CrazyDaisyLou
Apr 14, 2011, 06:48 PM
What is the difference between an orthopedist and a rheumatologist? More like, I was wondering why I'm being sent to the orthopedist instead of the rheumatologist, and why the dr. thinks an orthopedist is better for me than a rheumatologist. I know I should have asked when I went to the dr, but I didn't think of it until now.
Background- I am 29 years old, I have osteo-arthritis in my knees and back. Lately, for the last year and 4 months, I've been having a lot of leg pain, and can barely walk for the week or two it is happening. I had it in Jan 2010, March/April 2010, and August, September, October, November and December 2010, and now in April 2011 for about one to two weeks each month, except this month because it just started. I went to the dr a few times last year, and in December I was told that she thought I had arthritis in the hips and that there was nothing that they could do for me, I just have to live with it. And she couldn't give me off work to get better since it wasn't work related (which I could argue, but there's no way to prove it that work is making it worse, even if it didn't start there.) No tests ordered or anything, and had me on my way in less then 2 minutes. So, I immediately switched doctors.
I waited for the pain to come back- which it did, this past Tuesday, about an hour after work. I called out of work for Wednesday, and went to the doctors. I told her what happened. She said it was way past time my hip was x-rayed, and went to an orthopedist. She ordered me to stay home today also, Thursday. I don't understand how I was able to get that order to be off work for two days from this dr, but not the old one. And I don't understand why she thinks it's better for me to go to an orthopedist instead of a rheumatologist. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that someone is finally trying to help me out, and hopefully I won't have to live with this pain for half the year anymore. I'm just curious.
I am thankful that she ordered me to stay home because my leg feels so much better now, two days later, than it ever did a week after it started when I was made to work. I think I may be able to actually make it through my job tomorrow without wanting to sit in the corner and cry.
Thanks
Daisy
Background- I am 29 years old, I have osteo-arthritis in my knees and back. Lately, for the last year and 4 months, I've been having a lot of leg pain, and can barely walk for the week or two it is happening. I had it in Jan 2010, March/April 2010, and August, September, October, November and December 2010, and now in April 2011 for about one to two weeks each month, except this month because it just started. I went to the dr a few times last year, and in December I was told that she thought I had arthritis in the hips and that there was nothing that they could do for me, I just have to live with it. And she couldn't give me off work to get better since it wasn't work related (which I could argue, but there's no way to prove it that work is making it worse, even if it didn't start there.) No tests ordered or anything, and had me on my way in less then 2 minutes. So, I immediately switched doctors.
I waited for the pain to come back- which it did, this past Tuesday, about an hour after work. I called out of work for Wednesday, and went to the doctors. I told her what happened. She said it was way past time my hip was x-rayed, and went to an orthopedist. She ordered me to stay home today also, Thursday. I don't understand how I was able to get that order to be off work for two days from this dr, but not the old one. And I don't understand why she thinks it's better for me to go to an orthopedist instead of a rheumatologist. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that someone is finally trying to help me out, and hopefully I won't have to live with this pain for half the year anymore. I'm just curious.
I am thankful that she ordered me to stay home because my leg feels so much better now, two days later, than it ever did a week after it started when I was made to work. I think I may be able to actually make it through my job tomorrow without wanting to sit in the corner and cry.
Thanks
Daisy