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

[Guest guest]

-- Has anyone ever done an MRI on your knee(s)?

Ann

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]

My PT asked if she should use undertape... I thought it was fine so

I said it would be okay. I think at today's appointment I'll ask her

to use undertape (if I can get this old tape off today). I am

leaving it on for several days because I can't get it off! It feels

like it's ripping my skin off when I try to remove it. I don't think

she (PT) tapes it wrong. I just find it awkward to walk normally

when it's on, and it I end up hurting a lot. I don't even know where

to get that sort of tape so I wouldn't even know how to begin to

tape it myself.

The only thing about those other OS's, is that I know here in Canada

to see an OS you need a referral. And I highly doubt my GP is going

to send 20 referral letters to see who responds the fastest,

especially when he says that PT is the " cure " pretty much to

Chondromalacia.

I think the surgery they have me booked for is a patella shave,

cause they said they were going to go in arthroscopticly and " clean

things up. " That's all my OS told me.

So I'm not sure if seeing a OS will change anything if the surgery

isn't that helpful in the first place and I'm not sure if anyone

here in Alberta even does those SaluCartiledge things, and I highly

doubt I could afford them anyways. I heard they were really

expensive. I suspose I could look into it more...

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it a lot. I just wish this

whole situation wasn't so darn confusing! And... frustrating!!!

>

> 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

[Guest guest]

>

> -- Has anyone ever done an MRI on your knee(s)?

>

> Ann

Yes I had one done on May 15 of this year, and one on my foot/ankle on

Feb 28th

[Guest guest]

I remember looking the doctors straight in the eye and saying, " I can't walk,

what am I supposed to do? " I think they still were skeptical, then became very

alarmed when they saw me sitting on the edge of the examinating table with my

legs just trembling with pain.

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]

When you have welts from the tape, cortisone cream can help (of course, you have

to have the tape off when you use it). It's a lot easier to get the tape off if

you work up a sweat first.

You can order the tape on line. I use Leukotape.

Wow! We used to envy the Canadian med system. Here, in an HMO, you do have to

have a referral. I'm very fortunate to have a PPO.

PT could be the " cure " to chondromalacia if you have a malalignment, but your PT

has to be really sharp to figure out what that is.

So even though SaluCartilage is approved in Canada, you'd have to pay for it?

Yes, chondromalacia is one of the most frustrating conditions you can have.

Just a little worn spot on your patella or femur and you're disabled. You go

from being athletic to being a cripple. And doctors don't seem to care. OS no.

7 that I saw last month said he would NOT replace the backside of my patella and

the trochlea or bottom of my femur (which would solve the problem) because I

" have so much good cartilage " . Wants to save the cartilage rather than my

health. I can't get enough exercise for my health.

Ann

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

My PT asked if she should use undertape... I thought it was fine so

I said it would be okay. I think at today's appointment I'll ask her

to use undertape (if I can get this old tape off today). I am

leaving it on for several days because I can't get it off! It feels

like it's ripping my skin off when I try to remove it. I don't think

she (PT) tapes it wrong. I just find it awkward to walk normally

when it's on, and it I end up hurting a lot. I don't even know where

to get that sort of tape so I wouldn't even know how to begin to

tape it myself.

The only thing about those other OS's, is that I know here in Canada

to see an OS you need a referral. And I highly doubt my GP is going

to send 20 referral letters to see who responds the fastest,

especially when he says that PT is the " cure " pretty much to

Chondromalacia.

I think the surgery they have me booked for is a patella shave,

cause they said they were going to go in arthroscopticly and " clean

things up. " That's all my OS told me.

So I'm not sure if seeing a OS will change anything if the surgery

isn't that helpful in the first place and I'm not sure if anyone

here in Alberta even does those SaluCartiledge things, and I highly

doubt I could afford them anyways. I heard they were really

expensive. I suspose I could look into it more...

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it a lot. I just wish this

whole situation wasn't so darn confusing! And... frustrating!!!

>

> 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

[Guest guest]

I wrote this on a previous post but no one responded so I was going

to write my upate here:

From Thursday:

Well I went to the doctor today because I really couldn't stand the

pain anymore. I went on my crutches because it really hurt to put a

lot lot of pressure on my leg.

My GP was wonderful! He gave me a cortisone injection into my knee.

