robb

^^^Lainey there is an otc product called Australian Dream Cream that works really well for arthritis and muscle/joint aches. Most stores carry it.

Kyras

^Have you used it, Robb?

dlq04

Both the PT clinic and the chiropractor my wife has been using recommended Biofreeze in the white professional containers.

robb

Yes, normally I am skeptical of these kind of things but my Dad brought me a small container of it last summer to try and it really works and a little bit goes a long way.

Lainey

As mentioned I have used the Voltaren gel and it is helpful. It's not recommended for all areas of the body as it can't penetrate into the joints. However, it needs to be applied four times a day which is a bit of a PIA.

I decided to switch my appointment to the ortho practice I saw for my shoulder. They are affiliated with New England Baptist Hospital which is the "go to" place for orthopedics. I don't think the local doctors are as up to date with equipment and treatments.

Kyras

Thank you. I'm on a shuttle from Fine airport parking to DEN and I'm trying to find a position that doesn't make my right knee hurt.

boltonblue

While I do sympathize with your plight Patty, I usually am just trying to find somewhere to put my knee.

jukngene

That's exactly why I decided to make the 75 min drive to Philly for my knee replacement surgery vs. the local ortho guy, who I have been seeing for the last 2 years.

Lainey

If we would have had a more "up to date" ortho when Rick hurt his shoulder, he would have ordered an MRI immediately. Later on, we were told anyone over 40 who dislocates their shoulder should have an MRI. In Ricks case the dislocation was the lesser of the problems. The rotator cuff tendons were all torn up, and he had a break in his humerus bone too. Had they done an MRI sooner, he might have had a better result with his surgery.
He didn't want to deal with Boston, and ultimately we did for the third surgery.....

When I had my issues, I ended up leaving my primary doc and his greedy practice as their policies were to keep people in house. BTW, that's the greedy large practice in our area as well as others that just filed Chapter 11. I really liked my primary I had at the time. Maybe he could have pushed to refer me out, but I'm sure he was answering to powers that be. I'd like to hope so anyway....With the HMO I had my only choice was to change primary care docs.

A good reason to avoid Medicare Advantage plans...no one tells me what to do and which doctor I can see....

Scooterboy

We are so lucky in having The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital, Metro General and others close by. The majority of the doctors and hospitals are extensions of those big hospitals.