With the stress I was under this past week, I took an R & R day mostly. I really needed it. I got my MRI results from my doctor. He said “it looks like bone crushed up against bone in your shoulder” and “it would take time to heal”.

I was not pleased with the answer my doctor gave me. I was confused. If bone is crushed up against bone, where is the cartilage or the thin inner lining (synovium) of the joint allowing the smooth motion of my shoulder joint? How can that just “take time to heal”?

I further asked him about why he did not order any kind of xray on my painful sternum problem. He again stated “I did not feel it was necessary, since it is “cartilage” (false ribs).” I continued to ask him how can cartilage be this painful when I roll on my side in my sleep that it wakes me up with a sharp acute pain. He said “he didn’t know”.

As I sat there listening to his “excuses” for not treating the two painful problems I am experiencing and charging me for two office visits at $135 per visit plus the MRI cost and the radiology doctor bill who reads the MRI. I was not happy with what I was told basically I have to just live with the pain, the grinding in my left shoulder, the limited range of upward movement from the side AND the immediate pain in my breastbone or rib area, the popping sound of what sounds like 2 ribs hitting each other when I move wrong. I requested to be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. Since I have already seen 3 of the orthopaedic surgeons at the center, I figured what could it hurt to get another professional opinion from a group of surgeons I have trusted in the past.

I was informed by my doctor’s nurse that she would call me with an appointment to a orthopaedic surgeon. That was on Wednesday and now it is Friday, still no phone call from my doctor’s office. I maybe getting a new regular doctor if I keep getting the run around. My youngest daughter finally got a new physician after my doctor made a serious misdiagnosis on her. Anyway on Monday, I will be calling and seeing if they did set up an appointment for me to see one of the othopaedic surgeons.

I have been doing some research about areas of my body that are experiencing the pain. Orthopaedic surgeons provide treatment to the musculoskeletal due to injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. I feel like I am going in the right direction in getting proper medical care. If the orthopaedic surgeon tells me that it is just osteoarthritis in my shoulder, I want a solution to what can be done. I am already taking alendronate sodium tablets USP 70 mg (generic for Fosamax) once a week for my osteoporosis and also calcium 600 mg with vitamin D 400 IU twice a day.

So today, I just took it easy most of the day. I even laid down and took a nap this afternoon. I am feeling better and not using my arm so much today, the pain is a little better in my arm. Will keep you updated as I know more.