Sunday, January 1, 2012

Worn Out Joints

Wednesdays are our biggest orthopedic day. We take care of people getting new knees, new hips, new shoulders, ACL repairs, carpal tunnel releases... you name it. I had a patient on Wednesday who was having her knee replaced. She was pushing 70 years old and seemed like a nice lady with very little health history except some high blood pressure. She said she didn't understand why her knee had given out.

"Did you have an injury?" I asked

"No"

"Were you ever a runner?"

 "No"

"Did you have a job where you had to stand all the time?"

"No."

"Well, hmmm," I started reviewing her chart. Turned out she was 5'4" and weighed 203 pounds.
"Are your hips bothering you too?" I asked.

"Oh yes. After I get my other knee replaced. I'll have to get my hips done too."

Oh my. American health care in a nutshell.












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