Hi,

This time it's pretty clear that it is not going to go back to
normal like it always has before. So, I need to find out all the
pros and cons of arthroscopy for torn meniscus, which is what the
doc thinks is required.

In the process, I found a PubMed article that compared two
treatments for torn meniscus ~ one was greatly effective, and the
other one (called abrasion) is probably a huge gamble. It only
gives improvement about half the time, and makes things WORSE the
other half of the time, that study said. Quote:

"Group I consisted of ... 131 patients treated by partial
meniscectomy and debridement of loose articular cartilage or removal
of loose bodies. ... Group II consisted of ... 28 patients treated
by debridement with abrasion arthroplasty of exposed bone."
(Paraphrase..) Group one had 80% improvement after 1 year and 67%
after 5 years. Group II had 11 better, 8 unchanged, and 9 worse.

Go to PubMed (www.pubmed.gov) and search for "arthroscopy" ~ it's an
article titled "Role of Arthroscopy in osteoarthritis of the knee"
from 1991. Medical techniques hopefully have improved since then.

So, that's the sum total of all I know regarding whether or not to
undergo arthroscopy, i.e., not much. Please email me if you've had
arthroscopy.

My knee has locked up since I was in college, but rarely. In the
last couple years it has happened maybe half a dozen times, but this
last time, it hasn't gone "back in" for a few days now, and is
definitely needing some kind of treatment.

My problem is, the darn Blue Cross system trapped me into staying
with this doctor, who is rushed, careless, shaky, doesn't hear what
you say at all, and plays a tape over and over, which is only "We
can get rid of 80 percent of your pain." "But I don't have any
pain!" "Oh. What's your problem, then?" We did that at least 3
times. So, I canNOT have that man's knife going into my knee. Blue
Cross won't let me change to a better doctor, since this one has
seen me already. They say I am "in a course of treatment" with him,
even though my primary care physician says I am NOT in a course of
treatment with him.

Beware. Blue Cross considers that if a doctor simply diagnoses you,
you are "in a course of treatment" with him and will not let you
change doctors or health groups.

Anyone know how much an arthroscopy should cost? And anyone know a
really excellent doctor who specializes in knee arthroscopy? I
think I'd take a plane to get to him or her.

Thanks so much, caring people.

Kim
Los Angeles area