12/30/2010 01:11 PM
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Notyetagolfpro
Posts: 63
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JBonne, A few thoughts for you on dealing with your knee problems in Korea... First, see if Kaiser can PDF you your medical records (you might have to fax or PDF them a signature form 1st). The little bit of upfront hassle will save you a ton of trouble there by eliminating unnecessary tests, etc. Then I would get a referral (or introduction) from Kaiser to the orthopedic department of Seoul National University Hospital. It's a world class institution right up there with the Mt. SInai's, Hopkins, University Hospitals of the world. (I've spent some time in Seoul). However, before going to see the orthopedist, consider going to see a traditional oriental medicine specialist first. Korea is one of the world's centers of this (traditional chinese / oriental medicine or TCM). I'd ask around with Korean friends to get a consensus recommendation on 1 or 2 of the best in treating joint pain and then go see them. I was skeptical about this, until my very conservative mother went to see a Chinese accupunturist (who was also an MD) for her knee pain problems here in the US (in metro NYC). Her knee problems were on the surface, similar to yours- & it worked! That was after 1 or 2 visits max. There are also now starting to be favorable studies of acupuncture for knee pain. Good luck and let us know how it goes-
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12/29/2010 09:40 PM
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jbonne
Posts: 2
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My doctors have all been from Kaiser, and each seemed confident that this would simply go away after a while with proper icing and rest, so none referred me to a specialist. Of course, now I'm regretting that I didn't request a specialist visit.
One doctor thought it might be arthritis, one suggested tendonitis, the other suggested that the muscles around my knee cap aren't equally strong, so my knee cap has been grinding my other bones, causing pain. That didn't seem to make sense, being that the pain is in such a small, specific place, so far away from my knee cap on the side of my knee.
To make things more complicated - I'm teaching overseas in Korea until the end of 2011. I'm most likely going to have to find a doctor out here to have a look at my knee.
Last night was the first time that it hurt while I slept. Typically, the pain will show up for a day or two and disappear after I have been immobile for a long period of time, like a night's sleep, for example. Last night, though, every time I'd toss and turn, my knee would hurt with any slight change in angle, whether bending or straightening. When it's held still, in whatever angle, it feels fine. It's still just the motion of bending or straightening that hurts, whereas having my knee lay still whether straight or bent doesn't hurt.
Thanks for your advice with the written copies. I'm still getting the hang of being my own advocate out there in the HMO world.
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12/29/2010 09:18 PM
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Notyetagolfpro
Posts: 63
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Hi JBonne, What are your various doctors saying you have?? Have any suggested bursitis, or bone spurs for example? & what tests have they done- & what results have they gotten?? Any blood tests for inflammation or various kinds of arthritis? Have you been referred to any specialists- like a rheumatologist or an orthopedic surgeon? (BTW, a good orthopedic surgeon is more of a musculoskeletal expert and will only cut as a last resort while a rheumatologist is an expert in immune system issues which may be at play). Bottom line- you need more info. and answers! You want to be sure that the cause is uncovered and treated, not just the symptoms... One other suggestion- get written copies of the clincial evaluations from the everyone of the doctors you've seen, & then share that file in advance with the specialists you visit. These records are your right although you may have to pay $5-10 in copy fees (been there..!) NYAGP
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12/29/2010 08:46 AM
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jbonne
Posts: 2
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Just over a year ago, I went fishing with some friends. it involved a good deal of hiking, but nothing extraordinary, and I don't remember jumping or twisting my knees in any way. I felt fine until after the 2 hour drive home, when my knee felt very tight, and seemed to increase in tightness and pain with every step I took.
The same pain has returned almost monthly since it first began. The pain is located in the joint between my tibia and my fibula in the outside of my left knee, and the pain only happens when my leg is straightening or bending.
Standing, sitting, or laying feels fine, and the pain is absent while I'm in those positions. Walking, though, especially up or down stairs, is excruciating as the pain increases with every step during a "flare up, if you that's what you call it.
I've found I can avoid the pain, for the most part, by keeping my leg straight as I walk, but this is inconvenient, and impossible on stairs.
I've seen a few doctors at my HMO back home, and each told me a different opinion while laughing at the other opinions I've been told. Ironically enough, despite their obvious disgust with the other diagnosis from the other doctors, they all gave me the same instructions - plenty of ice and an anti-inflamatory.
Any thoughts? I've been told that this would simply go away, but it's becoming more frequent, and more painful with every recurrence.
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