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Knee pain, swelling after surgery

Almost four months after surgery, I am still experiencing massive swelling and excruiating pain with inflammation. I was having a great recovery for the first ten days, then BAM!  My leg, knee and ankle swelled to gigantic proportions.   My doctor has said only that I have arthritis in my knee and I have to be patient.  On at least three occasions, I have been in tears in his office and asking what to do about it.  He still tells me be patient.  This is surely not normal.  I went to another doctor last week who sent in his PA to tell me that they "don't like to tread on another doctor's territory" and won't see me again, but the PA prescribed Prednisone 6 day dosage that seemed to give me some comfort while I was taking it.  The day after I completed the dosage, the pain and swelling was back in full force.  No one will see me without a referral because this certain doctor operated on me.  What am I to do?  I am so frustrated after four months of extreme pain, all I do is cry.  I've turned into a big crybaby and that is not me!  Help, somebody!  
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Avatar universal
I had a miniscus tear repaired nine days ago and was doing great. I noticed yesterday i have swelling from my knee down through my calf. Went back to surgeon and was sent directly to get ultra sound to rule out a blood clot. BE CAREFUL WITH MOBIC !  I 've been taking it for about 6 years for a shoulder injury as it was the only thing that really worked. Even better than the narcotics. MOBIC is really hard on your kidneys and can cause kidney failure. I'm seeing a specialist now to see why my kidneys are working 35% of what they should be. First thing he said was to quit taking Mobic which I had heard before but ignored because it worked so well. I still am still at a loss as to what to do about the pain with my knee...but no MOBIC for me
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Avatar universal
Hi i have 9 arthroscopys on each knee i am an ex rugby player my last 2 opps have left me in so much pain i had my right done & i am waiting for an acl reconstruction & my left knee i had meniscus's repair & have grade 3 ware & tare this was 6 weeks ago & i am still limping my knee is swollen & due to my right knee been bad i cannot walk properly. I have tried pain killers physio & my surgeon is going to drain my knee & give a steroid injections. I am concerned because in the past i have played rugby 6 week's after an opp i am now feeling depressed & cannot sleep any ideas please?
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Avatar universal
Fall #1:  Hit right Iliac Crest and low hip.  Syptoms, burning, stabbing, throbbing pain at iliac crest, burning at low hip, swelling and sharp stabbing pains in lower left quad pelvic area.  Feels like I am perforated in my lower intestines or bladder.  Light bladder incontinence occured not long after fall.  X-Rays and MRI showed no fractures.  MRI's with dye showed a little bursitis.  Hip surgeon says it is not my hip but my spine and spinal surgeon says it is not my shpine that it is my hip.  Third opinion said he was upset with other two Drs because it is both my hip and spine.  Nothing done.  7 months later PC finally tried injections in all areas without any relieft.  Went and had two Nerve conductivity test that were pretty much negative.  Can't drive for a 16 months, can't make bed, can barely cook and wash clothes.  I was on crutches for a year and the day I got off them I had fall #2.  Over 9 months after first fall I have them test me for a Labral Tear - waht an ordeal it took 3 weeks of phone calls back and forth with Imaging department to get all my special needs met, and when the day came the Dr said he knew nothing of my special needs and the dye test was a horrific experience due to their neglect.  I referred myself to an Orto pedic surgeon who only focused on the test that said I had a little bursitis.  His suggestion was injections.  i told him I have a history of a high tolerance to lidocaine and needed a stronger strength and if he needed to talk to my PC and prior surgeons for other matters that was fine.  The injections were unbearable, he only used 1% lidocaine and in the past I need 2-4% and extra or I could feel them cutting into my flesh.  At 16 months I found the North Penn Hernia Institute online and aske dmy PC to test me for that and guess what - I have a hernia and who know that all the other symptoms I have match the referred pain list.  Too afraid to have surgery, but am now having more pain as food travels down the desccending colon onthe side of my Inguinal hernia.  It is unacceptable with all those specialist that I was the one who correctly diagnosed my own condition after all that time.

Fall #2:  1 year and 4 days after first fall.  Injured right knee, right shoulder and left sternoclavicular joint.  My leg immediately swelled and was horribly bruised from knee to toes.  A trip to ER and multiple x-rays were taken at least nine of them.  Less than 10 minutes later I am told everything is fine I am just bruised.  I could hardly make it out the door on my own power, nobody even offered a wheel chair.  My PC was to afraid to touch my knee for 4 months.  Chiropracter used ultrasound and electrotherapy and cold laser therapy and later started Acupuncture.  I went back to the same Orthopedic surgeon who said my xrays show no breaks or fractures and he suggested an injection - I refused due the low dose of lidocaine, then he spoke to me like I have no idea what the difference is between lidocaine and the cortisone and said he could just use water!  Then he said I need to exercise the knee after I told him I can't even kneel down and put pressure on it.  Now I wonder if I shoudl ask my PC for an MRI to rule out tears or other injuries to the meniscus, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL),  intra-articular cartilage / bone (fracture), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), quadriceps tendon or patellar tendon; since I still have swelling from 4 inches above the knee clear down to 6-8" below the knee.  I am a mess and at 50+ years, I feel my life is over for I have to quality of life.  I am not suicidal, but if God picked my number out of the jar I wouldn't put up a fight.
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Avatar universal
I had bilateral knee surgery to repair torn miniscus and this was almost two yreas ago! My knees are still painful and swell, not to mention my calves hurt so bad when I stand for very long. I have given up on ever getting any help. My surgeon passed away a couple of weeks ago.
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Avatar universal
Hi,I had tkr and it was a disaster.first I had arthroscopic,and when the doc came to the recovery room he said,it's not gunna work you have stage 4 arthrites you will need to get a total knee,so 6months later had a specialist do it,did everything right aggressive therapy I went 5days a week was there for 3hours a day,three months later had manipulation under anthestesia.well 9months later due to excessive scar tissue I had a revision,then10months later another revision the scar tissue loosened my knee up.so then 1year later I had a nerve release and all this time in severe pain and now still in crazy pain,he's testing me for metal allergys,so you are very lucky to have a smooth tkr.i am happy for you I wouldn't. Want anyone to go thru this
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Avatar universal
I think you should keep looking for a doctor.I don't know what State you live in but if there is a city look there or the next state over,don't give up,sounds like you may need the knee replaced,but not by your current doctor.Doctors don't like fixing another doctors mess but there are doctors out there that will.i will pray for you to find one
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