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!  

[brainteaser]

Yikes!  This blog is discouraging and helpful.  I just had surgery for my ACL and Meniscus 5 days ago.  I think what I learned from all the bloggers is that if you went through with the surgery then listen to your doctor and do all the P.T.  and elevate your leg as much as possible.  Don't even think about going back to work for at least 6 weeks.  And my doc said I couldn't play tennis again for 9 months.  Right now my knee is swollen like a tomato.  Today I get the rest of my staples out and post op instructions.  I might try some of the homeopathic methods for swelling described in this blog.  But I'm hoping patience is the key to a full recovery.//*-*\\

[sanjoosharma]

Almost six months after arosthroscopy surgery, I am still experiencing swelling and excruciating pain with inflammation. I was having a great recovery for the first one month, then BAM!  My leg, knee and ankle started hurting.

Prior to the surgery, I was told that I have an Ligaments tear in my right knee which can be taken care through arosthroscopy surgery only. Doctor told me the arosthroscopy was a simple procedure that I would recover from quickly. After surgery, the surgeon told me that everything went well but he never told me whether he repaired the ligament tear or whether he removed it.

I can frankly say that I am significantly worse than before the surgery.  If you have some answers please help!

I’m 36 years old 5 feet 11 inch with a good weight i.e. 77 Kg.

[juliastarr36]

I or should I say we would love to know the name of the OS that treated you like a human being. my name is the same as my yaho account let me know or post it here. thank you very much

[tabh2111982]

I just had my surgery 4wks ago but am on here because I feel exactly the same! I went back to work 6 days after surgery which may sound nuts but this hotel allows me to sit when possible. I have experienced the tingling numbness in my toes and when I rb my swollen knee it feels like a wave going back and forth on my knee cap. The fluid on my knee and ankle are driving me nuts and having to compensate w/ my other leg is causing pain in that knee and hip. I am wishing I never had surgery and can't deal w/ this much longer. I have a 6yr old so when I get home from work I am in so much pain that I can't do anything to entertain my daughter and enjoy my life and being a parent.

[routers]

Your comments are an insipration and give hope to all of us who have knee problems.  I am 52 and a keen golfer and have had multiple surgeries on my right knee.  It is good to hear that one can continue to play golf and walk after knee replacement surgery.  Out of interest do you walk the golf course without a buggie - how far can you walk?

[Kaysquare]

I've been reading all these stories about severe problems after knee arthroscopic surgery and am amazed at how many folks are terrified of total knee replacement surgery.  I'm a poster girl for that surgery and had wonderful results.  I had a total knee replacement in December (8 months ago) and yes, the first two weeks were not fun, but with good physical therapy I was back on the golf course, walking more blocks than I could walk in years.....after only seven weeks.  First, go to an orthopedic surgeon who's highly recommended by many acquaintances, who specializes in "knee replacement" surgery, & works with a hospital that has a whole staff of specialists in this field.  I went to Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, where they have their own surgery wing, with well over a dozen specialists.  I had a great physical therapist who worked with me aggressively for a month, then I did specialized therapy on my own for about 3 months. I still do some knee-specific exercises, and I have absolutely no pain in my knee, and it's been that way for months.  I'm a 67-yr old woman, very active & athletic and have worked out all my life, so physical therapy was nothing new to me.  If one has never worked out much or isn't used to exercise, I'd expect their recovery would be much slower.  But physical therapy is a "mind set" and if you're determined to get painfree and back to being active you can do it!  My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery a few years sooner.  It was a God-send for me.  I just got tired of limping around, being in pain, not able to walk the golf course, my dog, and snow skiing was "iffy".  Those are all the things I love to do and am doing them again with no pain.  So, with a great doctor, good attitude & hard work, knee replacement is nothing to be afraid of.