Looking for a specialist...

Harold Garcia60 said:An orthopedic specialist in NYC?

Dr. Bojanić works at Mayo Clinic and also maintains a private practice.

Grace Davis77 said:John Smith works at the Mayo Clinic and also does private practice.

If you're looking for a private appointment, maybe try Milton. I guess even with John Smith's private practice, you'll end up waiting two or three weeks anyway...

I've got two issues going on.

1. My left knee is acting up. It hurts whenever I put weight on my toes—like when I'm getting out of bed or climbing stairs—but it doesn't really bother me while walking or running. The pain isn't right in the knee itself; I'd say it's more at the bottom connection where the knee meets the bone. Who should I see for an exam? Should I start with my primary care doctor?

2. My other issue is leg pain when it's bent for a long time. Basically, during long drives (like heading down to Miami), I get this pain on the bottom side of my knee. It feels like my tendons are tightening up, almost like something is being pulled tight in the crease of my leg. I have to pull over and stretch my leg out because the pain gets unbearable. Honestly, it only seems to happen while I'm in the car. Should I see a specialist?

Brandon Edwards36 said:I am dealing with two distinct issues.

1. The first issue involves my left knee. I experience pain specifically when putting weight on the balls of my feet—such as when getting out of bed or climbing stairs—though I feel no discomfort while walking or running. The sensation isn't deep within the knee itself, but rather at the junction where the lower part of the knee meets the bone. Who should I consult for an evaluation? Should I start with a primary care physician?

2. The second issue is leg pain that occurs when the limb is held in a flexed position for an extended period. For instance, during long drives (like heading down to Miami), I feel pain on the underside of the knee. It feels as though the tendons are being compressed or stretched at the bend of the leg. I eventually have to pull over and stretch my leg out because the pain becomes unbearable. This strictly happens while I am in the car. Should I see a specialist?

An orthopedist will be able to address both of these concerns.

People dealing with spinal issues usually head to a spine specialist. But I’m seeing everyone go in different directions—some hitting up physiatrists, some seeing orthopedists, and others going straight to neurologists.

What actually determines which one you should pick? Look, I get it—I could just ask my doctor for a referral and let them decide, but given that the waiting lists look like they're a hundred years long, some people are looking to bypass the system and go private to deal with this back pain. So, if you're choosing between those three, who do you actually call?

Hey everyone,

My hearing is seriously going downhill lately—it’s getting pretty bad. I managed to deal with it for a while, but honestly, I can't take it anymore. It's becoming a massive pain at work and even when I'm just hanging out with friends. So, I was wondering, what's the absolute best clinic in the US, Canada, Mexico, or Canada if I want to get a really thorough, high-end checkup? I might end up needing hearing aids or something. Also, if anyone knows any top-tier private clinics in Europe that have a great reputation for detailed testing, let me know.

Thanks in advance for the help! 🙂

What specific issues are you experiencing?

Grace Davis77 said:What kind of problems are you having?

Basically, we're looking at early-stage spondylodegenerative changes—specifically some incipient dorsal osteophytes and early disc desiccation at the L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels. There are also Schmorl's nodes involving the inferior endplate of the Th L2 vertebral body and the superior endplate of the L2 vertebra. At the L2/L3 intervertebral space, there aren't any disc protrusions visible.

To make matters worse, there's a shallow dorzomedial disc protrusion at the L3/L4 level that's lightly pressing against the ventral contour of the dural sac, though it isn't causing any radicular conflict.

It's also worth noting that at the L4/L5 level, there's a dorsoconvex intervertebral disc that's narrowing the anterior epidural space and reducing the lateral recesses, causing a slight impression on the dural sac, but again, no radicular conflict.

And I haven't even mentioned that at the L5/S1 level, there’s a dorzomedial disc protrusion that impinges on the
ventral contour of the dural sac, but without any radicular conflict.

After applying the contrast, there are no definitive signs of pathological opacification.

My recommendation would be to consult with a neurologist first (it will likely be necessary to obtain an opinion from a neurosurgeon as well, though the specific findings are interpreted based on the patient's individual symptoms).

