Medical Ortho Doctor

[Bookoffee]

We waited over two hours to be seen by my ortho doctor today.

Before he saw us, he ordered x-rays for my knees

He came in a few minutes later to tell me everything looks good and hardly any arthritis. He looked at my knee and asked about the surgery.

He forgot he did the surgery and when we reminded him that he had to scrap my cartilage and told us that I have stage 4 arthritis. My last shots for my right knee was on 1/8/15. The one before was for both knees in September 2014.

He said to us "hum, let me go look at that scope"

The next thing we know his assistant comes in with our discharge papers and explains that the admin has to get an insurance approval for a certain type of injection. I will have to have one done each week for the next month.

Ok? So where is the doctor? He dismissed us and told us to call our PCP for pain meds.

I am a bit upset right now. I didn't get any injections, meds, answers, concern, etc...

I have been seeing him for over 5 years and he has done all my surgeries. I had to go through months of pain when I broke my shoulder and he would tell me nothing was wrong. A doctor ordered an MRI and found it broken in three different locations.

The only reason I stayed with him was because of his bedside manner. I felt safe with him.

I am scared to walk without my cane because there are times when I step down, the pain is so deep and crippling. I can't hold myself up. I have been using my left leg for more balance that knee is starting to have the beginning of my other knee's symptoms.

My wife is going to contact some of her coworkers from the ortho floor. She remember taking care of Kent's from one doctor. She knows how he does his surgeries and how his patients recover. I called him to get in but he has a wait list.

After today's visit I am unsure if I have arthrist. I have no answer on the sharp jabbing pain in my knee that makes me collapse. I am not sure if I am over reacting about the pain I have. I am not sure if I am faking it or lying. I am so confused, overwhelmed and being irrational.

 

[shandemonium]

Hi @Bookoffee

I've had a lot of bad doctors in my life, and I'm not in a position to judge from this one thread, but it sounds like a 2nd opinion is in order!

Can you find a different doc?

I was once told by the only nice doctor I ever had to watch out for doctors who suggest surgeries for my knee. It was a knee issue as well, although certainly not as severe as yours. Try a couple of different docs and see what they say. Maybe there are some less intrusive ways to help.

I have no answer on the sharp jabbing pain in my knee that makes me collapse. I am not sure if I am over reacting about the pain I have. I am not sure if I am faking it or lying.

Sharp jabbing pain means you are not faking or lying!!!

I really wish you the best and please at least get a second opinion or a doc that will give you some pain relief.

 

[Friday]

My knees are shredded.

My X-rays look great. It's not until I pop into an MRI that you can see the 40+ rips, tears, shreds! and "Is this a rubber ball factory?" Constellation of Baker's Cysts (from all the leaky cartilage).

So this ortho guy of yours has be seriously scratching my head. X-rays don't tell a person jack shit about the joint. Only the bones.

Add in the shots, and I'm even more confused. Especially because cortisone eats cartilage. There's not only a lifetime limit on number of injections, but if you've had cartilage scraped? I'm super surprised any sports med doc would ever order it (except for right before a competition, thats happening right before a surgery, to mitigate the long term effects of the cortisone... Most don't even like to come anywhere near it).

Ortho has come an amazing distance in the past 20 years. 20 years ago I was looking at double total joint replacement. My knees killed my competitive career. Rehabbed them up enough for military (which shredded them further). 10 years ago, I was still waiting on joint replacement, but no longer total replacement (they like to put that off until your 40s or 50s since it has to be redone once a decade, so it shortens your lifespan to get it done in your 20s). 10 years ago they were looking at donor tissue to do some of it. 3 years ago? Pshaw. No replacement. No donor. We can dremmel bit this bit here, super glue that bit there, arthroscopic all the way, and 3 days of recovery time / no weight bearing. 2 weeks before you're running. Holy f*cking shit. Wow. ((Haven't done it, yet. Can't afford it.))

What it sounds like to me is that your doc already hit his prime. And, at this point, has just gone lazy. (Or outdated). Happens with some docs. They're at the top of their field, until they can't quite grasp new innovations, and then it's a slow slide down the hill. They cling to old methodologies, and anyone who doesn't fit in them? Gradually get pissed off and move on to new docs.

