Advice Needed

Gravelface

Gravelface

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
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Ok Busse Brothers.....here is my situation. I have a torn ACL with meniscus damage to an extent that is to be determined once inside my knee. I went to Texas VA in Houston....New Orleans is backed up for about 2 years. Houston VA tells me they won't be able to get me in till October 1 this year. Right in the middle of next semester (not very conducive to walking around campus and going up and down flights of stairs) So I sought out a civilian doctor....at first he tells me he can get me in surgery in July.....then schedules me October 4 (my birthday:grumpy: ) I wanted it this summer so I could at least get around for school in August.

Well about 6:00 PM tonight I get a call from VA telling me they can get me in on MONDAY!!!! WTF?! Several things to consider: VA covers ALL expenses ...even the 455 mile drive to Houston. I don't know what my Insurance will cover, but I know I will have to pay out of pocket for the surgery and all the Rehab.....which VA covers.

I will at least be in a leg brace if I get it now, but lets face it...VA Doctors are not known for being "Top of the Class" where as my civilian Doctor is a KNEE specialist. But at the same time a friend of mine in the medical field keeps telling me that an ACL reconstruction is one of the easiest things and I shouldn't have ANY issues with VA.

Aside from the short term notice I will have to give me Jobs that I will be out for about 1 month......what are you HOGS thoughts on this?!
 
what were your experiences following your injury while serving with the va docs? its always nice not to have to come out of pocket.

what type of personal ins do you have? is it through work? was the injury work related? its also nice to be able to see a specialist, but the wait is too long for a knee injury imo.
 
No experience. All I can offer is my prayers and go with what will be best for you and your family.
 
Well, i'm no Hog but I have had two surgey's on my knees. meniscus damage is minor. They go in with a scope and basically trim the torn part around the joint. Recovery time is short.
The torn ACL is another story. If it is still attached then your good and it will heal. If it is has been torn off and severed then they will normally remove it and you will learn to live without it and you will favor that knee when playing sports.
The most complex option is they will try and reattach or replace it with another. They cannot know your options until they do the scope and have a look around.
I had my torn ACL removed. I was racing motocross and really did a number on it. My knee is fine and excercise keeps the muscles strong enough to compesate for it but I still take it easy on that knee. On the plus side I always know when its going to rain now.;)
 
I'm no Dr but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn once.


I've not had the knee surgery, but all I know that have has done well. I've had some other surgeries from injury done here in my small town only to have to go own to Atlanta to have more because it was made worse here. But back's are a bit more complicated.

So, no matter what surgery, you need to go with the Dr you feel is best at this procedure. Maybe get a second opinion...most insurance will pay for one. Don't take any chance's and make sure you feel comfortable with the Dr.
Wish I could give you some better advice.
Best of luck Jason
 
If you are not worried about being aver 100K in debt, take the civlian doc. The VA should be able to handle this easily, there really isn't much for you to "worry" about. This is a relatively minor surgery with major physical rehab. I am in the medical field and see a lot of torn ligaments and such. Get the surgery, take your physical therapy serious and let God worry about the rest. Think of how much INFI the 100K surgery bill would buy :)
 
I suggest you go with the VA hospital, voice your concerns and make sure they get you a surgeon that has done this procedure many times before.

Greg
 
Jason, we've talked a bit about this now. IMHO, I think you'll be kickin' yourself with a bum knee if you don't go with the VA. At least in this circumstance. We both are way to familiar with waiting to use our extremities. I wish you well as always and we will be praying for you and yours.
 
VA, it comes with a warranty. They are competent, and often have specialists donate time and do procedures 'pro bono'
 
Ask as many questions as you can now. Ask who will be doing your surgery at the VA. Then find out about his background and credentials. Houston supposedly has a very good VA, but do you have to go there for all of your follow-up? Having surgery at a teaching hospital can be a good thing because you have surgeons who teach constantly and that keeps them on their toes. The only problem is residents often do the surgery (not necessarily a bad thing) unless you get the newly promoted resident (the year starts in JULY). Ask if you can have the attending surgeon do the procedure.

