How it stands
Oct. 3rd, 2005 09:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kitanziI just had that appointment with the specialist, bringing along my MRI photos. He showed me precisely on the photos where it apparently shows (to his eyes) that I have arthritis in the joint between the clavicle and the acromion. Apparently a small bone spur has also shown up after all, in spite of not being spotted on the x-rays, and it's digging into my rotator cuff. Given all else that's already been tried, he seems to think that surgery is the obvious answer. I know a number of you had suggestions of other things to try, but I wouldn't think any of those would help with actually removing bony build up from where it's not supposed to be, or forcing it to stop hurting me. Am I wrong? Anyone?
He asked if I wanted to make an appointment. Apparently it's arthoscopic surgery, on an outpatient basis. He seemed quite confident and routine about it, and of course he would be. It's very routine to him. I don't feel so damn routine about it, and it doesn't help that I'm about three or four hours short on sleep for several reasons. (Although I have to say, Serenity rocks!)
So I'm throwing this out at all of you hopefully clearer, more rested minds. There were several people with strong suggestions when I mentioned this before. Would any of those be appropriate for this?
UPDATE: My regular doctor left me a voicemail Friday saying they'd looked at the MRI films and I should call them for the analysis of what they showed. Since that was after hours, I called them today after I got to work (after my specialist's appointment) and left a voicemail asking for a callback with that information. I just got one... and they have a different answer as to what's wrong. They say I have a slightly torn labrum (I think that's what she called it) and a bony overgrowth, and should make an appointment ASAP with an orthopedic specialist to arrange surgery. Obviously, two different descriptions of what *needs* the surgery makes me nervous, which I explained to her. She immediately offered to fax their findings over to the orthopedic office, which I gladly accepted, and I will call back there later today to ever-so-politely say WTF?!? (On the plus side, here's a very good example of the value of a second opinion. I should remember that.)
UPPERDATE: (No, I know that's not a word. Humor me.) Finally got a callback from the specialist, and the detail that apparently reconciles them is that the labrum is irregular, which may indicate a tear or simply fluid from the inflammation, which is apparently what the doctor believes it to be. I can live with that explanation. I guess tomorrow I call the appropriate people and make an appointment for surgery.
He asked if I wanted to make an appointment. Apparently it's arthoscopic surgery, on an outpatient basis. He seemed quite confident and routine about it, and of course he would be. It's very routine to him. I don't feel so damn routine about it, and it doesn't help that I'm about three or four hours short on sleep for several reasons. (Although I have to say, Serenity rocks!)
So I'm throwing this out at all of you hopefully clearer, more rested minds. There were several people with strong suggestions when I mentioned this before. Would any of those be appropriate for this?
UPDATE: My regular doctor left me a voicemail Friday saying they'd looked at the MRI films and I should call them for the analysis of what they showed. Since that was after hours, I called them today after I got to work (after my specialist's appointment) and left a voicemail asking for a callback with that information. I just got one... and they have a different answer as to what's wrong. They say I have a slightly torn labrum (I think that's what she called it) and a bony overgrowth, and should make an appointment ASAP with an orthopedic specialist to arrange surgery. Obviously, two different descriptions of what *needs* the surgery makes me nervous, which I explained to her. She immediately offered to fax their findings over to the orthopedic office, which I gladly accepted, and I will call back there later today to ever-so-politely say WTF?!? (On the plus side, here's a very good example of the value of a second opinion. I should remember that.)
UPPERDATE: (No, I know that's not a word. Humor me.) Finally got a callback from the specialist, and the detail that apparently reconciles them is that the labrum is irregular, which may indicate a tear or simply fluid from the inflammation, which is apparently what the doctor believes it to be. I can live with that explanation. I guess tomorrow I call the appropriate people and make an appointment for surgery.
