Okay, just had follow up visit after knee surgery. I had 2 meniscus(sp) tears, a bakers cysts and bone chips where lining to Tibia is flaking off. The surgeon worked on one meniscus tear, left the other alone saying it would heal by itself. Cleared out bone fragments and said that there was nothing we could do to stop bone from continuing to flake. And left baker's cyst and did absolute nothing for it saying that if he drained it there was a possibility that it would recur because of inflammation. Then said to take anti-inflam. meds only when I could see swelling in knee. Does this all sound right??? I know that some meniscus tears will heal without surgery but some of the rest doesn't sound right. Inflam. is being caused by Knee cap rubbing on Femur and Tibia but he says I am not a candidate for Synvisc (sp). Any ideas anyone???
I really think synvisc is OK for everybody since it is not a drug but a lubricant. I tried it but did not find much help for the cost and multiple trips to take the injections. Cortisone works far better for me.
I think you should take your nsaid when you have pain and stiffness.
Did your doc recommend PT? Getting those knee muscles in shape can really protect your joints and ease pain. Sometimes PT helps a lot even without surgery.
Please see another doc.get a second opinion and be ready to discuss knee replacement.
physical therapy may help but if you are bone on bone nothing will really help but the replacement
Oh boy, get a second opinion and like Buckeye said be prepared to talk about a replacement. I too am bone on bone but Synvisc really helps me for about 4 months. It's keeping this knee going till I can get it replaced or they release the artifical gel. cart. I'm trying to hold out till the gel. cart. is available. Not sure that he could drain the Baker's from the spaces he was operating in because of contamination and area but he could have drained it with another very small procedure after the knee surgery. There's always the chance of recurrence with Baker's but if they don't dissolve on their own then they probably should be drained. Keep us posted on how you do and if you see another doc. for a second. Lindy Physical Therapy....can help strengthening the muscles to help with your knee, and can help with the bakers cyst.Jamie,
How did you come by to see this orthopaedic surgeon? Was he recommended? How many years has he been in practice? Does he specialize in knees? I vote with the others, and suggest seeing another ortho doc.
The inflammation in my knee was caused by RA which eroded my cartilage, damaging joint and bones, eventually requiring a knee replacement. Your doc said the "inflammation is being caused by Knee cap rubbing on Femur and Tibia"? If you have bone on bone, then you may eventually have to have a knee replacement.
Pain in the knee makes it tough to walk or exercise, but try to do exercises, many can be done while sitting, or even isometrics, to strengthen the thigh muscle.
NSAIDS help control inflammation, but do you take RA meds on a regular basis, they should be keeping inflammation in check, if not you should discuss a more effective drug treatment w/your RA doc.
Take care.
Joie2008-08-01 14:27:28I completely agree that you need another opinion.
good luck.
Reader, I second that. Or third. Get another opinion! I hope you get it all fixed up and soon!
Thanks for the imput guys, I really appreciate it. I live in a small town and there are only 3 ortho surgeons in town and they all are in practice together. I was in an accident a few years ago and he was on call so I didn't really pick him, I guess I just got stuck with him. My gut has been saying see another surgeon, I just hate to think about a 45 minute drive for a second opinion. Guess my knee is worth it though.
Thanks again,
jamie
Yes, I had a knee surgery recently and the doc explained carefully why he would not touch the baker's cyst. Not only will it come back, but you risk infection when you mess with them. I AM puzzled as to why he didn't do anything about the other meniscus tear though. According to my ortho (rated as a top doc in our area) they don't repair themselves in 100 yrs -- He also didn't think i was candidate for synvisc -- evidently there's a small segment of population that it actually helps, but i didn't quiz him on it.you may have to drive someplace to get a good second opinion but its worth it
Thanks all, Thanks Island Woman, it helps to know someone else isn't a canidate either also for info on Bakers Cyst. I feel a little better about it all now.
Duh, I posted twiceI don't like this guy's assessment either. Unless the tear is real small, the guy should have his license pulled.
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