I am so glad to be living in this day and age. Technology, medicine, transportation, information, so much is available and I believe all that can read this are equally as blessed. I have had knee problems for almost 20 years and the past 6 months has been a real pain in my ACL. For the past 6 months I have also been having nerve issues with my right elbow, an occasional twang and numbing of the 
fingers and every now and again a very sharp pain that keeps me from raising my arm.
Thankfully I was referred to a group of orthopedic specialists here in the Denver area called Panorama orthopedics, each and every doctor there specializes in a different joint, and on my first visit I was seen by a doctor that does the diagnosis and then selects the specialist that is best suited for my particular needs. I really believe that real estate is heading in this same direction and all for the best interest of the clients.
Anyway, the knee specialist took x-rays of my knees and sure enough I am bone on bone on the right side, no wonder my knee has been bothering me, they sent me to physical therapy, which has also come a long way and then back after a month to have a few injections, now these are surgeons, but their primary goal is not to put you under the knife, to give you the best lifestyle that you can with your current situation and if that means replacement surgery they will let you know, but they were adamant with me that even though I ore than likely will have major knee reconstruction surgery, they may be able to stave that off for several more years. Sounds good to me.
So I have had a series of injections with a medicine called orthovisc, basically to replace the cartilage and membrane my knee is lacking, they said they see a very positive result in 50% of their patients, and some respond so well they can go back every 6 months to a year and just continue the shots, this is my hope. Today was my third and final dose and even though they say I will most likely see the best results 6-8 weeks after the shots, I have already noticed remarkable improvements.
As for the elbow, there is not one funny thing about hitting your funny bone, basically the nerve that is affected when you hit it, is the nerve that is being pinched and the feeling I have quite often is very similar. I have been wearing a protective pad when I sit at my desk or drive, so that the nerve does not rest on any hard surface and irritate the bone spurs that are growing, I have also been applying Voltaren Gel, and anti-inflammatory that has helped quell the nerve, so with fingers crossed and lots of prayers, I just may be able to get another 50,000 miles out of this body before I take it in for a remodel.
All I can say is hire a specialist, make sure that the person you hire is really working in your best interest and is the most qualified to handle your issues.
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