Hello everyone again, I hope you’re all doing well! Just having another rant because I’ve received another letter and, again, have not been given an opportunity to ask questions! The letter says the MRI “shows no evidence of meniscal tears or ligament problems. Interestingly, it showed no active inflammation or effusion in your left knee” - it says this may well be due to the steroid injection but it will be discussed at my next appointment.... I’m sick of getting little bits of information rather than the full picture! My knee is in absolute agony and generally I just feel like I’ve been hit by a bus but that letter reads to me like they aren’t going to do anything?
Also, the diagnosis but is blank this time!
Anyone got any similar stories which had a good outcome?
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Clokii
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Have you had an opinion from physiotherapist? In my own experience mine told me more than my rheumys ever have about the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joints when things weren’t conclusive otherwise, and it was just as well he was so good as my rheumys were not allowed to let you have scans unless you were going to have an op/replacement! However it will likely be some time before you can get to see an NHS rheumy physio at present. I do hope it isn’t RA and there is some explanation and the knee pain goes. 🤞🏻
It's frustrating and a shame you cant just talk to the rheumy now, rather than wait till your next appointment. They must understand the ebb and flow of RA?
Is there any way you could contact them and ask for support, to see a physio for example. It's so frustrating and I feel for you as I have sore knees too just now!!😍
Hi Clokii. It is so frustrating - I have exactly the same results on my knees, even though they are swollen. Unfortunately, I haven't as yet any positive outcome, although being sent for (yet another) xray. Fingers crossed we get an answer soon!!
Yeah, the fact that they did the knee MRI after aspirating it and injecting a steroid isn’t too sensible 🤦🏼♀️
Do you know how many ml of fluid they aspirated? It can be useful to have this noted in your files as it gives a crude gauge of the level of inflammation.
It took me a long time to get a proper diagnosis. I have seronegative RA and fibromyalgia. The whole thing has been a long journey to be honest, but I manage a lot better now than I used to. And good outcomes are possible xx
Thank you for your reply, it means a lot and I’m glad you’re are managing better than before x
I’m just finding the whole thing a little frustrating and the mri kinda seems like it was a waste of my time especially considering I had to plan my whole day around it and I’m struggling with fatigue so was unable to do anything else because I’d used up all my energy!x
They aspirated 45ml fluid which seems like a lot to me but I have zero experience so have no idea of perspective! X
If you don’t mind me asking, how quickly did your symptoms come on and how quickly were you referred to rheumatology? Mine came on completely out of the blue and I think I had my first rheumatology consultation within three weeks (they were initially concerned the joint was septic)... From the initial swelling and pain to now where I can barely move it’s been 2 and a bit months x
I’d be frustrated in your shoes! For me, symptoms came on gradually over about 3 years. Then I had a rapid escalation in about 4 weeks with really swollen toes and knees. I was in agony, totally fatigued and crying a lot of the time.
Because I was young like you they referred me quickly to rheumatology - but the waiting list was insane. So my parents paid for me to see a private rheumatologist for 3 appointments to get the diagnosis and a treatment plan. Then I went back into the NHS.
When you speak to your consultant next week (if I remember rightly), it’s worth going in with a list of questions you want answers to. Once you’ve had that appointment, it’s also worth asking your GP for some physiotherapy sessions. Good luck 🤞 x
That sounds absolutely awful, it must have been such a relief when you got the treatment plan in place!
I’ve spent all day today either crying or sleeping, I’m just hoping that the 19th is the light and the end of the tunnel and they’ve got a plan in mind
I’m starting to collect a very long list of questions - they’re going to hate me!
Thank you so much for all your advice, it’s been so helpful x
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Confused and struggling
Confused & in of your help
Is this a clear photo of inflammation? 
Third dose Booster confusion?
Confused
