February 1, 2010

Worked my butt off this past weekend, cleaning the house for an anticipated visit by my father-in-law’s wife’s brother and his wife, from Italy. Seems the guy is reported to be allergic to cats. Heh. That would make ours the wrong house to visit, as a general rule (we’re down to 24 now, having just lost Misty, our oldest, on this past Christmas Eve Day).
 
But, as these nice folks have never been in the States before, in the interests of international diplomacy, we decided to go the extra mile and super clean the place to make it “safe” for an allergy sufferer.
 
But first, we had to trap the cats and confine them. Otherwise, you’re just spinning your wheels. Fortunately, like me and most of our friends, they’re “food sluts.” Nothing they wouldn’t do, no place they wouldn’t go, for a tasty meal. So, my wife and I cracked open a few cans of wet cat food and played “Pied Piper” with them.
 
It’s quite a sight to see them all following the aroma of the food, right into the bedrooms, where we locked them in for the day. Then, we could work in peace.
 
So, we finished the house and then set about making some food. One thing about Italians is that they know good food. So we pulled out all the stops.  Turned out pretty well, too. They seemed to like everything and had seconds….
 
Nice couple they were: Mario and Tina. Live near Naples (the real one, not the one in Florida), have four kids, the oldest of whom is now in his forties. And they speak no English. Fortunately, Anna, Charlie’s wife and Mario’s sister, is bilingual, so we had our own built-in interpreter. Very lovely people. And we had a good time.
 
During the meal, Mario mentioned to my father-in-law that his son was supposed to have surgery on his knee. Between Anna’s interpretations and sign lingo, I was made to understand that he was having arthroscopic surgery on his lateral mensicus, which according to an MRI scan, was torn. And, since he found out that I was an orthopaedic surgeon, he naturally wanted to know if I thought that surgery was necessary.
 
Pretty good question, really. I pointed out to him that if he had read my book on treating knee pain, DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK FOR ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN  http://www.drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html  he would know the answer. And a lot has to do with the nature of the tear, where in the meniscus it is, and how active he intends to be after surgery. And all that is assuming that the tear actually exists.
 
The MRI scan is a great tool for diagnosis. On the medial side of the joint (inner side), its accuracy is about 90-95%. But, because of the screwy anatomy of the lateral compartment of the knee joint, MRI findings of the lateral meniscus are only about 60% accurate. So, actual pathology has to confirmed at arthroscopy, before you can begin to decide on appropriate treatment.
 
Apparently, he got the injury playing football. Not our idea of football, as in the Superbowl, but European football, or soccer. The rapid twisting, cutting movements in that game result in lots of meniscal tears. And, despite his age, he’d like to continue playing, after the proposed procedure. That being the case, he SHOULD have the surgery. 
 
If he was a low demand user, ie., a couch potato, then the same injury need not be treated so aggressively. In fact, the pain could then be treated with a number of the non-surgical options that I recommend, from across the entire medical spectrum, including the best alternative treatments, in my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY: http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html  
 
The exercises I show you, plus one, or several, of the other simple, easy to apply solutions for knee pain, including the anti- inflammatory properties of my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA,  http://www.favoriteformulas.com    an ultra pure, pharmaceutical grade fish oil, can often get rid of your knee pain fast and keep it gone, for good. Two capsules, twice a day, for a couple of months should do the trick, by reducing inflammation.
 
He felt very reassured that his son was making the right decision. And he was relieved that he had every reason to believe that his recovery would be fast and uneventful. Especially after I told him that I’d had such surgery myself and obviously, did well.
 
Then, it was time for them to make the run to the Orlando International Airport. Another of his sons was flying in to visit and they were going to pick him up. Naturally, they all want to go to Disney World.
 
So, having done our bit for U.S. international relations, and made two new friends, we all said “Ciao!” and bid them farewell. After a few well-earned moments of peace, for ourselves, the bride and I released the feline hordes, who descended on the kitchen, looking for more food!  There’s no end to it!
 
And, you know, that guy, Mario, never sneezed once! Guess we did a pretty good job. Well, that’s it for today, my friend. 
 
