temporary cartilage fix ? | Arthritis Information

Well I will need to wait six months for my medigap to kick in so I can get a knee replacement, until then I don’t know what I’ll do but I do remember reading about a temporary fix that will replace the cartilage in a joint , it’s a injected fluid and you need two or three to get it right . has anybody heard of this and know the name of the fluid? If someone does I could use the info please . thanks again .dave lister crew member of the jmc red dwarf

Dave, friends in my arthritis exercise class have mentioned this proceedure very favorably. Unfortunately, I won't see them until school lets out for the summer and I can join again. It's like a lube job for the knee. I have also seen advertisements about it in Arthritis Today, the magazine put out by the Arthritis Foundation. I bet you could email them and get the information. They have a web site where you can ask a question and an expert will email you an answer.

www.arthritis.org

thank you very much

I've done this and it has worked out really well for me. It is called Synvisc and you can find info on it the web. They call it "chicken shots." My doctor combined it with physical therapy and leg braces. It's been over 3 years and I still haven't had to have the surgery yet.

The Synvisc worked really good for me. But I think adding the physical therapy was at the same time was a big plus. I only had one set of injections. Before this, I couldn't walk hardly at all. Then, I walked with a cane. And, now I just use the braces. I hope to hold off on the surgery for a long time still. But each person is different.

Thank you for the info. I found a doctor in my area that does this and I have an appointment in two days. I’ll let you know how it goes

I really hope it works out for you. The very best of luck. Here's to no pain and maybe if you're lucky, no surgery.

Well I’m back to square one on this. I’m not covered for this and the doctor told me that it wouldn’t do any good for me anyways , only a knee replacement will work for me .one step forwards and two steps back .I don’t know what to do or who to talk to about this problem with medi-cal

Sorry to hear this. But don't give up quite yet. Go to http://www.synvisc.com/hcp/reimburse/default.asp

This info seems to be mostly for doctors, but it might give you some thoughts on how to get around this. It seems like it is worth an attempt compared to the risks of surgery. Also, call 1-800-982-8292.

At synvisc's home page, there is a list of doctors who provide synvisc. My doctor does keep this in the office and then bills out the insurance and the patients.

I hate to say see one more doctor, but in your case it might be worth it, preferably a RD. There's no cartliledge left in my knees either. The ortho refused to give me the shots, but my RD was more than willing to give it a try. It worked out much better than he thought. Keep in mind that I also was doing physical therapy and I continue to wear knee braces until this day. However, my insurance was so poor that I couldn't afford the expensive, custom made ones. So the ortho's nurses found a substitute and had me buy regular athletic braces with the metal hinge supports. Those make a big difference and keep my knees stable. I've worn them for over three years. But I must wear them all the time except when in the house. And, for one year, I had to use a cane.

Here's the basic trade off. You can delay the surgery, but then you are going to be dealing with pain, pain meds, shots and braces. (They told me I needed a walker. Ha! I wasn't ready for that fashion statement.) If you get the surgery, you are going to get your stabilty back and the pain relieved. But you will not have 100% mobility. Then, there's that scary 20 year limitation on the knee replacement.

But 20 years, Dave, think how far they've come in the last 20 years.

The other options are to contact www.patientadvocate.org. They can help you sort out some of your options and work with your doctor and insurance. Also, contact medical and ask for their patient advocate.

Knee surgery is one of the safest surgeries and lots of people get them done. I will say that without it my activities have become very limited. You have to decide if you want to live that way for another 5-10 years.

Hard decision.

It’s odd how things can turn around so fast , I called the doctor that I’ve been dealing with for the knee replacement and got a different story then they told me the first time about medicare/medi-cal so I told them what was on my mind and hung up . I started thinking about the doctor who saw me for the Synvisc injections and gave him a call and low and behold it looks like I’m in . they take medicare/medi-cal and don’t have any problem with them , all I can say is yea yes sir re bob . thank god for small things

oh one more thing.i need to check on this doctor . where can i look up his references.thanks

So happy that you didn't give up and that you are going to get to try this option first.

Try these sites:

1. American Board of Medical Specialties. ABMS/Locating a Qualified Physician or Status of a Physician. Available at http://www.abms.org/faq.asp.

2. American Medical Association. The Doctor Finder Site. Available at http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm. Ac

3. Hayer N. States Board of Medical Examiners. Available at http://www.docboard.org.

This site gives referrals, but you have to pay a fee of .95: www.healthgrades.com/

You might want to post this as a separate questions. Others might have better sources.

Here's to no pain.

thanks. Deanna.he looks good so far .

Well in four to six weeks I’ll have a brand spanking new knee then three months after I’ll get the other knee done . I found this doctor at another doctor office I’ve seen and it’s all set up all but the date . my RA doc knows him and has told me that he’s really good with this . so very soon I’ll be much better . I owe a lot to help I’ve gotten here and all of you that has helped you have my thanks

I have a date to get a new knee; June 5^th will be the day. Oh boy now I’m really getting nervous but as my sister tells my look at when it’s all over and how much better you’ll feel .

Oh boy, I'd be nervous too. But my understanding is this is one of the easiest surgeries for the doctors to do. Several of the guys at Physical Therapy had them done and they look great.

Sometimes, I wish I could go ahead and get my knees done because it is such a hassle having limited mobility. But surgery is a pain.

If your knee is that bad, I'm sure you are going to be much happier once it is done. Be sure to let us know how it turns out.

I want details, Dave, not the limited info they give you on the Internet. So, when you're in pain, recoverying, doing the physical therapy, write about it. I want to know what I'm up against. I have to have both done eventually. Yuck!