I'm not allowed to run. Update.

Even though it is a downturn in your training at least you have a better idea of what the problem is and that you can work through it.  That is a positive thing!

The first step in getting something better is to know what the problem is ....... then you can remedy it.

Here's to a healthy and happy recovery!

Hope things work out for you.  I think the light still waits at the end of the tunnel.

Matt Cazalas
Technical Writer

Network Cables

Time to get aquajogging .

Glad you figured it out and are on the road to recovery.

Definitely a good move to find doctors that will take your problem seriously.

Good luck on the recovery!

Ok, so here's the contrarian.

You haven't seen any results of anything yet, but you're convinced that doc #2 is better than doc #1 because he ordered more tests and told you something's wrong?  At this point, for all you know the MRI could be completely unchanged from your old one.

I have no idea which one's right, but the only thing that will tell you who is is getting positive results in your pain and allows you to eventually run.  Results are results.  Tests are nice but sometimes unnecessary.

Derek,

Yes, I agree. The reason I feel that Dr. #2 is better is because he is thorough. Sure, the MRI could be the same . . . but I won't know unless I get one done. Also, he isn't blanketly saying, "Hey, go run." He's getting me help first. That's why I think he's better. Time will tell, I suppose.

Thanks everyone,

Elishia

I think the point was not that doctor #2 is necessarily correct, but that he/she was a bit more proactive in trying to find a definitive cause of the problem and more attuned to OP's concerns.  A 5 year old MRI showing "severe cartilage damage" (per OP) coupled with OP's complaints of pain probably warrants another MRI.  Things do change in 5 years.  OP also mentioned that the 'big city' doctors "listened to all my concerns", which suggests that the first doc did not.  I'm not endorsing anybody's diagnosis -- doing so with this info would be foolish -- but I do endorse the apparent manner in which doc #2 treated OP as opposed to doc #1.

That's my point.  Unless you have some info about what's going on, then you're doing the same thing.  Ordering more test doesn't always mean you're being proactive.  If the initial exam or history doesn't call for more testing, then that's sometimes appropriate.  I deal with people on a daily basis who expect me to order all kinds of tests that aren't indicated.

Again, they may be completely appropriate for all I know.  I just don't think you can make judgments about either doctor at this point based on what they ordered or didn't order.  

I no longer practice -- totally changed careers -- but if someone came to me with a 5-year old MRI showing severe cartilage damage and complaints of knee pain, I'd have to have a pretty good reason not to order another MRI, and in that case, I'd explain carefully to the patient why I don't think another MRI is needed.  Doesn't sound like that happened. As for the listening, maybe it's only OP's perception, but if doc #1 really wasn't listening, then shame on him/her.

Anyway, this is devolving into a pointless non-disagreement, perhaps.   It does sound to me like at the very least there was some poor communication going on.

OP is happier with the new doc. and that makes a lot of difference regardless. My suggestion (FWIW, maybe not much...) is for her to stick with the new doc. 

Good God I'm not sure I want to go down this path.  The most important thing is that you are more confident in doc #2. 

1-RE:tests...Ithink new xrays were totally warrented.  If I see someone and its been a year or more I always order new xrays

2-RE: MRI.......In general MRIs are totally over ordered.  Weather or not I order an MRI depends on what I find on PHYSICAL EXAM and how if I order the test, that test going to change how I treat the pt.  If it is not going to change how I treat the pt or give me any new information I do not order the test. There have been MANY studies looking at the accuracy of an MRI vs the accuracy of an expereinced examiner.  The experienced examiner wins everytime.  Unfortunately people expect to get the test weather or not it is going to help guide their treatment.  An MRI does NOTHING to TREAT the problem

3-RE info given.  MRI is not going to treat or diagnose your ITBS.  The vast majority of cases are treated with PT and get better.  It rarely goes to surgery.  Sounds like oyu have some chondromalicia.....also usually sucessfully treated with PT. 

4-The ? is do you have something else going on that may be diagnosed on MRI?  Did dr #2 suspect something more than ITBS and PFSS?  I don't know. 

5-Just because Dr #2 ordered an MRI doesn't make him or her a good dr and not ordering it doesn't make dr #1 a bad dr.  It was just what you expected. 

6-The most important thing is to get you better.  Also that you must have confidence in however you are seeing for treatment. 

7-If you been seeing primary care docs please go see an orthopedist (sorry Derek)

I have now defended my colleagues.......

lol.  nice post.  agreed on all points. 

I'm rusty no doubt, but my concern would be that apparently the original MRI indicated cartilage damage, and I'd like to be sure that it hasn't gotten worse, given new complaints of pain (and, I presume, heavy physical activity in the intervening 5 years).  If I were very confident that her problem lay elsewhere, then no, I wouldn't order the new MRI.  Otherwise, I think I would.    But aybe I was one of those who orders too many MRIs.

Actually, I tended to order 'see an orthopaedist', and I completely agree with that advice, 100%.

Wow. Who know this would generate so much conversation? AND who knew we had so many dr.s on here?

Anyway. No, I did not expect another MRI to be ordered. I expected someone to help me fix my pain. The knee brace did nothing. Therefore, I am glad that the second dr. did take interest in further testing. He said that he needed another MRI to see if the cartiledge and been further damaged and to determine what further treatment is necessary. Yeah . . . both of them are specialists. And, probably, I am bias against drs in my area because I have had a botched surgery then went to a specialist in STL and it was miraculous. Yeah . . . they aren't even in the same field, though. So, really, there is no basis.

Isn't it strange that a dr. wouldn't even prescribe anti-inflammatorys whenever a knee is swollen and someone is training for a tri? I don't know. He probably knows what he's doing . . . but I don't want him to be my dr. anyway. He's nice, though. Just . . . didn't seem to help me.

Glad your'e doing better.  No comment on the anti-inflammatory prescriptions - that's definitely too hard to call from afar.  I can say definitively, though, that the connective tissue we are talking about here is spelled c-a-r-t-i-l-a-g-e.