Help - What type of specialist for a knee problem?

[mom2boys]

DH messed his knee up. He can't put any weight on it and we leave for WDW in 2.5 weeks I want him to see a doc before he does permanent damage. For years our insurance required referals from our primary care physican but now we can go directly to any specialist. What type of doc should DH see?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I would guess an Orthopedic person. But you should probably go through your primary care physician anyway. He/she will probably see you soon, and perhaps get you in soon to an Orthopedic doctor. Otherwise, you might just make an appt for who knows when. Altho...if it's REALLY that bad, perhaps he should go to an ER.

I hope it all works out, particularly right before your trip! We've had a few pre-trip health scares...makes it all that much worse. {{{hugs}}}

 

[KingsFanInRI]

definitely an Orthopedic surgeon, but like MaryAnn said you may not get an appt. with an Ortho any time soon. See your primary asap.

 

[CEDmom]

I messed up my knee a few years ago and went to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I remember getting an appointment pretty quick. The one thing the Surgeon did that probably saved me from surgery is to prescribe physical therapy. I went several times a week for a month and then continued on my own. He really should get into see one quick. Unfortunately the longer he waits the harder it will be to recover. Good luck.

 

[mom2boys]

Unfortunately the longer he waits the harder it will be to recover. Good luck.

That's what I've told him. He wants to wait & see how he feels on Friday before attempting an appointment. He might be able to schedule an appt for Fri if he calls today. If he waits until Friday, I am afraid he will be next week before he can be seen by anyone.

 

[Dan Murphy]

As Mare suggested, see your PCP now, and go with her/his recommendation for further i needed. When my knees were killing me (arthritis), I went to PCP, he sent me to ortho guy, and with PT, like CEDmom above, and meds, knees feel pretty darn good now. My best.

 

[AZKathy]

Find out from your PCP who is a good Orthopedic surgeon that specializes in Sports Medicine. They do most of their work through an arthroscope which is less invasive. Sports Medicine is the key here; most Orthopods can do arthroscopies, but you want one who does them A LOT. If your husband needs to have a surgical procedure, this would be the route to take.

 

[barbeml]

Another endorsement for a sports medicine specialist. They have the most experience with knees and did wonders for DH.

 

[msdznyduck]

I have bad knees also, and went to PCP first, sent me for x-rays, and then referred me to an orthopedic Dr. Sometimes your PCP may have some "pull" to get you into an orthopedic Dr quicker than if you call yourself. Physical therapy may be the way to go, it was for me, but still may need surgery in the future, since my one knee's ACL ligament is severed, and in the other one my meniscus is shredded. But they don't usually bother me, unless I do alot of walking, up and down stairs, etc., and unless they are absolutely the worst........surgery for me is a last resort.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Some of them do specialize in knees, wrists, etc. I had an arthroscopy on a knee several years back. It's good as new...usually! Until one of the dogs comes running up behind me and hits me in the back of the knee! Ouch! Yikes! When I worked at the hospital, I know we had one guy come on staff because he specialized in hands, another in wrists.

 

[damo]

An osteopath. They usually work in sports injury clinics.

 

[lizdotcom99]

and I would definately get an ortho that specializes in knees. My ortho has done 3 of my surgeries and I would not let anyone else do them. All he does is ankles, so I know I am in good hands. But like others have said, you should get a refferal from your PCP. Also, sometimes it can take a while to get in to see the doc, as they usually are booked solid a few weeks out. At least that has been my experiance. Good luck!!! I know how you are feeling as we had to cancel our Disney trip a week before...because of my ankle. Better to have a knee that is being cared for than ruined for life!!!! Trust me on this one...in ten years I am going to have to have a total ankle replacement and I am not even 40!!!! Take care of your hubby and let him know we are sendng lots of pixie dust his way!! Good luck!!!

Liz

 

[christineann]

Definitely a knee specialist. My daughter hurt her knee playing basketball and saw a general orthopaedist who is kind of the "team guy" because he has kids at the same school. After 4-5 months of physical therapy and two braces, her knee was still dislocating so the doctor said he was going to do invasive lateral release inpatient surgery (several days in the hospital, 6 weeks on crutches, 6 months rehab). I got a second opinion with a sports doctor, who did the surgery arthroscopically on 12/19, and she was off the crutches within a week (ahead of schedule actually). She started rehab and may still miss this season but at least she didn't have that other surgery. My cousin is an orthopaedist in TN, and he said you should always get a 2nd opinion before a serious operation. Good luck - I hope he gets relief soon.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

An X-ray or a series of X-rays would give a preliminary evaluation of damage, if any. As Dan and others have said, a visit to your PCP is the first thing to do, especially to get a quick referral. He needs to get to a sports medicine clinic asap to find out if there is any ligament damage.

Now that 24 hours have passed and ice packs will no longer help to control swelling, heat is the thing to do. Can he get to a hot tub or whirlpool asap?


Since you are heading for WDW in 2 weeks, he needs to get an evaluation tomorrow, if possible. This is not something to mess around with.

 

[mickeysaver]

I tore my ACL a few years ago and had to have surgery done. My orthopedist is the same guy that fixed Chipper Jone's knee back when he had the same injury as a rookie Brave. Needless to say, I think quite highly of my ortho. Maggie