Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery Frustration) Any Advice?

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me mistaken! I

wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I commented to the

first post by someone else who was asking. I was just commenting

saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from now, July 6,

2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which means they pushed

it as far back as they could. (which seems really unfair if you ask

me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am for sure

Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and catches. I am

just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more things of

physio (covered my extended health care) then it's back to be in

pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It just doesn't

seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should do. Should I

wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or try to see

someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting list...

Any advice?

>

> Hi ,

>

> I'm sure you'll get all sorts of answers and all are

> worth thinking about. I've had two knee surgeries.

> One was with general anesthesia and one was with an

> epidural. By far, I liked the epidural much better.

> Coming out of the general was a bit disorienting, but

> not horrible. For me, I liked the epidural because I

> was awake the whole time, talked to the OS and the

> anesthesiologist the whole time, and by the time they

> wheeled me to the recovery room I was getting feeling

> back in my toes and I was walking out of there in less

> than 2 hours. I enjoyed seeing the procedure and felt

> a lot more " ownership " if you will, of my knee and

> it's problems. The surgeon was very gracious about

> explaining the different parts of the knee (the good,

> the bad and the ugly) and in short, I guess I was sort

> of fascinated by the whole thing. I had no nausea, no

> headache, no lack of appetite after (hmmm, maybe that

> wasn't a good thing <smile>) and was able to ask for

> the right amount of pain meds. By the time I got home

> I was as clear as could be, whereas with the general I

> was just about out of it for the next three days.

>

> Lots of caveats here.......if you are adverse to the

> process of the surgery (i.e. kinda freaked out) ask

> for more " sleepy " drugs. The anesthesiologist told me

> that I could be as awake or as asleep as I wanted. If

> the surgery is more extensive (mine was a

> cleanout/ " looksee " and a lateral release) the surgeon

> may want you under a general. My first operation

> involved the arthroscopic microfracture technique and

> since that involves more concentrated effort on the

> surgeon's part, I doubt he wanted me aware and asking

> stupid questions. Some people are better

> candidates for general, some are better candidates for

> an epidural. Talk to your doctor about it and see

> what he prefers.

>

> Good luck...when's the surgery date so we can cheer

> you on??

>

> nne

[Guest guest]

Hi ...again.....

I apologize, you're right, of course, I responded to

your response...whoops!

Where do you live that you're having to wait so long??

My advice to you would be to have a heart to heart

talk with your physiotherapist and get a darn good

regime you can do at home on your own...with weights,

elastic bands, balls, etc. So once your benefits are

gone you have at least an at home program to try and

maintain. I say this because you mention that you'd

be back in pain after PT...so PT must be helping the

pain a bit, right? You might also ask your PT to

write a letter to your surgeon explaining what he's

done, and where you are at as far as pain, etc?

Surgeon's first idea is always PT, and I personally

believe that many of them feel that " if we only tried

harder in PT " things wouldn't hurt. Well, bully on

that! I do believe exercise of some sort is

important, but there comes a point where the pain over

rides even the best of intentions.

Hope you can get some resolution, or some type of

cancellation quickly.

nne

Re: Anesthesia for

arthscopy

(Surgery Frustration) Any Advice?

Hi there,

Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me

mistaken! I

wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I

commented to the

first post by someone else who was asking. I was just

commenting

saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from

now, July 6,

2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which

means they pushed

it as far back as they could. (which seems really

unfair if you ask

me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am

for sure

Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and

catches. I am

just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more

things of

physio (covered my extended health care) then it's

back to be in

pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It

just doesn't

seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should

do. Should I

wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or

try to see

someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting

list...

Any advice?

>

> Hi ,

>

> I'm sure you'll get all sorts of answers and all are

> worth thinking about. I've had two knee surgeries.

> One was with general anesthesia and one was with an

> epidural. By far, I liked the epidural much better.

> Coming out of the general was a bit disorienting,

but

> not horrible. For me, I liked the epidural because

I

> was awake the whole time, talked to the OS and the

> anesthesiologist the whole time, and by the time

they

> wheeled me to the recovery room I was getting

feeling

> back in my toes and I was walking out of there in

less

> than 2 hours. I enjoyed seeing the procedure and

felt

> a lot more " ownership " if you will, of my knee and

> it's problems. The surgeon was very gracious about

> explaining the different parts of the knee (the

good,

> the bad and the ugly) and in short, I guess I was

sort

> of fascinated by the whole thing. I had no nausea,

no

> headache, no lack of appetite after (hmmm, maybe

that

> wasn't a good thing <smile>) and was able to ask for

> the right amount of pain meds. By the time I got

home

> I was as clear as could be, whereas with the general

I

> was just about out of it for the next three days.

>

> Lots of caveats here.......if you are adverse to the

> process of the surgery (i.e. kinda freaked out) ask

> for more " sleepy " drugs. The anesthesiologist told

me

> that I could be as awake or as asleep as I wanted.

If

> the surgery is more extensive (mine was a

> cleanout/ " looksee " and a lateral release) the

surgeon

> may want you under a general. My first operation

> involved the arthroscopic microfracture technique

and

> since that involves more concentrated effort on the

> surgeon's part, I doubt he wanted me aware and

asking

> stupid questions. Some people are better

> candidates for general, some are better candidates

for

> an epidural. Talk to your doctor about it and see

> what he prefers.

>

> Good luck...when's the surgery date so we can cheer

> you on??

>

> nne

[Guest guest]

I wish I could tell you how it will go for you, but everybody's experience is

different. My CP is grade 4, exposed bone based on the MRI and one year ago is

was in constant pain. I was in denial and just put off doing anything. By the

fall the pain was somewhat better and I could start some exercise. After the

winter, I took it easy and for now my pain is mostly gone. Presumably I still

have exposed bone and the pain will return. Overall, the advice around here

seems to be to put off surgery. Learn as much as you can and hope for better

treatments in the future. Luck is good too I'm thinking.

Grinds and catches, what fun. I always look to see if people at the bottom of

the steps notice the noise! Louder is better.

Philip - http://www.xcskiwinn.org/community/blogs/panmanphil/default.aspx

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

Hi there,

Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me mistaken! I

wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I commented to the

first post by someone else who was asking. I was just commenting

saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from now, July 6,

2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which means they pushed

it as far back as they could. (which seems really unfair if you ask

me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am for sure

Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and catches. I am

just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more things of

physio (covered my extended health care) then it's back to be in

pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It just doesn't

seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should do. Should I

wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or try to see

someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting list...

Any advice?

[Guest guest]

Wow. , where are you from that you have to wait a year for surgery? At

any rate, I bought al lthe equipment (recument bike, palatte machine) and do

my routine at home. It takes a lot more discipline to do the routine at

home versus goint to the PT, but I only get 30 visits a year and hae used

about 20 and am looking at another surgery this year (I hope)

Don

On 6/28/06, lin <bleedingtears@...> wrote:

>

> Hi there,

> Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me mistaken! I

> wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I commented to the

> first post by someone else who was asking. I was just commenting

> saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from now, July 6,

> 2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which means they pushed

> it as far back as they could. (which seems really unfair if you ask

> me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am for sure

> Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and catches. I am

> just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more things of

> physio (covered my extended health care) then it's back to be in

> pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It just doesn't

> seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should do. Should I

> wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or try to see

> someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting list...

>

> Any advice?

>

>

> >

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I'm sure you'll get all sorts of answers and all are

> > worth thinking about. I've had two knee surgeries.

> > One was with general anesthesia and one was with an

> > epidural. By far, I liked the epidural much better.

> > Coming out of the general was a bit disorienting, but

> > not horrible. For me, I liked the epidural because I

> > was awake the whole time, talked to the OS and the

> > anesthesiologist the whole time, and by the time they

> > wheeled me to the recovery room I was getting feeling

> > back in my toes and I was walking out of there in less

> > than 2 hours. I enjoyed seeing the procedure and felt

> > a lot more " ownership " if you will, of my knee and

> > it's problems. The surgeon was very gracious about

> > explaining the different parts of the knee (the good,

> > the bad and the ugly) and in short, I guess I was sort

> > of fascinated by the whole thing. I had no nausea, no

> > headache, no lack of appetite after (hmmm, maybe that

> > wasn't a good thing <smile>) and was able to ask for

> > the right amount of pain meds. By the time I got home

> > I was as clear as could be, whereas with the general I

> > was just about out of it for the next three days.