Remember that very soon, now, I will be asking you to sign up again, if you’d like to continue getting my daily emails and commentary, when I switch to a new server to improve email reliability and delivery. I know it’s a pain in the butt, but it’s necessary. 
 
On the other hand, if you’d like to bail, but were afraid of hurting my feelings, just don’t do anything and that will be done for you–you’ll just stop getting these daily ramblings and musings. To continue, you will have to take action, when the time comes.
 
Anyway, be well. Talk to you soon. 

Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
“The Wellness warrior”         TM

P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION

Copyright, 2010 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

January 25, 2010

Over the weekend, I got an email from a subscriber who complained of a very common problem. So, I thought I’d pass it along, as you may well have, or have had, this same problem yourself.
 
He wrote that he had developed a pop or snapping sensation inside his knee, which had cause him to start having pain, when bending or straightening the joint. He didn’t recall any specific injury to the knee.
 
That’s not at all uncommon, you know. Many is the time that patients came to see me in the office with an obvious injury, yet they couldn’t remember any such trauma in the recent past. In these cases, what I surmised is that they had a minor injury, perhaps a bump into the corner of a piece of furniture, not bad enough to remember, so it didn’t register. 
 
But over a few days, the incident now forgotten, the body set up a “delayed” inflammation, mediated by a cellular response. From the standpoint of the patient, this pain seemed to come out of the blue. But there really WAS an injury–just not one they could recall.
 
I’ve had this happen, myself. It was only when I really made the effort to remember and retrace my steps that I finally recalled the minor bump, several days before, that was the cause of the pain. That’s more likely to happen, now that I’m back on my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA  http://www.favoriteformulas.com
 
The pharmaceutical grade fish oil has real anti-coagulant properties, among others, like preventing heart attacks and strokes, anti-inflammatory properties, and many others. While that’s usually a good thing, preventing abnormal clots and deep vein thrombosis, the price you pay is a greater tendency to bruise, which is simply bleeding under the skin.
 
Blood in the tissues is a common cause for delayed inflammation and resultant pain. In this case, this person likely had a bruise, which he no longer recalls, which then set up the inflammation, which then resulted in inflammation of the synovial membrane, that lines the knee. 
 
The synovium normally has a few small folds from birth. When these folds are swollen from inflammation, they enlarge into plicae(meaning “folds” in Latin). These plicae can then snap, or pop, as they are rubbed against the bony contours of the end of the femur, within the knee. In effect, they are plucked, like the strings of a guitar, when bending or extending the knee.
 
If the inflammation is chronic, lasting for an extended period of time, the synovial membrane may be replaced by thick, fibrous tissue, thereby becoming a stiff cord of scar. Once that happens, that plica is there for good. It can only be removed by surgery. 
 
Prior to that, however, the irritated and swollen fold in the membrane can be shrunk, by using one, or several, of the many            non-surgical treatments in my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
In the short term, ice applications, for the first 24-48 hours helps, because the cold constricts the blood vessels, thereby limiting the amount of bleeding and swelling in the injured tissues. After that, intermittent heat is more beneficial. 
 
How do you know when to switch?
 
See how it feels. If heat makes the knee hurt more, then it still needs ice. If, on the other hand it feels good, then heat is what’s needed. Like we used to say in the 60′s and 70′s: “If it feels good, do it.”
 
And, though this may seem like just common sense, you should NOT continue to snap the knee. Continually “plucking the string” will only prolong the ongoing inflammation, maintaining the swelling of the tissues and preventing resolution. To keep the knee still, you may need to place it in a knee immobilizer, which will hold it straight, while still allowing weight bearing.
 
If you follow these few tips and use the methods I outline in HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY, http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html  and you will get fast relief, shrink the plica and get rid of that irksome, snapping knee pain. Til next time, my friend, be well. Talk to you again, soon.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
“The Wellness warrior”       TM
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2010 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

January 15, 2010

Earlier this month just after the New Year, when I was still in the early stages of recovery from my hernia repair surgery, I had mentioned that there were going to be some changes coming down the pike, with Dr. Bill’s Clinic. One of them will be coming up just next month. I’ll be switching this daily email and the daily blog that it becomes, to another server.
 
