What PMR looks like on the inside

[Marie1479]

This is how it all started…..These are pictures of my left knee during an unnecessary surgical arthroscopic procedure. In 2016, I slipped on ice and my knee blew up, my orthopedist was clueless as to why after scoping my knee I worsened. I remember him holding up the surgical pictures of the inside of my knee, scratching his head and saying "your synovium is red and angry" I just don’t know what is wrong with you? As you can imagine, he is no longer my Dr. The red in the picture is inflammation of the synovium. I can’t even begin to tell you how much pain I was in. Not only did he scope my knee but put me on Percocet and thought I was crazy that the pain wasn’t being managed. It took 2 orthopedists, 2 Rheumatologists and 1 GP to finally figure out it was PMR. I suffered undiagnosed for almost 8 months. I cringe just thinking about it.

[Pongo13]

What a terrifying and painful experience. Poor you. Horrendous.

[Hidden]

OH MY GOODNESS!!! That's amazing!

An actual photo of PMR... and it stumped all of them!!!

I hope you are feeling better!!!!

[Marie1479 in reply to Hidden]

I am so much better thanks to a great doctor who finally figured out what was wrong with me!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't know - the doctor who ADMITS they don't know has some good points!

[SheffieldJane]

Gosh Maria! No wonder you’re still traumatised by that experience.

[NanJean]

Wow! I've had one arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. This was only done after I had x-rays from all knee angles and most importantly an MRI which confirmed that my meniscus was partially torn & interfering with the bending of my knee. That was over 15 years ago! So, why did this doctor go into your knee and not know why?

You've been very brave continuing to persevere until the correct diagnosis was made. It would be great if one your current doctors would write your case up as a Case Study for other doctors to learn what maybe missed when a doctor gets the symptoms you originally presented.

[Marie1479 in reply to NanJean]

The slip on the ice caused a partial tear on the meniscus but was told later on by another dr that it could have been healed with PT. I was in so much pain I agreed too soon and without a second opinion.

[bunnymom in reply to Marie1479]

We don't know what we don't know so forgive yourself for that. It seems we all learn the hard way here. 😣

[Marie1479 in reply to NanJean]

My Rheumatologist who works in for a managed network discussed my case with her Orthopedic partners. What I learned from this whole experience is how important communication is between my doctors. Now all my doctors are part of the same network and always have my full medical history available. GP, Rheumatologist, orthopedist, Gyno and eye dr.

[Sandy1947]

PMR sure is ugly! Glad you are better. How much Pred are you on now?

[Marie1479 in reply to Sandy1947]

3 mg but will probably raise to 4mg.

[Blearyeyed]

Just came across your post in related links.

It is amazing to see PMR in the flesh as it were.

But I am so sorry for the pain and suffering you had to go through to get it , and get the right diagnosis.

I hope things have improved for you now and you are on the road to recovery with those more competent specialists you have found.

Take care , and thank you so much for sharing this., Bee xx