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Doctor says nothing he can do

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 12/20/2014 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I was sent to the orthopedic surgeon to talk about knee replacement or some type of surgery. He said the mri was grainy and he did not have the report. Instead of asking me to come back once he had the report he said from what he could see there was nothing he could do. I got a copy of the report yesterday and it says...

Conclusion
High grade diffuse cartilage loss in the medial patellar facet with subchondral cysts and marrow edema. Moderate grade cartilage loss in the inferior aspect of the lateral patellar facet.Two small areas of subchondral sclerosis and cyst formation in the medial tibial plateau with punctate foci of overlying cartilage loss.

So there is uneven wear of cartilage which my pain doctor and physical therapist said is throwing everything off. I also have back issues and this is adding to it. I go back to the orthopedic doctor that referred me to this surgeon next week and I am going to ask to see the other surgeon in that practice. I can not believe he expects me to just suffer. He also made a statement that maybe it will get better. How the hell does he think it just going to get better. I am just so aggravated with that doctor! Thanks for letting me vent.
Posted 12/20/2014 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Crazy,
I have no clue what that report means. It sounds like you are miserable and I hope you find a solution soon.
what I do know is that Doctors are not gods. They don't know everything and can be absolutely wrong...and jerks too. I would try for another opinion if not a third from a completely different office.
Also bear in mind that if you ask a surgeon his perspective will be from a can I cut or not angle. Maybe another specialty can help. I don't have a suggestion on what one though, sorry.
Sending positive thoughts,
good luck.
Posted 12/20/2014 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Daesin. When I go back to doctor I am going to ask if a brace or therapy may help. I see a pain management doctor. He wants to burn the nerves around my knee. If all else fails I guess that will be my last option. Thanks again.
Posted 12/20/2014 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
It is so frustrating when medicine fails us, or when we encounter a Dr who is a <insert your own adjective here>. I read a really helpful blog by a doc in Ga. its something to the effect of why chronic pain patients scare doctors. Yes, we scare them, go figure.

Basically our society has put Doctors on a pedestal and we are taught not to question them. They can fix us, just do what they say and don't question....well that works for strep throat or a sprained wrist but not for us. We don't fall into their scheme. They fail us and the docs know it. We are outside of the 'rules' and because so we don't have that obey and worship attitude. We know the great and powerful Oz is simply a human and just guessing sometimes.

This frustrates them and so sometimes they try to get rid of us with "I don't know" or "I cant help," these may be honest responses but not helpful the way they are given. Its hard to find a dr that isn't ego bound.

I have spent almost a year now trying to find out why I cant use my arm. it has been such a battle. I don't fit into their pegs...I am a zebra and they are used to horses. Hearing what the Ga doc wrote really made an impact on me and how I see the medical field. I am still really messed up physically but I am working with a new perspective.

I hope you are able to find someone who will try to get you squared away or at least be honest about what is going on. It is terrible that we have to suffer. Keep asking, keep searching...don't accept a B/S response. You deserve better. Never give up. You never know when they will develop something new.
Posted 12/20/2014 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Get a new ortho surgeon who specializes in knees. Have not a clue what's wrong with that Dr but that's exactly the kind of damage a TKR fixes and not to even offer the option? How old are you and ballpark is fine I'm not putting you on the spot!! Unless your really young I can see NO reason not to have him suggest one and if you are that's usually the number one reason for delaying tkr due to the life expectancy of the hardware and looking at how many you would have to have if they last 10-15 yrs. Find a different surgeon altogether.
Posted 12/20/2014 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Get other opinions! At the beginning of my problem, a severe shoulder high impact injury, i was told my pain was due to being just another middle aged woman. I had ended up with one of the top shoulder surgeons, and while he does have an ego, he is compassionate and more importantly completely honest about what can or cannot be done.
Posted 12/20/2014 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Get another opinion from a surgeon outside that group. Ask your PCP whom else he would recommend. Don't just pick out of the phone book or some online place that is populated by people who can't spell. Ego is not a problem, but results count!
Posted 12/20/2014 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone has already given you plenty of medical advice, I don't have anything to add but that I'm sorry you're frustrated and in pain - we all know that one! Hope you start to feeling better and have pain-free-ish days. <3
Posted 12/20/2014 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to get another opinion. I will start with the other one in that practice. If he does not want to do it I will go somewhere else.
nvrthesame98 I will be 50 at the end of the month. I know that is still a little young in doctors opinion.Another problem I have is I am on medicaid at the time so they would pay for TKR if requested by surgeon. I have an ongoing case with disability and if I am approved I will be switched to medicare so I would have to pay 20%. That is not something I can afford. So it's now or never.
Posted 12/21/2014 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Go to someone who specializes in knee and/or knee scopes. I bet you'll get a different answer.
Posted 12/21/2014 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
Not neccesarily would you have to pay the 20% on medicare depending on your income levels you may qualify for extracare at the state levels that pay your premiums and copays.
Posted 12/21/2014 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thinking you are suffering from chondromalacia patella, you can google it. I suffered from that for many years. Does your knee grind when you bend it? I also had cysts. I was told your kneecap should be smooth and the thickness of glass. Mine resembled a piece of sandpaper!

I had many ops, around fifteen on both knees. Some were experimental, but I didn't have any great success. I ended up with partial knee replacements which did help. I think an arthroscopy might help, they clean out the rubbish from around the kneecap and they could deal with the cysts.

You definitely need an ortho who deals primarily with knees, I wouldn't accept that diagnosis. And you are right, knee pain can and does lead to back problems. I developed scoliosis and have had five back ops in four years. Don't waste time, find a new doctor soon. Good luck

Jane
Posted 12/22/2014 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I like Jane origionally disabled out over knee injury and as I stated continued for years putting off, playing around and scoping and cleaning til I too developed lumbar issues. Your back tends to pick up the slack in lifting and bending work your knees would normally be taking.
Posted 12/22/2014 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
crazy, your Medicare may not kick in right away if you're approved for SSDI. Medicare kicks in 29 months after the Established Onset Date. That is the date they decide you became disabled. It may or may not be the alledge onset date you put on your application. If approved you will have a 5 month waiting period from the Established Onset Date and the 24 months before Medicare kicks in. If your Established Onset Date is 29 months before you're approved, then your Medicare will kick in soon. But, if your Establisehd Onset Date is less than 29 months, you will have to wait.
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