This will mean a bit of chaos at first. But I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they’ve signed up, multiple times, to get my emails, but never received one. That includes my webmaster.
 
Now you may like my commentary, stories and health tips and find them valuable. Or you may find they’re not your cup of tea and move on. And that’s fine. I realize I can’t be all things to all people. And I realize that not everyone is going to agree with me. 
 
(Of couse, I tend to think of these latter people as narrow, ignorant, misguided, jealous bastards, while those who agree with me are highly intelligent, morally superior and perceptive, discriminating individuals, who are excellent specimens of the species, but I suppose that’s only natural.) 
 
But if you DO want to keep receiving these daily messages from me, you will have to take action, when it’s called for and OPT-IN AGAIN. Now, I know it’s a nuissance. And I know I’m going to lose some of my flock. Everyone who does this, does. But, whether you like my emails or you don’t, the fact remains that I work my butt off to knock them out, day after day. And I work too hard at it to accept that my efforts are, in large part, being wasted.
 
It’s far more likely that the “mail will get through” with this move and that you will receive your daily dose of Dr. Bill, without interruption. But, as I said, this will require some effort on your part, when the time comes.
 
Since you are here, that already tells me that you’re different from the herd. And so, instead of simply accepting that I will lose a number of my friends, through inaction or lack of information, I decided to give you a heads-up early, BEFORE the transition, so you will be expecting it and take the appropriate action, ie., sign up again and confirm that you WANT to continue to receive communications from me.
 
I will periodically make a number of repeat announcements over the next few weeks, which I hope will minimize the predicted loss of subscribers. It has to be done, though. And I hope you will want to make the transition with me.
 
But anyway, you have been warned.
 
The other big change is that, very soon, I will be posting PODCASTS on various medical topics on iTunes. The show will be called “The Wellness Warrior” and will feature episodes on health related topics that will help you be healthier, happier and live longer.
 
Some episodes will be 20 to 30 minutes long, mainly audio. Some will be short video tips, maybe a minute or two. But I hope that all of them will be interesting to you. Oh, and you can leave comments and ask questions and stuff, too. So, I hope you’ll sign up for them when they’re up and ready to go. I’ll keep you posted.
 
My first podcast will be an episode about Fish Oil–The Omega-3 Solution. I’ve already recorded it. I’m just fine tuning it, before it goes live. In this podcast, I’ll go over the many health benefits of pharmaceutical grade fish oil, especially my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA  http://www.favoriteformulas.com 
 
This will be an overview, explaining exactly what omega-3′s are, why you need them and how you can benefit from taking them. The following podcasts will continue in that vein, boiling down all the latest information to the essentials that you can use.
 
Later episodes will focus on the ways you can relieve your pain in simple, non-operative ways, that I cover in more depth in my healing program,  HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY   http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery   and still others will feature interviews with other physicians, surgeons and health care practitioners, to give you a well-rounded variety of opinions on a given topic. For example, I may interview a cardiologist on coronary artery disease and the things you can do to prevent clinical heart disease, or a rheumatologist, about how to cope with arthritis.
 
So, I hope you’ll stay tuned to the changes coming in Dr. Bill’s Clinic in the very near future. 
 
And if you have any particular topics you’d like me to address, or ideas about how I can make this more beneficial for you, please drop me an email. 
 
Meanwhile, thanks for all your support and for the kind remarks and comments that I often get from enthusiastic subscribers. I hope you’ll continue to want to be a part of my little health “family” and will take the necessary action, when the time comes.
 
Have a great weekend, my friend and be well. I’ll talk to you again soon. Til next time,

Yours for a pain-free tomorrow and your optimal health,
 
Dr. Bill
 
“The Wellness Warrior”    TM

P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on   http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2010 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

The early Christmas party went well, last night. Everyone ate their fill (and that’s one real advantage to an early celebration–if you run out if anything, the stores are still open, so you can just go out and buy whatever you want). We did our presents (except for the bride and myself–we like to do our own gift exchanges in private… we always did). And everyone seemed to have a really good time.
 
Slept in late today. That last minute push before an event at the house always knocks me out, so I indulged myself with lying abed this morning and allowed myself to recharge.
 
Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I recently discovered that I have developed an inguinal hernia–just came out of the blue. Don’t recall any trauma, or any sensation of straining, or tearing. But a few days after Thanksgiving, I noticed it for the first time–it just WAS. The surgeon says that’s how these things normally present in us middle aged guys. Another step on the road to decreptitude.
 
This is one of those “mechanical problems” I’m always talking about, as a differentiation between “necessary” and “unnecessary” surgeries, a point I make repeatedly in my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY: http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html  
 
Anyway, it seems I need some surgery soon, to fix it, so I have to stop all dietary items that could cause excessive bleeding, during the procedure.
 
That would include any low dose aspirin, or garlic, or fish oil, that are normally taken precisely because they “thin the blood” and reduce the incidence of abnormal clotting. The problem is that they all have additional effects, like the proven, potent anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids, found in pharmaceutical grade fish oil, like my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA   http://www.favoriteformulas.com 
 
That means that if I stop the fish oil and the other items for any single reason, I give up ALL their benefits. And having done so now, for a few days, I can TELL it’s missing, when my back and joints start aching again.
 
There’s no question that those anti-inflammatory properties really exist. Same thing can be said for its anti-platelet aggregation properties, that make the blood platelets less “sticky” and therefore, less likely to form clots. 
 
That’s why the doctors tell you to quit them a week, or ten days, before surgery. That’s tacit admission from the medical establishment that omega-3′s WORK.
 
Then, earlier today, my oldest cat, Misty, started falling around. Poor thing is over 18 1/2, which makes her over 80, in human years. We were very upset, fearing that she had had a stroke. We’ve lost a few of our older cats to sudden strokes. And there’s no coming back from that, if it’s a big one.
 
So, I was moping around all day, until I could get her to the vet. My wife was convinced she’d come to the end of the road and that we’d have to put her down. Some timing! I hate that. And I was dreading hearing that I would have to do that, today. 
 
I know she’s old, but she’s really sweet and I tend to fight for my pets, every step of the way, whatever is needed, so they get every minute of quality life that’s coming to them. Funny, but I apply the “Medical Ethic” to my cats, while Congress is getting ready to apply the “Veterinary Ethic” to us (ie., those who pay the bill determine the level of care), with their Christmas Eve vote on their alleged Health Care bill. November can’t come soon enough, for me….
 
But when the vet finally looked at her, blood work was great, x-rays were OK and he only found some high blood pressure, ie., a treatable condition. Thank God! You know, I can handle anything involving my health, or that of my family, but I still get all choked up about our cats.
 
So Misty got a reprieve–she came home and promptly went to sleep, none the worse for wear. And you know what? As far as I was concerned, it was the best gift of all!
 
Well, nothing left now, but some last minute shopping for my bride and then, the peaceful interlude of Christmas Day. I wish you every joy for this Holiday Season, and hope you enjoy a very Merry Christmas, you and your loved ones, and a Happy, Healthy New Year! Til the next time we speak, enjoy the peace and the hope of this special time of year…and be well, my friend.
 
With seasonal greetings and my warmest wishes for your optimal health,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html

FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

December 15, 2009

After our adventures in the Turkish Bazaar and after exploring the Sultan’s Topkapi Palace, the next day, we wandered the streets of Istanbul outside the bazaar.  As if we didn’t have enough of them, we wandered into yet another rug shop.
 
My wife spied a particularly vivid red carpet, not too big, but very beautiful, with a very ornate golden border. The merchant was very impressed with our choice, as it turns out that this was a true antique, woven by hand nearly a century ago. That deep red color, a blood shade of crimson, was made with natural dyes, derived from the heads of insects (ugh!).
 
Well, we had the obligatory apple tea and hung out there for a while, casually bargaining. You need to understand that in this part of the world, there is no fixed price for anything. Everything is negotiable. And bargaining is both expected and respected, almost a social form.
 
Well we finally struck a deal, after a few hours (nothing is rushed, here) though the owner was crying that I was robbing him. That actually means that he wasn’t robbing ME as badly as would have liked to. But, it was all in good humor. And we got along with the merchant and his sons very well. 
 
