Re: {Disarmed} RE: new member

[Guest guest]

When my R knee first went bad in 1993, it took 2 years to find a doc who knew

what to do (lateral release). The guy was the team doc for the Sacramento

Kings. He was great! I wasn't even sure he'd see a plain old middle-aged

woman, but I got an appt with him in a matter of 2-3 weeks, and he treated me

with as much enthusiasm and respect as I think he treated the basketball

players. So he did the LR in 1995, and everything was OK for 5 years, then I

tore my meniscus, but I didn't know what it was. I thought it was ITBS. So I

went back to him, and, without even taking an X-ray, he dismissed me as having

arthritis. I knew it wasn't arthritis & said I didn't think that was what it

was (don't they love it when you contradict them?), so he took an X-ray. It

wasn't arthritis. So then he said it must be patellar tendinitis. The pain

wasn't even in the tendon, which I said, but he said do certain things, rest,

ice, etc. It took 5 years to find a doc who'd do an MRI, and voila! There was

the torn meniscus! He went in & cut out part of it, but by that time I had the

chondromalacia, which he couldn't fix. Then there was my hunt for someone who

would do a TKR -- another 2 years & 8 docs.

My experience is that if you see 10 docs you'll get 10 different diagnoses, and

if you see one doc, you may get 2 different diagnoses as if they never read your

chart before. I think you have to grab 'em while they're fresh & get them to do

whatever you need, and not be surprised if they won't help you when you go back.

Oh -- one more thing -- just thought about this -- make sure it's YOUR doc doing

the surgery and not some resident. If you request this they have to do it

themselves. Also ask for a videotape (or DVD) w/narration, which should prove

it was your doc. AND get the surgeon's report. They always say some

interesting things in the report that they don't tell you. It's thanks to the

surgeon who did my partial meniscectomy's report that I know I have grade IV

chondromalacia, and this was very helpful in getting the surgeon who's going to

do my TKR to agree to do it. MRI's don't show everything.

Good luck.

Ann

new member

Hi! My name is Leanne, and I have serious knee pain. Here's my story...

In 1980 or 81, I damaged the ligaments in my left knee in a

tobogganing accident. Since then my knee has always bothered me, a

little bit.

Two or three years ago, while dancing with my kids, I planted my foot

and turned, causing severe pain and a " crunch " in my knee. It hasn't

been the same since.

I went for x-rays and an MRI. The diagnosis was that my kneecap is

too small. I basically got laughed at by the orthopeadic surgeon. He

was an ass.

Anyway, I'm now at the point where going up or down stairs is

excruciating, walking on uneven ground makes my face do funny things,

and I'm in pretty much constant pain. Add to it chronic plantar

fasciitis, and I'm miserable. I'm also overweight, which I realize

doesn't help anything. I've been trying to exercise, but guess what?

It hurts! I have also had a brace made for my knee, which helps, but

I can't wear it all the time.

It sounds like some people here may have some ideas for me. I sure

hope so!

Thanks so much for having me.

Leanne