The doctor says…


Finally saw the orthopedist, and we reviewed my MRI. The assessment is that it’s a very small tear in a place with a good prospect for healing, so the plan is…

“Follow up if symptoms worsen or fail to improve.”

I can resume light exercise, but if it gets worse or causes pain I’m supposed to call in for an appointment and they’ll reconsider surgery.

So it’s good news, I guess.

Comments

  1. Artor says

    I’ve been waiting months to get medical care for my blown disks, but in just the last week something moved by itself, and I can walk unsupported for short distances now. I still want to get the surgery done, because it seems like this is something that can happen again too easily, and I’d like to not lose another 6 months of my life to immobility and excruciating pain.

  2. says

    The best news is that because he has met with me on the knee problems, I will now be automatically cleared for any treatment by my insurance. If I exhibit any degradation, I can just call the doctor and be pre-approved for surgery at a moment’s notice.

  3. says

    @Artor: From what I have read the long term prognosis for an operation isn’t necessarily any better than letting it heal on it’s own. In fact it might very well be worse.

  4. bcw bcw says

    In a similar situation, I found that resting was not helpful because it caused stiffness but low-load motion helped a lot. Initially, that meant exercise bike in low gear, spinning fast.

  5. Thomas Scott says

    I got the same diagnosis from my GP with instructions to watch and wait. When after three months of agony, I went to an orthopedist, he did an arthroscopic exam and said my meniscus looked like crab meat and asked me why I didn’t come to him sooner.
    Sometimes it pays to get a second opinion.

  6. John Morales says

    Ouch, Thomas.

    Still, PZ did write “Finally saw the orthopedist”, who is obviously a specialist, not a GP as in your case.

    (After due tests and scans, too)

  7. StevoR says

    Glad to hear this PZ and best wishes for as full and quick and smooth a recovery as possible again.

  8. chrislawson says

    Good news. Here’s hoping it gets better without surgery, but at least you have the backup plan locked in now.

  9. magistramarla says

    Great news, PZ
    I’m glad that you are taking the slow and cautious route.
    I jumped to arthroscopic surgery on my knee too quickly, since I wanted to get it done while I was on winter break from teaching.
    I should have taken the route of PT for a few months while vetting surgeons better than I did.
    My knee surgery was a bad experience. My spinal surgery seven years later was an absolute nightmare.
    Take care of yourself and request PT as needed.

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