We stopped by to say hello a few more times that week. Turns out that the sons were well connected with the Ministry of Antiquities. So, since we were coming due to return home, I asked their advice about a purchase I’d made in the Bazaar, one day.
 
I have always had a weakness for bladed weapons, swords, knives, of all kinds. Guess it has something to do with being a surgeon (or a frustrated warrior). And I had seen this magnificent oriental dagger, deeply chased and burnished silver, pommel, guard and scabbard, with the odor and patina of great age. It had a long, straight, pointed blade with a central blood groove, perhaps 12 inches long. It was striking.
 
Now, I rarely get things for myself, other than a few T-shirts, in most places we visit. I usually enjoy buying a few nice things for my wife. But this was an exception. So, I bought it as a souvenir and was thrilled with the purchase. 
 
But then, I found out, belatedly, that the Turkish Ministry of Antiquities did not permit the exportation of any culturally significant Turkish artifacts from the country. Uh oh. Visions of “Midnight Express” and spending hard time in a Turkish hell hole flew through my mind.
 
We decided to ask our pals at the rug shop. So I brought the knife, to show them. Well, they were very impressed. They also assured me that it was quite genuine, not a fake antique, for the tourist trade. The merchant who swore to me that it was real was telling the truth. Well, that was a relief. But now what?
 
Well, it turns out that it was not, strictly speaking, a Turkish antiquity. Rather, it was made on the northern border shared with Russia, with a distinctly Caucasian design. So, a case could be made that it did not violate the ban on taking Turkish antiquities out of the country. But still, they advised me to bury it deep in my suitcase and hope for the best. Great.
 
Well, I thanked them and said our goodbyes. Then, I did exactly what they advised. Came the morning of our departure, we arrived at the airport at 4 AM. All these military guards, with fully loaded and poised submachine guns, were everywhere, looking over everyone (and this was well before any of today’s terrorist attacks). Great. 
 
I watched, as our bags were sent through the x-ray machines, holding my breath. Amazingly, everything was cleared. Had my friends from the rug shop spoken to their friends at the airport? I guess I’ll never know. Because that dagger showed quite clearly on the     x-ray image. I saw it. I’m sure they did, too. However, or whyever, they ignored it and let it pass, thank God for small favors.
 
I was very grateful to get on that plane, without incident, I can tell you. And I slept nearly all the way home. So that was the end of our first trip to Turkey. All in all, quite an experience, rich with good memories and wonderful times.
 
And I still have that antique rug, today. And the Caucasian blade.
 
We arrived home, safe, tired, but happy. Then it was back to work for me, slicin’ and dicin’ those hips and knees. And if you’d like to treat YOUR knee pain with some proven conservative treatments and bypass the operating room yourself, then try my newest healing program: HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY    http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
Til next time, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill

P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

December 4, 2009

The week doesn’t go by that I don’t get someone who writes me a tale of woe about their knee. Often, the email is one gigantic, dense paragraph of a confusion of clinical history, x-ray and scan results, their interpretation of what their doctor said was wrong, what their neighbor said was wrong, what medication they have been on, and then a litany of their fears and apprehensions. This often goes on and on and on for a full page.
 
Let me tell you something: it is very, very hard to read an interminable email that is one solid block of type. Especially if your story is a long one, for my sake, break it up! Throw a few paragraphs in there, one every time you change to a new idea, or new topic. I’m happy to help if I can, but just seeing a solid block of writing makes me want to ignore it. So, a word to the wise….
 
A common topic, repeated over and over, is the painful knee, often with recurrent swelling and fluid (water on the knee), with limited motion and most often, the diagnosis of arthritis. And it’s often a knee that has been evaluated by an orthopaedist and the patient has been told that a total knee replacement will be needed.
 
Invariably, the very next thing the patient says to me is, “But I don’t want any surgery!” 
 
Well, sure. Who does? But somehow, they think that I can tell them something different, despite my never having examined them, having no idea of their medical history, or other factors about them that would impact on that decision. It IS true that my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY, which you can get here at:
 
http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
CAN reduce or relieve pain, even in cases of advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. Using the conservative, non-operative treatments from across the entire medical spectrum, including alternative, as well as mainstream conventional methods, symptoms can be diminished and surgery delayed or entirely avoided, until a truly mechanical issue, like a locked knee, or a collapsed joint surface, or intractable pain makes it inevitable.
 