> >

> > Lots of caveats here.......if you are adverse to the

> > process of the surgery (i.e. kinda freaked out) ask

> > for more " sleepy " drugs. The anesthesiologist told me

> > that I could be as awake or as asleep as I wanted. If

> > the surgery is more extensive (mine was a

> > cleanout/ " looksee " and a lateral release) the surgeon

> > may want you under a general. My first operation

> > involved the arthroscopic microfracture technique and

> > since that involves more concentrated effort on the

> > surgeon's part, I doubt he wanted me aware and asking

> > stupid questions. Some people are better

> > candidates for general, some are better candidates for

> > an epidural. Talk to your doctor about it and see

> > what he prefers.

> >

> > Good luck...when's the surgery date so we can cheer

> > you on??

> >

> > nne

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Are you in the US? Why have they put you off for a year? This sounds more like

Canada. And it's NOT fair.

The only advice I can give if you do have to wait for a year, besides showing up

at the health services center and punching the boss in the face, is use knee

tape. Have you tried it?

Ann

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

Hi there,

Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me mistaken! I

wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I commented to the

first post by someone else who was asking. I was just commenting

saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from now, July 6,

2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which means they pushed

it as far back as they could. (which seems really unfair if you ask

me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am for sure

Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and catches. I am

just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more things of

physio (covered my extended health care) then it's back to be in

pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It just doesn't

seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should do. Should I

wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or try to see

someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting list...

Any advice?

>

> Hi ,

>

> I'm sure you'll get all sorts of answers and all are

> worth thinking about. I've had two knee surgeries.

> One was with general anesthesia and one was with an

> epidural. By far, I liked the epidural much better.

> Coming out of the general was a bit disorienting, but

> not horrible. For me, I liked the epidural because I

> was awake the whole time, talked to the OS and the

> anesthesiologist the whole time, and by the time they

> wheeled me to the recovery room I was getting feeling

> back in my toes and I was walking out of there in less

> than 2 hours. I enjoyed seeing the procedure and felt

> a lot more " ownership " if you will, of my knee and

> it's problems. The surgeon was very gracious about

> explaining the different parts of the knee (the good,

> the bad and the ugly) and in short, I guess I was sort

> of fascinated by the whole thing. I had no nausea, no

> headache, no lack of appetite after (hmmm, maybe that

> wasn't a good thing <smile>) and was able to ask for

> the right amount of pain meds. By the time I got home

> I was as clear as could be, whereas with the general I

> was just about out of it for the next three days.

>

> Lots of caveats here.......if you are adverse to the

> process of the surgery (i.e. kinda freaked out) ask

> for more " sleepy " drugs. The anesthesiologist told me

> that I could be as awake or as asleep as I wanted. If

> the surgery is more extensive (mine was a

> cleanout/ " looksee " and a lateral release) the surgeon

> may want you under a general. My first operation

> involved the arthroscopic microfracture technique and

> since that involves more concentrated effort on the

> surgeon's part, I doubt he wanted me aware and asking

> stupid questions. Some people are better

> candidates for general, some are better candidates for

> an epidural. Talk to your doctor about it and see

> what he prefers.

>

> Good luck...when's the surgery date so we can cheer

> you on??

>

> nne

[Guest guest]

We ca always just wait until SaluCartilage is approved for use in the US. (It's

approved in Canada, for those of you north of the border.) If you have discrete

spots of chondromalacia, AND you can find someone to do it, that seems to me to

be the best approach. It involves the least removal of tissue.

I've said it before but will repeat: You can get it done in Italy for 15,000

euros if you're swimming in money. They've been doing it for 4 years.

Ann

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

Hi there,

Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me mistaken! I

wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I commented to the

first post by someone else who was asking. I was just commenting

saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from now, July 6,

2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which means they pushed

it as far back as they could. (which seems really unfair if you ask

me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am for sure

Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and catches. I am

just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more things of

physio (covered my extended health care) then it's back to be in

pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It just doesn't

seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should do. Should I

wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or try to see

someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting list...

Any advice?

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi ...again.....

>

> I apologize, you're right, of course, I responded to

> your response...whoops!

>

> Where do you live that you're having to wait so long??