Ask your private doctor's office and your insurance company about what your out of pocket costs would be. Explain your school situation and see if they can reschedule you back to the summer time.

I hope everything goes well.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
what were your experiences following your injury while serving with the va docs? its always nice not to have to come out of pocket.

what type of personal ins do you have? is it through work? was the injury work related? its also nice to be able to see a specialist, but the wait is too long for a knee injury imo.
Click to expand...

It is Military Related and my Insurance is Tri-Care Prime (benefit of Medical Retirement $435 per year for coverage for the family) Wife uses it all the time, but never had surgery.

The ACL is severed. They are preforming an Allograft (taking cadaver tissue) vs an autograft (one of my own tendons from my patella/hamstring/Quadriceps )

All have advantages and disadvantages.......and this guy wants me in by Monday!!!:grumpy:
 
Gravelface said:
It is Military Related and my Insurance is Tri-Care Prime (benefit of Medical Retirement $435 per year for coverage for the family) Wife uses it all the time, but never had surgery.

The ACL is severed. They are preforming an Allograft (taking cadaver tissue) vs an autograft (one of my own tendons from my patella/hamstring/Quadriceps )

All have advantages and disadvantages.......and this guy wants me in by Monday!!!:grumpy:
Click to expand...

wow.

ive had knee injuries, but luckily never needed surgery. but i have had many dealings with insurance, both personal and iod.

have you contacted tri care to see what they would cover?

personally, i would go with the va. i wouldnt want to walk around with your injury and risk permanant damage. one wierd twist, step, bump, whatever.

monday is soon, but with an october surgery, you will be rehabbing into 2008. do it now, be ready to trample the trough by blade west!!! :D
 
Limbs is one of the things that the VA knows a lot about in reconstruction and rehab. Let them do it FREE...
 
If it is service connected by all means have the VA do it. All care related to service connected injuries and disabilities are covered. Also consider filing a disability claim. I have an knee condition that is service connected and cannot be fixed. I thought it would be the unmanly to claim something as simple as a knee injury but in the end I did. I am now eligable for free VA care for the injury for the rest of my life and a monthly disability payment. It is not much but that check has saved my bacon more than once when an unexpected expense came along. Also the disabled veteran status has other benefits. Your local American Legion of VFW should be able to put you in contact with a specialist who can help you get full use from your benefits. You served this country it is only fair that the country should take care of its veterans.
 
Bro, I told you my story via PM. I don't think anyone's trying to butcher your knee. The options are few when the ACL is severed. We're lucky to live in a day when they can replace it. 20 years ago they'd have opened your knee up like a book and taken everything out that was damaged, and sent you home with your new "trick knee".

After seeing my bills (thank God most were covered), I would go the free route. My knee surgery in April was $25,000. When I look at the breakdown it's astounding. O.R. was $11K, sterile equipment $5K, surgeon $8K. No insurance covers more than 80% which in my case came to $5k I was responsible for. Plus they'll do it on Monday? If it were me, I'd go for the freebie that wouldn't mess up my semester, and be over with this time next week. Either way, my prayers are with you.
 
the va has always done fair by me, i was a medic while i was in so i would know if they were shittin on me. i say you served your country now let them take care of you.
peace man
jon "doc" silas
 
My mother, who is in her late sixties, had surgery to repair a torn meniscus about two weeks ago. Already, she's up and around as if nothing ever happened to her. This type of surgery is very routine these days and I'm thinking that you'll be fine either way. Except perhaps, not financially, if you choose to pay out of pocket for a private doc. Good luck to you, whatever you decide. - DT
 
1) Send me all your INFI for safe keeping. You won't be able to haul it around after surgery. As you get stronger, I will send back one piece a month, so you don't over tax your recouperative powers... :thumbup:

2) See #1

3) Cadaver Parts? Wow...:eek:

4) Hope all goes well man. Free is free.

(p.s. check with all of them and ask if they had a good weekend...)
 
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