Sounds like its time to be one of those patients moving on to a new doc. One whose first response is to get new MRIs, not just new X-rays, before appointments.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Ugh, that experience sounds horrible. I hope you can find another doctor that will be more knowledgeable and will provide you answers. It does not seem like this doctor will be very helpful if he doesn't even remember he's the one that did your surgery. Good luck in your process of trying to find a new doctor.

 

[WildMermaid]

@Bookoffee Have you had any luck with finding a new Ortho.? I do hope so. Please let us know. :hug:

I'll be seeing Rheumatologist for the RA- I've had it since age 9- and an Orthopedic surgeon to see what can be done about the mess that is my knees. I have EDS hypermobilty of every joint so I hear ya on the pain front. I will tell you something that I wish the medical establishment had let me know years ago...Do not push your joints to the point of major pain, arthritis damages our bones so thoroughly that any extra strain we put on them by being brave is just continuing to erode the joints. I'm almost 40 and have been told that one day I will get new knees. Honestly, that is only a passing thought at this point as I've had so many operations on them there are still screws in there that are now over 20 years old. I still get to walk a tiny bit in the house, and sometimes take great sloooow excursions to the grocery store on crutches, but most of my time is spent in my chair. At least I'm fast and mobile in that.

If you need to, get crutches or a walker, I know they are less than sexy, but mobility and being gentle to the broken bits are far more vital. Do you have access to a wheelchair? Again, there is serious stigma attached to that, but oh being able to join the world again is nice, even if you are at waist level most of the time. Thinking of you.

 

[Bookoffee]

@glitterkitty,I see a new ortho today at 2. Thank you for sharing. I do use a cane to walk with. I hate it and I am so embarrassed by it. I worry about what my co-workers think. I need to listen to advice to survive through this.

Thanks again

 

[Rumors]

I had a knee replacement at 39. My knee will last 20 plus years. I went to a special ortho hospital to have it done. It was out of state for me, but I had a wonderful result. The injections you are referring to are Synvsc shots. They are hyaluranic acid and lasts longer than cortisone. However, it is a series of shots and by the last one you typically feel like you are trying to push 10 gallons of fluid into a 5 gallon jug. It gets pretty tight!!! Cortisone has a lifespan and yes over the long haul will cause the joint to dry up, however if you have significant joint deterioration than trying to reduce inflammation can give you some semblance of normalcy until the inevitable replacement happens. It is a quality of life question. If you are miserable without anything, then get the shots and ride it out. I had the minimally invasive knee replacement surgery. It changed my life. When they pulled my knee out, it was full of puss pockets and I had worn about 1/4" off the inside of my joint... He told me that he didn't charge extra to straighten my leg! Good luck! Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I had 8 knee surgeries prior to having my replacement and years of shots and therapy. I didn't really slow down until after I had my kid and then I struggled the last few years. ;)

 

[WildMermaid]

@Bookoffee yay I'm so happy you have a new Doctor and appointment! Good luck! Oh canes come in all sorts of designs (on metal) or gorgeous woods, they can be an extension of your own personal style if you wish them to be. Less options with crutches, but there are still variations. Back when i could get around with just a cane I bought them here. :) :hug: [DLMURL]http://www.fashionablecanes.com[/DLMURL]

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@Bookoffee - so glad you have a new dr and I hope the appointment went well and was helpful.

 

[Bookoffee]

The new doctor was much better than the other doctor. He pulled up my MRI and showed and explained everything that is going on with my knees. I have Avascular Necrosis. Blood is not going to the bones and they are starting to die. I will need surgery. A bit freaked out because we don't have the money or time. Plus I have a blood clotting called factor 5 so I am on Coumadin for the rest of my life. The last time I had surgery on my knee, I ended up with four blood clots in my lungs.

@WildMermaid my wife and I came up with an idea of decorating my cane with pictures of our animals, quotes and pictures of our dream together.

Thank you

 

[Rumors]

Do you have a vena cava filter?

 

[Bookoffee]

vena cava filter

No, I don't.