beth's post op. diary

[KW]

i really want to look at it but i am afraid that i will ruin something.

Beth - Thats cute...But everything is screwed together...You will not ruin anything by looking at the incision!

Karen

[smkelly4kds]

Glad to hear you are feeling betterr Beth!  I loved Ellie's post on why she cries!  I could add some to that too!  But I think Carol did a good job of adding to it!  This is a huge eemotional ordeal let alone the physical aspect.  I wish I had a Puppy to hold.  I have a 1 yr oldd black lab mix but she is a bit big to hold.  I do have ferrets but they dont like to be held for long. gets better.  I have no idea about the insurance either sorry
mellissa

[costumer]

Hi Beth,

       call your insurance company again and find out the exact wording of your PT allowance. Mine allows '20 sessions per calendar year per diagnosis" The diagnosis is really the code the PT files your sessions under with the insurance company. So, having talked to my insurance company many many times (because the PT receptionist couldn't understand), they would pay for 20 sessions per calendar year and that was it - for that code. So then talk to your PT and ask what code they've been writing you up on, and then ask that after those 20 sessions (if you need more), them to file under a different code - now it's a different 'diagnosis'. There is more than one PT code for knee problems. They can't use the TKR code - at least not with Aetna because that's reserved for OS, but there are still 2 or 3 other codes (including one called 'knee pain'!) they can use. That way they can stretch things out.

       Because I had been to PT last January for about 8 sessions (and no longer see that PT - she was terrible) and then in Oct was starting up again after my TKRs, I asked the insurance company what code the first ones were listed as. I wrote down the numbers and gave them to my new PT and she just didn't use those and wrote me up differently. No problem!

      but otherwise, unless you are going to pay out of pocket, when you reach your insurance limit they will stop the PT reagardless of whether you need more or not. Gotta love our health care system.

            -Judy

[borymms]

hello judy,

thanks so much.  i actually have aetna so i guess i should call and find out what is going to happen.  so lets say it becomes self pay and they let you go,  doesn't that mean my knee will never heal?  i hope not.

as for today,  i am doing better.  the pain meds now agree with me and i am more comfortable.  my husband was running around cleaning early this morning, and then he took the dogs to mcdonalds  for burgers while i stayed here on the sofa while the people came to veiw our house.  it is a pain to have our house up for sale while i am not able to do hardly anything.  but at least i am not sick anymore.  the only big pain i have is if i stand up too quickly  then the pain kills.

beth

[costumer]

Hi Beth-

     It must be really wierd having people come see your house with you stuck there. I have visions of you reclining on the sofa greeting them! 

    glad the meds are controlling your pain better. Hurting is definately no fun. Definately call Aetna - I called them so many times Ijust about learned my group number! And if you've had any PT earlier in the year, they can look it up and tell you how many sessions and what code it was submitted under. That way you know how many sessions left of each code. the PTs will often try to work something out if you still need more therapy after the insurance runs out. Although the best thing might be to just join a pool or something and do water-walking - if you can get to a pool. and no, it doesn't mean your knee won't heal, just that it might not heal as well or as fast as it would with PT. After all, an awful lot of excersizes the PTs have you do you can do at home with stairs or even a phone book (you just don't get the ultrasound or stim).  But, let's hope everything goes well and that if necessary the PTs can play with the codes enough.

        good luck!

        -Judy

[borymms]

hello everyone,

today  i am doing good.  i can now wear my brace over my pants which is actually more comfortable.  yesturday i got my staples out. 13.  everything they said was great.  my xray was perfect.  yeaaa.    i will be in the immobilizer for 6 wks. and then just crutches for another 2-3 wks.  i can now put my toes to the ground.  the only thing that was not good was my blood wasn't thin enough so they made my dosage higher.  other than  being extremely bruised( from almost my hip to my toes)  it's not that bad.  they told me i was allowed to drive so i tried today.  it didn't go too bad but i don't think i feel completely comfortable yet.  my legs are short and i don't have enough room to keep my leg straight and reach the pedals.  i can do it but i think i will wait and just let my husband drive for now -  just wait a week or too.

beth