Today I was examined by a different physical therapist who found no strong indication of tendinitis (she allowed that my regimen of exercise and icing may have alleviated the symptoms effectively), but mostly arthritis. She proposed a somewhat more specific set of exercises (does this mean I may leave off the first set? I didn’t ask), noted that the arthritis pain won’t get much better from physical therapy, and indicated that a cortisone shot may be in my future.
To scare me into compliance, she sent me home with a catalogue full of contraptions for helping people accomplish daily tasks. The contraptions themselves aren’t that startling — my mom has MS, so I’ve seen a number of such implements and admired their ingenuity — but the models in the photographs all look twenty-five years or more older than I. The physical therapist underlined this and said I looked way too young to be coming in with this arthritis symptom.
I opted to look on the bright side as I thumbed through the catalogue, walking home: she said I looked young!
Posted by AKMA at May 21, 2004 02:10 PM | TrackBackYou sure could use some sympathy. The problem is, people keep telling me I look young also, and I am 74!!! My experience is that not all arthritic symptoms are permanent. Mine tend to come and go without reason. I have decided that they are just reminders of my maturity asnd therefore to be celebrated. As for injections of cortisone, don't expect dramatic results. When I had a calcaneal spur on the bottom of my heel my MD injected cortisone and I yelled so loud it cleared the waiting room. There was no other effect. Next I had to have a gorgeous blonde therapist massage the bottom of my foot with oil every morning and at least it was arousing ! I should have left my clerical collar at home. When the Doc threatens injections I sugest you opt for the alternative approach.
Dick