Honesty is the best policy!

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

Knowing your limits and being honest lead to better outcomes for everyone. You can make better decisions when you have all the information and facts. Here’s a recent experience of mine that highlights this principle.

I am due to have my kneecap replaced on the 27th of August, stemming from a long-standing injury. On visiting a consultant last August, here’s how it played out:

Consultant 1: “I have examined your MRI, and you need a total knee replacement.”

Me: “Really? I had surgery in 2017 on the knee, and it was just my kneecap that was the problem. It has been fine until I fell over and chipped my kneecap in August ’23.”

Consultant 1: “You cannot put a new kneecap on an arthritic knee.”

Me: “Okay, I will leave it as I am on crutches anyway, so I cannot have it done yet.”

I waited, and once I recovered from my injuries, I decided to get a second opinion.

Me: “I saw a consultant six months ago who suggested I needed a full knee replacement. I am not entirely sure I need that and would rather not if possible.”

Consultant 2: “I have looked at the MRI and agree with you. You are a candidate for a kneecap only. However, I am not able to do partial knee replacements, so I will have to refer you to someone else.”

Me: “Excellent, thank you for your honesty!”

Consultant 3: “You were referred by my good friend. Having looked at the scan, I see that the knee joint and cartilage are all intact, so I would not remove something good to replace it with metal.”

Me: “I was told I could not have a kneecap fitted on an arthritic knee?”

Consultant 3: “Your knee has category one arthritis, which is common with your age, and it will be fine. It is unlikely to last your lifetime, so we can always then do a full replacement in the future.”

Me: “Excellent, I will go ahead and book!”

Who filled me with the most confidence? My recovery will be quicker, and I will still have my good joint. The pain from my kneecap, which keeps dislocating, will be gone!