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

[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*

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

any idea what caused the knee problems?

The proximate cause is arthritis coupled with normal cartilage wear. Knees are apparently not designed for the ages. I suspect the arthritis was helped along by the fact that I constantly fell on my right (now rechristened my "bad") knee when I was a kid -- courtesy of being switched from a left-hander to a sorta right-hander. I have knots of scar tissue on that knee.

I should probably lose 20 pounds and take some of the strain off; both of my jobs being sedentary, I don't see that happening any time soon, unfortunately.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing you're not biting the bullet for a knee replacement because of the time off work required. If so, my sympathies. I had one done last May and will have the other done in about 4 weeks; the improvement is unbelievable.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Actually, the gel shots are being explained as a way to extend the time until knee replacement. I am, so I'm told, 'way young for knee replacement (nice to be 'way young for something), and having the shots will help the insurance company avoid, not the first, which is inevitable, but the second replacement. Since it must naturally be my first object to oblige the insurance company, there we are.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

If the gel shots work, then this makes sense. My knee was in such bad shape that, as my doctor put it, "You could wait fifteen years, but what will your quality of life be during those fifteen years?"

I'm having the second knee done this year because I've hit my out-of-pocket for the year, and I don't know what my insurance is going to be like in the next couple of years (my former employer is "improving" things out of all recognition). So I'm getting it done now while I can afford it. The money angle trumps the medical. Again.

[ariaflame.livejournal.com]

They shouldn't do that. Jogging isn't good for knees.