December, 2014. A middle aged lady, in her 40s (as
per medical records) walked into consulting room with duck-type gait.
Physiologically she looked like around 60. As per our expectation, her main
complaint was nothing but difficulty in walking since 10 years and she (along
with her relative) had a questioning look if we can correct her.
To answer them, I had thorough medical examination of her, but before I start explaining her disease, she tells me-- "yes, I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. All my joints are severely stiff in morning. But heights of problem is since last 3-4 years I can not walk straight. At home I usually crawl. Is there any possible solution for that?"
Now, I thought My work is easy as she was aware of her disease so she must be aware of her long term sequel and my half job is done. I jumped into explaining her about knee joint replacement. But again at the end her questioning look "Is it successful? Can u guarantee me?" I took a pause (not because I didn't have an answer but because I need to wash her psyche). With depth of truth and height of knowledge, I explained every pros and cons of surgery.
Finally she agreed. but against my will of doing both knees together. I explained her in layman's term that if both of two rear wheels are punctured in a car, we have to repair both of them simultaneously. But she had still doubt about success of surgery. so we didn't force her and performed Total knee replacement on right knee. We made her walk on 2nd day. discharged from hospital after 5 days. On 15th day, she calls me if I can do her second limb. Now her doubts were clear. And we performed Total knee replacement on left knee as well.
To answer them, I had thorough medical examination of her, but before I start explaining her disease, she tells me-- "yes, I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. All my joints are severely stiff in morning. But heights of problem is since last 3-4 years I can not walk straight. At home I usually crawl. Is there any possible solution for that?"
Now, I thought My work is easy as she was aware of her disease so she must be aware of her long term sequel and my half job is done. I jumped into explaining her about knee joint replacement. But again at the end her questioning look "Is it successful? Can u guarantee me?" I took a pause (not because I didn't have an answer but because I need to wash her psyche). With depth of truth and height of knowledge, I explained every pros and cons of surgery.
Finally she agreed. but against my will of doing both knees together. I explained her in layman's term that if both of two rear wheels are punctured in a car, we have to repair both of them simultaneously. But she had still doubt about success of surgery. so we didn't force her and performed Total knee replacement on right knee. We made her walk on 2nd day. discharged from hospital after 5 days. On 15th day, she calls me if I can do her second limb. Now her doubts were clear. And we performed Total knee replacement on left knee as well.
