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Just destroyed my other Knee

untitledsince89

untitledsince89

Turbo Monkey
Nov 11, 2005
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Winston-Salem NC
So after the last few years of struggling with an ACL tear and recent mcl tear of my left knee, I completely effed up my right knee. After a mild fall at the skatepark that weakened my lcl a few days before, I went against my better judgement and went to the trails. Long story short I over shot the piss out of the second double and to prevent from casing the third I planted my foot into the face of the third in a botched bail attempted and compressed my knee pretty badly. Judging from my previous injuries I feel its probably an acl tear but the part above my knee in pretty swollen from the compression, anyhow.

I've been down the road before of what I need to do as far as getting an mri
to see the full extent of the damage, and most likely surgery, yet my $hitty insurance and 2800$ deductible keeps any of these things from happening.

Luckily at the college I attend I am able to see a sports physical therapist for free, and have gotten a pretty good diagnosis of what is wrong with it my other knee and have done a ton of physical therapy.

As of now I'm pretty effed in terms of any treatment or diagnosis outside of my school. I hate the idea of waiting it out until I'm out of school with better insurance to deal with it, but is there really any other way?
I feel pretty defeated at the age of 22 with two messed up knees, yet my desire to shred is too stupid strong to keep me off the bike.

Anyone else fund themselves in this dilemma, or have thoughts on
cheap insurance, hell foreign country surgeries?
Should I just brace the hell out of it and do a ton of rehab?
Btw I have three more years in school until I could viably get good insurance through an employer or pay for it myself

Help me try and win against Merican healthcare
 
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Mr Jones

Mr Jones

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Nov 12, 2007
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Sucks dude. Hope you heal quick. As far as healthcare, tough call. I guess the quickest fix for your healthcare woes is marry a Canadian chick. I'm sure mMike or DaPeach know a few eligible bachelorettes in Saskatchewan willing to marry a merican.
 
untitledsince89

untitledsince89

Turbo Monkey
Nov 11, 2005
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Winston-Salem NC
Mr Jones said:
Sucks dude. Hope you heal quick. As far as healthcare, tough call. I guess the quickest fix for your healthcare woes is marry a Canadian chick. I'm sure mMike or DaPeach know a few eligible bachelorettes in Saskatchewan willing to marry a merican.
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As of now that's the best option I'm hoping for
 
CrabJoe StretchPants

CrabJoe StretchPants

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Nov 30, 2003
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You got way too much life ahead of you to ignore/cheap out on fixing them now. It's not going to get any better on its own.

A guy I work with just had reconstructive surgery to repair his acl/mcl from a football injury 30 years prior. He was miserable for 30 years, had it done right and just a week after surgery he's happier than ever he got it done.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

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Aug 8, 2005
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In all seriousness....... GO TO THE DAMNED COUNTY HOSPITAL.

They will check you, ask for a fee.... tell them you dont have it.... you get seen

They will schedule you for treatment..... ask for a fee.... tell them you dont have it...
you get treated

schedule the surgery... they ask for a fee, tell them you dont have it......... get the surgery........ milk the system like everyone else does... I hate suggesting that, but you run the dilemna of not getting treated and ending crippled, or doing irreversable nerve damage......
 
jimmydean

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
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DirtyMike said:
In all seriousness....... GO TO THE DAMNED COUNTY HOSPITAL.

They will check you, ask for a fee.... tell them you dont have it.... you get seen

They will schedule you for treatment..... ask for a fee.... tell them you dont have it...
you get treated

schedule the surgery... they ask for a fee, tell them you dont have it......... get the surgery........ milk the system like everyone else does... I hate suggesting that, but you run the dilemna of not getting treated and ending crippled, or doing irreversable nerve damage......
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This. Then be careful until you have insurance that sucks less.

I work on the software side of healthcare and know the revenue stream. The folks with killer insurance get overbilled to pay for the folks who can't pay or can't pay the full amount. It's all factored in so that the hospital runs a small profit, but also doesn't turn people away.
 
untitledsince89

untitledsince89

Turbo Monkey
Nov 11, 2005
1,316
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Winston-Salem NC
jimmydean said:
This. Then be careful until you have insurance that sucks less.

I work on the software side of healthcare and know the revenue stream. The folks with killer insurance get overbilled to pay for the folks who can't pay or can't pay the full amount. It's all factored in so that the hospital runs a small profit, but also doesn't turn people away.
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While it sounds like a great idea, the problem with having any insurance at is that I would still probably get billed up to the deductable due to the agreements put in place through me signing my soul away to
BlueCross and BlueSheild of NC. Not to mention for each individual part of the daignoisis and surgery process.

