Had more Physio, showing good improvement in reduced swelling, and pain free articulation. Will continue as we work on the quads and try to get all the forward extension back on the right leg. Rear extension is not a problem ( > 135o)
Had a consult with rheumatologist now we have the results of the blood test back, and ...
I don't have TB, or Lyme Disease. I do have Normal Liver and Kidney Functions, Signs of inflammation (duh!) and ...
This is where the conversation turned interesting. How often have you had a conversation with a doctor where they asked you
"Are you a Creationist or an Evolutionist?" ....
Gave the obvious response, and we discussed genetic variation across populations and evolutionary factors which led to the reveal
Which meant fitting this to the facts / symptoms that
This makes sense. There is the mystery trigger / initial infection - which was non obvious / I can't recall,
but that would lead to the swelling being some kind of auto-immune response ( high white cell count - but no infection in cultured effusion)
Given that the swelling is going down and things are improving, recommendation is
avoid surgery
continue physio while it helps / shows improvement
see if it clears up on its own (over next couple of months)
only if things don't get better would he consider medical treatments ( which have side effects / risks)
Better than "non specific inflammation", and recovery has the right trajectory at the moment.
I wonder how the conversation would have gone if I had said I was a creationist?