www.incontinentsupport.org

I have an old injury from when I was in the service. At the time the doctors never did an MRI. They diagnosed Iliotibial band syndrome. Not sure what that is. I know it hurt really bad. Well, after all these years (its been since 2005), I still have pain that wraps around my knee. So I went to the ortho doc the other day. He is going to do an MRI on my knee to see if I have a torn maniscus. I understand for that they do arthroscopic surgery for that to trim away the torn cartilage. My knee aches and pops. It gets pretty sore after a long day at work. So I'm hoping that if they do surgery, it will get better. They found on Xray that I have some osteoarthritis in my knee. Nothing they can do about that though.

I noted in my medical paperwork that I had a bladder condition. Incontinence was not in the paperwork. I just checked off some of the health conditions that I had. So I'll have to tell my doctor about my incontinence and diapers if he says the word surgery. I don't want to just suprise him with a 28 yr old man wearing a diaper in the hospital. I'm not too concerned with it because he is a doctor. So really its no big deal.

I know what IT band pain is like Don, mine started to get tight and knotted up after my accident, physio worked on them, and I still do stretches to try to keep them loose as possible, but when they are tight like that it plays into your knees, I also have moderate knee pain and saw an ortho specialist to have a look at the worse of the two. It pops when I squat, which is common in most people, but it snaps bad when I raise up, he told me it is not supposed to do that, signifying that something inside is not right. I don't want to even have an exploritory scope on it, could have and refused at this point in time, I can get by with it like it is, when it gets to the point I can't manae day to day then I will have it looked into, literally! My knees really do not enjoy stairs anymore, going down is not to bad SLOW, but forget going up... not happening As far as what you need to wear going in, your doc will most likely give the surgeon a heads up on what is coming at him, but he may not, you could ask him about that if the time comes, but like you said, they are doctors and have seem it all to begin with. Most ofter they will have to have seen you for an evaluation and will pre-read your charts so I am sure he will see it one way or the other! Take care, and yes it sucks to get old! At 43, some mornings I feel 83 ! Puffy

I had arthroscopic surgery in Feb for my torn meniscus. I was on the stationary bike in PT the next week and on the real bike within a month. Within six weeks I was back up to my normal 15 miles.


I mentioned to the anesthesiologist that I had leakage day and night, and had never been under anesthesia since the leaking started so I didn't know if I'd drip a few drops or flood the operating table. I woke up dry.

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Fred

I have an MRI tomorrow. I don't know whether I have to take my clothes off from the waist down or not. I did for my CT scan of my abdomen. If I do, I hope they cover me with a sheet or something. I have no problem telling medical people I wear diapers. Its not that big of a deal. I just don't want to lay there in the MRI machine with my diaper exposed. I'd rather wear a sheet over me. Just to be a little more comfortable during the procedure. I was told it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. So....heres hoping.

Hi Don, I had my MRI a few years ago, and I changed before the procedure into just a gown, removed the Pull up I had on, and went to the bathroom. Had nothing to drink for the hour prior to so there was no need to worry about output and not an issue with #2, and the scan took all of 30-40 minutes. It's loud, but had some rockin' tunes to listen to... got dressed and went home. Still hurts in that spot today, but at 43 I figure I can go a few more years until I have to get anything done to it... I figure just go until I can't anymore! Hope yours gives them some answers to what is causing your grief... Puffy

Hey Puff, How are ya?

The doc says I probably have a maniscal tear. If I do, then over the years my body would have pinched off the excess cartilage from the tear years ago. Thats what is creating the popping noise that I hear. He says my body would have tried to compensate for the undiagnosed tear. This is what probably caused the arthritis.

Hey Don, I am good, been a long week, glad it is over! I will most likely have a scope done on my knee when it gets so bothersome that I can't do daily stuff anymore, right now it is OK enough for me to head out and wet a line at a mountain lake! Forget about dinner, I have to prioritize my evening! Have a good weekend, let us know how the MRI went for ya! Puffy

I had my MRI. It was miserable. Although I did not have to take my clothes off or tell anyone I wear diapers, that portion went ok. Its just that I am a person that likes to move around and change positions. I don't like to sit still. I had to lay there in the machine for 35 minutes. Completely still so they could get a good picture. They put it on CD so I could take it to my doctor. I see him on Wednesday to get the results.

Hey Fred,
I was wondering about arthroscopic surgery. I was just wondering if you were able to take care of your own needs immediately after surgery while you were in the hospital (i.e. change your own diapers). I am a big proponent of self care and like doing things for myself. I am just trying to prepare myself for what may be while I'm in the hospital. My mom had arthroscopic surgery on her knee but she is not incontinent. I know she had bathroom complications directly after surgery. So I was just wondering if I'll be able to take care of myself directly afterward while I'm in the hospital.

P.S. I am bladder and bowel incontinent.

Well Don, at least it is over, now to see what they can co about making it better... there is not much wiggle room in those or the CT machines is there? Not good for claustrophobia either so I hear! At least they were none the wiser as to your "other" medical issues, all they are there to do is run the machine, so if there is no need for them to know, then keep it simple and don't tell them, good call! Puffy