Knee replacement surgery was botched....I think!

I believe that you are right. I have always heard of there needing to be a drain after most surgery, even if it is only in for a day. I think that the fact that your insurance did approve a new MD does also mean something. I'm sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your surgery and I hope that your knee gets better soon.

WHO WAS THE SURGEON, AND WHERE ? More than likely your surgeon or another failed you.

I've had two knee replacements. The procedure is very modern now and done through a small incision without a drain. What I had was not. The incision was about 8-10 long with a drain that came out in just a day or two. The infection you mentioned may be because germs got in through the incision and not because you didn't have a drain. As for the 70% range of motion. Working a lot with determination at PT will help you to reach 90 degrees. It does not happen over night. Perhaps water therapy will be of some assist. Even after you no longer have PT keep working to reach your goal as it will continue to bend if you keep working although slowly. I even ride a bike without a problem and I am in my 60's. In fact, it was the bike that helped me bend my knees. Your insurer gave you permission to change your doctor at YOUR REQUEST. Usually a request to change is granted as the patient is not satisified with current physician. It does not necessarily mean that the physician did not perform the surgery correctly. They listened to you and did as you asked. The physician is getting blame because you didn't like his method. However, you should have discussed this with him. Chances are he didn't do anything wrong. Not everyone responds the same way to any surgical procedure. I am not taking sides here. I just wanted you to see both sides of your issue without blaming anyone for it. Personally I call the procedure a miracle as I lived with knee problems and extreme pain with multiple injuries for over 50 years. The issue here should be: "Is your pain gone?" If it is you should be thanking the doctor not condemning him.

Hi kprn,

I read that you saw another MD yesterday. Did you ask him if there is anything that you do legally, regarding your previous doctor? Obviously if he told you that you need a complete revision, then he must know that your first two surgeries were not done right. I'm really sorry to hear that this has put you in a very difficult situation. Unfortunatly we can only move forward in life, so I hope that it wont be too much longer until you have everything under control with your knee. Sending you my best.

Tony