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- Nov 4, 2002
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Hi guys,
I'm not a regular on the ortho forum. But I need some advice. My wife just injured her knee playing baseball on Tues. We had no insurance, and so we chose not to go to the ER that night. But because there was continued swelling and pain we went to an Orthopedic surgeon today. He said, she had an ACL tear with the possibility of a meniscal tear. He drained about 20-30 cc's of blood from her knee joint. We had an MRI today and are awaiting for the Doctor to call us back. This was all out of pocket of course since she had no insurance (perfect timing...I start residency in about a month, so neither of us is covered). Anyway, he said that if it was just an ACL, it is actually better to wait a few weeks/month to do the surgery. Do you guys agree with that? He said something about patients just seem to do better long term. I was also curious if you guys had any idea if we could wait on this, and have our insurance pay for this when I start. I know this will be considered a pre-existing condition, but I heard there is a waiting period of a few months and then they will pay....you guys know anything about that? And if we do that, is that putting her knee at risk for further injury? She dances (no not that kind......I wish), and wants to get back into teaching real soon. If she waits, how much more damage can she do? Plus if she has a torn meniscus as well, do they have to do the surgery right away.
Just thought I would seek a little advice. I hope some of you residents could help. I don't know too much about orthopedics......I'm starting anesthesia.....so any help would be appreciative.
Thanks.
Dr. J
I'm not a regular on the ortho forum. But I need some advice. My wife just injured her knee playing baseball on Tues. We had no insurance, and so we chose not to go to the ER that night. But because there was continued swelling and pain we went to an Orthopedic surgeon today. He said, she had an ACL tear with the possibility of a meniscal tear. He drained about 20-30 cc's of blood from her knee joint. We had an MRI today and are awaiting for the Doctor to call us back. This was all out of pocket of course since she had no insurance (perfect timing...I start residency in about a month, so neither of us is covered). Anyway, he said that if it was just an ACL, it is actually better to wait a few weeks/month to do the surgery. Do you guys agree with that? He said something about patients just seem to do better long term. I was also curious if you guys had any idea if we could wait on this, and have our insurance pay for this when I start. I know this will be considered a pre-existing condition, but I heard there is a waiting period of a few months and then they will pay....you guys know anything about that? And if we do that, is that putting her knee at risk for further injury? She dances (no not that kind......I wish), and wants to get back into teaching real soon. If she waits, how much more damage can she do? Plus if she has a torn meniscus as well, do they have to do the surgery right away.
Just thought I would seek a little advice. I hope some of you residents could help. I don't know too much about orthopedics......I'm starting anesthesia.....so any help would be appreciative.
Thanks.
Dr. J