To Quote Arte Johnson…..

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….VERY INTERESTINK!!!! A couple of years ago I went to a “civilian” orthopedist office. They were the same office that treated my broken ankle in 2015, so I had faith in them. They took x-rays of my knee and broke the bad news to me: it was “bone-on-bone,” or the beginning of the end of the knee. When I’d need the knee replaced, they said, would depend on when I’d get tired of the pain. Ah, but there’s the old cortisone injection! I got one, and it lasted for nearly a year. This year I went back, right around my birthday, for another injection. While there, I asked about alternatives to knee replacement; more specifically, the so-called “rooster comb” injections. It’s this gelatinous stuff, similar to what a rooster’s comb is made from (hence the name), that they shoot into the places in the knee where cartilage used to be. These shots have a reputation for staving off knee replacement surgery for years, or even decades. Not so fast, the nurse practitioner said. Insurance won’t pay for those and they’re so expensive. No problem, I thought. I’ll just go to the VA hospital and see about getting it there. I know they’ll give them, because my brother had them for about 20-some-odd years. So, today, I went to the occupational therapist for my consultation. My head was already spinning because I was going to Occupational and Rehabilitative Services instead of to the orthopedic clinic. I came away with great news: the VA’s x-rays, taken about ten days ago, show that not only is there NOT bone-on-bone deterioration in my knee, but my knee is actually in pretty darn good shape for my age. (I threw that in there, the doctor didn’t say it to me. ) The plan is exercises, some neurotransmitter meds (think Gabapentin), and the chiropractor to see if my back is the source of the radiating pain. Or if it’s just being over 60 and having fibromyalgia. But it’s extremely interesting to me that I got such contradictory diagnoses. I was thinking about that episode of M*A*S*H where Henry told Radar, “I don’t know all the medicine in the world, but I can read an x-ray with one eye tied behind my back.” Maybe the “civilian” clinic couldn’t. Yes, it’s interesting. I’m not angry or anything…just thankful that I don’t have to worry about my knees for a while. Here’s Arte Johnson’s iconic catchphrase from Laugh-In for all you kids