Doctor visit - why did I bother?

[pinkytoe]

On the advice of my physical therapist, I made an appt with an orthopedic doctor to have my left knee pain checked further. My primary mission is to find out what is causing ther pain - not just pain relief. He looked at my x-rays, told me I had beautiful knees (non-arthritic) and handed me a stash of Celebrex samples. Said I should try that for two weeks and check back even though I have already been dealing with this issue for nine months now. He did not even look at my knee or test range of motion and that was that. I asked some questions which he answered abruptly. He came highly recommended so I am wondering what to do next. I have pretty much decided to just steer clear of doctors period unless I am unconscious from here on out as pills seem to be their primary method of "dealing with" patients anymore. Grrr - needed to rant!

[awakenedsoul]

Have you tried walking in the pool or aqua classes, pinkytoe? I'm amazed at how hydro therapy helps the joints. I've also been taking Wobenzym and gotu kola. It's taken a while, but the difference is astounding. I googled both and was impressed. I'm glad you don't have arthritis. But, if you're in pain, something is wrong.

Have you tried working other parts of the body that aren't hurting? It sounds weird, but sometimes that kicks in the self healing process. (Pilates, push ups, etc...)

[KayLR]

What about your feet and gait? Did he evaluate that? Do you need better shoes? Good ones make a lot of difference to me with intermittent knee pain.

[Gardenarian]

How frustrating, pinkytoe. I can't tell you the number of times I've left doctors' office with no more information than I went in with.

I've been tempted to say "Since you didn't do anything for me, I don't think I should have to pay you." Haven't had the guts yet, but next time...

[HappyHiker]

Pinkytoe, I had just about the same experience--but didn't get the pills. Xrays were clear for arthiritis and tears.

Dr. gave me a diagnosis of "Runners' Knee" and sheet with exercises to do to strenghten the quadraceps muscle. Been doing the exercises. No change in pain (mostly going down the stairs).

My questions are these:

a. I don't run, but do walk briskly on a treadmill.
b. If it is runners' knee, then why does just one knee hurt.

And yes, I do feel short-changed just as you do...the expense, all the waiting, the form-filling out-- and no relief at all. MIght as well have stayed home. But I do have the peace of mind that I've no arthritis or tears in the knee, even if no relief. I guess that's good for something?

[Miss Cellane]

And it might be your hip that's causing the problems. On the advice of his PT, my dad asked his orthopedist about his hips, and lo and behold, they were both in need of replacement. But Dad had no pain or other symptoms, other than troubles with his knees. And the x-rays of his knees were fine, just like yours.

As in any profession, there are great doctors, good doctors, adequate doctors and poor doctors. You need to find a doctor who "clicks" with you, and one who is, like you, interested in getting at the heart of the matter, not just covering up the symptoms with pain pills.

I can sympathize. For years, I've just been getting allergy meds from doctors. I've asked about allergy testing--it gets laughed off. I ask why I'm breaking out in hives constantly--it gets laughed off. Literally. The doctors laughed at me.

I now have a new doc who understands that I want to take as few meds as possible. That getting allergy tests will allow me to try and limit my exposure to allergens. That stuffing myself full of meds 24/7 365 days a year is not the way I want to deal with things. And slowly, as he does various tests and then we try out various solutions, things are improving.

You have to shop for doctors the way you shop for cars. They need a test drive. Your new ortho doc just failed his.

[peggy]

Pinkytoe, I had just about the same experience--but didn't get the pills. Xrays were clear for arthiritis and tears.

Dr. gave me a diagnosis of "Runners' Knee" and sheet with exercises to do to strenghten the quadraceps muscle. Been doing the exercises. No change in pain (mostly going down the stairs).

My questions are these:

a. I don't run, but do walk briskly on a treadmill.
b. If it is runners' knee, then why does just one knee hurt.

And yes, I do feel short-changed just as you do...the expense, all the waiting, the form-filling out-- and no relief at all. MIght as well have stayed home. But I do have the peace of mind that I've no arthritis or tears in the knee, even if no relief. I guess that's good for something?

Sometimes doctors just don't know. period. I know it's frustrating when they can't give us a definitive answer, but they aren't perfect. They can look at the usual suspects and if they aren't present then they are at a loss. I'm guessing his diagnosis of runners knee is just that. A sort of admission he doesn't know. Of course it would be better I think if they just admitted it but....

Any way, may I suggest something? Several years ago I started having pain in one shin when I walked on the treadmill. I knew I hadn't injured myself but the pain was real all the same. I mentioned it to my sister who is a cardiac rehab specialist and she said try increasing the incline a bit on the treadmill. I thought that sounded counter intuitive but I did it and within a few sessions the pain went away. I only increased it a bit but that made all the difference. Maybe try increasing (or decreasing) the incline. Give it a few days then adjust again if it doesn't help. I hope you find a solution.

[CathyA]

I say just never go back to him. Was he at a sports Medicine Clinic? I'm thinking the docs there are better than just an orthopedic doc in an office.
I would say to start with your feet. If you have a good podiatrist around there, you could start there. sometimes that's all it takes.....is shoes with an orthotic.
I have knees that barely have any meniscus, but I don't want replacements. So I've learned to do special exercises that strengthen the muscles that support the knee. There are alot of online sites that would show you how to do those exercises. When my knees start hurting, I do those exercises, and they feel much better.

That doc was a jerk.
I hope you find some relief! I can send you info on the exercises I do, if you like.

[larknm]

DH who was a pharmacist for 27 years and a medical librarian (doing research for docs) for 12 says "doctors don't know anything" and doesn't go to them.