My most baffling moment in healthcare is right now. Generalist doctor has referred me, but specialist doctors have no time to see me. In the meantime, got multiple tests prescribed by the same specialists - in two different health care system after the first one left and was not replaced, but I can't get an appointment for the doctor to review the test results with me for another 6 months! Counting on you, Joe - no pressure :-)
Wouldn't it be nice to review the test results with the help of an medically tuned AI tool that knows your whole health history? You could do that now and perhaps take some action versus waiting six months. That's exactly what I mean by empowering the patient!
You're actually making my point perfectly, Frank. Your doctors recommended that protocol and mine didn't. Not one ever mentioned Hyaluronic injections and PRP was mentioned in context of "You could try PRP but the evidence isn't clear yet."
And as for coverage of Hyaluronic injections, I just double-checked the PDF included in my plan. I doesn't say. I have to call my insurance company. But I'm going to guess my plan doesn't cover it (because it covers nothing hahahaha).
Anyway, everyone should have easy access to all this information independent of what doctor, hospital plan, or insurance plan you're on. That's what I'm working on!
Interested to know what you did for your knees. I have been bone on bone since I was 18 and my joint is worn down so much my lower leg is pronated....i don't run or do hard start/stop but have no issue riding a bike. Every 2 years I get hyaluronic acid shots and am basically pain free.
Waiting for the time that they can affix a Teflon coating to the bone to eliminate the friction and build up the knee so that the leg is straight again.
Fyi..my family are all docs and my father worked for NIH in medical policy. Your description of our med system is appropriate...
I got platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which so far have really helped. I'm still getting better (I hope). Hyaluronic acid shots are also on my list. Funny enough my first two sports medicine specialists didn't mention either of those possibilities, even though they have evidence-based, random control trials backing their effectiveness. Why? Perhaps these tools weren't around when they were in med school, but more likely because insurance coverage of them is fuzzy. Why? Because the FDA approval process takes way too long. Why...? I don't' care and I'm not waiting anymore.
OMG I love this all so much! I want to connect you with other dr clients of mine who've identified the same issue but have no idea how to solve it. WHAT WAS THE KNEE TREATMENT??
I did that for my hip! TOTALLY transformed my right side. Sadly my left was too far gone but I do love being bionic. Great to know about the knee though! xx
My most baffling moment in healthcare is right now. Generalist doctor has referred me, but specialist doctors have no time to see me. In the meantime, got multiple tests prescribed by the same specialists - in two different health care system after the first one left and was not replaced, but I can't get an appointment for the doctor to review the test results with me for another 6 months! Counting on you, Joe - no pressure :-)
Wouldn't it be nice to review the test results with the help of an medically tuned AI tool that knows your whole health history? You could do that now and perhaps take some action versus waiting six months. That's exactly what I mean by empowering the patient!
Fyi...normally the progression is hyaurlonic acid...then prp. Then stem cells.
Hyaurlonic.is approved and my insurance paid for it. Prp and stem cell are not. Prp roughly $2k in palo alto...stem cell more.
Last time I did prp but they made a.mistake and threw in 1 hya too. Pain free for 2 years and counting.
Every knee or orthopedic surgeon knows this so if yours didn't recommend it
..suggest u find someone better.
Fyi Duke has a trial going with artificial cartilage implants apparently 10 times stronger than natural cartilage.
Regret nothing will help.my jump shot but it.would.be nice to.touch the rim once.more. hope springs eternal
You're actually making my point perfectly, Frank. Your doctors recommended that protocol and mine didn't. Not one ever mentioned Hyaluronic injections and PRP was mentioned in context of "You could try PRP but the evidence isn't clear yet."
And as for coverage of Hyaluronic injections, I just double-checked the PDF included in my plan. I doesn't say. I have to call my insurance company. But I'm going to guess my plan doesn't cover it (because it covers nothing hahahaha).
Anyway, everyone should have easy access to all this information independent of what doctor, hospital plan, or insurance plan you're on. That's what I'm working on!
Hey Joe
Congrats on your literary success.
Interested to know what you did for your knees. I have been bone on bone since I was 18 and my joint is worn down so much my lower leg is pronated....i don't run or do hard start/stop but have no issue riding a bike. Every 2 years I get hyaluronic acid shots and am basically pain free.
Waiting for the time that they can affix a Teflon coating to the bone to eliminate the friction and build up the knee so that the leg is straight again.
Fyi..my family are all docs and my father worked for NIH in medical policy. Your description of our med system is appropriate...
Thanks, Frank!
I got platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which so far have really helped. I'm still getting better (I hope). Hyaluronic acid shots are also on my list. Funny enough my first two sports medicine specialists didn't mention either of those possibilities, even though they have evidence-based, random control trials backing their effectiveness. Why? Perhaps these tools weren't around when they were in med school, but more likely because insurance coverage of them is fuzzy. Why? Because the FDA approval process takes way too long. Why...? I don't' care and I'm not waiting anymore.
OMG I love this all so much! I want to connect you with other dr clients of mine who've identified the same issue but have no idea how to solve it. WHAT WAS THE KNEE TREATMENT??
What seems to be working for me is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. I'll have to write up my journey in another post.
I did that for my hip! TOTALLY transformed my right side. Sadly my left was too far gone but I do love being bionic. Great to know about the knee though! xx