So sick of this Ins BS

I have been in pain with OA in my knees for over 1.5yrs. I went through all of the usuall treatments (therapy, cortisone, Euflexxa, etc) and mis-diagnose. (bursitis, tendonitis, etc). 

Two months ago I saw the Surgeon. After looking at my xrays and MRI he decided to do the scope. He told me my Ins Co. insists on him at least trying the Cortisone again before he can scope my knee. I had already had it done, with limited success, but since it was my only alternative, I went through the pain of having a 3" needle shoved under my knee again. Last month, after the cortisone didn't work, he scoped it. He found lots of torn cartilage and fissures (sp?). He actually was surprised when I came out of surgery and he showed me the pictures. I was like duh!

 I went to see him yesterday for a nconsult on the left knee and he said he saw the same "abnormalities" on my left, as what he found on the right. Again, even knowing what he is going to find, he made me get a cortisone shot, because without it, the INS company can deny my claim. Now I have to wait another 4 weeks before he will consider doing the scope. Argghhh

Anybody else ever have to deal with such lunacy? I know rules must be followed, but to the extent that I am getting painful, worthless procedures???

Hi, JN02,

Sorry you had to go through the pain of a procedure that you knew would not work. How crazy is that?!? Makes me wonder what UHC will do when the time comes for me.

Would you recommend the scoping procedure? My doctor has talked about it. He also told me that sometimes the scoping "stirs" up the arthritis and makes it worse than before, so I am not sure if I should have it done or not.

Thanks for sharing your story,
V

Vannie, I would recommend the procedure 100%. Before I had it done I was in terrible pain. I could not do stairs without doind one at a time, and I could not walk far at all. One month later the only pain I have is where they put the tools in. They call the incision sites "portals" and they say they can take up to 3 months to fully heal. Don't get me wrong, the pain at the portals is only tissue pain like if you push on it or kneel down. (not like torn/worn cartilage/meniscus pain) As proof of how much I would recommend it I can't wait to get the other knee done so I can get back to my normal life!

Joy, If you have a fear of needles you are not going to like the cortisone shots. They use a 2-3" needle and they go right up under the knee cap. You can feel it under there and it hurts like He**. Some people say it didn't hurt for them, but everytime I had it done it hurt terribly, and then it was really sore for days. (on top of the usual pain) Also, if you hate needles you had better not even comsider the Euflexxa/Synovial fluid (sp?) shots. When they do that they use 2 LARGE needls in each knee. (one is supposidly a numbing medicine - what a joke) I took a picture of the needles on the tray while I was waiting for the Dr to come in, and everyone that see's it says the same thing ~ OMG!
On a better note, a lot of people swear by the cortisone shots, so if it works, I guess it would be worth it. It is supposed to calm down t he inflammation, but the problem I had is I never had swelling, so how is that going to work! (just my opinion, based on my exp)

Yeah, I gave blood this am to check my Vit D level and you cannot even comapre that to a Cortisone shot in the knee. When they go in they have to push it through whatever is in there (cartilage, ligaments, I don't know) I do know that you can feel the pop and then the real pain starts as you can feel it up under the kneecap. Then again, my BIL just had it done, and he said it didn't hurt much at all. I guess it depends on the person, and what shape the knee is in. Probably shouldn't have told you all that if you need to go for it. Sorry to get you nervous.

Hi, Joy,

I am right there with you! I think I have a phobia of anything medical. First of all, I hate being "messed with". Second of all, I am claustrophobic, so I hate MRI's. As soon as I walk into a doctor's office, my heart rate goes up, my bp goes up, and I get butterflies in my stomach. Yuck! I wasn't like this when I was younger. I don't know what the deal is, but I wish I weren't this way. I guess I have "white coat" syndrome.

Peace,
V

well now i might have an insurance problem too. my physical therapist said that i would soon run out of my medicare alloted therapy sessions. i called my insurance company and they said the therapy sessions were unlimited as long as i have a doctor's script. spoke to the doctor and she said she would sign the script because she thinks i can go further with my range of motion with my foot.

this is all so confusing...i don't know what to say...i buy medicare advantage and i have a co-pay for each therapy session.

Hey I get cortisone shots in both my knees every 3 mos. Your doc must have bad skills as my shots don't hurt at all. They just feel really mushy afterwards from the meds being injected. Is your doc adding lidocaine or marcaine along with the steroids? My ortho does it everytime.

I am bone on bone in both knees and need to have knee replacements in each knee. But am getting the shots to hold off the surgery as long as I can. Hugs!

Vannie, I had a problem with my flu and pnuemonia shots and insurance. Last November I got my shots at Wal-mart and they told me it was free. Two months later I find I'm charged $72 on my checking account. I call the company and they assure me it was free and called my insurance company with me on the line listening to fix it. The insurance company paid them, but I've still not got my money back which they promised over a month ago. I've got to call them again and remind them to send it. :(

Hi, Joan,

Honestly, I think they count on people not having the energy to "fight" for their benefits.  It is a sad commentary on social morality and justice, I'm afraid.

V