I just got back from the ortho doc. What a sweety! I took him all my films and reports, not just my knees. He reviewed everything.
His conclusion is that I DON'T need knee replacements. YEAH!! Dance a little jig here.
He did say that arthoscopy surgery could be helpful and he might find more if he did that. But I don't have to rush that at all. So, I can let my disability and insurance issues settle down first. He also said that he could do the same thing with my shoulder.
He said what the main problem is that my RA and FM are not under control. All this joint damage is being started by the RA. He was worried about bone necrosis (bone death) because I've been on prednisone for 6 years. But he said my bones themselves look very healthy. This is a real relief to me. There is detoriation, torn menicus, torn tendon, bone cyst, lesion, etc. But all fixable with arthoscopic surgery.
He offered me Synvisc or cortisone shots. But pain is not as big a issue for me as function. He said that with the FM, the muscles tend to weaken.
So maybe the extra rest I'm getting and then the pool and physical therapy exercises I'm doing will get me to a point that I don't need to do any surgery. If I find that I think I need the shots, I'll do it because they have given me a lot of relief in the past.
But for the time being I can breathe. I am still waiting on results from my back xrays and the tremors might still need an evaluation by a neurologist. But it may be nothing more than rebuilding the muscles again. I can handle that. Anything but surgery.
This is the best news I've gotten from doctors in about 6 months.
Deanna
Great for you!
Susan
Hi Deanna I'm so pleased you have got some good news. You do such a good job of encouraging everyone here (and offering sage advice), you certainly deserve it. Marisa, you made me laugh re. the restroom comment! Your advice was exactly the type of practical wisdom I have found on this site. (And the sort of useful tips that should be - but arent - in the arthritis books.) Deanna, That's really good news! You were due for some. So glad you don't need the knee replacements. My sweet husband needs to go in for his second one (different leg) but trying to hold off til January. It's amazing that your bones look healthy, with all the damage that's been done. Six years seems like a long time to be on prednisone. So glad to hear they will be able to take care of shoulder problems with arthroscopic surgery, too. Was this your first visit with this ortho. doc? He sounds very informed and kind. So glad you have him. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Nini Hey there Ms. Deanna!!! I'm so thrilled for you! I know that news like that is just what you needed. You are such a sweet & caring lady, you deserve a break.
And Karen, you just better calm down on that dancing!
No dancing for you, Deanna. lol Trisha Wonderful news my friend. Arthoscopic surgery I hear is a breeze. See - we need to wait and see. We waste so much time stressing and it is a waste of time. I miss talking to you. I am going to give you a call. I love good news from and about you. You deserve a good life.
Linda, my doc discouraged having both knees at once. He feels that the recoverey is better if you only have one bad knee at a time. Wonder what your husband thinks about that. Do you think he wishes he had done them one at a time? Or did he feel that doing both was pretty easy? Hi Deanna and Ladies! Deanna, wow! This is great news!
The news has likely lightened up the "stress load?" You have plenty to attend to without knee replacements, as well! Fantastic! You deserve a break!
Keep us posted!
This was the first time I've seen this doctor. The doctor I saw 4 years ago was the one that said I needed the knee replacements. He also said I needed a walker, I was too big a surgical risk and that he wouldn't touch me. What a jerk! That's a lot to be leaving over someone's head. The last ortho I saw was a real sweet guy, but he was pretty young. He didn't give me any hope for improving my shoulder. This doc, has wonderful white hair, been doing this kind of thing forever. He even pulled up a xray of someone you did need a total knee replacement so I could see the difference in mine. He was very kind and said when I'm ready come back and see him. I so want to keep my own knees. I guess the moral of this story is not to believe all the bad news you get from one doctor. Keep checking. My mom told me that my sister was told that her daughter would never develop properly and never be able to do a lot things. My niece is adopted and has fetal alchohol syndrome. She's 3 years old now and a ton of dynamite. She's medically fragile and will probably have to be on a feeding tube for several more years. But she is talking and doing all kinds of normal 3 year old things. She even sang me Happy Birthday over the phone. Only trouble is those darn tremors that I have. He said the surgery would not improve that at all or the muscle weakness. I need to fine out what it going on there.
Marisa
Great news Deanna, it gives you a little breathing room and eases the pressure a bit. I'm really happy for you.
Karen
Hillhoney, I was laughing and saying ow at your little dance.
Wendy, I try to give a different view of things that you may not think of.
Marisa
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