Also the problem is that my family isn't poor, I am, so when they through tax records, ect for billing, I still have a good chance of getting effed in da a
when they look at my info, but maybe not I'll have to look into the details.

Thanks for the advice so far, I'm also looking into a large healthcare provider in NC's student program for discounted procedure rates
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

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untitledsince89 said:
While it sounds like a great idea, the problem with having any insurance at is that I would still probably get billed up to the deductable due to the agreements put in place through me signing my soul away to
BlueCross and BlueSheild of NC. Not to mention for each individual part of the daignoisis and surgery process.

Also the problem is that my family isn't poor, I am, so when they through tax records, ect for billing, I still have a good chance of getting effed in da a
when they look at my info, but maybe not I'll have to look into the details.

Thanks for the advice so far, I'm also looking into a large healthcare provider in NC's student program for discounted procedure rates
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Its not worth putting it off, they will send you a bill...... dont pay it if you dont have it.... you will not be turned away.........

They cannot do any garnishments for non payment on healthcare either........... May hit your credit report, may suck overall, but its better than losing use of your knee due to non treatment.....


go get taken care of, its not worth it.
 
untitledsince89

untitledsince89

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Nov 11, 2005
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Winston-Salem NC
DirtyMike said:
I May hit your credit report, may suck overall, but its better than losing use of your knee due to non treatment.....
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I'm tempted to take this route, but I never have owed any money, nor will I come out to school with any debt, due to my parents amazing saving skills and dirt cheap instate tuition. I don't want to ruin my credit with an epic career ahead of me, and its not the way I was raised. I know many people who've waited to longer, of course its not better, but I my just be careful and drop a couple hundred on a nice set of braces.

Or just get a credit card and charge all the bills to it, then pay it off.

I just can't bring myself to the idea of what like 10k a least in bills haunting me wherever I end up:think:
 
nyhc00

nyhc00

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Jul 19, 2010
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you're coming out of school with no debt and you're indecisive over 10K for the ability to walk properly? for real dude?
 
Ciaran

Ciaran

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Apr 5, 2004
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nyhc00 said:
you're coming out of school with no debt and you're indecisive over 10K for the ability to walk properly? for real dude?
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No kiddin!

"I have pain in my knees and I can barely walk and I am 30, but at least I didn't go into debt!" :thumb:
 
BikeMike

BikeMike

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Feb 24, 2006
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Dude, I don't know if you get a better outcome if you get that fixed now rather than later--and that's something definitely worth considering--but you do get a percentage of your young life with better knee function by doing it sooner, and that's not something you can buy later. Check out student loans if you must. It will almost certainly be way, way better than putting a few grand on a credit card, especially if you qualify for any federally subsidized loans. If you come out of college with some employable skillz and 10k in loans, things should be OK.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

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untitledsince89 said:
I'm tempted to take this route, but I never have owed any money, nor will I come out to school with any debt, due to my parents amazing saving skills and dirt cheap instate tuition. I don't want to ruin my credit with an epic career ahead of me, and its not the way I was raised. I know many people who've waited to longer, of course its not better, but I my just be careful and drop a couple hundred on a nice set of braces.

Or just get a credit card and charge all the bills to it, then pay it off.

I just can't bring myself to the idea of what like 10k a least in bills haunting me wherever I end up:think:
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So go get fixed, then when its done work out a payment plan
 
stevew

stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
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how about not doing stupid sh!t on a bike without health insurance.
 
slopoke

slopoke

Chimp
Jun 17, 2009
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Work out a payment plan with them! They will do that and it may be difficult for you, but you will recover faster at your current age and you will be so much happier in the end. Just do it and quit worrying about it.
 
untitledsince89

untitledsince89

Turbo Monkey
Nov 11, 2005
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Winston-Salem NC
stevew said:
how about not doing stupid sh!t on a bike without health insurance.
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I had good health insurance when the injury happened, and still have health insurance, its more of a matter of having GREAT health insurance so I'm not shelling a bunch of money out of pocket. IE 2800$ see orig post......
And not doing stupid **** on your bike? Well that's half the fun isn't it?

Idk if some of you have ever had knee problems, but if you do the right rehab, then pain while walking or even jogging with a brace isn't a problem, stability under aggressive riding circumstances is.
And I'm not planning on putting it off until I'm 30.
Its been three years since the orig. injury and I've managed pretty well.
Three more years will put me at 25 and a better place to get it done.