>

> My advice to you would be to have a heart to heart

> talk with your physiotherapist and get a darn good

> regime you can do at home on your own...with weights,

> elastic bands, balls, etc. So once your benefits are

> gone you have at least an at home program to try and

> maintain. I say this because you mention that you'd

> be back in pain after PT...so PT must be helping the

> pain a bit, right? You might also ask your PT to

> write a letter to your surgeon explaining what he's

> done, and where you are at as far as pain, etc?

> Surgeon's first idea is always PT, and I personally

> believe that many of them feel that " if we only tried

> harder in PT " things wouldn't hurt. Well, bully on

> that! I do believe exercise of some sort is

> important, but there comes a point where the pain over

> rides even the best of intentions.

>

> Hope you can get some resolution, or some type of

> cancellation quickly.

>

> nne

Hey there...

I live in Canada... I know there is a bit of a wait for surgery but

usually not over a years wait. Most of the time it's about 6 months

at the most. I don't think my doctor is taking me very seriously

about this issue. My family doctor said PT is the " treatment " for

chondromalacia, like all I had to do was go to PT and it would get

better, but my PT said I have very bad chondromalacia, like bone on

bone (which means I must be close to Grade IV). Like I've had

problems with my knee for 3 years and I'm just finding out now

what's wrong.

Actually I find I am more pain whenever I have physiotherapy and I

care barely walk for days after each session. I have a bunch of

exercises I do at home on a daily basis (as well as PT twice a week

at the moment), as well as I ice my knee 3 times a day, take some

anti-immflammitories and apply an anti-immflam cream 3 times daily.

But I still hurt a ridulous amount every single day. I can barely

walk, it sometimes keeps me up at night and every one seems to think

it is minor, when I know it's not. I mean it's my body I know what I

feel but everyone seems to just brush me off and think it's alright

for me to not have a job to just " deal " with the pain. I'm 25! I

never injured myself and no one can explain to me or want to give me

any solutions to what is wrong!

[Guest guest]

>

> Wow. , where are you from that you have to wait a year for

surgery? At

> any rate, I bought al lthe equipment (recument bike, palatte

machine) and do

> my routine at home. It takes a lot more discipline to do the

routine at

> home versus goint to the PT, but I only get 30 visits a year and

hae used

> about 20 and am looking at another surgery this year (I hope)

>

> Don

>

Sadly this had put me out of work for the last 3 years, I haven't

been able to be on my feet for barely an hour at a time or sit down

at the computer for more than an hour. It's just progressisvely

getting worse, and sadly we have no money whatsoever for equipment

for doing stuff at home. I only get 10 PT sessions with my husbands

extended medical then it's 45 dollars a session. Living off one

income, PT is out of the question when we have to start paying for

it ourselves...

And I live in Canada, but they have me on a cancellation list, which

translates to I'm not important enough to get in sooner.

[Guest guest]

-- You might want to look into SaluCartilage. It got approved in Canada a

year ago. Their site is http://www.salumedica.com/index.asp . II just now

wrote them asking how you could find out which doctors in Canada are using the

plugs.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Aww, , 25.... that's way too young to be hurting

and have so little mobility. You're right it doesn't

seem fair to have to wait such a long time. Is there

anyway you can speed up the process by going to either

another province, or city or to some urgent care type

clinic....ie be seen by someone different? I hate to

see someone so young be in such knee pain.

I think Ann's idea is a good one, maybe McConnel type

taping would give you relief. I have a brace that I

wear which does the same thing, I think, as the tape.

It moves my patella a tad bit to one direction where

it gives me some relief.

Hang in there,

marianne

Re: Anesthesia for

arthscopy

(Surgery Frustration) Any Advice?

>

> Hi ...again.....

>

> I apologize, you're right, of course, I responded to

> your response...whoops!

>

> Where do you live that you're having to wait so

long??

>

> My advice to you would be to have a heart to heart

> talk with your physiotherapist and get a darn good

> regime you can do at home on your own...with

weights,

> elastic bands, balls, etc. So once your benefits

are

> gone you have at least an at home program to try and

> maintain. I say this because you mention that you'd

> be back in pain after PT...so PT must be helping

the

> pain a bit, right? You might also ask your PT to

> write a letter to your surgeon explaining what he's

> done, and where you are at as far as pain, etc?

