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What Causes Pain And Swelling In Knee And Calf With History Of Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014

Question: I had arthroscopic knee surgery about 5 months ago. I continue it have pain and severe swelling, not only on my knee, but also my calf. I was told they also drilled holes in the bones to promote healing, as they also scraped the bones. I have been back to the doctor many times with the same complaints. They did a bone scan..normal. I have gotten 2 injections with minimal relief that lasts about 2 weeks, but the swelling never subsides. I also take 7 mg of melodic an twice a day. I feel like the dr doesn't care and looks for a quick fix. My calf is still swollen and gets painful, and my knee looks like a balloon.....the pain is awful (I stand at work for 9 hours a day 3 days a week). Am I over reacting or is something wrong?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I want to know little detail about your illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam,
I have studied your case and I believe that arthroscpic surgery was not a right option in your case. If you have knee arthritis then arthroscopy surgery or injection provide only short term relief. I want to know little detail about your illness before I advise you about further management.
1. Have you feeling pain in other knee also?
2. Is there any difficulty in using stairs or sitting on floor?
3. Are you also having pain in other joints like shoulder or elbow?
4. Have you done any MRI or other blood investigation recently?
Please send me answer of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

I had a torn miniscus (the second one in a year on that knee)....thats why i had the surgery. Therefore i have had two surgeries by the same doctor on this knee.During the surgery, it was determined, along with a bone scan and mri, that i also had mild arthritis. I have no pain whatsoever in my left knee, only the right one. Yes stairs are difficult because of my right knee. I cannot kneel on the floor, bed or anything with that knee. Once i get down, i can sit on the floor, however getting up is a struggle! No other joints in my body are affected. I dont believe i have had any blood tests, other than my yearly check up ones, for this issue. I have a family doctor for that. I am seeing an orthopedic doctor/surgeon for my knee. My last mri was before the surgery...probably in february. Do i need to see a different doctor?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You may need a knee replacement surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam,
I have studied your case and as I told you before that arthroscopy does not work when some one has knee arthritis. It can work only for meniscus. Symptoms which you are complaining are suggestive of osteoarthritis of the knee. It is degenerative disease and can not be cured completely. I have few suggestions for you.
1. Avoid squatting, sitting on floor and staircase climbing as it put more load on knee joint.
2. Take calcium and vitamin D daily. It will increase bone strength.
3. Static quadriceps exercises for calf and thigh pain.
4. Injection in knee is not good. Avoid any more injection.
5. As you said they have done drill hole. So we have to wait for some time as small cartilage defect can heal after few months.
6. If your pain persist even after all these measures then best option is knee replacement surgery. But it should be delayed as late as possible as artificial knee has limited life span.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if you have any other query.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju