Even more fun with knees

[rolanni]

So, back from the knee doctor, who tells me that the fact that my knee is starting to hurt again this soon after the codeine shot means that I win. . .gel shots.

Providing the insurance company agrees, that is.

Moving on the assumption that the insurance company will agree -- and no way I can afford these shots if they don't -- the plan is to have me come in once a week for three weeks in November.

I seem to remember from our previous conversation about failing joints that several people on the f'list have gone the gel-injection route. Anybody want to give me an overview of what I can expect? I find it interesting that the doctor admits that nobody knows why it works, or what happens to the lubricant when it. . .dissipates. However, it does seem to retard the wearing away of cartilage, with no other apparent side effects. They think.

Herm.

In other news, still trying to decide if going to see the 9 at the buck-a-head showing tonight starting at 8:50 is a smart move. For sure I wouldn't get to sleep before midnight. On the other hand, I know where they keep the caffeine. Decisions, decisions.

Comments

[craig trader (from livejournal.com)]

They call it practicing medicine, because they haven't got it right yet.

WRT seeing "9", if you haven't seen it, do so. It isn't as good as "Up", but it's still well worth full-price tickets.

[orlacarey.livejournal.com]

Totally off topic - I seem to remember you like Bats. So I thought of you when I saw these pictures (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1213851/Stunning-shots-thirsty-bats-swooping-lick-water-garden-pond.html)

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I've said it before and will say it again: "If knees represent God's plan, we're stuck with a really nasty God."

Also goes for spines.

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

If you don't mind my asking - any idea what caused the knee problems? I have ongoing knee pain, it's especially bad this week after rainy weather and spending a weekend walking around at FenCon. But I've hesitated to go to a doctor about it, because I figure they'll say "your knees hurt because you're fat, go lose weight, why don't you take up jogging." *facepalm*

[cailleuch.livejournal.com]

9 is definitely worth seeing.

As to the medical procedure I give the following information (from the "for what it is worth" department). I had to have floating body removed from my knee. My orthopedic surgeon was having the gel injections at the time (himself) and was a big fan. if they are willing to experiment on themselves perhaps it is not so bad and may be useful?

Knee injections (Hyalgan or Synvisc)

[(Anonymous)]

This past summer, when your knee started to flare up, I left you a message recommending that the knee injections would be helpful, if your physician suggested them. I have, to date, had two sets of Hyalgan injections in my left knee; they are given 1 injection per week for three weeks, and then they wait 6 months, and give another set of injections. There has been a marked improvement in the comfort level in my left knee after two sets of Hyalgan injections, which my orthopedic specialist suggested was unusual for the site of my pain (the patellar furrow) but he isn't going to stop giving them to me as long as they continue to help me.

After each injection, you feel a lump in your knee, but it does not feel uncomfortable; it is "just there". About the time the next injection comes due, you have reached the point where you don't feel the first one. Then, with the second one, there is that feeling of "something there" again, but no real pain. Ditto for the third injection. I would say that about two weeks after the third injection, you don't really feel anything any more. Relief from the arthritis pain may take several weeks to fully realize, but hopefully it will come.

Yours,
M.C. Thomson, Harrisburg, PA

[(Anonymous)]

Synvisc is now out as a single, large injection, instead of 3-5 shots. It works just as well as the 3 (70% get better), but saves you trips, injection fees, and pain. Of course, the medication charge for the single shot is stunning, and only a little less than the medication charge for the 3 shots.

Talk to your orthopedist. Maybe he/she is using the new Synvisc.

[gilraen2.livejournal.com]

After putting it off for most of a year, I got my first set of injections (5 injections, 1 week apart) right before Worldcon. My doctor used Supartz which, for whatever reason, he likes better than Synvisc. The results were PHENOMENAL! I am able to walk comfortably, climb stairs, do things I haven't done in literally YEARS. My doctor suggested six weeks of physical therapy after worldcon, and that helped me to bring back some tone to muscles that had atrophied because of disuse.

Why did I put it off? Didn't want to face the "big" shots, of course. Now my doctor was VERY good. He did a novocaine injection on each knee first (which stung a little) then waited three minutes, and then did the jello shots. Each shot took about fifteen seconds. There was virtually no pain on the first shot. The second, I felt some aching on one knee, nothing on the other. The aching was worse on the third and fourth, non-existant on the fifth. Your mileage may vary. What I'm trying to say is it was NOT bad, and absolutely not anything to worry about or a reason to not take the shots.

Now, I did NOT see any improvement until about a week after the last shot. I hear this varies person to person. With a little luck, I should be good until next summer. Will I take the shots again? You betcha! I wish you the best and think you will be delighted with the results.

P.S. I didn't notice any "lumps" in my knees at all, or any feeling that there was something there. Mostly I just notice, actively, a lack of the pain that has been constant for the last five years.

Thank You!

[redpimpernel.livejournal.com]

rolanni thank you for starting this discussion! I have another friend who is facing this exact same decision this week, only her ortho Doc told her the shots hurt like hell and scared the beejebers out of her and left her crying and afraid of getting them. I have directed her to this post so she can read what real, experienced people have to say, and hopefully feel reassured.

Knees

[(Anonymous)]

I had the shots 4 weeks ago. The first shot hurt, but not to the point of screaming. After that the shots did not hurt. There were no lumps in my knee. Of course my knee was probably a quart or 2 low.
I have noticed some improvement, but still have pain.
I think replacement is in my future.
Tisha

knee shots

[(Anonymous)]

ardell tried shots.they worked for a short time,4 or 5 weeks