I need some help, (I need a lot of help) maybe a good Orthopedic Dr. referral or just some helpful insight.
I have bad knees but, I don't know why. The Dr.'s don't know what the problem is... very frustrating!
It all started with my right knee feeling kind of num and like I needed to crack it or pop it into place and then I ended up with a lot of fluid in the knee and the pain was unbearable/ I had to go to the ER that night. They pulled out some fluid but, could not see anything wrong with any blood work, x-rays or MRI's. It took me about a month to recover. I say about a year went by and it happened again (sorry, forgot to mention there was NO reason for it to happen the first time). We did the x-ray and MRI... nothing wrong but, yet took me about 4 months to recover. It happened yet again in November of 2008 and has NOT went away. It didn't get to the point of agony but, it hurts and I constantly have to be careful so I don't mess it up more. Yes, I went to the Dr. and everything was fine in the x-ray and MRI, the only thing the Ortho said this time was that we could wait for the next time (since it would go away in the past) and do laparoscopic surgery to search for a problem. Now my knee didn't get better and I'm now feeling my left knee is trying to act up for the first time. I'm only 34 and I'm afraid to think of what's ahead of me if I continue this way. I'll be seeing my primary Dr. tomorrow to ask for another referral (HMO) to an Orthopedic and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good Orthopedic in the LA area or surrounding areas that except HMO's - I have both Cigna and PacifiCare. Oh, I'm also going to ask to have my hips checked out because they tend to crack and cramp up a lot too. Does this sound like anything familiar to anyone?
Thank you for reading and thank you in advance for any information you can provide me with, M.
I have a doctor you can see. I have to get back to you about it
You should certainly try out chiropractic before any more talks about surgery. My husband recently finished chiropractic school and so I've learned so much about the many things they can do. It's amazing! You could go on the other referrals entered here or if you're wanting to find someone closer to you - make sure you ask the office staff if the doctor works on knees. There are lots of ways of practicing as a chiropractor and each has their own specialty. If you have a bad first experience or the first person doesn't seem to be helping after a few months then try someone else. But once you have a surgery, your knees will be compromised for the rest of your life. Acupuncture may be something else to consider.
Best wishes.
E.
If you would like to go the homeopathic route I have the person for you. He could probably tell what is wrong; however, they do not take insurance and it can be expensive but soooo worth it.
Try Dr. Aaron Horizon. He's great.
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Hi M.,
Perhaps taking an alternative route to orthopedic care would be more helpful. I've had joint problems for a few years and the doctors found nothing. I finally found relief by going to someone who does bodywork and changing my diet.
Try a low-glycemic index diet to help with inflammation and check out Mark Lamm at Biosync. www.biosync.com After years of pain, he was the first person to help me get some relief.
Good luck!
I had similar issues with my knees. After two years of it they finally figured out I had rheumatoid arthritus. Prior to being diagnosed I had surgery on both knees. I tore my mcl, pcl, and acl. It was hell. I had xrays, mris done as well, but they kept missing it. So I'd request they do blood work and check for RA. My ortho was great, dr.feldman. He's lockated in burbank. He did both surgerys, and I had full quick recoveries.
Usually they can test the fluid in your knees as well. Good luck, and I hope they figure out what's going on with your knees. I know your pain, I've been there and it sucks.
Jennifer
Have you seen a chriropractor. I know that sounds weird but I wonder if your knees are building up fluid because something in your posture could be off.....I have an HMO and go to Dr. Ashkin Jallil in Santa Monica. He has helped me with my sciatica and herniated disks that my other Dr.'s have said "shouldn't" be bothering me at this point. I could be completely off, I am not a MD, but I do know that if your back is off or you dont stand on your feet "corectly" that it can send other things into misalignment.....like knees and then the hips....etc. Hey, at least it is not surgery! Here is his number, he is GREAT! Good luck and I hope you solve the mystery soon and feel better! Santa Monica Medical Center ###-###-####
Hi M.,
I know of a very good doctor who can help you figure it out and get better. His name is Dr. Michael Pangelinan and he's an awesome chiropractor. I know you might not think of a chiropractor when it comes to the knee area but I've been going to him for years now for my bad right knee (I had a ligament tear) which needs adjusting after I run for miles. When your knee has problems, your other leg compensates, as well as your hips so I wasn't suprised to hear that your starting to feel pain on those areas. I learned so much from "Dr. Mike". His clinic (Universal City Medical and Wellness Group) is at 3535 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 90068 in Studio City. The phone# is ###-###-####. I highly recommend seeing him before talks of any surgery (which should not be done unless as last resort, and even then I wouldn't do it). I KNOW he can help you. Good luck.
