Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I had a TKR on 12-8-11 on my left knee . I had extreme swelling of the leg from mid-thigh all the way to my foot from the beginning. I did everything I was told to do, but the swelling is still there, though not nearly like it was. I have had what I thought was fluid on my knee since shortly after the surgery, but I was told the swelling would go down. I went in for the yearly checkup and was told the swelling could be scar tissue . When I disagreed with the doctor, he said that it was fluid that needed to be drained. He aspirated it, sent the synovial fluid to the lab, and told me there was no infection, but that he suspected rheumatoid arthritis . I went to a rheumatologist who told me there was no RA, but very possibly I was experiencing an allergic reaction to the components of the implant. I was not given any information at all about the implant that I received. I called the OS and was told that they don t even keep that info in my file there at their office, and the MA, I felt, proceeded to send me on the proverbial wild goose chase. I suspect, after doing a lot of research, that I could be having a reaction to the metal. How do I find out exactly what implant was used in my knee? If I need to have another TKR, do I dare use the same doctor? What about insurance? I have been made to feel that I just haven t worked hard enough to get this knee in shape, etc.... I can t even walk very far because of the popping in the knee. It doesn t really hurt, but it is so uncomfortable and causes me to walk differently and makes my back hurt. It s a domino affect. When I ve mentioned that, I was told that when the knee sets itself or when the swelling goes away that the popping would stop. I just do not know what to do next. Any advice will be considered. I am very depressed and confused and upset and frustrated!!! Thanks!
[|AI|]  Hi there ~ Your being upset, confused, depressed and frustrated is understandable.  The surgery that was expected to make your life better did not actually turn out to be so.  However, you need to look the life before and after surgery.  You describe everything after surgery and how your knee should have been and how you should have walked, etc.,  However, you do not mention what you expectations were and how your life or your problem knee was before surgery.  It is very possible to feel depressed, however you need to reconcile with the fact that the surgery and the consequent improvement is gradual, and it should have been alluded to by your surgeon.  I feel like you might need to be seen in personal consultation by a psychiatrist or a counselor.  I hope you feel better and that this helped. Take care.