A Second Opinion Saved Me From Knee Surgery

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Abstract

e at a time,” he said. On the way home I thought about it. Being out of commission for weeks, figuring a way to get to the hospital and back, no one in the house to help me, an operation didn’t seem feasible at the time.</p><p id="f025">I was never one to get second opinions in the past, whatever the first doctor told me to do was gospel. This time I didn’t listen mostly because it scared the heck out of me.</p><p id="9e5b">I made an appointment with another doctor who was located closer to my family thinking if I had to be hospitalized I would have transportation and help from them. This new doctor looked at my test results and said, “Let’s try something else first.” Ooh, that sounded promising!</p><p id="d6cd">I received two Cortisone shots that day, one in each knee. I don’t like putting stuff into my body but if this could buy me some time it was worth a try. Amazingly, the shots kept me going for another year-and-a-half before the pain returned, but to a lesser degree. I had also researched the internet for knee exercises which I had been doing on a regular basis to strengthen the knee muscles.</p><p id="d2f9">While at my second visit for cortisone shots, I was told I may be a good candidate for “gel” shots if I felt the cortisone was not working as well as before. It did not. The gel shots are a Hyaluronic acid formula which had to be ordered after approval from the insurance company.</p><h2 id="4892">A new treatment</h2><p id="fad3">I received the call letting me know the material for my shots had arrived and I would need to go right in as there is an expiration date on it.</p><p id="28fe">When I say these were two of the most painful shots I ever had, I’m not exagge

Options

rating. When I say I shrieked so loudly they heard me in Texas, I’m pretty sure they did. When I say I spent days in pain and unable to walk, swearing I’d never get these shots again, I’m not overstating.</p><p id="1bcf">Then about a week after the shots, I woke up and the pain was gone, all of it. My knees felt like they did when I was a teenager. I could walk for miles, dance all night, run up the stairs, and stand for hours.</p><h2 id="d543">Still going strong</h2><p id="c62c">The long and the short of it is, it’s been almost two years since I had the gel shots. So far, so good. I walk every chance I get and attend aerobics classes once a week. After reading up on meniscus tears I know that by continuing to do the correct exercise, I can build up the muscle again. I’m hoping I never need the operations.</p><p id="2bf5" type="7">Key Message: When it is feasible to seek out a second opinion, do so. Take the time to gather more information and find a doctor who’s willing to work with you. It’s worth it in the long run.</p><div id="d352" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/@veralake7799/subscribe"> <div> <div> <h2>Get an email whenever Vera-Marie Landi publishes.</h2> <div><h3>Get an email whenever Vera-Marie Landi publishes. By signing up, you will create a Medium account if you don't already…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*t3QHhID9pjdIbUsL)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

And I’m still okay without it

A few years ago I felt stiffness in my knees that usually went away after I moved around a bit. I knew I had a touch of arthritis as I already had some in my hip and accepted it as part of aging.

But the knees became much worse while I was watching grandchildren for two weeks at my son’s house. The house had high ceilings with a huge, uncarpeted staircase, which I had to carry the baby up each night.

Each step felt as if someone were stabbing my knees and climbing stairs was becoming almost impossible. By the 11th day, I turned to Ibuprofen something I never do unless I’m in serious pain.

When it was time to go home, I hurriedly kissed the girls goodbye, grabbed my bags, and left, as all I wanted to do was throw myself in bed in the hopes my knees would recuperate, but they did not. Upon visiting the doctor and taking several tests, I was told I had meniscus tears in both knees along with some arthritis. Worse than I thought!

Finding the Right Doctor

I was in need of an orthopedic doctor and found one close to home and after looking at my test results I was immediately told to make an appointment for an operation, “one knee at a time,” he said. On the way home I thought about it. Being out of commission for weeks, figuring a way to get to the hospital and back, no one in the house to help me, an operation didn’t seem feasible at the time.

I was never one to get second opinions in the past, whatever the first doctor told me to do was gospel. This time I didn’t listen mostly because it scared the heck out of me.

I made an appointment with another doctor who was located closer to my family thinking if I had to be hospitalized I would have transportation and help from them. This new doctor looked at my test results and said, “Let’s try something else first.” Ooh, that sounded promising!

I received two Cortisone shots that day, one in each knee. I don’t like putting stuff into my body but if this could buy me some time it was worth a try. Amazingly, the shots kept me going for another year-and-a-half before the pain returned, but to a lesser degree. I had also researched the internet for knee exercises which I had been doing on a regular basis to strengthen the knee muscles.

While at my second visit for cortisone shots, I was told I may be a good candidate for “gel” shots if I felt the cortisone was not working as well as before. It did not. The gel shots are a Hyaluronic acid formula which had to be ordered after approval from the insurance company.

A new treatment

I received the call letting me know the material for my shots had arrived and I would need to go right in as there is an expiration date on it.

When I say these were two of the most painful shots I ever had, I’m not exaggerating. When I say I shrieked so loudly they heard me in Texas, I’m pretty sure they did. When I say I spent days in pain and unable to walk, swearing I’d never get these shots again, I’m not overstating.

Then about a week after the shots, I woke up and the pain was gone, all of it. My knees felt like they did when I was a teenager. I could walk for miles, dance all night, run up the stairs, and stand for hours.

Still going strong

The long and the short of it is, it’s been almost two years since I had the gel shots. So far, so good. I walk every chance I get and attend aerobics classes once a week. After reading up on meniscus tears I know that by continuing to do the correct exercise, I can build up the muscle again. I’m hoping I never need the operations.

Key Message: When it is feasible to seek out a second opinion, do so. Take the time to gather more information and find a doctor who’s willing to work with you. It’s worth it in the long run.