Question: Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX I did go to my primary, who ordered x rays. They came back normal. I thought that was a very general statement, because I did not have much confidence in the tech. I had to ask fir things she should have told me. Anyway, my doctor told me to go see an orthopedic MD.

I have the disc of the x-ray. I have an appointment with an orthopedic MD, highly recommended by a nurse friend of mine. I go tomorrow. I have been staying at our little corner of the world, we have a XXXXXXX home in Ocean Count, NJ. All one floor. Our primary residence is an interior townhouse with sets of stairs, the second is 14 steps, VERY steep. I think those steps did me in. No way can I negotiate them now. I was told to go off of the Advil because of possibility of heart attack, so I am taking 325 mg BID.

I can never get comfortable, afraid to drive. Pain wakes me up. I need help with transfers at the end of the day. I have been depressed because I wanted to be more active with my 8 year old grandson. I have been taking my prescribed xanax. I usually take 1 mg hs, but now I am taking BID, as I am allowed. It does help keep me calm. I hope that this can be fixed.

I need your counsel on this matter. Today, I went to see an orthopedic surgeon regarding my knees. He viewed my x-rays and said that he would have preferred that the x-rays would be taken while standing. Then, I lay down on the examination table. He palpated me knees here and there, and my husband noticed that my
expression of pain was more on the posterior side on mu knees, with some also on the side. He had me lift my leg, bend my knee, no problem. Same on the other knee. He said that the x-ray revealed some arthritis, and that I probably wounded something inside. His first thin is PT. This does not make sense to me. I know that insurance companies call the shots. But how can a physical therapist know where my injury is without an MRI? I think it could cause more damage if the therapist overworks the injured ligament or tendon. I have to go back in 4 weeks, when he will decide if I need an MRI. Is this standard protocol? I asked him about the pain that wakes me up, he did not seem to care one hoot, said he would call in some tramadol for me. Do doctors have a problem caring for nurses? He said, "Oh, you are a nurse?" I do not have a know it all attitude, I enjoyed very good relationships with MD's when I was a home care nurse. Oh well, maybe a bad day for him. I just hoe that this is the right treatment. I will be staying for the 4 weeks prescribed down in our little one floor place in Ocean County, NJ. Thank you for listening, Doctor.
Yours truly
XXXXXXX XXXXX

Thank you, Doctor, you have put my mind at ease. Your explanation is just what I needed to know. Now I will have a more positive attitude toward PT. Thank you, again.
You reminded me of my extremely low Vitamin D levels, < 100. My medical oncologist had the level taken months ago. I have been lax about taking my vitamin D3, so I will resume that today, as well as the glucosamine. I will take the tramadol hs, since it has made me drowsy in the past. I had radiation therapy 2 years ago for breast cancer, a lumpectomy, no chemo. The doctor always asked if I had any joint pain, and I had none. Yet your theory of the fall aggravating it
makes perfect sense. I vigilantly follow the advice of my many physicians,
keeping appointments, BW, etc. The most difficult thing though, that I know would have the greatest positive impact on my overall health, is weight loss.
I will not give up trying. I will be happy to resume my exercise plan, swimming, and dancing. This year, I witnessed my 88 year old mother die a slow and painful death. She suffered dreadfully from spinal stenosis, and her knees were the biggest source of her pain. I hope that I am not doomed, but will do what I can to minimize it. Many thanks, Dr XXXXXXX you are a blessing to me XXXXXXX XXXXX