Knee pain, swelling after surgery

[Nannie39]

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!  

[countyguy2003]

hi im going through something similar had surgery on my left knee  seems  to be worse now i wear a brace alot it still swells and throbbs if i try to do alot i limp if the temp drop a few degress in the house while im sitting on the couch and starts swelling and throbbing in the car if its alittle chilly out i haft to ride with the heat right on the floor got any ideas

[julesh44]

hiya i had scope surgery to drain bakers cyst n shave meniscus and repair that had 2 tears in ,on 5th march 2012, i was told it was succesful ,im on pain meds codeine ,cant sleep at nights ,longest i sleep for is 2h a time ,pain is unbearable ,it feels like something is wedged in front of my knee cap ,i cant walk far ,i have young children ,i see no way out ,,my local doctor thinks cyst has come back n i need more shaving of meniscus ,i see my consultant this tues ,my doctor has told me to demand another scan .i wil let you knw the outcome tuesday.

[Jessi1colour]

I had a similar experience to most of you - first of all I am sooo sorry it is so frusterating and scary experience I have had- I did the same and tried to find another dr but kept getting the run around from them almost as if they were covering for their fellow dr... Long story short after months of horrific pain lots of tears and being told from numerous OS and physical therapists that my knee is structurally screwed up- I found Dr. Vern Cooley in park city Ut. He is absolutely amazing! He specializes in knees only (which is huge) and he is so kind and explains Exactaly what is going on and what the options are- he did a second simple surgery on me (after"specialists" in LA wanted to cut it all the way open and possibly replace it) and found the original tear was still there along with a few other issues caused by the first sergery... Just give him a chance I promise you will not regret it- he has seen and fixed many friends and family members since- just did a scope on my mom yesterday , same one I originally had and she is literally walking around pain free- she had surgery 24 hours ago and has not had one pain pill since leaving the hospital... Crazy I know and maybe not a "normal" thing but I have even more trust in him now than I did before- just remember the pain is real it's not in your head and it wasn't there before you trusted someone to go in to fix it- don't give up and don't give in to these terrible dr's who don't want to be bothered with a mistake they made ! Take your health into your own hands and don't give up until you get answers and relief!!

[Jessi1colour]

I had a similar experience to most of you - first of all I am sooo sorry it is so frusterating and scary experience I have had- I did the same and tried to find another dr but kept getting the run around from them almost as if they were covering for their fellow dr... Long story short after months of horrific pain lots of tears and being told from numerous OS and physical therapists that my knee is structurally screwed up- I found Dr. Vern Cooley in park city Ut. He is absolutely amazing! He specializes in knees only (which is huge) and he is so kind and explains Exactaly what is going on and what the options are- he did a second simple surgery on me (after"specialists" in LA wanted to cut it all the way open and possibly replace it) and found the original tear was still there along with a few other issues caused by the first sergery... Just give him a chance I promise you will not regret it- he has seen and fixed many friends and family members since- just did a scope on my mom yesterday , same one I originally had and she is literally walking around pain free- she had surgery 24 hours ago and has not had one pain pill since leaving the hospital... Crazy I know and maybe not a "normal" thing but I have even more trust in him now than I did before- just remember the pain is real it's not in your head and it wasn't there before you trusted someone to go in to fix it- don't give up and don't give in to these terrible dr's who don't want to be bothered with a mistake they made ! Take your health into your own hands and don't give up until you get answers and relief!!

[lisaloo4]

OMG reading all these posts is terrible all you suffering people and yes I am one of them.  Been some 5 months after knee surgery and its the worse its ever been.  Added to my problems is that I have Fibromyalgia so my whole body is wracked with pain.  If I was an animal they would have put me down!  I am facing total knee replacement but tremble at the thought of further surgery with my added condition.  Am taking a whole heap of natural stuff that my homeopath recommended to including fish oil, vit e, inner health plus, acai berry, eating mainly all fresh fruit and vegs, fish and chicken and pea protein powder.  I take panadol osteo and when really desperate an oxy to help the pain plus anti inflames.  There is not much pain coverage inbetween the panadol and hard core addictive narcotics - can anyone suggest good pain coverage without that stuff messing with your head? Sometimes my pain is a constant 7/8. I use meditation a lot and when I get really bad take to me bed its sometimes the only source of relief laying in the dark with a heat bag.   I see a councellor, I cant work anymore, can't walk very far and if i stand on my legs longer than 1 hr my knee swells dreadfully. The worse thing for me is that I loved to dance and now it seems my wings have been clipped.   I am only 50 and have lead such an active life - endurance horse riding wore my knee out from hours in the saddle.  My gut is to mix eastern with western medicine - find a 'middle ground' as there is no one answer.  Awesome to share our stories as it makes one feel less alone in the suffering.

[dayi88]

I'm just glad to see that I am not the only one. It's been 8 months, 2 surgeries with different doctors and the swelling and pain is unbearable. Steroids, meds, cortisone; nothing seems to help. For those looking for a second opinion, the keyword not to use is "second opinion". I called the new ortho the first time stating it was a second opinion and was turned away; luckily I did not provide my info. I called a few days later and stated I was having knee pain and had an appointment the following week, and explained to the doc everything. He was patient, is still being patient and trying to find a solution. Unfortunately, my first surgeon performed a lateral release which is not recommended and shouldn't have done, but at the time I didn't know and was already in the process. I guess patience and persistence is the key. I'm even seeing a neurologist and adding on a psychologist. It's a nightmare! Best of luck to you all and finding a solution.