Keep Moving

I've just revised and printed up a new exercise chart.  There are a few new ones, plus reminders of the old and/or continuing ones.

I saw a physical therapist today to get exercises for what I thought was sciatica caused by my back problem, spondylolisthesis.

My therapist called up all of my previous doctor visits, physical therapy sessions, and x-rays.  I do love medical technology.  

I described how my leg locks up so that it is painful to straighten it or bend my knee.  She looked hard at me and then began to explain how that is not a symptom of sciatica, but probably caused by my knee and/or hip.  Great.  

Then she checked me over, measured movement and strength in my legs.  She felt my knees and said they were a mess, just as the old x-rays showed, only worse now.  My right knee and lower leg are much bigger that my left knee and lower leg.  The right is full of fluid and the left is atrophying, she said. More great.  

The odd thing is that my knees don't hurt that much.  Neither does my hip.  That's good, I guess. 

I saw a doctor on Monday to get this referral, and she decided to order a blood test for rheumatoid arthritis. I got a positive result today via email, but no rating information yet.  I expect to hear more.

The physical therapist sent a message to my doctor to order x-rays on my knees and hips.  We need a new baseline.

I have made an appointment with an orthopedist for a consultation on my hands. That will happen in  two weeks.

This has been a good news/bad news day.  The bad news is obvious.  I'm a mess. In order to keep moving I will forever have to do my exercises and surgeries are in my future.  

The good news is that I am getting the attention I wanted.  I need answers to what is causing my symptoms, what deterioration has already taken place, what my future options are, and is there a point of no return where damage is not treatable.  

Then I went for a four mile walk and did my physical therapy exercises.  

Gotta' keep moving.