> Surgeon's first idea is always PT, and I personally

> believe that many of them feel that " if we only

tried

> harder in PT " things wouldn't hurt. Well, bully on

> that! I do believe exercise of some sort is

> important, but there comes a point where the pain

over

> rides even the best of intentions.

>

> Hope you can get some resolution, or some type of

> cancellation quickly.

>

> nne

Hey there...

I live in Canada... I know there is a bit of a wait

for surgery but

usually not over a years wait. Most of the time it's

about 6 months

at the most. I don't think my doctor is taking me very

seriously

about this issue. My family doctor said PT is the

" treatment " for

chondromalacia, like all I had to do was go to PT and

it would get

better, but my PT said I have very bad chondromalacia,

like bone on

bone (which means I must be close to Grade IV). Like

I've had

problems with my knee for 3 years and I'm just finding

out now

what's wrong.

Actually I find I am more pain whenever I have

physiotherapy and I

care barely walk for days after each session. I have a

bunch of

exercises I do at home on a daily basis (as well as PT

twice a week

at the moment), as well as I ice my knee 3 times a

day, take some

anti-immflammitories and apply an anti-immflam cream 3

times daily.

But I still hurt a ridulous amount every single day. I

can barely

walk, it sometimes keeps me up at night and every one

seems to think

it is minor, when I know it's not. I mean it's my body

I know what I

feel but everyone seems to just brush me off and think

it's alright

for me to not have a job to just " deal " with the pain.

I'm 25! I

never injured myself and no one can explain to me or

want to give me

any solutions to what is wrong!

[Guest guest]

Grinds and catches, what fun. I always look to see if

people at the bottom of the steps notice the noise!

Louder is better.

Philip -

Oh yea......that combo of meat grinder and nut

cracking sound........I can compete with the best of

em

nne

--

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.4/375 -

Release Date: 6/25/2006

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

I understand you money concerns. I looked at Ebay for awhile and lucked out

on a palatte for $50.00. A friend had the recumbent bike and sold it to us

for $50.00. That plus a few other small items like a giant beach ball and

your in business. I am not saying everyone could find a palatte machine for

$50.00, but you might get lucky. Take care, I know it is painful.

Don

On 6/28/06, lin <bleedingtears@...> wrote:

>

>

> >

> > Wow. , where are you from that you have to wait a year for

> surgery? At

> > any rate, I bought al lthe equipment (recument bike, palatte

> machine) and do

> > my routine at home. It takes a lot more discipline to do the

> routine at

> > home versus goint to the PT, but I only get 30 visits a year and

> hae used

> > about 20 and am looking at another surgery this year (I hope)

> >

> > Don

> >

>

> Sadly this had put me out of work for the last 3 years, I haven't

> been able to be on my feet for barely an hour at a time or sit down

> at the computer for more than an hour. It's just progressisvely

> getting worse, and sadly we have no money whatsoever for equipment

> for doing stuff at home. I only get 10 PT sessions with my husbands

> extended medical then it's 45 dollars a session. Living off one

> income, PT is out of the question when we have to start paying for

> it ourselves...

>

> And I live in Canada, but they have me on a cancellation list, which

> translates to I'm not important enough to get in sooner.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Are you in the US? Why have they put you off for a year? This

sounds more like Canada. And it's NOT fair.

>

> The only advice I can give if you do have to wait for a year,

besides showing up at the health services center and punching the

boss in the face, is use knee tape. Have you tried it?

>

> Ann

Yes my PT tapes my knee after every visit and it hurts. I use it

anyways but the tape irritates my skin and leaves rashes And its

awkward as heck to walk with it on and I find it hurts more with it

too. Yes I am in Canada, and no it's not fair. It's said in the city

near me (I just did a search on a medical directory) there are 20

orthopedic surgeons... 20!!! They specialize in knee problems and

are accepting new patients. But I'm afraid it will be the same story

no matter where I go, or it will be a wait to see another Orthopedic

Surgeon (I had to wait 14 months to see the first one!!!!)

