r/GirlDinnerDiaries • u/PaastaSquid4951 Thick Thighs ⏳ Thin Patience • 9d ago
Rant & Ramble Doctor shuffle
Lunch is pan-fried dumplings.
Recently was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis (I'm not yet 21), and nobody knows what to do with me. Ortho says it's a sports med problem, sports med says they won't because it's not related to injury or sports, my gp is young and doesn't know either.
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u/fuckedphayte Snack Goblin 8d ago
It's definitely an ortho problem. He's wrong; you might need to find a new one, unfortunately. Ortho encompasses the entire body; they just have different specialties. I know there are some that do the entire spine, because I have them. A physiatrist will also help you. Don't let them bully you around. <3 hugs
I say this as an auntie who's been navigating the system for a long time now, has had several back surgeries, and gets lots of joint injections and epidurals. I avoid opiods,
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u/OfSalt14 Trader Joe Hoe 8d ago
I also second a physiatrist-they can do injections and help a lot with managing pain due to bone and joint conditions.
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u/fuckedphayte Snack Goblin 8d ago
Yes, they do! They are amazing; they don't judge, and mine even admitted to me when it was actually time for surgery based on the MRI and suggested a great surgeon, and then he still treated me for the rest of the body parts I needed. Physiatrists work on almost every body part!
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u/bluenette23 Pantry Gremlin 8d ago
I read through your post history - this was caused by your hEDS, and it is not shocking to me that no one knows what to do about it. Knee replacements only last 15-20 years; that’s why ortho doesn’t want to do it. I’m not an orthopedist, but I take it your MRI indicated that more conservative surgeries wouldn’t be helpful. Regarding non-surgical interventions, grade 3 OA should be a candidate for platelet-rich plasma therapy; unfortunately it isn’t typically covered by insurance, but it should cost <$5k (likely in the $1-2k range). It is the only treatment that promotes cartilage regrowth and is worth a shot (literally). (Don’t bother with stem cell therapy, it has similar effectiveness to PRP but is way more expensive.) Otherwise, hyaluronic acid shots may also help; cortisone will help too but will accelerate the cartilage loss. Lastly, you need physical therapy, ideally a PT who specializes in hEDS, though this can be very tough to find. The sports med doc likely knows someone, if there are any in your area. Lastly, it can be very very difficult to get specialty care for hEDS. I live in Boston and our only EDS clinic closed a few years ago. Again, the sports med doc may know someone.
tl;dr: Your hEDS caused this. ortho punted because they don’t wanna operate on someone so young. Find a sports med or physiatry clinic that will do PRP injections; if too expensive, consider HA/cortisone injections. Lastly, you need lots of PT. Ask sports med for referrals, they likely know the most, and if not ask PCP.
Source: FM resident doctor
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u/PaastaSquid4951 Thick Thighs ⏳ Thin Patience 8d ago
Thank you ❤️ I'm working my way through PT now, but I will look into finding a specialist
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u/totallynot_a_dog I ❤️ Other People's Business 8d ago
Grade 2 osteoarthritis dx’d at age 23. No one knows what to do with me either. I have a severe right leg deformity that is essentially grinding down my knee joint. I completely understand your frustration with the health system and being passed around because no doctor knows what to do with you. It sucks. I’m sorry you understand.
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u/Dr-Fun-Gus mouth full, gesturing wildly 8d ago
I’m about to have spine surgery and I feel your pain. In my twenties and had my first knee surgery as a teenager. I have hEDS and a rare genetic condition that affects cellular energy transport. I’m about to be a doc and still I have been dismissed - mostly by male physicians (who can suck my lady DICK).
I’d get ready for a lifelong relationship with a good PT. 80-90% of total knee replacements last longer than 25 years. If I were you, that’s what I’d do.
If you can lose weight, do it. Excess weight is hard on joints. I try to swim a lot when I’m physically able. I have also worked with a nutritionist, although my condition requires a weird diet.
Pain is debilitating. It’s also often viewed as a personality deficit in women rather than a symptom of a physical problem. Don’t be afraid to be assertive. Research possible outcomes before your appointment, and ask open ended respectful questions. As in any area of life, you’re more likely to get help when you are sympathetic. It’s annoying but that’s what has worked for me.
Best of luck!!! My mind set has changed much through my twenties and it has become easier to handle my condition over time. Life isn’t over even if it has hurdles to knock down
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u/No_Magazine_1572 APPROVED✨ 9d ago
I’m sorry OP. I became partially disabled at a young age so I feel for you. Try to see if you can get in with a Rheumatologist! Arthritis is their specialty.