Resolved question:
I have had three surgeries on my left knee. One to the replace the ACL, another to remove a foreign body and perform a menisectomy, and the third to remove another foreign body, decompress an ACL cyst, medial and lateral menisectomies, and a microfracture of the medial femoral condoyle. The third surgery was in December of 2013.
On Thursday, my knee began to swell. It has since become very swollen, stiff and painful. Almost the exact swelling and stiffness that I had when I tore my ACL except that it DOESN'T feel unstable. I didn't feel any pop or pull at any point and it still feels stable so, I'm confident in saying I haven't torn any ligaments. However, I have iced, rested, used over the counter anti inflammatory's and it just feels like its slowly getting worse. Should I give it more time? Should I see my surgeon? Should I go to urgent care or the ER? Not sure what to do here. Also, I have to fly across the country on Sept. 25 and would like this as close to resolved as possible before then. Thanks!!
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Orthopedic Surgeon
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
In background of such surgeries if you are feeling swelling and discomfort then it may be due to presence of infection .As this swelling and discomfort is also not relived by anti inflammatory medicine so you should see ER for immediate relief. In case there is an infection, an appropriate antibiotic has to be instituted right away and hence going to ER will be a logical choice.
Hope this will help you.
Regards.