[Guest guest]

>

> We ca always just wait until SaluCartilage is approved for use in

the US. (It's approved in Canada, for those of you north of the

border.) If you have discrete spots of chondromalacia, AND you can

find someone to do it, that seems to me to be the best approach. It

involves the least removal of tissue.

>

> I've said it before but will repeat: You can get it done in Italy

for 15,000 euros if you're swimming in money. They've been doing it

for 4 years.

>

> Ann

>

I actually signed up at their website in the patient information

section and put my name in and what not for clinical studies or

whatever. 15,000... that's how much I owe on my car yet so that

wouldn't ever be an option... considering I can't work cause my my

knee. Rawr to the heath care in Canada!!!

[Guest guest]

>

> ,

>

> I understand you money concerns. I looked at Ebay for awhile and

lucked out

> on a palatte for $50.00. A friend had the recumbent bike and sold

it to us

> for $50.00. That plus a few other small items like a giant beach

ball and

> your in business. I am not saying everyone could find a palatte

machine for

> $50.00, but you might get lucky. Take care, I know it is painful.

>

> Don

>

I'm not even sure what a palatte machine is!!

[Guest guest]

Advice? You need to get very proactive and do exactly what is best for you. If

you think you need to see another doctor, do it! Make sure the doctor

understands exactly how bad your pain is. If they never experienced it, they

can't see it on an x-ray or MRI, make sure they understand in no uncertain

terms. If you feel like begging, pleading, or crying, do it.....and this comes

from someone who thought he was a REAL man .

Mike

MT

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

Hi there,

Thank you for all the advice, but I think you have me mistaken! I

wasn't the one asking for advice on anesthesia. I commented to the

first post by someone else who was asking. I was just commenting

saying it sucks I got booked for sugery 1 year from now, July 6,

2007... they have me on a cancellation list, which means they pushed

it as far back as they could. (which seems really unfair if you ask

me) even thought my physiotherapist said I probably am for sure

Grade III/IV because of how much my knee grinds and catches. I am

just frustrated cause I can only afford about 2 more things of

physio (covered my extended health care) then it's back to be in

pain for a year before it even gets looked at... It just doesn't

seem fair to me and I'm just not sure what I should do. Should I

wait for the appointment and just suffer for a year or try to see

someone else and risk being put on yet another waiting list...

Any advice?

>

> Hi ,

>

> I'm sure you'll get all sorts of answers and all are

> worth thinking about. I've had two knee surgeries.

> One was with general anesthesia and one was with an

> epidural. By far, I liked the epidural much better.

> Coming out of the general was a bit disorienting, but

> not horrible. For me, I liked the epidural because I

> was awake the whole time, talked to the OS and the

> anesthesiologist the whole time, and by the time they

> wheeled me to the recovery room I was getting feeling

> back in my toes and I was walking out of there in less

> than 2 hours. I enjoyed seeing the procedure and felt

> a lot more " ownership " if you will, of my knee and

> it's problems. The surgeon was very gracious about

> explaining the different parts of the knee (the good,

> the bad and the ugly) and in short, I guess I was sort

> of fascinated by the whole thing. I had no nausea, no

> headache, no lack of appetite after (hmmm, maybe that

> wasn't a good thing <smile>) and was able to ask for

> the right amount of pain meds. By the time I got home

> I was as clear as could be, whereas with the general I

> was just about out of it for the next three days.

>

> Lots of caveats here.......if you are adverse to the

> process of the surgery (i.e. kinda freaked out) ask

> for more " sleepy " drugs. The anesthesiologist told me

> that I could be as awake or as asleep as I wanted. If

> the surgery is more extensive (mine was a

> cleanout/ " looksee " and a lateral release) the surgeon

> may want you under a general. My first operation

> involved the arthroscopic microfracture technique and

> since that involves more concentrated effort on the

> surgeon's part, I doubt he wanted me aware and asking

> stupid questions. Some people are better

> candidates for general, some are better candidates for

> an epidural. Talk to your doctor about it and see

> what he prefers.

>

> Good luck...when's the surgery date so we can cheer

> you on??

>

> nne

[Guest guest]

>

> -- You might want to look into SaluCartilage. It got approved

in Canada a year ago. Their site is

http://www.salumedica.com/index.asp . II just now wrote them asking

how you could find out which doctors in Canada are using the plugs.

