One more time, again.

GearHead_1

GearHead_1

Long Time Member
I'm going back in for surgery on my leg tomorrow. Some of you will be thinking, hey, we've heard this before. I've had my left knee replaced twice in the last year, with one interim surgery 6 months after the first surgery and 3 months before the new knee was replaced. I've had a difficult time with this process. I've been to no less than 6 specialists following the initial replacement. They are either all in cahoots or my original orthopedist did the job correctly.

I've never been able to get the swelling out of the knee, this is accompanied with significant pain on a daily basis. My life has changed, many common place tasks are something I either need to work up to or recover from.

Somewhere along the way the nerve in my leg has been damaged. I have a for lack of a better description a dead lower leg and foot. It's hard to describe as it is both numb yet hyper-sensitive. Can't wear long pants, shower stream causes pain, foot points outward, I have a significant limp.

Three different doctors tell me this can be as a result of the anesthesiologist nicking the nerve bundle when administering the nerve block, the anesthesiologist compressing (tourniquet) the nerve, the surgeon stretching the nerve or as a result of manipulation in follow up therapy. Bottom line is I don't have any idea who to point a finger towards. I'm not litigious, I just want to feel better.

I've had a couple of nerve conduction studies run they can see where the problem is and the diagnosis is that it wouldn't be wise to wait any longer for this to be repaired as it may result in my leg atrophying and losing further use of it.

The surgeon tomorrow is not one who has worked on me to this point. He'll decompress the nerve through a 10" incision. The surgery is kind of like carpel tunnel repair in the lower leg. He believes he can help. I know this has nothing to do with detailing but telling you guys is kind of like telling family. Wish me luck.
 
Man I know how ya feel kinda. I am 25 and I've many problems with my knees. Two hyper extensions each torn ligaments in one and just found out I got infra petelar syndrom in both. About a month ago both my legs looked like the the upper leg was extended five in. due to swelling in the knees. Not being able to do something you love and have a passion for is terrable, not to mention that it just hurts to walk, sit, stand, and lay down. I hope all goes well and you can get your shine on soon.
 
GearHead, Good luck and best wishes for a successful procedure and rapid recovery!

An aside, I have similar sensations, cross of numb and hyper sensitivity on my surgically repaired (via screws and plates) ankle. Thankfully the hyper-sensitive sensation is nowhere near as accute as yours sounds. It is also noticeably larger in size than the other ankle.
 
Hope all goes well I know how you feel since my back surgery 6 weeks ago I have had all kinds of problems that are a result of my surgery.

Will be praying for a fast recovery for you.
 
I appreciate all the support. The prayers have obviously done some good. The doctor was encouraged. My leg is quite painful, not like knee replacement and bone pain. Think more along the lines of getting a knee in the calf on steroids. The swelling is significant but I can walk without crutches or a cane. The feeling in my foot is different. I don't know that it's better or worse at this point but it is different than the feeling I had pre-surgery. He said it would be 6 weeks before we would know the measure of success. I changed the bandage on it this morning and it was still bleeding. Really weird stitch job. He told me up front that it would be. My body doesn't absorb the kind of stitches that are left in. He used a different procedure so these wouldn't be used. Some staples and very big stitches. The scars are also a little smaller than he indicated they would be. Not that it matters much on this leg.

He was able to cut the leg and lift the flesh and follow the nerve up and down instead of just slicing from top to bottom. He found a place where the nerve was pinched. He said the muscle had it in a strangle hold but he doesn't really know how it ended up this way. He was able to do a compression release. I haven't used much medication as I just haven't been on it. My experience is that the 3rd day following surgery is when you get an idea of how bad recovery might be. I'm not expecting this to be nearly as bad as the others. Thanks again for all the well wishes. :)
 
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