I have a great back surgeon who just relocated to Waco from the Dallas area.
On the other hand... I have a low back injury. It, too, causes hip, and leg, and foot pain. I have lived with my pain for going on four years now. It took me almost three years to find a good set of doctors. The neurosurgeon, the orthopedists, the general practitioner, and the pain manegment. To make matteres worse, mine is a work comp. case.
It took many months of work between the pain doc. and my GP before I got the meRAB right to get my pain under control. Let me go back. I did have a series of injections, one major surgery, a spinal stimulator (that I could not tolorate), and all of that good stuff.
I am on a narcotic, and a nuraber of other meRAB, including a corabination of Zoloft and Amitriptyline. Once I started the Amitriptyline the burning and tingeling in my legs stopped. I was so happy. It was a change of life. Once the meRAB were in balance it was actually life changing. It was the difference between being able to leave my house once a week, to being able to leave the house any day, that I want to.
I can't speak to your knee issues, but I have been through the back issue completely. Will none of the surgeons talk about a fusion for you? A discectomey? Anything to maybe relieve the pressure?
Keep with your pain doc. Make sure he is keeping your pain under control. If you are still in that much pain, TELL HIM. That is his calling in life. There is no reason to stay in that much pain. I tried Lyrica for the nerve pain, and neuronten, but they did not work. The Amitrip. is one of the older anti-depressants, but for me it was a God send. It also helps with sleep. Keep trying until you get the right corabination.
It will take more than one medication. If you need anti inflamitories, they do come in patch form, that way they are easier on the tummy.
Good Luck and Let us know how you are progessing with your pain.
Brokebackkitty