The ideal solution is to use the techniques revealed EARLY in the course of the disease, when they’re far more likely to be effective. For example, it should be no surprise that losing 10% of your weight can make a HUGE difference in knee pain, sometimes eliminating it. Likewise, taking some POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA http://www.favoriteformula.com  an ultra pure, highly concentrated, enteric coated, pharmaceutical grade fish oil, is an excellent long term way to reduce inflammation, that may result in more severe knee pain. And of course, besides reducing body weight and reducing inflammation, knee pain exercises, like those I teach in my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM   http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html  are another great way to reduce or eliminate knee pain, restore function, currently limited by swelling and pain, and delay or avoid surgical treatment. 

Remember, no one can MAKE you have surgery. When it’s indicated and nothing else will do, surgery can be life-altering and restore your comfort and function. I spent nearly a quarter century doing just that, for thousands of patients. And very successfully, too.
 
But, you want to be sure it’s a NECESSARY surgery, that nothing else, no lesser, non-operative treatment will do and that there are very good reasons that you can’t put it off any longer. And the best way to do that is to try these conservative methods and see if they work for you, preferably BEFORE you reach the end stage of the disease. 
 
The best thing about them is that they burn no bridges. If and when they no longer help, and it’s otherwise indicated, you can still have knee surgery, without penalty. So remember, the take home message is “early intervention.” The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll feel better. 
 
Til next time, my friend, be well. Get your Christmas Shopping done early. And have a great weekend.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

My recent sojourn to the Northern Command was all too brief–just long enough to uncrate some of the stuff we had shipped up there (like my books) and spend a little time with each other. So, leaving my bride with the majority of our cats, I flew back today to Orlando, to minister to the remainder of our brood and to start to prepare the house for Christmas with the family.
 
I never miss her more than when we first part at the airport. After over 34 years, I guess we’re stuck with (and on) each other.
 
All the bulkhead seats in front (which have a lot of leg room, even if they don’t have tray tables) were already occupied by the wheelchair brigade, by the time I got on board. Second choice is any of the three seats next to the left mid-plane exit, which also have nearly as much leg room as a true first class seat. Nope. One guy was already there and guarding the remaining seats for his pals, who were further back in the boarding line.
 
OK. Third time’s the charm, as they say. The seats just across the aisle, in front of the other mid-plane exit were the next most desirable–not quite as much room as the left side, but more than the standard seats. I got the aisle seat. Another, older man was already seated next to the exit hatch.  Since the plane was not that full, we were able to keep the middle seat between us empty. Voila! Legroom and comfort–can’t ask for anything better than that on a plane these days.
 
Hell, they don’t feed you anything but tiny packaged nuts and chips. Forget about real food. You still get a soft drink or water. And the flight attendants, while competent….let’s just say that I’m old enough to remember when they were stewardesses, young and beautiful, before the P.C. Killjoys decided that was sexist and verboten (of COURSE it was–that was the point!). 
 
This, on top of the mandated TSA harrassment that passes for security checks, courtesy of our “friends” in the Middle East, makes flying an experience that once was a pleasure, but is now barely tolerable, if you’re lucky. 
 
Well, it is what it is. At least it gets you where you want to go and it’s still reasonably fast.
 
As it happens, my in flight companion remarked that he needed these seats so he could stretch his right leg out. Turns out he had some aching knee pain and he had discovered on his own that straightening his sore knee out helped him get some temporary relief.  I asked him about his knee and explained my interest.

He told me his name was Hank and he’s a 73 year old guy who developed this knee pain over time, “right under (his) kneecap,” without any specific injury. He was on some kind of “pain pill” (probably an anti-inflammatory medication) but he couldn’t remember its name. Turns out he’s NOT seeing an orthopaedist. He got the prescription from a family friend, who happens to be a cardiac surgeon! 
 
Now, if you have to choose, you’re far better off getting orthopaedic care from a cardiac surgeon than you are getting cardiac surgery from an orthopaedist , but I digress….

