Long Shot, But I Can't See A Doctor, So...Any Advice For Knee And Shoulder Injuries?

[Bonochick]

I have no insurance, and my current medical bills are almost paid off, so I really don't wanna see a doctor...but I'm kinda nervous about some injuries.

Over 3 weeks ago, I was walking my boyfriend's dog. She took of running suddenly and pulled me down on the sidewalk, dragging me for awhile. I was holding her leash with my left hand, and the fast jerking motion really hurt my shoulder. I also skinned both of my knees, one pretty badly. While my injuries have most definitely improved, the improvement has stopped happening for at least the past week. The scabs on my knees are continuing to heal, of course, but the pain beneath the scabs on each knee (along the bone) is still so bad that I can only kneel down on soft surfaces and not for very long because the pain gets so bad. My shoulder has also gotten better, but I still get pain when I move it in certain ways or if I stretch my arm out. It also sometimes hurts even when I'm just remaining still. If I put my arm out in front of me and lift it, the muscles in my upper arm hurt.

I'm afraid that my injuries may be worse than I initially thought. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what is wrong or how to make it better? Do you think if I give it more time that things will get better on their own? I told my boyfriend that I don't know what I should do...and he said there's a difference between what I should do (go to a doctor) and what I'm gonna do (ride it out, since I can't afford to see a doctor). I've just been taking Aleve everyday...sometimes it helps a little, sometimes it doesn't.

[U2Kitten]

As someone who has had to do without a doctor many times, I can say, I feel for you, and it will probably heal in time. I had a shoulder like that after a car wreck one time, and it took about 2 months to completely get back to normal.

For your knees, is it just the skin, or something inside? If it's just the skin, keep antibiotic cream on them, don't bend them anymore than you have to, and make sure they don't turn red or ooze puss. If it's just the skin, they will eventually heal. I pulled my knee badly once (internally, and also walking a dog) and I really thought I was going to have to have surgery. It hurt and felt like something inside was torn or out of place. Then one day I was chasing the same dog that had injured it in the first place, and I had to speed up faster than I thought I could, and all of a sudden something snapped back into place. I've never had any more trouble with it.

Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

[Bonochick]

Originally posted by U2Kitten

For your knees, is it just the skin, or something inside?

The skin is almost healed...I'm already done with having to be careful with bending my knees part. So at least that is an improvement. Below the scabs, along the bone, it's very painful when touched. It feels like both are horribly bruised, but I no longer have any visible bruises.

Thanks for your advice.

[Earnie Shavers]

How deep does the knee pain feel? Is it on the surface or does it feel like it's kinda in the middle of your knee? Does it feel like it's from the impact, or from twisting/pulling/bending etc?

I've injured my knee a million times. Well, 4 or 5 times. My true advice is really: See a doctor. Knee injuries that aren't treated properly will be a problem forever. If you see a doctor now, it may save 10 trips in the future.

[anitram]

See a doctor.

That's my advice, but I understand why you are reluctant. I'm not American and don't understand at all why it's acceptable that you cannot see a medical professional when you need to, for free. Can you go to a free clinic or something like that? What do ppl without insurance do (I'm assuming they don't just drop dead on the streets ).

You may need an X-ray of your knee to see what kind of damage may have been done to either the bone or the cartilage. That's why I'd go see an MD. I hope you get better soon!

[Muggsy]

Originally posted by anitram
See a doctor.


You may need an X-ray of your knee to see what kind of damage may have been done to either the bone or the cartilage. That's why I'd go see an MD. I hope you get better soon!

I think the same ... see a doctor.

I've injured my knees when i was practicing gimnastic in school, I didn't pay much atention to it and I have problems with my knees since them, they hurt sometimes when I exercise and in the worst cases they can't support my own weight when i run or play soccer. You use your knees everyday so don't wait til the problem gets bigger.

[indra]

If you have a regular doctor a simple visit shouldn't be too expensive to schedule a visit and have him/her look you over. It's very possible you won't really need to have anything done, but knowing that can help put your mind at ease. I don't have insurance either, so I do understand how that goes. If you don't have a regular doctor, try an urgent care place before you do an emergency room (they are less expensive -- though I do think you have to pay at the time of treatment).

I've done the "get dragged down the driveway on my knee by the dog" a few times in my life too and they do take quite a while to heal -- sometimes months. I've never had long term damage from them though (just ugly scars).

[Mr. BAW]

Interference Ladies...

I've read about car accidents, bicycling accidents, dog-walking accidents, gymnastic accidents...you girls need AFLAC!!! :quack:

[Liesje]

BC, I would guess that if there is an injury, it's to your knee. There could be some damage there or an infection from the scrap. Make sure the scabs are healing and kept clean. Maybe see if there's some gravel suck in there. If there is and your skin is trying to heal around it, that could be bad/painful.

Your shoulder will probably hurt for a long time, but it's probably not seriously injured. It sounds like it got pulled so you probably have a pulled muscle or tendon, which hurt like hell for a long time. This happened to me a few times during gymnastics (once in the shoulder/neck area and another time in an elbow) and both times it took a while for it to heal. Take some OTC meds for the pain and maybe try some stretches and ice/heat to help it along.

You can probably wait on seeing a Dr. for the knee injury as long as you're not doing anything that would make it worse or re-injure it, but then again, I've known so many people who've torn ligaments it's hard to say. Maybe give it another week with as much rest as possible.

[ILuvLarryMullen]

I would say that if your knee only hurts when you put pressure on it and not when you bend it that it will probably heal on its own, but it may take a while. I smacked my leg right below the knee really hard in a car accident and even though there was nothing wrong with my knee it took a really long time before I could kneel on it again and after a year and a half the spot where I hit it still isn't quite right, it's sort of numb because I probably damaged the nerves a little.

