In search of answers!

I was wondering if anybody would happen to have any advice or answers to my problem. I am a 34 year old male that has gone through trauma in different parts of my body throughout the past. I have no medial cartilage left in my right knee and it pops out when walking from time to time and can't seem to get anywhere with my family doctor with this. I have leg and foot pain that is predominant in the calf and heel of my foot keeps me up from sleeping at times. I also have mild forminal stenosis with bulging discs at C3-C4 and C5-C6 on the right side with uncover table joint spurring. I also have several small bulging annulus at the thoracic level. I have numbing in the middle of my back directly on the spine, pins and needles at times and sensitive to touch. I have neck pain that radiates through my shoulders and down my arms sometimes to the point i have trouble using them. My family physician has no other alternatives other than prescribe medication for anxiety. I feel i am not taken seriously as this has been ongoing since September and i now have a hard time with the mobility of my shoulder (Reaching up behind my back is impossible). Hopefully somebody has some good advice out there.....Thanks a million

Hello and welcome GlobaJ to the forum.

Like David, with all the Orthopedic/Neurological problems your having relying on a Practioner is, well like having a plumber to look at your wiring.

Although their specialties may overlap at times your having specific problems that require the expertise of one specific area.

There are many resources for the knee but only can be determined by an Orthopedic Surgeon and one that specializes in knees even better. The same goes for the spine issues.

Its absurd to expect an anxiety Med to assist in treating either problems and especially the lack of stability in your knee. As a matter of fact such meds that relax muscles in the knee add to the issues at hand. With cartilage missing the stability and function of the is solely dependant on muscles, ligaments and tendons to take over and using meds to relax those basically interferes with their ability to do that.

Its a D do,D don't, situation for many folks who have need of anti-anxiety meds and muscle relaxers for spinal issues but also have loss of stability in a joint from degenerative changes.

Thus the reason for specialist who know and understand the problem.

Good luck and try to get under the care of the proper specialist as soon as you can.

Unless your insurance requires you to get a referral to another doctor, there is no need for the GP to refer you. You can do that on your own simply by going to your insurance website and finding the listing of physician's who participate in your insurance and find the specialities of either an orthopedic or neurosurgeon who specializes in the spine, and a neurologist for the ulnar neuropathy.
Seeing a family doctor for spine problems is not the best option. Once you are aware that there are problems in a specific area, then you need to see the right type of doctor for the condition. Just like you would if you had a heart condition, you would see a cardiologist, you need to see either a board certified ortho or neuro spine surgeon for problems with the spine.