Question Title: Knee Pain after surgery

Seven weeks ago I had knee surgery to fix a torn meniscus (meniscus had folded over laterally and molded into place and was also torn), a ruptured ACL (fixed with a allograft) and a torn medial collateral (which was healing on its own). My accident was on 7/15/98 but the first orthopod told me I had to wait for 6 weeks for surgery on the meniscus and ACL in order for my Collateral to first heal. When I insisisted on seeing another orthopod surgeon 4 wks later I was told I should have had surgery immediately. That now I had a stiff knee, motion 80, etc. Anyway I had surgery on 9/1/98. Now I am having lots of knee pain. I am being told it is due to all the old scar tissue. I am worried it is my meniscus. My doctor only had a few minutes with me, and I didn't even get the opportunity to ask about the meniscus. What could be causing the pain? The pain is worse at night and is not that bad when I do my exercises. Comes and goes! Any information you might provide me with? I would like to be knowledgeable and ask the proper questions when I see my doctor next. Thank you.

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Dear Michelle:

You knee pain is rather unlikely to be from a neurological cause. I cannot comment on the cause of the pain. I think it is very important for you to determine and ensure that you had a satisfactory surgical result without any major local surgical problems (such as bone infection). You could do this by asking your surgeon, and if you are not satisfied, by seeking another opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. In the meanwhile you could seek a consultation from a specialist on post-operative pain management (usually an anethesiologist); acute pain is a relatively easy problem to treat symptomatically.

I do not see the need for a neurology consult. Good luck!

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