[Tania]

Hi Bonochick,

Last year I took a hit to the forearm with a hockey ball (extremely hard like a cricket ball). I was certain it was broken. Fortunately, it wasn't but the Doctor told me that muscle damage can take longer than a break to heal.

Can you go to a physiotherapist? They might be able to help and not cost as much (sorry, know nothing about your health system).

Did you twist your knee or just land on it? If you twisted it, it would be advisable to get a proper medical opinion as you may have damaged your cruciate ligaments or torn some of the cartilage. If you just landed on it, it may be bruising of the bone which also takes ages to heal.

For your shoulder, could you stand some massage? I found this helped for my arm, as it brought the bruising to the surface (had a lovely multicoloured bruise for a while but it certainly reduced some of the pain). Wheat packs and muscle relaxants may also help.

If it is really bad, don't leave it too long to see someone. Hope you feel better soon.

[Bonochick]

Wow, thanks for the advice, everyone.

My shoulder almost seems a little better...sometimes, it's hard to tell. My knees actually do seem better...I was kneeling down a bit on the kitchen floor over the weekend while cleaning, and it hurt, but it was tolerable. I also didn't take any Aleve all weekend either, and I usually take two a day. So...I hope things will just get better. If they don't continue to improve for the next week or two, I might have to look into seeing someone.

Thanks again! And if anyone else has some advice or experience, feel free to reply!

[IndyGoGirl]

Originally posted by anitram
See a doctor.

That's my advice, but I understand why you are reluctant. I'm not American and don't understand at all why it's acceptable that you cannot see a medical professional when you need to, for free. Can you go to a free clinic or something like that? What do ppl without insurance do (I'm assuming they don't just drop dead on the streets ).

Yes, you don't understand The problem is, 'free' clinics are only for those who are very poverty stricken, like making minimum wage or nothing, and on welfare. If you have a spouse who makes too much, even if he/she can't afford health ins (it's very high with most employers and some salaries just can't take that and still have a paycheck) or if you live with your parents, don't make much but are too old for their coverage (which I am guessing may be BC's problem, it's been mine) you are not covered. If you make as much as 8 bucks an hour (which isn't much in our economy) you are told you don't qualify. If you try to be seen somewhere without insurance or cash, sadly, you are most often turned away and told 'payment is expected at the time services are rendered.' I have also gotten speeches about how the medical office was a 'business' and they had to look at patients like customers, if you don't pay, no service. Yes, I have been turned away cold, with everything from an absessed tooth to severe stomach pain to the point I was unable to stand up straight. Bottom line in the US, no money, no service, and no, I don't think they care if you do drop dead in the streets And don't go blaming Bush, it's always been that way no matter who's in office.

[Liesje]

Yeah, a "free" clinic....that's a funny one!

This past winter it cost my bf like $300 just to get medicine for bronchitis. Bronchitis isn't anything serious, but you have to take medication for it. It was $150 for the appointment which they make you do and then $150 for plain ol' antibiotics. Not only is it so fucking expensive, you can't just call in and say what's wrong and get the meds, they want to charge you more so you have to have an appointment first (well, unless you know your Dr., hehe).

People do actually drop dead in the streets. A while back a guy in a wheelchair froze to death b/c he was poor, no one would take care of him, and he couldn't get into a house to get warm.

Anyway, glad to hear it's slowly improving, BC.

[IndyGoGirl]

Originally posted by LivLuvAndBootlegMusic
Yeah, a "free" clinic....that's a funny one!

This past winter it cost my bf like $300 just to get medicine for bronchitis. Bronchitis isn't anything serious, but you have to take medication for it. It was $150 for the appointment which they make you do and then $150 for plain ol' antibiotics. Not only is it so fucking expensive, you can't just call in and say what's wrong and get the meds, they want to charge you more so you have to have an appointment first (well, unless you know your Dr., hehe).

I know the feeling, I'm sorry

Another thing, some doctors, like orthopedic specialists, demand a $100 "Consultation fee" before they'll even see you. That does not include the actual appointment and treatment to come! And even for people with insurance, the deductibles are often so high- this even though they pay through the ass for the insurance- they still can't go if they don't have the 100 bucks up front. So it's very sad!

People do actually drop dead in the streets. A while back a guy in a wheelchair froze to death b/c he was poor, no one would take care of him, and he couldn't get into a house to get warm.

I have heard lots of terrible stories of people being denied medical care due to financial reasons, then dying.

There was an old hospital being torn down around here, and I asked someone why they just didn't leave it up for a shelter for the homeless. I was told they didn't want to attract that type of element because the surrounding businesses feared it would keep customers away! In the US, it's all about the $$$$.

Anyway, glad to hear it's slowly improving, BC.

[melon]

Originally posted by IndyGoGirl
If you try to be seen somewhere without insurance or cash, sadly, you are most often turned away and told 'payment is expected at the time services are rendered.' I have also gotten speeches about how the medical office was a 'business' and they had to look at patients like customers, if you don't pay, no service. Yes, I have been turned away cold, with everything from an absessed tooth to severe stomach pain to the point I was unable to stand up straight. Bottom line in the US, no money, no service, and no, I don't think they care if you do drop dead in the streets And don't go blaming Bush, it's always been that way no matter who's in office.

You should live in liberal-old Massachusetts. Hospitals are forced to take every patient who comes to the Emergency Room, even if they can't pay. They also can't force them to pay either.

But I do blame the Republican Party. When Clinton attempted to address the issue of national health care, the Republicans, instead, used the time to make fun of the presenter--Hillary Clinton. Then we got a GOP Congressional majority the following year or so, and we know that the GOP wants nothing to do with it. It's their fault.

Melon