I wasn't expecting that

As you all know I've been experiencing issues with my left knee since last September.  After doctoring and going to physical therapy for IT Band Syndrome since September, I've decided to take matters in to my own hands and get a second opinion.

 

I saw Dr. Dean, an orthopedic surgeon here in Jamestown. 

 

He ordered an "arthritic knee series x-ray".  I laughed and thought he was kidding.  He wasn't. 

 

So, I humored him and had the x-ray done - even though I assured him that arthritis wasn't in my vocabulary and that I was sure that I had just "torn" something and just needed to be stitched up.  He just smiled. 

 

After X-rays, I returned to his office and waited. 

 

He came in, all calm like and took a look at the pictures.  I kid you not.  He said, "so if arthritis isn't in your vocabulary, how do you feel about the words knee replacement." 

 

I laughed thinking he was kidding.   He, again, wasn't. 

 

He turned the screen around and yep, clear as day. I have no "cushion" in the inner knee of my left knee.  Pretty much bone on bone.   He was nice.  He said, "you're still young"  (pretty sure he was trying to keep from getting hit at that point), "so we'll try to put off any knee replacement until you need it."

 

I asked, "when will I need it?"    His reply, "when you're body tells you."   Gee…thanks. 

 

So, treatment options are:

1) cortisone shots (which I had yesterday AND I took like a champ, thank you very much!),

2) injectable filler silicone-like stuff (more expensive than cortisone but last ditch option before knee replacement). 

3) knee replacement.

4) no more running, fast walking, or high impact such as jumping.

5) can do elliptical, biking, and yoga….yes, yoga!  :)

 

I'm going to go with options 1 and/or 2 and 5 for now and hold off on 3 until "my body -or my mind ­- says I need it.

 

So there you have it!