Getting an MRI exam today ...

[tedski]

... on my left knee. It's been bugging me for several months now and has been slowly getting worse. I now wear one of those Ace knee braces everyday. Not sure why or how this happened - the pain just started one day. Then I'd go a few days with no problems. Two weeks ago I got out of bed and could barely put weight on it so I decided it was time to see the orthopedist.

My initial x-rays last week showed nothing abnormal so this afternoon I get to lay down in a big donut for 30 minutes. I sure hope the tech is a decent looking female with warm hands ... :lady: :eyebrow:

 

[tripp]

Best wishes and I hope all is well.

 

[DocLogic77]

So the ortho guy just jumped to an MRI? That's a $1200 test. I prefer to inject the knee with a little Marcaine/Lidocaine/Depomedrol first. Often it's just a strain and the injection will cure the issue. It's therapeutic as well as diagnostic. If the pain returns then you most likely have damage warranting an MRI. If the MRI is negative ask for a knee injection. It's not as unpleasant as it sounds and it should really help.

 

[Wasch_24]

Forget the warm hands I would be hoping for a very low cut shirt and a short skirt!

:rofl:

I hope they figure it out for you Ted. :u:

 

[Headbanger]

Best of luck Ted. Nice to have a Doc looking after us. Nice & nice Todd.

 

[tobby4]

Yea they are fun arent they... I had 2 last year, Loved it

 

[geoffrie]

So the ortho guy just jumped to an MRI? That's a $1200 test. I prefer to inject the knee with a little Marcaine/Lidocaine/Depomedrol first. Often it's just a strain and the injection will cure the issue.

It presented a couple of months ago.

Not to second guess but wouldn't that suggest more than a strain?

 

[caudio51]

Good luck Ted!

 

[Terrasco]

Best wishes.

 

[Boppa-Wasch]

I had an issue with my knee's a few years back. Felt like someone jabbed a screwdriver into and under the cap. Found out I have a "spegetti" tare. Walk backward and then side step on treadmill now and have not had a problem for long time. Hope your MRI comes back OK. Hopefully no major surgery.:thumbsup:

 

[DocLogic77]

It presented a couple of months ago.

Not to second guess but wouldn't that suggest more than a strain?

I think you have a good point Geoffrie. Most strains heal within 2-3 weeks. But, I have seen strains that take 2-4 months to heal or longer. I don't think it hurts to do a very cheap joint injection to gain some information. I try to practice good practical economical medicine. We all pay for the excessive testing. Even if he has a minor meniscus tear the steroid injection should help it heal. If he had a serious ligamentous tear he wouldn't be walking. If it's something in between he will get a little better with the injection then come back a week later with the same pain. That to me is a true tale sign that the guy needs an MRI.

 

[cvm4]

Hope everything turns out alright Ted

 

[tobby4]

I think you have a good point Geoffrie. Most strains heal within 2-3 weeks. But, I have seen strains that take 2-4 months to heal or longer. I don't think it hurts to do a very cheap joint injection to gain some information. I try to practice good practical economical medicine. We all pay for the excessive testing. Even if he has a minor meniscus tear the steroid injection should help it heal. If he had a serious ligamentous tear he wouldn't be walking. If it's something in between he will get a little better with the injection then come back a week later with the same pain. That to me is a true tale sign that the guy needs an MRI.

Obviously You are the one with the degree so I am not questioning you... only sharing my experience...

I had what one would consider a minor meniscus tear. Recieved a steriod shot... got better for a week, and because i could not feel the pain as well after the shot, I ended up tearing the meniscus almost completely through. Now a serious tear that coupled with some other things required pretty immediate surgery. Yes, in medicine along with everything else there is a degree of guesswork and what works with one might not work with another but I am one that would rather have the MRI, find out what is wrong and then proceed. I would rather be safe and have spent 1200 bucks then sorry with a shot...

 

[DocLogic77]

Obviously You are the one with the degree so I am not questioning you... only sharing my experience...

I had what one would consider a minor meniscus tear. Recieved a steriod shot... got better for a week, and because i could not feel the pain as well after the shot, I ended up tearing the meniscus almost completely through. Now a serious tear that coupled with some other things required pretty immediate surgery. Yes, in medicine along with everything else there is a degree of guesswork and what works with one might not work with another but I am one that would rather have the MRI, find out what is wrong and then proceed. I would rather be safe and have spent 1200 bucks then sorry with a shot...

Tobby, I understand your concern. Your point is well taken. It would be easy to make a knee feel better with a steroid injection, then the person feeling well to act up on the knee and worsen the situation. When you inject a knee people with minor issues can get overly aggressive with activity (because they feel so much better). That's why I tell all my patients to take it easy until they see me again in 2 weeks. A steroid shot in itself will not make your knee worse. A steroid shot making you feel better then you acting up on that knee will. Can you have a minor meniscus tear, get a shot then blow that tear up because the shot made you feel better? Oh yea most certainly it can. I guess it's about education. The fact is a minor meniscus tear can resolve with a steroid injection. But if you get your MRI it will be a surgery....minor or major. I'm just more conservative. I think if you practice solid medicine you can refrain from expensive "i dont give a shit" medicine that is practiced. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but health care is failing. It's because of litigation, excessive spending, HMO's, and abuse of the system. I try to do my small part to lower cost and provide the best care available.

 

[Kingston]

Good luck Ted.
In general I don't go to the internet for medical advice, that's what my board-certified doctor is for.

 

[sunivy]

Osteoarthritis is another possibility.

 

[tripp]

Shawn I cant wait until you get your practice started here in Kentucky.

Will you accept cigars as payment for medical services?:smokingbo

 

[tedski]

Well my first MRI sure was fun ... and the nurse was pretty good looking! They even let me listen to my favorite radio station on headphones during the procedure. I won't find out the results until Monday. It's funny though because for the first time this week my knee feels OK. Some stiffness, but not a lot of pain this morning. Maybe those folks hawking the healing properties of magnets are on to something ...

Nahhhhhh ....

As far as doing an expensive test ... well, I leave these decisions up to Doc Hollywood. And anyway, out here in Silicon Valley, we like our gagets. :robosmile

I understand the opinion of other doctors in wanting to limit possible unnecessary tests, but for me, I'd rather find the root cause of this issue ... especially since it's been dragging on and getting worse for more than 2 months now. And since I don't normally see a doctor outside of my yearly physical, I figure I might as well take advantage of the benefits I'm paying for ($2000 / year).

 

[caudio51]

All good points Ted. That is what health insurance is there for.

 

[cvm4]

Ya gotta take advantage of it while it's there :thumbsup: