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Follow up appointment with Consultant

Posted , 11 users are following.

kim20134
kim20134

[kim20134]  kim20134 I saw the Consultant yesterday and I was 7 weeks post op. I have great bend and full extension. I told him that I had had an infection that had not been detected until week 4. He queried the GPs diagnosis (they don’t want any responsibility for infection). He stated that I should not be feeling fatigued, much pain and experiencing sleepless nights. And I should be much further down the line recovery wise. He said patients are ‘skipping’ into his room and wowing the op. I go out for a few hours at a time then become tired. The pain keeps me awake at night. I do chores and cook but tire easily. My husband and I thought I’d been doing well, walking without support and driving. Considering the infection had set me back a few weeks I thought his remarks were a bit harsh. 

He asked for more bloods and X-rays and wants me to return in 6 weeks. 

0 likes, 35 replies

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  • 1Romisz1
    1Romisz1 kim20134

    Posted

    Hey, hang around his office and talk to his other patients, and really see for yourself if the are "skipping into his room and wooing the op"!

    • gloria12849
      gloria12849 1Romisz1

      Posted

      I’m with you. This doc needs a reality check. 1Romisz1 if you have been reading these discussions then you know the truth. Br caeeful
    • kim20134
      kim20134 gloria12849

      Posted

      Yes I’ve have followed the discussions and I agree, I think I am the ‘norm’. I spent most of another ‘sleepless’ night reading articles on stages of recovery and know things are going pretty good for 7 weeks 
    • 1Romisz1
      1Romisz1 gloria12849

      Posted

      I have been needing a bi lateral knee TKR for the last 4 years. I am a MRI Tech, and have seen many patients with post op problems. I have pain, which I choose to ignore, it bothers me that I have a lot of trouble getting up out of a chair a walking, even around the house. And it takes me a few minutes to walk. I even fell two weeks ago cause I was in s hurry in the garage. I got 5 stitches in my forehead. I choose to be this way cause I am not trusting of these docs. There are a few procedures in research mode that may eliminate some TKR's, which I hope i can be a candidate for. Hope sooner then later.....

  • trees1234
    trees1234 kim20134

    Posted

    Kim

    This is disgusting, of course you will still be tired and in pain 7wks post op. Are you in U.K. 30% of recovery from knee problems is the replacement the other 70% is the recovery. Physio; strengthening you have had major surgery.  Patients skipping into surgery 7wks post op; really do not think so. 

    I am now 12 weeks. Last week was pain free this week not. Pain killers again today and swelling. If you are driving which you shouldn’t be until after  6 was post op and doing some bits and pieces like you are them you are doing really well. 

    • kim20134
      kim20134 trees1234

      Posted

      I’ve only just started to drive, short distances and I have an automatic. Yes I’m in the uk. I am still on pain meds especially at night

      after I’ve been on my feet a lot. My physio is talking discharge next appointment and is well pleased with me. I’ve only had three appointments with her and she has been a mine of information.  

      I shall carry on regardless but

      I did feel he was expecting too much at 7 weeks especially after an infection 

    • trees1234
      trees1234 kim20134

      Posted

      Your. Ring given the wrong information completely and consultant is in cuckoo land. Praise yourself for what you have achieved which is a lot. Well done. You need to be on a static bike to build up muscle strength daily; twice a day if possible. You need to build up muscles in front and back of knee. And the muscles in your bottom. Sorry don’t know names of them. Glutes I think are ones in bottom. 

      Physio therapy for knee is in three stages. You are only on one. This is the bend and straightening. You have to build on muscles around the knee to support and stabilise the joint.  I paid privately for my Physio As I do not want this to happen again. I’m seeing him weekly for 9 months, but I also had an Osteotomy. Bone cut and straightened and same time as TKR and went back to work at 4wks. Much too soon. 

      Praise yourself for what you have achieved. Take some time to read through CHICO MARXS posts on here; he has a wealth of really good information. But different from us as he is in States and we are U.K. your knee is still vulnerable. 

      My op was done by Professor Anan Shetty top consultant and teaching consultant in UK. His words ‘recovery can not be rushed, only 30% success of the operation is the operation itself, 70% is recovery. Be kind to yourself. Take the journey and your knee’s pace; if it’s too painful and really swollen then you have done too much’ do hope this helps . Be ascertive with your consultant as he is speaking tosh. 

  • 1955linda
    1955linda kim20134

    Posted

    Hi Kim, 7 weeks down the line is still very early I would suggest. I am nearly 12 weeks on and it is only in the last week or so that I have not been using ice at night or meds at all. I am very surprised at your Consultants remarks and I personally think that you must be very proud of yourself for the progress  that you have achieved already. The blood test (crp) will show if you have any infection. Good luck and let us know how you get on

    Linda

     

  • vickie15389
    vickie15389 kim20134

    Posted

    Ok. First of all...I’d like to see for myself those 7 week out skipping patients!!  I am 16 weeks out now. I was doing well, went back to work at 6 weeks, then attended a conference for work a week ago and suffered a major setback. Now in as much pain as 1 week out. In short, it shows how weak the new knee is even after you think you have healed. I too have spent many sleepless nights reading in forums, from real people, and find that I’m definitely not alone. It sounds to me like you are right on track. Trust me...don’t think you should be doing more and overdo it. It is a MAJOR surgery that requires recovery. I’ve learned a very hard, painful lesson!
  • shona18872
    shona18872 kim20134

    Posted

    The Dr sounds like an idiot. Your doing fantastic for 7/8 weeks. My last TKR I was getting hardly any sleep right up till 6/8months as I had restless leg and it was obviously worse at night. My bend wasn’t good till at least 12 weeks. All is great now and I’ve just had my other knee done. I’m in week 4 and would love to have your bend at 7 weeks and be driving. Well done and the sleepless nights can last a while. My friends who have had it done are the same. 

    I’d change Dr if they put you down like that. 

    Take care. 

  • Delboy1735
    Delboy1735 kim20134

    Posted

    My GP mentioned, in passing, that infection doesn’t have to come from the op. Contamination can be introduced from a cut finger or during a dental procedure. Don’t know if that sheds any light you’re problem but there it is.
  • davidjk22
    davidjk22 kim20134

    Posted

    I think your consultant needs to join the real world, or tell the truth about his patients. Perhaps he is on more medication than you. I find it hard to believe that at 7 weeks post op, patients are skipping into his room. Does he holiday on fantasy island?.
  • kim87231
    kim87231 kim20134

    Posted

    Hi. I find his remarks rather insulting! It's major surgery & I doubt many people are "skipping" into his room!!! The fact that you have such great bend & extension is all down to your efforts despite an infection. I think your recovery sounds amazing. I am almost 3 weeks post op, wound has only just dried up & I have alot of swelling which is limiting my stretches & bends. I am still in alot of pain & needing to ice regularly. I can only hope to be as far down the road to recovery as you by week 7. Ignore your rude consultant & carry on at a pace suitable for you. Well done, Kim

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