Well, That Sucks

I went to my very first orthopedic appointment today.  It only took me a year to actually schedule.  That's right, Dr. C told me to go see an orthopedic specialist about my elbow A WHOLE YEAR AGO and I just now went.  I'm nothing if not a procrastinator.

So, yesterday I called and scheduled an appointment with Dr. K.  I first saw the intern Dr. S, who examined the range of motion with my right elbow.  Or more accurately, he measured the lack thereof.  Next I got bustled over to the in-office X-Ray room and had a few elbow pictures taken of the internal variety.  Then it was back into the office to wait.

Once Dr. K and Dr. S had discussed me and looked over everything, they both came in.  Dr. K examined my elbow again, and told me his professional opinion:

I needed to go see someone else.

Why?  Well, while Dr. K is fully qualified and accustomed to evaluating elbow-related problems, he is not a specialist in the actual surgical approach to the elbow.

Yep, it's official.  Dr. C was right last year.  I need surgery.  Apparently, where normal people have, you know, an elbow joint, I do not.  In the X-Ray there is no space.  I have a place where my paired radius and ulna are in direct contact with the humerus.  Ironically, I find nothing funny about it.  

So, next week I will go see a Dr. G who specializes in surgery of the elbow.  According to Dr. K and Dr. S, I will probably need some sort of elbow replacement surgery, since, seeing as I have neither cartilage or tissue between the bones, I am now beyond the half-step of removing said parts to try to repair the joint.  Dr. S gave me an injection to help with the pain, but I'm doubtful its effects will last long.  My right (non)elbow has never responded to such measures.

When I go in to see Dr. G, I will have all sorts of questions I need to have answered.  Due to financial considerations, I'm hoping to wait to go under the knife until the beginning of December--that way, even though it's during the school year, I can use Christmas Break as part of my recovery time.

How long will it take to recover?  I have no idea.  That's Question #1 on my list.  Anyway, I'll make sure to share how the appointment goes after it's gone!