DammitJanet
Well-Known Member
I really like my ortho doctor. He just has such a good bedside manner and always treats his patients with such respect. He even has 17 inch flat screen TV's in every room and the waiting room has a 60". Those little TV's in the rooms have remotes so patients can watch whatever they want. Im sure that is a great thing for parents with kids in there.
Now on to me. I got a "lecture" because I was supposed to go back in May for another appointment but I missed it. I honestly thought it was only going to be to get the shots in my lower back but they informed me that at that point I would have also gotten the steroid shots in both knees to get the swelling down after doing the series of Synvisc shots.
I told him I was there now because of both my knees and my back. They did more xrays and my knees are just shot. Especially my right one now. Also my spinal stenosis has progressed some. They gave me the cortisone shots in my knees but didnt want to do all 4 of them at once...the back ones are two shots...so they have put me in a back brace type thing. Im to wear it when I am walking or standing but can take it off to sleep and sit. Boy did that thing hurt me yesterday! I had to put an ice pack on my lower back for a long time last night. I even went out and found one that can be used either hot or cold and has a little vibrator you put in this pocket. That feels really good!
We talked about my knees and he just point blank doesnt want to do a replacement until I am much closer to 60. So unless one of my knees just completely goes out to where I cant put any weight on it we will just keep up with the cortisone shots 3 times a year...maybe 4 if things are bad. He gives me every item such as the brace and cane I can use. I think next time I am going to talk about one of those wheeled walkers. My car is now big enough for it to fit in the back easily. After that we are going to have to deal with getting me a scooter. Its getting to the point I cant get around for far without some sort of help and a cane does nothing. He also wants me to go get another RA panel to see if anything is showing up because of the fact that my joints are progressing fairly fast. I go get that blood work today and will find out the results in two weeks when I go back.
*So that is the results. He doesnt put me on any NSAIDS because of my stomach.
Oh and the cutest thing is that he has made up Tee shirts for all his patients. He was smart enough to get them in all sizes...lol. I got the pink one and it says "XXX Orthopedics with a skull and crossbones right under it and then under that it says Broken Bone Society" I think that is just so nice. He also sends cards out to all new patients or those he hasnt seen for awhile and he actually writes the cards himself. That is a very nice touch considering most doctor's just delegate that stuff to staff. The cards are actually personal because they will start with our first names not just a scripted message.
Now on to me. I got a "lecture" because I was supposed to go back in May for another appointment but I missed it. I honestly thought it was only going to be to get the shots in my lower back but they informed me that at that point I would have also gotten the steroid shots in both knees to get the swelling down after doing the series of Synvisc shots.
I told him I was there now because of both my knees and my back. They did more xrays and my knees are just shot. Especially my right one now. Also my spinal stenosis has progressed some. They gave me the cortisone shots in my knees but didnt want to do all 4 of them at once...the back ones are two shots...so they have put me in a back brace type thing. Im to wear it when I am walking or standing but can take it off to sleep and sit. Boy did that thing hurt me yesterday! I had to put an ice pack on my lower back for a long time last night. I even went out and found one that can be used either hot or cold and has a little vibrator you put in this pocket. That feels really good!
We talked about my knees and he just point blank doesnt want to do a replacement until I am much closer to 60. So unless one of my knees just completely goes out to where I cant put any weight on it we will just keep up with the cortisone shots 3 times a year...maybe 4 if things are bad. He gives me every item such as the brace and cane I can use. I think next time I am going to talk about one of those wheeled walkers. My car is now big enough for it to fit in the back easily. After that we are going to have to deal with getting me a scooter. Its getting to the point I cant get around for far without some sort of help and a cane does nothing. He also wants me to go get another RA panel to see if anything is showing up because of the fact that my joints are progressing fairly fast. I go get that blood work today and will find out the results in two weeks when I go back.
*So that is the results. He doesnt put me on any NSAIDS because of my stomach.
Oh and the cutest thing is that he has made up Tee shirts for all his patients. He was smart enough to get them in all sizes...lol. I got the pink one and it says "XXX Orthopedics with a skull and crossbones right under it and then under that it says Broken Bone Society" I think that is just so nice. He also sends cards out to all new patients or those he hasnt seen for awhile and he actually writes the cards himself. That is a very nice touch considering most doctor's just delegate that stuff to staff. The cards are actually personal because they will start with our first names not just a scripted message.