Damn knee problems and damn suck doctors...

[MystyGlyttyr]

I've bitched about this before, I think, but my left knee is officially trashed.

I've been competing in various sports and activities from the time I was nine years old, so now, 17 years later, it's not a big surprise that my knees aren't exactly top notch. But the left one is by far the worst. I've been wearing a brace on it for about a week now because I get all wobbly and unsteady and damned painful otherwise. And in the last couple of days, I've noticed that when I do go without the brace (just around the house or to walk to the water cooler and back here at work), my foot has started to strangely turn inwards unless I make a concentrated effort to keep things straightened out. Very gross.

I'm hunting for an orthopedist. Have been off and on for a while now because I knew it would get to this point, and I've really kicked it up lately. (Ha, pun.)

Interesting thing is, I know one way to find someone is word of mouth, so I've asked people who I know have done joint/leg types of surgeries. And interestingly enough, this is the sentence I hear over and over.

"Well, I know who you SHOULDN'T go see!"

Seriously. No one local I've asked has positively said anything about ANY of the local doctors. Every one has offered a horror story about why I shouldn't use this guy or that guy or this clinic or that hospital. Jesus, even knowing how much I hate doctors and think they're general scum, this is a little much.

So I've got a feeler out to my brother in Little Rock, since he had a successful knee surgery not very long ago, and the doctor he originally saw was apparently okay. He's been seeing a new one though, who apparently told him that "there is never any need to perform surgery on the knees, it can ALWAYS be rehabbed!" ...yeah, tell that to what is probably my snapped ACL trying to roll up inside my leg (guessing) or the meniscus tear that's been clogging up the joint for three YEARS now (already been diagnosed). Jerkass.

Ugh, I really didn't want to have to go three hours away for a day surgery, but I guess that's gonna be the case.

[KiaKat]

Check out www.osteopathic.org and see if there's a local osteopath who focuses on joints or sports medicine. They might have a few exercises that help straighten out your knee.

Also be really careful to excercise the joint. I had a huge knee injury a decade ago, which just resurfaced, and one of the problems was that I relied too much on the brace and atrophied some of the smaller muscles in the knee. Not fun.

ACL and MCL problems require surgical intervention, if that's really the case. But it's not necessarily the case. I have a couple tendon issues, problems with my kneecap, and shredded cartilage, which is what causes my problems. Don't be so quick to blame it on the ACL.

Get an appointment and demand an MRI. Don't let them try to diagnose only with hands-on, because other problems can masquerade as ACL injuries, and if you can avoid surgery, try.

[MystyGlyttyr]

Get an appointment and demand an MRI. Don't let them try to diagnose only with hands-on, because other problems can masquerade as ACL injuries, and if you can avoid surgery, try.

Yeah, I want that. The last doctor who diagnosed my meniscus did so by grabbing my leg, twisting it and saying "Does that hurt?" Once they detached my claws from the guy's shirt and got the swearing and spitting to stop, the exam continued.

[AdminAssistant]

Little Rock has some WONDERFUL hospitals. I've had family/friends that worked at St. Vincents and UALR's teaching hospital (and Children's, although I don't think that will help you ).

[crashhelmet]

I've had both of my knees kicked out in martial arts. Twice. Not fun.

The first time it happened, it was so badly bruised from about half way down my calf to half way up my thigh. I seriously thought I broke something. The only thing was I could walk without any major problems, I just could NOT bend my knee to anything near 90 degrees. If I did, it was agony.

Had x-rays done and they were fine. nothing broken. Had an MRI done and the tech that read the films said the only thing they could find was "Medial Synovial Plica" basically, a little bit of crap under my knee cap. I took the films to the Orthopedist that had been putting me back together for almost my whole life (The only doctor i ever really trusted) and he said the same thing. I listened to him and started therapy. 6 months later, I was still having issues so i went to see a Knee specialist in San Clemente, CA. He looked at the same MRI films and started circling a bunch of crap.

DR: See that? (BIG circle)
Me: ...yeah.
Dr: That's fluid. It shouldn't be there.
Dr: See these? (5 smaller circles)
Me: <worried> Yeah?
Dr: Those are tears in your LCL. The Lateral Collateral Ligament. Normally, I'd recommend surgery, but since it's been so long I think continuing with Therapy is the best option for now.

Ironically, every time after that, it was always the LCL again. It's the ligament that goes from your thigh to your calf and stabilizes your knee when you walk. Each time I've opted for therapy because I know what to do with them.

Best thing I can recommend to you is get as many opinions as you can until you feel comfortable. Get an MRI. Ask them to show you that the ACL, MCL, and LCL are all fine.

