Date: 13 May 2006 12:27:15
From:
Subject: ACL questions - surgery soon!! help!
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Looking for some advice/recommendations on surgeons with good track
record in the DC area and some presurgery exercise advice.....
I have had recommendations for a Dr. Schaffer in DC (he is the team
physician for the Washington Capitals,
http://www.dcsportsmedicine.com/who/bs.asp. But he is not on Aetna
(only takes blue cross blue shield). I really want this guy to be my
doc but I don't think I can afford it without my insurance coverage. I
called this office and asked who they would recommend that is on Aetna
and they directed me to a dor also in this office, who is the chief
of sports division and head team physician at Georgetown University -
Dr. John Klimkiewicz (http://www.dcsportsmedicine.com/who/jk.asp).
So I just chose a dor with the quickest appointment--same day, Dr.
Steven Bernstein in Chevy Chase Maryland
(http://www.summit-orthopedics.com/DrBernstein.htm). I scheduled for
surgery with him soon. I have been reading ACL Made Simple by Don
Johnson and am starting to freak out as I read about complications like
if the surgeon does not get the tunneling done perfectly, or if this is
not attached correctly, etc. Does anyone have surgeons in this area to
recommend?? They must be on Aetna of course. I have Choice POS II PPO
plan.
I also read about Raymond Thal, who is the team physican for the
Washington Redskins -- any thoughts?
I am scheduled for allograft - cadaver achilles to replace my ACL in my
right knee.
Please send suggestions/advice. I also have a second question -- what
should I be doing post-op? Just tightening my quads, leg lifts, and
range of motion exercises? Should I be walking around on it without a
brace? I am currently at 2 weeks post-injury. Should I be doing
strength training to build muscle?
Thanks in advance. Please share your stories!!! (and dor
recommendations as well)
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