I need to upload my latest X-ray, but the good news is in about 20 months it hasn’t really changed. I’m not bone on bone, but my symptoms still stink. My knee hurts or aches frequently. I feel like some torn meniscus is in there causing me pain. I’m really sick of limping and this knee controlling my life.
Anyway I had a second visit with a senior joint surgeon at a teaching hospital. I saw him first about a year and a half ago. I really liked him at the time. He said don’t do anything like an osteotomy or more arthroscopic surgeries. They won’t help. He also gave me the impression that when I’ve had enough he would help me out. Great!
Well this visit was basically I know it sucks but deal with it.
He said nsaids are your best friend to help inflammation and pain. Despite saying they bother my stomach, he said talk to your primary care doctor on how to take them daily and not have stomach problems. I thought this was terrible advice.
He then said young people are programmed that if I get a replacement, I’ll feel better and wear it out faster. I’ll go back to wanting to be super active. Ok? Never heard this.
Next he said I’m so big that they can’t fit the proper size knee in me. I’m 6’3 300lbs. I could maybe beat myself down to 260 if I had to, but I’ve always been built bigger. Sure I’m fat, but I also have a lot of muscle from years of lifting.
So they don’t make a knee that will handle me? What?
Basically at this point I was done with any questions. This visit was a waste of my time. I am not asking for a knee yet. I want to try and make 40. I haven’t damaged bones yet, I still have decent muscle in my bad leg, and I’m mostly managing.
It was just like thanks for this visit doc. You’ve given me no information other than swallow nsaids. No plan for the future. No reassurance you’ll help me out.
Sorry for the rant. I’m done with him. I’m guessing the problem is he’s nearing retirement. Old school thinking plus lack of any drive to stay on new research and methods means he’s not my guy.
Anyway I had a second visit with a senior joint surgeon at a teaching hospital. I saw him first about a year and a half ago. I really liked him at the time. He said don’t do anything like an osteotomy or more arthroscopic surgeries. They won’t help. He also gave me the impression that when I’ve had enough he would help me out. Great!
Well this visit was basically I know it sucks but deal with it.
He said nsaids are your best friend to help inflammation and pain. Despite saying they bother my stomach, he said talk to your primary care doctor on how to take them daily and not have stomach problems. I thought this was terrible advice.
He then said young people are programmed that if I get a replacement, I’ll feel better and wear it out faster. I’ll go back to wanting to be super active. Ok? Never heard this.
Next he said I’m so big that they can’t fit the proper size knee in me. I’m 6’3 300lbs. I could maybe beat myself down to 260 if I had to, but I’ve always been built bigger. Sure I’m fat, but I also have a lot of muscle from years of lifting.
So they don’t make a knee that will handle me? What?
Basically at this point I was done with any questions. This visit was a waste of my time. I am not asking for a knee yet. I want to try and make 40. I haven’t damaged bones yet, I still have decent muscle in my bad leg, and I’m mostly managing.
It was just like thanks for this visit doc. You’ve given me no information other than swallow nsaids. No plan for the future. No reassurance you’ll help me out.
Sorry for the rant. I’m done with him. I’m guessing the problem is he’s nearing retirement. Old school thinking plus lack of any drive to stay on new research and methods means he’s not my guy.