Anyway, I asked him a few questions and determined that he most likely had arthritis in his patellofemoral compartment (behind his kneecap). I made sure he knew to take his medication with food or milk, to protect his stomach from bleeding, reflux, gastritis or ulcers. No one had mentioned that to him (very common failing, as it turns out).
 
Then, I advised him to apply local moist heat a few times a day, use some special herbs and a few effective alternative treatments, and I told him to do some specially modified knee exercises, like those I teach in my popular, newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY, which you can get at   http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
Hank seemed to apprecate what I had told him during my impromptu “clinic at 37,000 feet” and promised to do what I had advised. I gave him my card and suggested that he visit my website, to sign up for these daily emails. He also said he was going to see about getting my HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY program. Given his symptoms, I think that’s a good idea, too. Click here for yours:
 http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
 
Then, we landed and he thanked me. We got our stuff and went our separate ways, as travellers do. But I’ll keep an eye out for him on my subscriber list. If you’re out there Hank, it was good to chat with you. Hope you feel better. And Merry Christmas to you & your family!
 
Til next time, my friend, be well. Talk to you soon.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
 
P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2008 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD
All rights reserved

It’s early morning in my Southampton study, and as I look outside the window at the beautiful stone waterfall my wife had built (which she still has running, despite freezing temperatures), I reflect on the really nice time our family had yesterday. My wife had arranged this for her Dad, his wife and a family friend, as well as the two of us, as a treat to open the Holidays. 
 
So this past morning, we got up early and drove to the Jitney station. Although I have always loved going into The City, we have taken to travelling in on a giant bus, The Hampton Jitney.
 
The advantages are pretty substantial: you sit in comfort, without the tension and stress that are inescapable when driving yourself. Here, someone else does the driving and deposits you right outside your destination. And when your entertainment is over, they pick you up, drive you back and drop you off where you left your car. I’m telling you, you can’t beat it.
 
You can’t put a premium on the lack of tension brought about by having someone else drive you. As many times as I’ve driven into the City for some very nice times, there was always that wearing tension from trying to keep other drivers on the LIE (Long Island Expressway) from running into you, at high speed. As good a time as you may have had, you lose the glow real fast when you have to drive home yourself. Take it from me, this is a whole lot better. Very civilized.
 
Anyway, for this trip, the plan was to get into The City by noon and have lunch at a nice little French Restaurant on 28th Street and Lexington Avenue, La Petite L’Auberge. The bus let us out right in front of the restaurant at the appointed time. And another benefit–no worries about trying to find a parking space!
 
Let me tell you, it was terrific! The cuisine was Country French and, although our lunch was included in the theatre package, I understand from our guide that their prices are very reasonable–especially for a French restaurant. And more amazing still, they gave us a goodly amount of food.
 
We had a choice of three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts. The food was wonderful. And the service was very pleasant, friendly and efficient, with none of the stereotypical hauteur that one sometimes sees in such places. If you’re ever in New York City, I highly recommend this establishment. I think you’ll be very pleased.
 
After a leisurely two hours, we all piled back into the bus for a ride to the Marquis Theatre on 46th Street. The play was the musical “White Christmas” (not Winter Wonderland, as I mistakenly reported yesterday–hey, my wife got the tickets. I just go where I’m told!) featuring Irving Berlin evergreens like “White Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” etc.
 
Although I’d naturally heard the songs over the years (they’ve long ago become part of our cultural lexicon), I had no idea what the story of the play was about. So, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise for me.
 
It was set in the post WW II America of 1954 and concerned the efforts of a couple of soldiers, who had become famous and successful Broadway song and dance men, who attempt to produce a Broadway musical in a Vermont Inn’s barn, for the benefit of their old commanding General, who is now the owner of this failing Country Inn. Along the way, they both discover true love and the real meaning of Christmas. Corny? Maybe. But real traditional Americana and a thoroughly enjoyable family show. 
 
I really enjoyed it and my father-in-law, who is a real part of that WW II generation, was in his element. He loves those old songs and those synchronized dance numbers. He was a pretty good dancer himself, in his day.
 
