Maiden consultation

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Since there was no improvement at all after taking glucosmaine, chondroitin and MSM for 70 days, I doubted another 20 days would make a difference. Hence I made an appointment to consult an orthopaedic at Pantai Hospital Ampang, who were highly recommended by a friend who is a doctor.

The appointment time given was between 10am and 12.30pm on a first-come-first-serve basis. Despite not being a early morning riser, I made the effort to arrive just before 10am and I was glad I did that: I was the third patient when I arrived.

After giving a historical account of my knee joint issue, interpersed with questions by the specialist, his preliminary diagnosis was patellofemoral pain syndrome (same as my latest guess). Physical examination of the knee, and X-ray (taken from 3 different angles) confirmed this diagnosis. The X-ray also showed that the left knee joint is starting to show signs of degradation as well, despite not presenting any discomfort at the moment, but it did so 20 years ago (more on this later).


Apparently, when I had knee joint pain in both knees, more so on the right knee, about 20 years ago, it might not have been due to osteoarthritis, a diagnosis given by a GP back in Singapore but if not treated properly it could evolve into one. Damn. Of course on hindsight, I should have insisted on getting X-ray but I didn't know anything then and I had to trust someone. Also, that GP's recommendation of taking glucosamine et al did work for me and naturally I thought he was correct.

The good news is that the knee's "joint spaces are preserved bilaterally" i.e. soft tissues etc are still there cushioning between the bones and the next course of action is take the medicine Artrodar, a better outcome than expected. Also, luckily the initial degradation in the left knee is caught this early.

There is a detailed explanation under "pharmacology information" section of the informative insert within the box of medicine that explains how diacerien, the main ingredient of Artrodar, helps but I'm a little lazy to type this wall of text and I couldn't get the same information on the internet. In summary, it indirectly helps to build up cartilage within the joint spaces. "Anti-osteoarthritis properties".

The medicine cost RM 75, for 30 capsules, at a retail pharmacy @@


I also was advised to do leg extension and quadriceps strengthening exercise, something that I've been doing quite regularly.

Next appintment is 7 weeks later, to have a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of the medicine. Hope it works. If not, MRI may be ordered to have a clear picture of the soft tissues.

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