MRI and Psoriatic Arthritis

Living with psoriatic arthritis for the last seven years, I have gotten used to daily pain. Usually, the pain resides in my back, however, for the last couple of months, I have been having excruciating pain in my left knee.

Having to climb stairs has become a huge problem. How huge? Let me put it this way, I have four steps leading up to my front door. The only way I can ascend these steps is to keep my left leg straight so I can get up them. I know something is wrong with my knee but getting my rheumatologist to agree with me has been nothing short of a huge fight.

Addressing knee pain with your doctor

We all know the struggle. We know something is wrong but the doctors look at us like it is some ploy by us to get pain pills.

"Let's Do A X-Ray." Should we all count the times that we have heard that? I heard it so many times over the last seven years that it truly makes me shake my head. I can just hear the response when the x-rays are viewed.

"Well, Mrs. Wilkerson we see osteoarthritis." How many times have you heard the very same thing? I did have a dermatologist tell me once that they say osteoarthritis but arthritis is arthritis, no matter the name. I have never forgotten that little nugget. So little is really known about psoriatic arthritis that I truly believe they have to say osteoarthritis.

The decision to start physical therapy

Physical therapy was a new concept I must admit. Normally the subject of physical therapy never comes up. However, this time, the rheumatologist suggested it. Two months of going twice a week with no improvement let me know that this is not the way to go.

The same problem and pain in my knee kept coming between the exercises and improvement. Pain, swelling, and repeat. So frustrating. Upon seeing the rheumatologist at my biologic infusion session, I told her about my frustration with physical therapy. To my surprise, she agreed to send me to have an MRI done.

Choosing an MRI

I have to admit, I have never had an MRI done before. I somewhat knew what to expect because my son has had it done several times due to an injury to his knee. At a point, I am a bit astonished that we have bonded over this subject but I digress.

One of the things I always wondered about was hearing the stories of people freaking out over the confined space. In all honesty, I can say I have a better understanding of that now. It is a small space especially for someone like me who is overweight. The bed that you have to lay on is so hard. I thought hospital beds were hard but this is a whole new kind of hard. Then there is the cuff that he put around my knee. My knee was in excruciating pain by the time the test was over.

Me and my painful knee, waiting for results

As I write this I am sitting at home, waiting on the results of the MRI. I understand it takes a couple of days for someone to read the results. All I want is for someone to tell me what is going on with my knee.

Has psoriatic arthritis caused the joints in my knee to deteriorate? Will I have to have knee surgery? It is scary not knowing. Do you ever wish that as soon as you have an x-ray or MRI in this case that they would immediately tell you the answer?

I can say there was one part of the test that helped a bit. In the room, there was a window that I could look out and watch the clouds drift by. It kept my mind occupied. I have to admit that it wasn't a pleasant experience but one that I hope will tell me what is going on with my knee.

Have you had an MRI done before on your knee? Did it hurt?