I had a Total Knee Arthroscopy in 2016 in Cleveland and it never healed completely. That surgeon’s staff kept telling me I just needed more PT. So I did it. By 2018, I couldn’t take the pain any longer and was referred to TCO. The surgeon that saw me immediately referred me to
Dr. Anseth. I was scared. The first surgery and recovery had caused me so much swelling and pain. Dr. Anseth and his wonderful PA Heidi told me that my original replacement was loose and it’s movement was wearing away the top of the bone on my calf. They moved their schedule around to get me into surgery in less than 30 days, which is very fast and uncommon in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Anseth made it work and after first seeing him in May, I had my revision surgery by June 1!
Recovery was difficult. Apparently I have a minor bleeding disorder which I found about through a referral from Dr. Anseth. According to him, I has more post-surgical bleeding than any other patient he has ever worked on. Let me tell you, blood where it’s not supposed to be, hurts a lot. Dr. Anseth and Heidi were concerned for my recovery and followed it very closely, meeting with me often. It was such a different experience than I had with my first surgeon. They didn't belittle me or condescend when I complained about severe pain even 3-months after the surgery. They worked with a pain clinic to ensure I got the relief I needed. Their compassion never stopped even when it appeared that my recovery was not going as it did with most of their other patients. Dr. Anseth's work however, is not just technically accurate and by the book. He took into consideration the fact that I was born with legs turned inward which, though corrected as a child, caused the structures around my knees to be somewhat uncommon. The first surgeon didn't do anything "wrong", but he didn't take this into consideration, and installed the implant as he would with any other patient.
During my revision, Dr. Anseth took more than twice the normal amount of time fitting and refitting my revision implant. He is the first to say that there is science and best practice procedures to follow, but he very much relies on whether or not the implant "FEELS RIGHT." He's and artist as much as he is an engineer and physician.
After 5 months the pain subsided and the knee healed. The leg is still a bit weak, but getting stronger all the time. It was a rough road but I can say that with any other surgeon I may have given up, and I'm am not sure this second implant would have worked. I was a hard case, but Dr. Anseth and Heidi were up to the challenge and I will be forever grateful.
