Validation

 Yesterday I saw the ortho for my hands.

Only it wasn't the ortho at all, but his PA.

He felt around my palms and thumb for soreness but didn't check my wrists,

examined the x-rays didn't see a fracture and said he could tell from the x-rays 

that the ligaments were fine.

He declared I had stage 2 (out of 4) arthritis in both thumbs

and mild carpal tunnel.

We discussed treatment options--getting a cortisone shot--which I declined, 

he gave me a brace to wear while "canning and gardening"

and other activities which aggravate it

 (yes, these are the words he said without asking what activities I actually spend time doing),

said he was glad my finger was better

(to which I said, not really, the bump is still there)

and asked if the tennis elbow had improved,

and I responded that it hadn't and wondered if the problem 

with my hands and wrists and tennis elbow could be aggravating each other,

and he said, no. Not possible. But I would probably be a good candidate for tennis elbow surgery,

which he described as relatively simple with an easy recovery.

I left feeling pretty discouraged because he wasn't nearly as thorough as

the physical therapist. 

This morning I made three more appointments with other orthos

(verifying I would see them and not their PA's),

and reported my experience to my PT and they rolled their eyes, said they didn't like

that PA at all, were shocked he didn't get an MRI, approved of the other three orthos I'm meeting with and 

told me to make sure to tell them that Kelley, my PT, says there's a concerning clunk in my wrist.

And then they slapped their faces at the canning and gardening comment.

Respect to my good friends who do both!

But, I feel like a doctor should ask what activities I enjoy and give me specific advice at how to modify--

not just assume based on my age and gender that I'm a full-time gardener and canner.

(If he'd asked, I would have told him I love road biking but it's very painful.)

I came away from PT very validated.