For years I have been nagging my orthopedist about a new knee. In my daydreams I ski down a white slope with fresh powder snow.
Second opinion
Under the radiant sun I feel the wind that whistles past my ears. My specialist is not so convinced yet. “A new knee is not always the best solution and is sometimes grossly overestimated. You are too young.” And some more arguments. In the Netherlands, a new knee is only exceptionally given to patients under 55 years of age. This has to do with the fact that the prosthesis can only be replaced once and we are getting older.
When I recently started talking about it again, after penetrating conversations with husband, daughter and friends, we came up with the idea together. idea of a second opinion from an orthopedist who specializes in new knees.
To the private clinic
And so I was allowed to consult a doctor at the Bergman Kliniek. This doctor is affiliated with the Dutch Ski Association, among other things, so that appealed to me, you understand that. I noticed in myself that I had some prejudices about private clinics after years of being treated in a University hospital. For example, I arrived at the private clinic in Naarden and secretly expected to meet Gooische women in the parking lot who would be on their way to an eyelid correction or a fuller bosom. In my mind I could already see the flashy convertibles parked next to me with ladies with Audrey Hepburn scarves tied around their heads.
Coffee machine
My surprise was when I ended up in an overcrowded parking lot with very 'normal' cars. No cooled carafes of water with fresh mint leaves at the entrance, just a coffee machine. Professionally, I was registered by the desk clerks and referred to a full waiting room. The median age was high and the aspiring patients didn't really look like they were coming for a facelift or liposuction, but I could be wrong. Once inside the doctor, my confidence grew. He had read the file carefully and said sensible things. Professional, businesslike and knowledgeable.
Keep dreaming
We agreed that he would perform an arthroscopy on February 18 and check his knee to see how things are going:operation number thirteen is imminent. In the meantime, he repairs a meniscus (where possible) and removes some loose cartilage if possible. Then we talk about a possible new knee. I keep dreaming about red slopes and mulled wine. To be continued.
Who is Marie-Anne? Marie-Anne, 48 years old, is married and mother of three daughters. She has a serious cartilage problem. It all started after a skiing accident, but hereditary factors and factors that doctors still don't know much about also play a role. Every other week she blogs about her (patchwork) family, care in the Netherlands, her knee and other things that occupy her.
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