CH

[Shpepper]

Had x-rays done and they were fine. nothing broken. Had an MRI done and the tech that read the films said the only thing they could find was "Medial Synovial Plica" basically, a little bit of crap under my knee cap. I took the films to the Orthopedist that had been putting me back together for almost my whole life (The only doctor i ever really trusted) and he said the same thing. I listened to him and started therapy. 6 months later, I was still having issues so i went to see a Knee specialist in San Clemente, CA. He looked at the same MRI films and started circling a bunch of crap.

**Total Off topic thread Jack*** You just made me totally home sice. I grew up in San Clemente, Ca. Haven't been there in 16 years. Thanks for the memories **


I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[MystyGlyttyr]

Ironically, every time after that, it was always the LCL again. It's the ligament that goes from your thigh to your calf and stabilizes your knee when you walk. Each time I've opted for therapy because I know what to do with them.

That sounds kinda interesting, actually, because I do get odd flashes of pain in my thigh and calf sometimes. I had just written it off as some kind of misplaced pain.

But yeah, I very much want them to be thorough with it when I go. I'm just still trying to find a bloody doctor who isn't labeled as a moronic psychopath by everyone I ask about them.

[Nurian]

I've bitched about this before, I think, but my left knee is officially trashed.

I've been competing in various sports and activities from the time I was nine years old, so now, 17 years later, it's not a big surprise that my knees aren't exactly top notch. But the left one is by far the worst. I've been wearing a brace on it for about a week now because I get all wobbly and unsteady and damned painful otherwise. And in the last couple of days, I've noticed that when I do go without the brace (just around the house or to walk to the water cooler and back here at work), my foot has started to strangely turn inwards unless I make a concentrated effort to keep things straightened out. Very gross.

I'm hunting for an orthopedist. Have been off and on for a while now because I knew it would get to this point, and I've really kicked it up lately. (Ha, pun.)

Interesting thing is, I know one way to find someone is word of mouth, so I've asked people who I know have done joint/leg types of surgeries. And interestingly enough, this is the sentence I hear over and over.

"Well, I know who you SHOULDN'T go see!"

Seriously. No one local I've asked has positively said anything about ANY of the local doctors. Every one has offered a horror story about why I shouldn't use this guy or that guy or this clinic or that hospital. Jesus, even knowing how much I hate doctors and think they're general scum, this is a little much.

So I've got a feeler out to my brother in Little Rock, since he had a successful knee surgery not very long ago, and the doctor he originally saw was apparently okay. He's been seeing a new one though, who apparently told him that "there is never any need to perform surgery on the knees, it can ALWAYS be rehabbed!" ...yeah, tell that to what is probably my snapped ACL trying to roll up inside my leg (guessing) or the meniscus tear that's been clogging up the joint for three YEARS now (already been diagnosed). Jerkass.

Ugh, I really didn't want to have to go three hours away for a day surgery, but I guess that's gonna be the case.

Come the Barometer Club! You'll always know when it's about to rain!

Seriously though, be glad you're going to a civilian doc. I went to an Army sawbones and....well....

Anyway, good luck!

[crashhelmet]

That sounds kinda interesting, actually, because I do get odd flashes of pain in my thigh and calf sometimes. I had just written it off as some kind of misplaced pain.

I always felt it the most when I bent my leg while standing. I would feel the pressure on the outside of the leg and it would feel like I had a knot behind my knee.

The rain doesn't bother me. It's the cold that gets me. I basically go through bouts of insomnia in the winters when it gets cold. Hopefully you'll get everything worked out for ya.

Ch

[aniwahya]

Ortho docs are not known for their people skills. Once you get a diagnosis (hopefully with a second agreeing opinion) then consider which doc does the procedure/surgery you may need the most. Practice makes perfect, or at least hones their skills and gives them experience that can be very helpful.

Also, in getting peoples opinions on docs give credence to people who have worked with the doc (in or around them, or in med field). They often have "inside" info on which doc got his degree from a cereal box. A good cue to this is when they say
"I don't care if I'm dying, don't let that surgeon near me! Ever!".

Many sympathies for your knee. I've been in your position, including the part with finding doctors who can help, then having to find docs who *will* help. The best advice I can give is to take the time to find a doc you are comfortable with, if taking your time is at all possible. I wish you good luck with your knee.

[Primer]

I can recommend an excellent ortho who specializes in knees and hips, but he's over in north Austin. If you do decide to travel (or for anybody else in the area) look into Dr. Tyler Goldberg with Texas Orthopedics. I've had 5 family members, including me, have him as a surgeon. Too bad he doesn't offer a group discount!