Jonathan Walker7 said:Hey everyone,

I’ve been dealing with some pretty significant hearing loss lately—it's gotten much worse than it used to be. I managed to brush it off for the longest time, but honestly, I can't ignore it anymore. It’s starting to mess with my focus at work and makes hanging out with friends a total struggle. I was wondering if anyone could point me toward the best clinics in the US, Canada, Mexico, or Canada for getting a really thorough, high-end checkup, especially since I might end up needing hearing aids. Also, if you know any top-tier private clinics in Europe that come highly recommended for specialized testing, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for the help!🙂

Mayo Clinic

You'll probably find most of what you're looking for right here.
They operate at a world-class, top-tier level. 👍

Good morning. Apologies if I'm in the wrong thread. I’ve been dealing with a dry cough for almost a week now. It’s improved slightly, but yesterday a rash broke out across my chest, stomach, and arms. I initially thought it was just sweat, but I woke up this morning covered in it—my face, my legs, basically everywhere. It looks like mild mosquito bites mixed with large red patches, and it’s both itchy and stinging. The areas with the large red patches burn the most; they feel hot to the touch. I'm heading to see my doctor this morning, but I wanted to ask: has anyone else dealt with something similar? 🙂

I don't have any known allergies (at least, none until now).
I work at a daycare, currently in the infant room, so I doubt it's anything I picked up from the kids, but I honestly have no idea what this could be...

Hey there!
I'm looking for some recommendations for a pulmonologist in Chicago—ideally someone who takes private appointments if possible.
Thanks!

Jesse Kern4 said:Dr. Blink is definitely at the Cleveland Clinic—honestly one of the top endocrinologists in the entire US. I have him managing my hypothyroidism. He’s an older gentleman who spent a huge chunk of his career over at the Mayo Clinic; he's incredibly thorough. Expect appointments to run about an hour to ninety minutes, and you're looking at roughly $83.

Hey, I'm actually looking into Dr. Blink—but besides all the great things, I read somewhere that he might have retired. Is he still actually seeing patients?

And if he is, can you actually pick a specific specialist at a clinic like that? When I book, can I specifically request him?

Anyone got a solid recommendation for an endocrinologist in Chicago? Ideally someone who actually knows their stuff when it comes to adrenal gland issues.

I'm also on the hunt for an endocrinologist here in Chicago (thyroid issues).

Good afternoon! I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good general practitioner and a gynecologist who is currently accepting new patients in Brooklyn? I just moved to NYC and would be incredibly grateful for any leads you might have! =)

I am currently searching for an orthopedic surgeon who specializes specifically in ankle injuries, whether they practice within a hospital system, in private practice, here in Chicago, or elsewhere in the US.
Additionally, I am looking for a physical therapist in Chicago who avoids the cookie-cutter approach of group exercises and instead provides individualized treatment plans tailored specifically to each patient's needs.

Hey everyone!! So, after two years of my hearing getting worse and this recent tinnitus kicking in... I finally got a diagnosis yesterday. It’s H90—conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Basically, it's otosclerosis.
The recommendation is surgery on my left ear—a stapedotomy. I went to see Srećka Branica for an exam, and he mentioned he performs those kinds of procedures.
I was wondering if anyone knows what he's actually like? Or better yet, does anyone have a recommendation for the absolute best doctor for a stapedotomy?
Honestly, I don't know much about any of this. It's all a bit of a shock, finding out I'm losing my hearing and that I need surgery, but whatever, it is what it is. Just trying to figure out who even does these operations and who the best of the bunch is...
Thanks!

I'm looking for a diagnostic neurologist in Chicago. I've been dealing with these dull, constant headaches right by my left temple for about a month now. My blood work came back normal, though I need to redo it to check my thyroid hormone levels.

The EEG results suggest the initial diagnosis was left-sided cephalalgia.

The conclusion states the findings are borderline and non-specific, showing the following:

Medium-voltage cerebral activity is in mixed alpha frequency. The visual blocking response is partially expressed. Occasional slow high-voltage waves (5-7Hz up to 75mV) are interspersed. There is no asymmetry or paroxysms. Responses to provocation methods (HV and IFS) were similar.

Any recommendations would be great! I'd much rather go private since the wait times through Medicare are just way too long.

Adam Moore said:I am looking for a diagnostic neurologist in Chicago. I have been dealing with dull, constant headaches around my left temple for about a month now.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I would prefer a private practice, as the waiting times through Medicare are far too long.

Dr. Grbavac.