>

> Ann

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Aww, , 25.... that's way too young to be hurting

> and have so little mobility. You're right it doesn't

> seem fair to have to wait such a long time. Is there

> anyway you can speed up the process by going to either

> another province, or city or to some urgent care type

> clinic....ie be seen by someone different? I hate to

> see someone so young be in such knee pain.

>

> I think Ann's idea is a good one, maybe McConnel type

> taping would give you relief. I have a brace that I

> wear which does the same thing, I think, as the tape.

> It moves my patella a tad bit to one direction where

> it gives me some relief.

>

> Hang in there,

>

> marianne

I'm not sure what McConnel type taping is, I know my PT tapes my

knee after every session... it seems to pull a lot and makes it

awkward to walk. Also I have been getting rashes from the glue

lately but I haven't given up on it even though it hurts so much.

I'm not sure about going to another province or doctor or

whatever... I would if I had too but you have to be referred and

every doctor that referrs me makes me wait a stupid amount of time

just to see a new doctor. (14 months to see an OS!!)

I'm really not sure what I should do!

[Guest guest]

>

> Advice? You need to get very proactive and do exactly what is

best for you. If you think you need to see another doctor, do it!

Make sure the doctor understands exactly how bad your pain is. If

they never experienced it, they can't see it on an x-ray or MRI,

make sure they understand in no uncertain terms. If you feel like

begging, pleading, or crying, do it.....and this comes from someone

who thought he was a REAL man .

>

> Mike

> MT

Mike,

I would but how do you get around the referral/waiting forever to

see a new doctor process? The first time I asked to see an OS, they

made me wait 14 months!

[Guest guest]

I found when I was really at the end of my rope, I went back to my GP. He at

least gave me something (amitriptyline) so I could sleep at night. When you are

in constant intense pain to the point of not sleeping for nights on end, it

feels like the world is closing in on you. Been there, done that.

Mike

MT

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

>

> Aww, , 25.... that's way too young to be hurting

> and have so little mobility. You're right it doesn't

> seem fair to have to wait such a long time. Is there

> anyway you can speed up the process by going to either

> another province, or city or to some urgent care type

> clinic....ie be seen by someone different? I hate to

> see someone so young be in such knee pain.

>

> I think Ann's idea is a good one, maybe McConnel type

> taping would give you relief. I have a brace that I

> wear which does the same thing, I think, as the tape.

> It moves my patella a tad bit to one direction where

> it gives me some relief.

>

> Hang in there,

>

> marianne

I'm not sure what McConnel type taping is, I know my PT tapes my

knee after every session... it seems to pull a lot and makes it

awkward to walk. Also I have been getting rashes from the glue

lately but I haven't given up on it even though it hurts so much.

I'm not sure about going to another province or doctor or

whatever... I would if I had too but you have to be referred and

every doctor that referrs me makes me wait a stupid amount of time

just to see a new doctor. (14 months to see an OS!!)

I'm really not sure what I should do!

[Guest guest]

In the US, another time when I was at the end of my rope, I went to the local

hospital emergency room and begged the doctor there to inject my knees with

cortisone or pain killer or something. He looked shook, said he wasn't

authorized to do that, but was able to get me into an OS the next day.

Mike

MT

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

>

> Advice? You need to get very proactive and do exactly what is

best for you. If you think you need to see another doctor, do it!

Make sure the doctor understands exactly how bad your pain is. If

they never experienced it, they can't see it on an x-ray or MRI,

make sure they understand in no uncertain terms. If you feel like

begging, pleading, or crying, do it.....and this comes from someone

who thought he was a REAL man .

>

> Mike

> MT

Mike,

I would but how do you get around the referral/waiting forever to

see a new doctor process? The first time I asked to see an OS, they

made me wait 14 months!

[Guest guest]

>

> In the US, another time when I was at the end of my rope, I went to

the local hospital emergency room and begged the doctor there to

inject my knees with cortisone or pain killer or something. He looked

shook, said he wasn't authorized to do that, but was able to get me

into an OS the next day.

>

> Mike

> MT

Actually my GP gave me some anti-immflammitory/pain killers. They suck

plain and simple and do nothing for the swelling or the pain. I have

considered going to the hospital myself, I think it will be something

I'll do for sure if it gets bad enough!

