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Post by smasonnc on Oct 20, 2024 17:28:08 GMT
I’m on an extended trip and a couple of weeks ago, I sprained my knee. I have it braced and it’s improving, but I don’t know if I’ve done any real damage. I can climb stairs, hills, etc, but it feels fragile and gets sore sometimes.
I messaged my primary physician’s office to ask who I should see when I get back. They replied, “get help locally.” The problem is, I’m out of the country and have been on the move constantly and I don’t know if my insurance is good where I am.
Who should I see when I get back? Urgent care, then whoever they send me to? My doctor’s office clearly is not about to be of any help. Not the first time. I just don’t want to end up with a dodgy knee for life.
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Post by katlady on Oct 20, 2024 17:39:27 GMT
I don't know what country you are in or what their medical care is like, but it is something to look into. My Aunt fractured her ankle on a trip to Japan. She went to their hospital/doctor and ended up paying a small amount, like $100. That was her share because she did not have Japanese medical insurance. So, it may be worth it to check out the medical care situation in the country you are in. You don't want to permanently damage your knee if possible. When you get back, I would contact your primary care doctor for at least a referral to an orthopedic doctor.
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 20, 2024 17:43:51 GMT
Not a medical professional, but have sought medical help when out of the country so I would have someone look at it locally. IME, paying out of pocket is so reasonable it doesn't usually make it worth going through our travel/regular insurance. Our insurance cards do have numbers to call when out of the country, but everyone's insurance is different of course. Same with travel insurance.
Any major hotel will be able to direct you to a local urgent care/medical clinic. Smaller places will likely only have one option available (thinking of a small Greek island).
FWIW, IME urgent care is going to put a bandaid on it for something like this and tell you to see your PCP for further treatment. If you don't need to see your PCP for an ortho referral, contact an orthopedic practice and ask them who you should see.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Oct 20, 2024 17:45:39 GMT
If your knee is currently sprained, then you shouldn't be walking on it at all or putting any weight on it. Your knee needs to rest and heal. Walking on it is continuing to aggravate it further and not allowing it to heal.
I would be icing it regularly, wrapping it, keeping it elevated and using crutches or a wheelchair (especially while you are touring places).
I wouldn't go to a clinic or hospital, because they will probably only tell you to do the above advice.
Sorry that you are injured, that's no fun on while traveling. Hope you heal quickly.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,734 
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Oct 20, 2024 17:51:18 GMT
FWIW, IME urgent care is going to put a bandaid on it for something like this and tell you to see your PCP for further treatment. If you don't need to see your PCP for an ortho referral, contact an orthopedic practice and ask them who you should see. This. I find it really interesting how often it seems like people go to urgent care. For me it is more expensive than going to my PCP. My kids can usually get day of appointments if I call when their pediatrician opens. And similar with my PCP if I have an immediate need. Obviously all Dr offices work differently and I'm guessing some don't set aside times for day of appointments. I just find it interesting cuz I frequently forget that urgent care is an option while for others it is a first thought. |
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pantsonfire
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Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Oct 20, 2024 18:06:26 GMT
Not a medical professional, but have sought medical help when out of the country so I would have someone look at it locally. IME, paying out of pocket is so reasonable it doesn't usually make it worth going through our travel/regular insurance. Our insurance cards do have numbers to call when out of the country, but everyone's insurance is different of course. Same with travel insurance. Any major hotel will be able to direct you to a local urgent care/medical clinic. Smaller places will likely only have one option available (thinking of a small Greek island). FWIW, IME urgent care is going to put a bandaid on it for something like this and tell you to see your PCP for further treatment. If you don't need to see your PCP for an ortho referral, contact an orthopedic practice and ask them who you should see. I went to UC for my knee injury and they took X-rays and did a full exam. I was given a knee stabilizer as well as crutches and told to stay off of it as they thought I tore a ligament. It got me in quicker with my PCP (who does not have same day appointments most of the time and is weeks out for appointments). They got me in for an MRI and to see Ortho. I did indeed have 2 tears. A full year and a partial tear. Another time I went to ER and got all the work up and was sent straight to Ortho. Full blown ACL tear and partial tear. Our UC is associated with our medical group and is just like seeing your PCP. UC can write notes that your PCP needs to get you in to xyz specialty team as well so you can be seen sooner. |
