Bone breaks around the knee :

Orthopedic Doc Response to Knee Geeks - - Posted by exoman (exoman), 22 January 2005

So, I went for my first post-op visit yesterday and informed my OS of this fantastic website.  He said "I want you to go home and remove the bookmark.  I am your knee guru, not your computer".  Told him it's more a support group than a serious medical discussion regarding our experiences.  Wasn't too serious a scolding, he just wanted me to know who my doctor was.  

My Tibial Plateau (internal fixation, one plate, six screws) rehab is:

1) 10 days post-op.
2) 30 staples removed on day 9, lovely 8" trophy scar.
3) Pain is subsiding, numbness in the vicinity of the inicision is not.
4) Physical thereapy begins Tuesday (25 Jan.)  YES!!!
5) Range of motion 3-85.  (Goal is 0-90)
6) Doc says recovery from 5 hour marathon surgery has been remarkable.
7) Icing and using CPM machine.

Any others inform their docs about this site?  How do they respond?
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 23 January 2005

Hi and welcome to KneeGeeks!

Sounds like your progress is great considering how soon it is after your surgery. Know that it will take lots of work and dedication to get your mobility back. But you will get there if you are determined.

At any rate, welcome!

PS: I'm not surprised at your OS' response. Many of us who have posted on this site and MyBrokenLeg.com have had interesting run-ins with our doctors about these sites as well as other aspects of their demeanor with their patients and such. I was one of the fortunate ones as my OS was very kind, supportive, and willing to consider what I wanted to do in my recovery (he was a former knee patient himself which gave him lots of empathy for what we were going through).
Posted by shadehawk (shadehawk), 23 January 2005

First off, good luck with your recovery.

I find this surprising that an OS would not like this site.  You would think that any OS would like a patient to be as well-informed as possible about their knees and their knee conditions.  
If you read the book by Ronald P. Grelsamer, M.D. though 'What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Knee Pain & Surgery' this is mentioned .  I personally do not know where I would be without the help of the above mentioned book and this knee site as I kept hitting road blocks where I live.  The OS's  that I have seen so far have not appreciated the questions I have asked them, but then again they did not have any answers either as they were incapable of doing any of the procedures that I was asking about................

When you live in a small comminity, but have complicated knee problems you are just passed off or told that you have to learn to live with it.  People who are lucky enough to have found this site have realized that there is hope out there and you must educate yourself and ask people for opinions and advise & travel, if necessary to see surgeons who deal with complicated cases................

Because of this site KneeGuru, next month I am going to make a long trip to see an OS in another area who hopefully will be able to make an assessment and treat my condition.  Nothing is guaranteed, but all a person can do is to try.  If you find a good OS, I think most people realize that it is their doctor who is using their skills to help you.....there is not question about that....


Posted by exoman (exoman), 23 January 2005

As you see, I value this site too much to remove the bookmark as my OS suggested.  He was not confrontational with me, maybe just tired of answering questions from patients who have learned "everything there is to know about orthopedics" online.  He said my recovery so far is remarkable and just wants to make certain I don't "push it" too hard.  (I have a tendency to do that)  I am hopeful that I will fully recover without too much chronic pain and that this fix lasts for decades.
Posted by shadehawk (shadehawk), 23 January 2005

Okay exoman, you did not follow your doctors orders about the bookmark for this site, but hope that you follow the rehab.  Hey, just kidding you!!

Good luck to you and glad to hear that you are doing so well!!      
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 23 January 2005

Yes I agree with Shadowhawk about the importance of physical therapy in recovery. Those muscles deteriorate soooooo so quickly, you'd be surprised!! Make sure you don't lose your quads, those are the hardest to get back working properly IMHO.

Again, welcome and wishing you the best in your recovery!!  

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