So Frustrated.

[LDandPasquale]

This may be long..so i apologize in advance.

Ok..so back in January...my left knee started to hurt. I didnt think anything of it cause i'm an RN and I do a lot of lifting at work. I've had back strains and shoulder strains and they've eventually gone away. So i thought the same of my knee. Well it was getting worse, so i took a week off of work and rested my knee. By the end of the week, i could barely walk.

SO..i called the orthopedist. Went in to see him. Did Xrays and a MRI. Called me back in to see him to discuss the results (appt #2). Said he didnt see anything out of the ordinary..some fluid in my knee and a little softening of the tissue...normal wear of the knee. So he gave me a med for inflamation and a narcotic for pain, and also recommended Physical Therapy.

After two weeks of taking the meds and 4 physical therapy appts....i felt worse...much worse. So i called the doctor....*mind you, you never get to speak with the doctor..you have to leave a message and then the nurse calls you back*. Nurse told me the doctor wants me to come in for a Cortisone shot.

So..i drive 40 minutes..YEP..thats how far he is and we're now at appt #3..only for him to tell me in the office that he's decided against the Cortisone shot cause he's not really sure whats causing my pain and just doesnt want to stick me...so he gives me refills on the meds and tells me to take them for another 10 days. Something he probably could have done over the phone.

Well i'm at day 10 and still no change in pain...i hobble around like a 90 yr old woman. It's quite sad. There are moments when i'm alone sitting with my ice pack on my knee and find myself in tears. I've put a call into the doctor this morning...of course i know i wont get to talk to him. I also tried calling another orthopedist that was recommended to me...he's not taking new patients. So i'm just so frustrated.

Well thanks for letting me vent. If anyone has any ideas..please feel free to share. I'll do anything at this point.

[maryeverett1]

I can to relate to how horrific and debilitating knee pain can be! I tore my ACL/MCL and dislocated my knee cap all in one foul swoop last May and it was some of the worst pain I've ever experienced (and I'm not a light weight when it comes to pain tolerance having had 13 uterian surgeries, 3 miscarriages and 2 c-sections!) all I can tell you being a professional patient in many areas is that you need to become annoying! If they are not calling you back, treating the pain properly or finding the solution to the problem nag nag nag NAG until someone properly figures this out with a good course of treatment! Knee pain tends to only get worse if not treated properly so you have to just get vigilant in figuring it out! Are you going to a regular doctor or an orthapedic specialist? If you are not going to an orthapedic specialist that would be my first suggestion and if insurance covers it ask for an MRI so they can really get to the bottom of things that x-rays don't show! If you have any other questions that I can try and answer PM me! Take it easy, rest and stay off of it as much as possible! Hope you get to feeling better really soon! Much love...Mary

[maryeverett1]

Whoops! I feel stupid! Just re-read your post and you are an RN so you know WAY more than me to begin with, you've been to an orthapedic specialist and had an MRI and x-rays! Sounds like you are on the right track! Hope you feel better soon!

[ARCHIE]

I know there are different kinds of knee pain and I'm so sorry your experiencing it. My GF needs surgery on both knees due to an old
injury on one and arthritis in the other. She's not brave by any means
and decided to try something else. She is going to an accurpucturist.
Went twice thus far and seems to be getting relief. Also her othro
doc told her to take Knox geletin tabs because there natural and will
aid in the joint pain instead of the clucosimine.(s).

Good luck, hope you get relief soon,

[LDandPasquale]

Thanks for the well wishes.

Carol, I didnt even think about an acupuncturist...that may be a good idea. Thanks for the idea!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

Thanks for the well wishes.

Carol, I didnt even think about an acupuncturist...that may be a good idea. Thanks for the idea!

Your very welcome. I hope it works for you too.

[RemydeHaviland]

Are you sure the source of the pain is the knee?

Jack's had two spinal surgeries (L4 and L5) and both times his most severe pain from the nerve compression in his back was actually felt in his lower leg and foot...

Just a thought...

Hope you are feeling better soon!

[RDB911]

Could it be arthritis?? My mom was recently diagonsed with rheumatoid arthritis.

[chattiesmom]

I definately understand your frustration. Unless you have suffered with acute and chronic pain, it's hard to relate. After my 4-wheeler accident, my Ortho let me suffer with nerve pain for six months before he sent me to a neurologist. (I was clueless about what was going on and the Ortho was preoccupied with his nurse at the time).

Find an ortho that specializes in knees and make an appointment -- don't give up - surely there is one who IS accepting new patients.

I would suggest making an appointment with a Pain Specialist and perhaps a Neurologist. When you have Acute and/or Chronic pain, you need a lot of "tools in your toolbag" to deal with the pain and a Pain Specialist can help you fill that toolbag with all sorts of ways to help you deal with the pain.

I can remember laying in bed looking at the ceiling fan and "seeing" drunken indians shooting flaming arrows into the bottoms of my foot. (sorry if that offends anyone - I was raised during the days of cowboys and indians). If you need to talk - please pm me and I'll be glad to call you.

[maryeverett1]

Wow! That was excellent advice that chattiesmom gave! I have suffered from severe chronic pelvic pain for the last 15 years and had 12 uterian surgeries and am about to have a full hysterectomy in 2 months and what she said was spot on! A pain specialist can give you alternative tools for your tool bag in dealing with pain on a daily basis! Some days are better than others but having the right professionals by your side helping you through is key! It took me awhile to find doctors who were right for me and my condition, ones that were sympathetic, believed me and didn't brush me off with comments like "it's all in your head!" sometimes it's takes vigilance to find the doctors who won't stop until they not only find a solution but the best course of action for you! Also finding other people (like chattiesmom) who have been there and can offer support is extremely helpful too! I loved the indian comment and can totally relate! If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to PM me as well! Will be praying for a speedy recovery, answers, the right professionals and people to come alongside and offer support! Hope you have a great day! Mary

[margaritaville]

As nurses we do damage to our bodies, backs, shoulders, knees and feet. Yes, we are taught body mechanics but at times we don't stop to think, ok should I bend from the knees I have had problems with my right knee for a long time and have ignored it-take 2 tylenol and call me in the morning . Last summer my left foot started to swell and give me pain so I went to a podiatrist and found I had a ganglion cyst which he drained. Since I spend the majority of my day on my feet (and since I love to wear flip flops when off-a NO NO according to the podiatrist) he felt I needed custom arch supports. Well, guess what-changing the way my foot was supported stopped the pain in my knee. If I wear shoes that the supports don't fit in, heels or flip flops within a few days the knee pain is back. So most of the time I wear my sneakers with the arch supports or my crocs. He recommends crocs also, too bad they are not as popular as they once were but I'm not making a fashion statement at work. Good luck with your knee-keeping pushing

[Reese1]

I've been going through this with my Mom for the last couple of months.
She's had pain in her knee and it's also radiated to/from her thigh and down her shin.
She's been in terrible pain, taking several different types of pain meds, iced & had to start using a cane to walk.
She's been to a couple of Orthopedics. She's had xrays & an MRI.
The first Dr. wanted to do surgery right away for a slight tear in her meniscus.
The second Dr. who did the MRI said he didn't recommend that because he said she will eventually need a knee replacement, so he felt doing the meniscus would be a waste. So he gave her a cortisone shot, prescribed physical therapy and follow-up.
The physical therapist suggested she contact her local YMCA about swimming classes to help with joint problems.
She has now gone three times to the YMCA for water exercises and it's doing a world of good! Her pain has lessened quite a bit. She doesn't need to use the cane as much and feels like she's really regaining strength!
She knows she will eventually need to replace the knee, but she's hoping to stay long term with the water therapy and delay the need!

I really hope you can get to the bottom of your situation and find a treatment that will work! I know it's been horrible watching my Mom be in so much pain and be so frustrated!
I will keep positive thoughts for you!!

[LDandPasquale]

Originally Posted by RDB911

Could it be arthritis?? My mom was recently diagonsed with rheumatoid arthritis.

The Physician's assistant called me back yesterday....(sigh) It amazes me the doctor has yet to call me back himself...i honestly feel like just a number to this guy. Hence, another reason why I'm going to try to find a better Orthopedist. His PA said they did order blood labs for me to get done so they could rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm going to get the blood tests done...but I think i'm going take my Xrays, MRI and blood tests to a new Ortho.
Cindy, thank you for suggesting the Pain specialist. That is a great idea and i will definitely look into it.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes...i hope this gets situated soon .

[DaisyMom]

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

The Physician's assistant called me back yesterday....(sigh) It amazes me the doctor has yet to call me back himself...i honestly feel like just a number to this guy. Hence, another reason why I'm going to try to find a better Orthopedist. His PA said they did order blood labs for me to get done so they could rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm going to get the blood tests done...but I think i'm going take my Xrays, MRI and blood tests to a new Ortho.

I agree with your decision to see another orthopedist. One who deals with Sports Medicine might have more specific knowledge of the knee.

I was married to an orthopaedic surgeon for 14 years and he always called patients back, even if it was from home at 9 o'clock at night!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by DaisyMom

I agree with your decision to see another orthopedist. One who deals with Sports Medicine might have more specific knowledge of the knee.

I was married to an orthopaedic surgeon for 14 years and he always called patients back, even if it was from home at 9 o'clock at night!

I agree, the 2nd Ortho my Mom went to is a sports medicine practice and this Ortho is a knee specialist!