He said he doesn't guarentee it to help, but I said it's okay I'll

try anything at this point. (At this point in the day I'm not sure

if it's helped or not... time will tell I guess!) Also he gave me

some real pain killers for the pain (tylenol 3's). Also he had me do

an x-ray of my knee (FINALLY! No one's ever suggested it!!!!) He is

also getting my MRI's from another hospital I got it done at so he

can see them for himself. He said it's possible I could possibly get

in sooner for a sugery with another OS closer to where I'm at but

it's a whole new process of starting over with a new doctor so I'm

best to just stick with the OS I'm with and be persistant. (Aka call

them once a week and ask if there are any cancellations or what not)

Anyways it's not much but at least it's some sort of a start!!!

>

> When you have welts from the tape, cortisone cream can help (of

course, you have to have the tape off when you use it). It's a lot

easier to get the tape off if you work up a sweat first.

>

> You can order the tape on line. I use Leukotape.

>

> Wow! We used to envy the Canadian med system. Here, in an HMO,

you do have to have a referral. I'm very fortunate to have a PPO.

>

> PT could be the " cure " to chondromalacia if you have a

malalignment, but your PT has to be really sharp to figure out what

that is.

>

> So even though SaluCartilage is approved in Canada, you'd have to

pay for it?

>

> Yes, chondromalacia is one of the most frustrating conditions you

can have. Just a little worn spot on your patella or femur and

you're disabled. You go from being athletic to being a cripple.

And doctors don't seem to care. OS no. 7 that I saw last month said

he would NOT replace the backside of my patella and the trochlea or

bottom of my femur (which would solve the problem) because I " have

so much good cartilage " . Wants to save the cartilage rather than my

health. I can't get enough exercise for my health.

>

> Ann

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear they are trying to help you I hope the shots help.

_____

From: chondromalacia treatment

[mailto:chondromalacia treatment ] On Behalf Of lin

Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 1:05 PM

chondromalacia treatment

Subject: Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

I wrote this on a previous post but no one responded so I was going

to write my upate here:

From Thursday:

Well I went to the doctor today because I really couldn't stand the

pain anymore. I went on my crutches because it really hurt to put a

lot lot of pressure on my leg.

My GP was wonderful! He gave me a cortisone injection into my knee.

He said he doesn't guarentee it to help, but I said it's okay I'll

try anything at this point. (At this point in the day I'm not sure

if it's helped or not... time will tell I guess!) Also he gave me

some real pain killers for the pain (tylenol 3's). Also he had me do

an x-ray of my knee (FINALLY! No one's ever suggested it!!!!) He is

also getting my MRI's from another hospital I got it done at so he

can see them for himself. He said it's possible I could possibly get

in sooner for a sugery with another OS closer to where I'm at but

it's a whole new process of starting over with a new doctor so I'm

best to just stick with the OS I'm with and be persistant. (Aka call

them once a week and ask if there are any cancellations or what not)

Anyways it's not much but at least it's some sort of a start!!!

>

> When you have welts from the tape, cortisone cream can help (of

course, you have to have the tape off when you use it). It's a lot

easier to get the tape off if you work up a sweat first.

>

> You can order the tape on line. I use Leukotape.

>

> Wow! We used to envy the Canadian med system. Here, in an HMO,

you do have to have a referral. I'm very fortunate to have a PPO.

>

> PT could be the " cure " to chondromalacia if you have a

malalignment, but your PT has to be really sharp to figure out what

that is.

>

> So even though SaluCartilage is approved in Canada, you'd have to

pay for it?

>

> Yes, chondromalacia is one of the most frustrating conditions you

can have. Just a little worn spot on your patella or femur and

you're disabled. You go from being athletic to being a cripple.

And doctors don't seem to care. OS no. 7 that I saw last month said

he would NOT replace the backside of my patella and the trochlea or

bottom of my femur (which would solve the problem) because I " have

so much good cartilage " . Wants to save the cartilage rather than my

health. I can't get enough exercise for my health.

>

> Ann

--

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006

--

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006

[Guest guest]

I also found it to be good strategy to revisit the GP if the OS visits just are

not going well. I could never get more than 3-4 days relief with cortisone

shots in the knee. I hope you have better luck. I would think it would border

on malpractice if you have never had an x-ray. That has always been the first

and cheapest diagnosis test I have been through. Careful with the narcotics.

Mike

MT

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

I wrote this on a previous post but no one responded so I was going

to write my upate here:

From Thursday:

Well I went to the doctor today because I really couldn't stand the

pain anymore. I went on my crutches because it really hurt to put a

lot lot of pressure on my leg.

My GP was wonderful! He gave me a cortisone injection into my knee.

