.

[orlok]

Excellent assignment Stitchawl. Have fun. I don't hate you at all...

KK, I admire your spirit, and I'm sure it will see you through this ordeal.

A glass of red in my hand as I celebrate my daughter's Birthday with a Domino's Pizza

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I don't know the answers, though I have some suspicions. But the first line of your message, KK, is the most important part. But also, do your due diligence on the new surgeon. Think of it like a house if you will. Do a title search, and an inspection. In the case of a surgeon, check for any past complaints, and _try_ to get some direct information about the quality of his/her work from other medical professionals that you know. You've been in real estate for long enough you must have made some happy clients who are doctors that you can ask over a beer or cup of tea.

I want you to have a great experience. I want you to stop being in pain. And I look forward to the day when you can look back and not remember the last time you took a Vicodin. And I want you to be able to ski. <hugs>

pray do tell!

I have vetted this guy pretty heavily. have spoken with several people who have used him and he is the preferred surgeon of my physical therapist who I have seen for YEARS! and trust more than anyone else in the medical world

[CRussel]

I'm glad to hear about the vetting. (And yes, physical therapists are a very, very good source of information about orthopods. They have to work with the results. )

I am not a doctor, and I stopped playing one on the Internet years ago. But, that being said, the cyst is likely the result of an irritation at the interface between the current prosthetic and your bone. The causes for that can be numerous, but include using the wrong size artificial knee, not making a good fit to the remaining bone, and/or not removing debris from the interface. And what is good enough in 90% of patients may not be good enough for you.

The cause could also be something else entirely, such as not giving the wound sufficient healing time or a low grade infection. This last, btw, is a real concern and the reason you should have any dental work you need done NOW. Before they go in and do the revision. You want to be in absolutely robust dental health, and you want to make sure that even for routine teeth cleaning in the 12 months after the surgery that you notify your dentist ahead of time. (If they have any suspicion that you many need more than a simple prophy they'll likely have you start taking an antibiotic before you come in, and for some period after your procedure.)

[CRussel]

Talisker. Lots of Talisker. It makes my writing so much more coherent.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I'm glad to hear about the vetting. (And yes, physical therapists are a very, very good source of information about orthopods. They have to work with the results. )

I am not a doctor, and I stopped playing one on the Internet years ago. But, that being said, the cyst is likely the result of an irritation at the interface between the current prosthetic and your bone. The causes for that can be numerous, but include using the wrong size artificial knee, not making a good fit to the remaining bone, and/or not removing debris from the interface. And what is good enough in 90% of patients may not be good enough for you.

The cause could also be something else entirely, such as not giving the wound sufficient healing time or a low grade infection. This last, btw, is a real concern and the reason you should have any dental work you need done NOW. Before they go in and do the revision. You want to be in absolutely robust dental health, and you want to make sure that even for routine teeth cleaning in the 12 months after the surgery that you notify your dentist ahead of time. (If they have any suspicion that you many need more than a simple prophy they'll likely have you start taking an antibiotic before you come in, and for some period after your procedure.)

yeah, this is a big concern. I had been told to wait two years after the last replacement to do anything other than emergency work. I had a major long overdue cleaning done last year and was getting ready to ramp up to some other major work this year to correct damage done by my orthodontist many years ago. I guess I'm going to have to figure out how much that is going to cost now, insurance will only cover part of it. I have one house under contract now, and maybe another one real shortly so that should help take the sting out of it

eta: I only just hit the 4 year mark on this knee which makes it exceptionally frustrating, not only that it needs to be replaced so soon, but that I have been in unnecessary pain so long. seriously, it has never been less painful than it was before the replacement to begin with

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

eta: I only just hit the 4 year mark on this knee which makes it exceptionally frustrating, not only that it needs to be replaced so soon, but that I have been in unnecessary pain so long. seriously, it has never been less painful than it was before the replacement to begin with

Yeah, I understand. I'm either at the 4 year or 5 year mark, I've lost track. The thing is, if it's done right, you'll be in less pain than before by the 2 week mark at the latest. (Frankly, I was in less pain by the 3 day mark.) Yes, it will take up to a year to fully recover. But that is NOT true of the pain portion. Really, I don't think I took a Vicodin at any time after the 90 day mark, though I routinely included them in my travel kit for over a year. But that was just reflex, not actual need.

I'm really glad you're moving forward with the revision. I think it will completely change your life.

This morning, after my glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, a big mug of the Holiday Breakfast Blend tea. I've got this pot and maybe one more before it's all gone. But the Anniversary Breakfast Blend is already on its way.

[kindlekitten]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry ;o(.... and I always told them something was wrong ;o(

[CRussel]

Frankly, I don't know either. I am so sorry you've been through this. It's not any help to tell you that my experience is typical, and yours extremely atypical, since yours is the only one that really matters.

When are you planning on the surgery? (Sooner is better than later, obviously.)

[kindlekitten]

I have mri's and bone scans to go through and the dental issue is very real. I don't have to worry about paying for the surgery, just the dental stuff so I guess I need to get on that first thing monday ;o(

[CRussel]

Good morning. Another bit of wet today. We don't particularly need it, thank you, I'm ready for the wet to be gone. More to the point, our friends just south of here, in Washington, don't need it AT ALL. They have had the wettest March on record. Ever. And the devastating slide. (KK, is it as bad out on the peninsula as it is inland a bit? )

IAC, I've personally had enough, and pooh's sisters are also tired of it and would like a day or two of sun to dry things out.

Peet's English Breakfast tea

[dreams]

Hoping all goes well kk.

Sumatra coffee in my cup before going out to start on the backyard after the rain.