ISO knee doctor

Can anyone recommend a dynamite knee guy?

Here's my story in a nutshell.

Prior to September 2016, I was playing racquetball several hours a week. Though I had some discomfort from arthritis in my right knee, it was very manageable and didn't hinder me very much.

In September, I think I injured myself while playing tennis. I think I just planted my foot too hard, and apparently damaged the meniscus in my right knee, the arthritic one.

Had an MRI.

Fast forward to 12/7/16 - arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus.

Since then, I've been a wreck. Was expecting to be back on the court in 4-6 weeks, but no good. Too much pain. Much of the time I'm pretty gimpy as I walk around. Cortisone helps a lot, as does draining the knee, as it tends to swell up. I did try to play in February, but I ended up hurting even more.

My doc is saying the problem is the arthritis. I'm suspicious that my arthritis has become so debilitating so quickly, so I'm kinda thinking he screwed up the surgery. I need a second opinion to tell me what's happening.

I have, btw, started knee joint fluid replacement therapy. Have had one of three shots so far. I was able to play RB last week after the shot, and am going to play again today.

Dr Jason Garcia is West Orange.

http://www.hartzbandjoints.com/our-doctors/mark-a-hartzband-m-d/

https://www.hss.edu/physicians_fealy-stephen.asp

Dr. Mirsky at Summit Medical Group.

Presently seeing Dr. Rosen in West Orange, believe he is with the SMG. He seems very capable. Was well recommended.

hmmm.

I've been to one of those already.

My RB partner has seen Mirsky, I think.

Is any doctor around here not with SMG? They're the borg that has swallowed most of my doctors.

SMG is not the only show in town. Morristown Hospital has a good ortho group. Tri-County Orthopedics is an option. I have met with an Ortho from Active Orthopedics for some second opinions and was suitably impressed. HSS in NYC is worth a look as is NYU Langone.

thanks.

I really prefer to stay local though. Even Morristown is a bit of chore for me. NY is just a bridge too far. Shortsighted maybe, but I see so many doctors that I need to keep it contained.

I'm a little spoiled,. I live near St. Barnabas, and I'm in the middle of doctor's office central. I see about 5-6 doctors a year I think, and the furthest one is my dentist in Orange.

Though that might change if I don't get some satisfaction.

I have a question though. My current knee guy is in SMG already. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to seek a second opinion from within SMG, right?

tjohn said:

SMG is not the only show in town. Morristown Hospital has a good ortho group. Tri-County Orthopedics is an option. I have met with an Ortho from Active Orthopedics for some second opinions and was suitably impressed. HSS in NYC is worth a look as is NYU Langone.

Richard Rosa, MD, replaced both of my knees 16 years ago. The fact that it's 16 years later and I'm doing fine speaks for itself. (Jason Garcia, recommended above, is in the same office.) He's actually pretty conservative. He's tough to get an appointment with but is worth it.

It's better to get your second opinion from a physican associated with a different medical group.

Sweetsnuggles said:

It's better to get your second opinion from a physican associated with a different medical group.

I suppose, but I wonder the extent to which SMG doctors in a given specialty routinely compare notes to make sure they are identifying and using the best medical methods.

I have gotten second opinions from doctors at SMG -- and they came to a different conclusion. They were able to share the records, discuss on the phone and actually called in another doctor at SMG. So in my case it helped a lot. They worked together to come up with the correct diagnosis and treatment. In the past I had gotten second opinions elsewhere which usually just made it more confusing (since the second opinion was different).

I assume you did PT after the meniscus surgery.

In terms of a second opinion, you can simply share your X-rays with another doctor. That's the best diagnostic tool for knee or hip arthritis.