He said he doesn't guarentee it to help, but I said it's okay I'll

try anything at this point. (At this point in the day I'm not sure

if it's helped or not... time will tell I guess!) Also he gave me

some real pain killers for the pain (tylenol 3's). Also he had me do

an x-ray of my knee (FINALLY! No one's ever suggested it!!!!) He is

also getting my MRI's from another hospital I got it done at so he

can see them for himself. He said it's possible I could possibly get

in sooner for a sugery with another OS closer to where I'm at but

it's a whole new process of starting over with a new doctor so I'm

best to just stick with the OS I'm with and be persistant. (Aka call

them once a week and ask if there are any cancellations or what not)

Anyways it's not much but at least it's some sort of a start!!!

>

> When you have welts from the tape, cortisone cream can help (of

course, you have to have the tape off when you use it). It's a lot

easier to get the tape off if you work up a sweat first.

>

> You can order the tape on line. I use Leukotape.

>

> Wow! We used to envy the Canadian med system. Here, in an HMO,

you do have to have a referral. I'm very fortunate to have a PPO.

>

> PT could be the " cure " to chondromalacia if you have a

malalignment, but your PT has to be really sharp to figure out what

that is.

>

> So even though SaluCartilage is approved in Canada, you'd have to

pay for it?

>

> Yes, chondromalacia is one of the most frustrating conditions you

can have. Just a little worn spot on your patella or femur and

you're disabled. You go from being athletic to being a cripple.

And doctors don't seem to care. OS no. 7 that I saw last month said

he would NOT replace the backside of my patella and the trochlea or

bottom of my femur (which would solve the problem) because I " have

so much good cartilage " . Wants to save the cartilage rather than my

health. I can't get enough exercise for my health.

>

> Ann

[Guest guest]

Please keep us posted on whether the cortisone helped or not. The last OS I saw

said he didn't want to replace my patello-femoral joint because my cartilage is

" too good " -- wants to inject cortisone in there. I'd like to know if you get

total pain relief (or significant), starting how long after the injection, and

how long it lasts. Thanks. Good luck.

Ann

Re: Anesthesia for arthscopy (Surgery

Frustration) Any Advice?

I wrote this on a previous post but no one responded so I was going

to write my upate here:

From Thursday:

Well I went to the doctor today because I really couldn't stand the

pain anymore. I went on my crutches because it really hurt to put a

lot lot of pressure on my leg.

My GP was wonderful! He gave me a cortisone injection into my knee.

He said he doesn't guarentee it to help, but I said it's okay I'll

try anything at this point. (At this point in the day I'm not sure

if it's helped or not... time will tell I guess!) Also he gave me

some real pain killers for the pain (tylenol 3's). Also he had me do

an x-ray of my knee (FINALLY! No one's ever suggested it!!!!) He is

also getting my MRI's from another hospital I got it done at so he

can see them for himself. He said it's possible I could possibly get

in sooner for a sugery with another OS closer to where I'm at but

it's a whole new process of starting over with a new doctor so I'm

best to just stick with the OS I'm with and be persistant. (Aka call

them once a week and ask if there are any cancellations or what not)

Anyways it's not much but at least it's some sort of a start!!!

>

> When you have welts from the tape, cortisone cream can help (of

course, you have to have the tape off when you use it). It's a lot

easier to get the tape off if you work up a sweat first.

>

> You can order the tape on line. I use Leukotape.

>

> Wow! We used to envy the Canadian med system. Here, in an HMO,

you do have to have a referral. I'm very fortunate to have a PPO.

>

> PT could be the " cure " to chondromalacia if you have a

malalignment, but your PT has to be really sharp to figure out what

that is.

>

> So even though SaluCartilage is approved in Canada, you'd have to

pay for it?

>

> Yes, chondromalacia is one of the most frustrating conditions you

can have. Just a little worn spot on your patella or femur and

you're disabled. You go from being athletic to being a cripple.

And doctors don't seem to care. OS no. 7 that I saw last month said

he would NOT replace the backside of my patella and the trochlea or

bottom of my femur (which would solve the problem) because I " have

so much good cartilage " . Wants to save the cartilage rather than my

health. I can't get enough exercise for my health.

>

> Ann

[Guest guest]

I'm not too sure about pain relief... I was on my feet all day

yesterday and managed to do a little bit of physical activity and my

knee didn't hurt nearly as much as it normally would have after all

that so maybe it's helping a little bit? I got it on Thursday and it

was still on Friday but Saturday it sorta seemed to be helping so I

don't know how long it will help but it's helped enough to have a

short break from the pain if anything!

>

> Please keep us posted on whether the cortisone helped or not. The

last OS I saw said he didn't want to replace my patello-femoral joint

because my cartilage is " too good " -- wants to inject cortisone in

there. I'd like to know if you get total pain relief (or

significant), starting how long after the injection, and how long it

lasts. Thanks. Good luck.

>

> Ann