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pantsonfire
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Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,264
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Post by pantsonfire on Oct 20, 2024 18:07:26 GMT
Co pay for PCP and UC is $15. No out of pocket for any labs or x rays or tests. So not more costly.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,264
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Post by pantsonfire on Oct 20, 2024 18:08:41 GMT
I’m on an extended trip and a couple of weeks ago, I sprained my knee. I have it braced and it’s improving, but I don’t know if I’ve done any real damage. I can climb stairs, hills, etc, but it feels fragile and gets sore sometimes. I messaged my primary physician’s office to ask who I should see when I get back. They replied, “get help locally.” The problem is, I’m out of the country and have been on the move constantly and I don’t know if my insurance is good where I am. Who should I see when I get back? Urgent care, then whoever they send me to? My doctor’s office clearly is not about to be of any help. Not the first time. I just don’t want to end up with a dodgy knee for life. Stay off of it. See if you can get a wheelchair to use. One a person pushes. Even a sprain needs rest. Typically 2 weeks. With icing and heating and rising it up. See your PCP or ask for Ortho and PT. They can do an MRI to see if there are any tears. |
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Post by gotranch on Oct 20, 2024 18:14:47 GMT
I would do as ScrapbookMyLife suggested and then go to an orthopedic walk-in clinic when you get back. You don't need a PCP referral to be seen. It has been my experience that they can get you in pretty quickly. You might be seen by a PA, but they will give you more specialized care than the PCP.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,734
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Oct 20, 2024 18:16:02 GMT
Co pay for PCP and UC is $15. No out of pocket for any labs or x rays or tests. So not more costly. PCP visit $55 UC visit $80 Definitely savings for me to see my PCP My husband's work covers our health insurance so I don't complain about the office visit/procedure costs since I know the monthly costs that we don't have to pay are way more. |
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 20, 2024 18:41:23 GMT
I went to UC for my knee injury and they took X-rays and did a full exam. This is why I said IME. All UC are not equal and having an option associated with your medical group is great.  The only thing we found of value through UC was high school sports medicals that aren't covered by insurance. gotranch, I forgot that the orthopedic office DH used has a walk-in clinic. They would rather see patients first before anyone else starts treating injuries. |
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Post by littlemama on Oct 20, 2024 19:09:27 GMT
Depending on where you are, seek treatment there.
When you get back, see your doctor.
Im not sure why you think they would not be helpful when you get back. They cannot treat you without an examination, so their hands are tied while you are out of the country
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Post by smasonnc on Oct 20, 2024 20:49:07 GMT
Depending on where you are, seek treatment there. When you get back, see your doctor. Im not sure why you think they would not be helpful when you get back. They cannot treat you without an examination, so their hands are tied while you are out of the country We’ve been in 4 different countries since I first did it and I couldn’t find a provider on short notice then. It got somewhat better so I’ve just been trying to make it work until I get home. I go to my PCP for a yearly checkup but whenever I need something between visits, they are less than helpful and send me to Urgent Care. It’s part of Cleveland Clinic, corporate medicine at its worst. So is the urgent care. They’ve taken over most of the doctors’ offices in our town and it’s just too hard to get in with another one. I contacted them hoping they could just help me get in with an ortho for when I get back. |
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Post by Linda on Oct 20, 2024 21:18:05 GMT
for bones/joints - I would personally go to an Ortho clinic not a regular UC /ER - the closest one to me is an hour but it's worth it especially since ime, UC will refer you to Ortho anyway.
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