Patellofemoral Joint Replacement

This evening, my new orthopedist called while I was at work. It wasn’t until 9:30 or so that I realized that I had a voice mail message on my phone. The doctor had reviewed my recent MRI and said that my knee is a “tough problem.”

Here’s the key part of the message:

“The main issue is that there’s cartilage damage. There’s some early arthritis under that knee cap, that’s the main issue. Whether scoping it, maybe stabilizing the inside ligaments, given the looseness that you have, would be one option. Or the other option, that might be more definitive, but would be a little more surgery, would be to do the patellofemoral replacement.”

He asked that I call his assistant to set up an appointment to discuss what to do next. So! I’ll be calling either before or after tomorrow’s medical appointment in immunology.

This week sucks. I have too many medical appointments. By the time I get to work, I’m just exhausted. And I only work part-time! I’ve had to cut back on physical therapy (I only go once a week now) and I’ve dropped occupational and massage therapy for a few months now. I just don’t have the energy or health (ha!) to work and keep up with all of my medical appointments.

My upcoming Social Security Disability Insurance hearing is stressing me out. I’m so scared/worried that they’ll deny my claim. This impending knee surgery is just one of many surgeries and medical procedures in my future. I need the medical insurance and financial assistance from the SSDI.