With that said your absolutely right, no debt out of school is an amazing feat in this day and age, and 10k was a completely random estimate it could cost less or way more, idk at all.
The point was finding an alt. insurance loophole or some way for the over all a$$ raping by the hospital will be less.

With that said I've gotten some good ideas for paying for it and decreasing the overall amount and interest I'd have to pay.
I don't have a problem owing money, just paying extra money for something that's already a huge bill.
 
Ciaran

Ciaran

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Apr 5, 2004
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The only "loophole" I can think of is that if you're 22 and still in school yo may be eligible to be on your parents ins. I was on my dads ins till I was 25. (I'm a slacker)

Sadly medical bills are expensive. No way around it.
 
JayBear

JayBear

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Apr 28, 2009
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stevew said:
how about not doing stupid sh!t on a bike without health insurance.
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How about not being a cranky asshole and add something positive to the thread. Not everyone is as priviliged as you to have GOOD insurance.

Bottom line dude, get it fixed and deal with the bills when and if you can..Scar tissue will continue to build until you get it fixed making your recovery time longer and harder.
 
stevew

stevew

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Sep 21, 2001
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JayBear said:
How about not being a cranky asshole and add something positive to the thread. Not everyone is as priviliged as you to have GOOD insurance.
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what makes you think i am privileged?

what makes you think i have health insurance?

i'm rarely ever cranky.....i just avoid smilies.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

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untitledsince89 said:
I had good health insurance when the injury happened, and still have health insurance, its more of a matter of having GREAT health insurance so I'm not shelling a bunch of money out of pocket. IE 2800$ see orig post......
And not doing stupid **** on your bike? Well that's half the fun isn't it?

Idk if some of you have ever had knee problems, but if you do the right rehab, then pain while walking or even jogging with a brace isn't a problem, stability under aggressive riding circumstances is.
And I'm not planning on putting it off until I'm 30.
Its been three years since the orig. injury and I've managed pretty well.
Three more years will put me at 25 and a better place to get it done.

With that said your absolutely right, no debt out of school is an amazing feat in this day and age, and 10k was a completely random estimate it could cost less or way more, idk at all.
The point was finding an alt. insurance loophole or some way for the over all a$$ raping by the hospital will be less.

With that said I've gotten some good ideas for paying for it and decreasing the overall amount and interest I'd have to pay.
I don't have a problem owing money, just paying extra money for something that's already a huge bill.
Click to expand...


The longer you put off surgery....... the more scar tissue will build, the more dependant you will become of therapy and support braces, the more damage you will do.

If surgery is indeed needed.... You need it now, not in three years

Trust me on this one, wont go into in big details, but your knee's are used almost all the time...... If it is injured it needs to be treated properly.....

Let the Doctor decide if it needs surgery, or just therapy..... Dont self diagnose and do your own therapy, you very well coupel permantly cripple yourself...... Your WAY to young for that.

Go see the doc to at least find out the extent of the injuries
 
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untitledsince89

untitledsince89

Turbo Monkey
Nov 11, 2005
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Winston-Salem NC
DirtyMike said:
Go see the doc to at least find out the extent of the injuries
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That's my plan as of now, I've always needed an Mri to see what really happen with my orig injurys, and I'm 99% sure surgery will be necessary for my left knee.

Ciaran said:
The only "loophole" I can think of is that if you're 22 and still in school yo may be eligible to be on your parents ins. I was on my dads ins till I was 25. (I'm a slacker)

Sadly medical bills are expensive. No way around it.
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I've looked into insurance through my rents (hence when I had good insurance in the past) but now my Dad does contract work for 24 months or whatever at a time, as opposed to being hired on permanently for a company. He gets paid a bit more, but doesn't get to reap the benefits of being fully employed, which is what costs companies the most money.
 
Ciaran

Ciaran

Fear my banana
Apr 5, 2004
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My last resort, which I have had to tap a few times in my life, is a loan from my parents. For a new bike they would laugh, but for surgery that would prevent a lifetime of possible pain, they would help.

Maybe ask your parents if they can eithr loan you the money or assist you in getting a medical loan.

Last resorts are usually pretty desperate and unpleasant, much like borrowing money from my parents.

I hope you get it all worked out in your favor. Constant pain of any kind sucks and is no laughing matter.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

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untitledsince89 said:
That's my plan as of now, I've always needed an Mri to see what really happen with my orig injurys, and I'm 99% sure surgery will be necessary for my left knee.


