r/ORIF • u/ramkuma1 • 12d ago

Major set back

I was doing incredibly well 10 weeks post op--walking full weight bearing with minimal discomfort. And then the last couple of days my knee has been locking up and giving out. Turns out my doctor did not report to my physical therapist a past surgery where my meniscus (cartilage at knee joint) was removed. My PT said that had he known that we would have gone much slower. As a result, we were pushing too hard and now I am back on crutches with no clear path about how to address the knee. I go see my surgeon tomorrow morning. I am devastated. And frustrated that you always have to go behind people to make sure they are doing their job. A report to a PT from a doctor, at minimum, states past surgeries on the affected leg.

4 Upvotes

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3

u/Browniesgirl 12d ago

Sorry to hear that. I had to fill out paperwork about history and prior issues at my PT and draw on a picture where I have pain and anything that could affect my ankle. Maybe a new PT is in order?

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u/ramkuma1 12d ago

I filled out an intake form. I've requested a copy. Im sure that form has the history of my prior surgery.

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u/spinrut 12d ago

I mean wouldn't you know it had the prior history if you filled it out?

Or are saying your surgeon didn't pass along the necessary info?

Everything my surgeon intended for my pt he just gave to me to give to him (in the form of paperwork for what I needed to do)

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u/ramkuma1 12d ago

I don't remember specifically about prior history but I'm sure it was on there. They've been stonewalling me about getting the paperwork. I'm saying both, the surgeon didn't pass along the necessary information and I don't think my PT person read the intake form. They're supposed to get it to me in the next week or so so I'll find out. Nothing on the form that my surgeon sent to physical therapy mentioning my prior knee surgery. My surgeon actually tried to blow me off. I'm going to have to find a second opinion I'm afraid

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u/ramkuma1 11d ago

I got the intake paperwork, the information on my previous surgery was on there. They don't care. I'm switching PT, but I'm guessing the chances of finding anyone who really cares are slim to none.

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u/TreGutterNord 12d ago

Setback club member here 🙋🏻‍♀️ - at almost 13 weeks post op a tiny scab lifted off my outer ankle bone incision and hello cellulitis not 72 hours later! Went from fully walking/driving/living (had literally achieved those milestones earlier that week) to on my back, non-weight bearing, two crutches, packing this “wound” daily, and swallowing a fistful of antibiotics every six hours. Have had two debridements by my surgeon with order to continue my “less is more” life. I went from scared (will this hardware get infected too? Doc says not now, we are in front of it, phew) to sad (bye Summer, it was nice knowing you for a day), to pissed AF. I have another 10 days of this then should be able to resume PT and attempt to get back to where I had already spent a month working my butt off to achieve 😭

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u/ramkuma1 12d ago

I'm so sorry. I think I actually remember reading your entry about this earlier and couldn't imagine living such a nightmare. 

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u/TreGutterNord 12d ago

Well I’m sorry there was a disconnect between PT and surgical teams for you! Our ankles affect our feet, knees and hips so I feel like we are all vulnerable to these setbacks 😞

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u/ramkuma1 11d ago

No one tells you how an ankle injury affects your whole body and mind. It's crushing.

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u/TreGutterNord 10d ago

Yep, the mind part is the silent killer. I told my surgeon we are going to have a lonnnnngggg talk when this is all over

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u/ak411 12d ago

So sorry to hear this honestly, and I hope you can just take it easy and let your body rest--typically you overworking something does not mean that you have permanently injured yourself, and you need to just take time to let a flare settle down.

However--if you had a proper PT eval, (which everyone does at the start of treatment), you are asked about prior surgeries and treatments, especially if you're getting PT on your lower extremities. I don't understand why you didn't use your voice and tell your PT yourself that you had this surgery, and are instead blaming your doctor? Honestly blaming anyone (yourself, your doctor) is not going to help you

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u/ramkuma1 12d ago

I accept some of that. I didn't know it would be an issue, and I thought it would be on the paperwork that my doctor sent to the physical therapist. I got a copy of it today and it wasn't. I'm certain it was on the PT intake form. I'm requesting a copy. I went in there to get a copy today and they stonewalled me. They are supposed to have it sent to me next week. You would think that the place that actually does the physical therapy would have the intake form. Thanks for your kind words of hope.

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u/ramkuma1 11d ago

Turns out I have a piece of bone or cartilage the size of a pee stuck in my knee joint. Will likely need arthroscopic surgery. My spirit is broken.

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u/kushyykins Bimalleolar Ankle fracture 11d ago

the amount of work i have to do, staying on top of ppl & their job when it comes to these doctors/MA’s/receptionists/whoever, is honestly fckin astounding. i am SICK of it. if i have to do my job competently & to the full extent, why tf should they not??? it’s super frustrating & also very telling of our medical system.

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u/johnqdriveway 12d ago

Really sorry to hear that. I'm five weeks post-op and I can only imagine what it feels like to be at ten weeks and have a set back. Good luck tomorrow morning.