[Guest guest]

I agree as to pain killers and anti-inflammatories. I guess my point was to be

prepared in the event you crash. I don't want to scare anyone, but people who

haven't experienced the pain just don't understand. Also my experience is

chondromalacia is still a label for a condition doctors don't entirely

understand. The best doctors I saw admitted that and said that is the reason

they wanted to try the conservative measures first. Also most times cartilage

is worn out, especially at a young age, there is an underlying reason. Just

replacing the cartilage with real or a man-made replacement isn't going to solve

the real problem. Also the stage of chondromalacia or even full blown OA isn't

a good measure of pain. You can have very little cartilage wear and be in

extreme pain, or have your cartilage totally worn out and be in little or no

pain.

Mike

MT

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

>

> In the US, another time when I was at the end of my rope, I went to

the local hospital emergency room and begged the doctor there to

inject my knees with cortisone or pain killer or something. He looked

shook, said he wasn't authorized to do that, but was able to get me

into an OS the next day.

>

> Mike

> MT

Actually my GP gave me some anti-immflammitory/pain killers. They suck

plain and simple and do nothing for the swelling or the pain. I have

considered going to the hospital myself, I think it will be something

I'll do for sure if it gets bad enough!

[Guest guest]

If the tape hurts your skin -- is your PT using undertape? Or are you leaving

it on for several days? The adhesive can cause welts if you leave it on too

long. If taping it makes your knee hurt at the chondromalacia spots, your PT

may be taping it wrong. You can tape it yourself, experiment with how far over

to push the kneecap, whether to rotate it, whether to tilt it (e.g. medial side

sticking up more than the lateral). I posted instructions, which are in the

archives.

My chondromalacia may not be as bad as yours, but I only tape my knee if I'm

going to walk far or use the treadmill or Stairmaster or exercycle. The only

one of those that gives me trouble is the exercycle because of how far I have to

bend my knee. I remove it while I'm still sweating (easier), and I use Almay

dual-action eye makeup remover to get rid of the adhesive that's stuck on my

skin. But if I leave the tape on overnight, I get welts. I don't use the

undertape, but it might help you if you're leaving the cloth tape on for a long

time.

I think if it were me, I'd call all 20 of those OS's and see if there's one who

would do the operation sooner. And I'd ask if any of them are doing the

SaluCartilage plugs (I know I've pitched this a lot here -- just for the record,

I have no vested interest in the company, in fact they won't even answer my

e-mails about when SC is likely to be approved in the US. I just think those

plugs are the answer -- gets rid of the worn spots, doesn't remove any more

cartilage/bone than you need removed).

But speaking of which, what operation are you referring to? If it's just

debridement, that may or may not help. I had that done. If it helped at all,

it took a full year, and I do still have to use knee tape.

Ann

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

>

> Are you in the US? Why have they put you off for a year? This

sounds more like Canada. And it's NOT fair.

>

> The only advice I can give if you do have to wait for a year,

besides showing up at the health services center and punching the

boss in the face, is use knee tape. Have you tried it?

>

> Ann

Yes my PT tapes my knee after every visit and it hurts. I use it

anyways but the tape irritates my skin and leaves rashes And its

awkward as heck to walk with it on and I find it hurts more with it

too. Yes I am in Canada, and no it's not fair. It's said in the city

near me (I just did a search on a medical directory) there are 20

orthopedic surgeons... 20!!! They specialize in knee problems and

are accepting new patients. But I'm afraid it will be the same story

no matter where I go, or it will be a wait to see another Orthopedic

Surgeon (I had to wait 14 months to see the first one!!!!)

__._ .

[Guest guest]

Make a big scene in the waiting room.

Ann

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

>

> Advice? You need to get very proactive and do exactly what is

best for you. If you think you need to see another doctor, do it!

Make sure the doctor understands exactly how bad your pain is. If

they never experienced it, they can't see it on an x-ray or MRI,

make sure they understand in no uncertain terms. If you feel like

begging, pleading, or crying, do it.....and this comes from someone

who thought he was a REAL man .

>

> Mike

> MT

Mike,

I would but how do you get around the referral/waiting forever to

see a new doctor process? The first time I asked to see an OS, they

made me wait 14 months!