.
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I am actualyl guessing it will not be. Your description sounds exactly like what I did to my right knee. The ER docs thought I wasted every ligiment, and that I had done substantial damage to the meniscus. A week later at the ortho and no MRI was even needed. Sometimes just some simple poking, proding, and pulling will tell them what they need to know. The first MRI for me wasnt done for almost a year. it was only done to ensure proper healing. My injury ended up a small tear in the very outerpart of the meniscus, a damaged bursa, and the femur and tibia colliding together.

The ligiments were all deemed ok with some simple manipulations of the knee, everything has since healed up for that knee just perfect with therapy....... However being I am a big guy, there is some tearing on the inner most part of the meniscus as well, the surgeon told me the only way to fix that is with surgery and that it looks like many of them had been there for years.... I am putting that off seeing how there is no pain there......

Bad part with knee and shoulder injuries.... Its hard to tell if its going to be really bad, or not so bad. Alot of times the simplest little movement and small pain can be what destroys your knee/shoulder.. or the small injury you dont get checked.... sometimes it should by all rights be a substantial injury and is really not much at all.....


Keep us informed.... us groupies must know
 
Jeremy R

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
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You don't have $hitty health insurance. You ride skateparks and dirt jumps and you bought a $2800 deductible plan. Those cheaper monthly premiums come at a cost when you get jacked.
In the past, when I have sold my mtb buddies health insurance with a high deductible, I will put a accident rider on the plan. So, they have a high deductible for illness, but upfront coverage for an accident.
As far as loopholes, if you cannot get on your parent's group insurance then just keep the one that you have for sure, because you do not want to get into a "pre-existing" situation.
Also, you are really confused on thinking you have to pay more because of "tax records" or for "having" health insurance. Its actually the opposite.
Big companies like Blue Cross and United Health Care have network discounts in the 40% range. So, just by having the insurance you are getting around 40% off of the total bill.

My advice would be to get your ass to a doctor, get the proper treatment. Let you insurance pay and/or discount what they will, and once you get the final bill, make a deal with the hospital to pay them so much per month until you get it paid off.
 
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Nick

Nick

My name is Nick
Sep 21, 2001
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Jeremy R said:
My advice would be to get your ass to a doctor, get the proper treatment. Let you insurance pay and/or discount what they will, and once you get the final bill, make a deal with the hospital to pay them so much per month until you get it paid off.
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This.
Paying your share is just good old fashioned responsibility. Get some.
 
manimal

manimal

Ociffer Tackleberry
Feb 27, 2002
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untitledsince89 said:
sure was, get out uninjured from them while you still can lol
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yeah...looks like i'll be out of here before i get the chance to hit them. i was going to hit up crabtree the other day but, after dislocating my shoulder again last week (at the lake no less), i decided that i better take it easy on the bike until i make it through the academy at the new job ;)
 
untitledsince89

untitledsince89

Turbo Monkey
Nov 11, 2005
1,316
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Winston-Salem NC
DirtyMike said:
I am actualyl guessing it will not be. Your description sounds exactly like what I did to my right knee. The ER docs thought I wasted every ligiment, and that I had done substantial damage to the meniscus. A week later at the ortho and no MRI was even needed. Sometimes just some simple poking, proding, and pulling will tell them what they need to know.
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I've already had it examined by a physical therpahist at school and two Wake Forest School of Medicine Athletic Coaches. Each of them have come up with pretty much the same prognosis of a previously torn acl, of course this can't be confirmed without an mri so I will let everyone know once the verdict is in.
Of course I'd love to not have surgery, so I'm hoping for the best.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

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I am not sure what all they checked yoru knee with...... but at Kaiser here in Socal, they have this cool rig that pushs, pulls, prods, and measures the movement in your knee...... During this it eleminates any ligiment or tenden damage....... Only reason after that to still have the MRI is to see how truly bad the damage is....


Reason I come back to this, the ER docs with my right knee told me straight up I would likely behaving surgery by friday afternoon to rebuild my knee. This is what they got off some xrays and some checking by hand.... that friday morning the actual ortho checked it.......... There is a really big reason to see an actual ortho...... they can see how bad it really is.......


Sadly what I dont want to tell you... most all surgeons as soon as they see the MRI and see ANY damage at all are going to want to do surgery...... Make sure its your ortho looking at the MRI not the surgeon..... Untill after the ortho asks the surgeon to look.
 
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