Sometimes there is nothing you can do but laugh and keep moving forward..... :-

PhysAssist · Sep 14, 2013

Some of you may remember that for approximately the past 16 weeks, I have been out of work because my left knee replacement became infected just before my birthday this year.

The treatment was my ortho surgeon taking it out on my birthday, and leaving me with an antibiotic spacer and strict instructions to use crutches and use only toe-touching with my left foot to avoid unnecessary wear to the antibiotic spacer and possibly fracturing (breaking) one of the bones. I also received 8 weeks of IV antiobiotics at home through a PICC.

Well, this past Wednesday, on the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I went back in and got a new knee! I did very well post-operatively and came home yesterday (Friday the 13th!!)despite ending up with 2 surgical complications:

1) While the doctor was drilling through my lower femur, (which was and is crooked because of having had bone cancer treated at age 19 y/o, with surgical removal, bone grafting, and then complicated by a fracture at the site), he inadvertently went out through the side of the lower femur causing a fracture.

and 2) Once he was able to get the drill bit (way) up the femoral canal, it came unattached from the drill extension and ended up stuck there just below my knee joint.

He says that for the perforation I have to stay on limited weight-bearing for six weeks until the bone has fully recovered and healed in order to reduce the risk of fracture.

He also says that the retained drill bit would only pose a problem for me if some day I fracture my hip, or need a hip replacement because of wearing out the joint.

The whole situation is ironic because my original ortho MD (who saved my leg and life in 1979) referred me to my current ortho for a laser alignment knee replacement BECAUSE of the deformed and closed off femur canal.

What can I do but keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep my sense of humor given the situation...

Thanks for reading,
Thomas

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dave1949 · Sep 15, 2013

I guess not much you can do but keep your spirits up. Wishing you a good, solid recovery.

Kioti Lee · Sep 15, 2013

Best Wishes..

Coyote machine · Sep 15, 2013

Try Traumeel from Heel Corp. It does amazing job of topical analgesic pain relief. Gel or cream. Much better than Advil, Tylenol 3, etc. I gave a tube to one of my daughter's teachers after she had broken her leg in a couple of places playing indoor soccer. She had her foot stop in the Astroturf like surface when she got hit from two sides and her leg got multiple fractures. She had tried everything with no real relief. After trying the Traumeel she said it was just like I described- the pain just disappeared- she couldn't believe it.
I'm glad it helped her recovery, as I know it will yours.
Good luck- keep your spirits up.

creekbend · Sep 15, 2013

I wish you a complete recovery. I have a question. Would another surgery to retrieve the drill bit cause more problems? Have you considered the possibility that the Surgeon made the statement regarding the drill bit, to be only an excuse to cover up his own incompetence?

jinman · Sep 15, 2013

Dang! Thomas, you must make the metal detectors go into a tizzy when you walk through. You've got more hardware in you than an Ace Hardware Store.:confused2: I'm always amazed at x-rays of bone or joint replacements. The hardware looks so big and out of place. Here's hoping your recovery is quick, uneventful, and complete.:thumbsup:

farmgirl19 · Sep 15, 2013

Wow! That is a lot to go thru in a short time span. Fingers crossed that your recovery goes smoothly from here!

bullbreaker · Sep 15, 2013

Thomas keep on "FIGHTING", Ya got the rite attitude ! Wishing You and Your Family the " BEST" !!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:

Boone

300UGUY · Sep 15, 2013

Good luck on the recovery. Many years ago, a dentist broke a carbide file off in a tooth, while doing a root canal / crown. It's still there, shows up on x rays as a spriral thingy. I hope I have your sense of humor this week, I am getting my ankle worked on this week.

TripleR · Sep 15, 2013

You sure have had a go of it and I wish you well.

Bird · Sep 15, 2013

Wow, Thomas, that's tough. I had my right knee replaced 3 years ago, but fortunately didn't have any of the problems you've had. Hope it gets better for you soon.

mostly_gas · Sep 15, 2013

That is a lot to go through!! Prayers for your recovery and attitude

dmccarty · Sep 16, 2013

Wow, when it rains it pours!

Guess you better get on the tractor and build a pond or lake! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Those photos sends shivers up my neck. :shocked:

Good luck in recovery and in PT.

Later,
Dan

jerrybob · Sep 16, 2013

Tough go.....wishing you all the best in your recovery!!!

hawkeye08 · Sep 16, 2013

Best wishes, keep us updated.

dave1949 · Sep 16, 2013

Can we make jokes about this? Or is it too painful to laugh?

I'm sure there are some good drill bit and doctor jokes in here somewhere.

Dutch445 · Sep 16, 2013

Wow what a journey you have had!
good luck in your healing, wishing you a full recovery!

now, about that drill,
why was it that far up your femur?
i wonder if he started losing it, then kept trying to reattach to it, and it kept
inching further and further up till he gave up on it!
thanks for the xrays, it shows a lot of work has been done.
any chance you had work done in Syracuse?
i had bilateral hip replacements last October in Syr.

npalen · Sep 16, 2013

I am amazed, given today's high tech surgical instruments, that the drill bit could come loose from the extension. I know that doesn't ease the pain, Thomas, so best wishes.

PhysAssist · Sep 17, 2013

dave1949 said:
I guess not much you can do but keep your spirits up. Wishing you a good, solid recovery.

Many thanks Dave, Kioti Lee, and Coyote Machine- I will be trying that topical.

Thomas

PhysAssist · Sep 17, 2013

creekbend said:
I wish you a complete recovery. I have a question. Would another surgery to retrieve the drill bit cause more problems? Have you considered the possibility that the Surgeon made the statement regarding the drill bit, to be only an excuse to cover up his own incompetence?

I have just started to look into what the risks and probability of infection are each way.

I will certainly be getting a second opinion from an ortho at another medical group, maybe even from a different city, but right now I am trying to focus on getting my strength and knee movement back.

Thanks,
Thomas