Dental cleaning

A deep cleaning session, 2 hours.

I tried to get another knee shot.

Back in July, when I had the most recent shot, the orthopedic doctor said I should wait at least 4 months between shots in the knee, and to call and make an appointment when it was time for another.

I called and made an appointment for a shot. When I see him he's giving me reasons to not have the shot for several more months if possible. So I don't. But he has reversed what he told me before. Just like in July when he was promoting a replacement surgery one day and telling me to wait the next.

I left his office confused and unhappy.

Dental work

Two hours in the chair for a small filling and a good-sized overlay. The doctor doesn't send an impression of the overlay to a lab and wait two weeks. He has a CAD machine that works from a 3-D computer image. It is ready to install in 20 minutes.

New dentist

Went to a new dentist. I liked the previous one but this one recognizes my Delta Dental Insurance. Got an exam, cleaning and full x-rays.

The Second Meeting with the New Knee Doctor

On Friday I saw the knee doctor again. This time he gave me a cortisone shot in my left knee. I have had this done several times before and I am always surprised that the shot is painless. Before the injection the doctor freezes the area with a heavy spray of ethyl chloride to numb the area. And it works.

The brand name of the medication is Kenalog. It reduces the inflammation in the joint and that causes the pain to go away. It also has some negative side effects on the tendons and cartilage in the knee. So I can have only 3 or 4 shots in a 12 month period. At the end of a year we can decide to continue with the shots or look into surgery.

I told him I has seriously considered what we had discussed earlier in the week and I am ready to start the process for the replacement surgery. This time he is giving me reasons not to hurry and maybe wait until next year. Quite a change from two days ago. I am very confused.

After the shot my knee felt better at once. I'm sure for the first day it was just the lubrication from the liquid injected into the joint. Saturday was good too, it was like having a new knee -- and I slept well, too. Sunday it still feels good but I can tell the knee is weak. I need to be careful not to over-stress it and damage it more than it already is.

I asked about exercises or physical therapy and he said there was so little cartilage left that there was really nothing to do at this point. We will wait and watch.

A New Knee Specialist

My age may be catching up with me after all. I just turned 65. And I seem to be falling apart. Recently, and gradually, I am becoming disabled. And getting more so every day. By my knee -- or the lack thereof.

Yesterday I met with a knee specialist. I had not been to one for about three years. The x-rays show there's no improvement and the destruction of the bone is at the point that soon a knee replacement may not be possible. I am to tell him when I am ready for the knee replacement surgery -- anytime now.

So, it is time to go back to the cortisone shots, more anti-inflammatory drugs and serious plans for surgery.

For years I have done all I could to avoid doctors and medical procedures. It looks like the next couple of years may have lots of them.

So, with the possibility of perhaps helping somebody else who has this problem. Or perhaps sharing with others who are preparing for this same "cure," I will be posting the steps to my new knee.

I am calling the doctor tomorrow to schedule what we should do next. I will keep you posted. Please leave me a comment if you have become an expert in this.