These days, however, he’s been slowed down by arthritis in his back and his knees. So, sadly, his dancing days are over. I know for a fact that he had arthritis in his knees years ago, because I operated on him back in the early eighties and saw he had arthritis back then. Of course, I tried to advise him to do the exercises I teach in my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM (see it here, at http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html),  but you can’t do a thing with him! He does what he wants. So now, it is what it is. But after all, he IS 84+.
 
But IF I could’ve gotten to him years ago, and IF I could’ve given him the advice I have to give, now in my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html  and IF he had actually followed that advice, then maybe he’d be in better shape today. 
 
The point is, there ARE things you can do to alter your destiny. You CAN prevent knee pain, you CAN  slow the progress of arthritis and you CAN, in many cases, avoid unnecessary knee surgery. To see how, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
Until you do, if you have knee pain when walking, you can keep yourself from falling and minimize your pain by using a CANE, when you walk. Stubborn as my father-in-law is, even he does that, now. You should, too.
 
Well, that’s it for today. Only a week to go til Thanksgiving–can you believe it? Til next time, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to  http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
 
P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2008 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD
All rights reserved

 I’m back in Southampton, having flown in yesterday. So this past morning, we drove to the airport to pick up my father-in-law and his wife. We thought it might be nice to gather at the new house for Thanksgiving and to see in the new Christmas Season. 
 
And to be honest, there’s something bizarre about having Thanksgiving and the Christmas Holidays in 70-80 degree temperatures in Florida, when you’ve grown up associating them with the cooler weather of Fall in the Temperate Zone. You know, the whole “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” thing rings truer when “Jack Frost is nipping at your nose.” When it’s perrenial summer, not so much.

So, to prepare for the Season, my wife got us tickets to Winter Wonderland in New York for later this afternoon. True, the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree won’t be lit yet; the official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony won’t be for a couple of weeks– I think it’s December 4th. But all the other Lights and Christmas Decorations will be up and well worth seeing. 
 
So, I was prepared for cooler weather and looking forward to it. But last night, my wife and I went out shopping, and man, it was COLD! Late last night, it was down into the twenties. I guess I’ve been in Florida too long. I was looking forward to the cooler weather but here I am, freezing in Southampton!
 
Well, hopefully, it will warm up a little later. Brrrrrrrrrrr! This part of New York I didn’t miss.
 
Funny thing about cold weather is that, like damp weather, it can make your joints ache when you have any degenerative joint disease. Among the things that can make you feel better and provide a little relief are supplements and joint wraps.
 
I’ve mentioned before that if you improve the balance of Omega 3 Fatty Acids in your diet, by avoiding red meat, saturated fats and other sources of Omega 6 Fatty Acids and then taking fish oil and other sources of Omega 3′s, you can reduce inflammation and therefore, relieve joint pain.
 
You can also keep your joints warm, too. Ways to do this range from simple elastic or neoprene knee sleeves, to far infrared capturing KENKO wraps and magnetic knee wraps that generate  internal heat within the joint tissues (both are available from your nearest NIKKEN distributor). 

These and a number of other methods for relieving knee pain are described in greater detail in my newest healing program, HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY. See it at http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
In addition, I list a number of other methods, from across the entire health care spectrum, to relieve knee pain and restore knee function–conventional, alternative and complimentary. And I include a Baker’s dozen of the most effective exercises to prevent and eliminate knee pain, for long term relief. See them at   http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html
 
Gotta go! Til next time, my friend, be well. And stay warm….
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to   http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
 
P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2008 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD
All rights reserved

Later this morning, I have to break down and clear out all the furniture and other crap that has accumulated around and in front of my bookcases. These are the same bookcases I had in my medical office when I was in practice. They’ve “seen” a lot. I got them originally back in the mid- eighties, when I first set up my “satellite” office, with the rheumatologists.

You see, when I was first in practice, I had a “baby face.” I looked younger than my stated age, as we say in the trade. Now, considering that I was the only fellowship trained orthopaedic joint surgeon on Long Island at that time, I was trained and hot to do some major reconstructive surgery. But when little old ladies who needed their hips replaced came in, I could almost “hear” them thinking: “Right, kid! Where’s your father?” And who could blame them?
 
So I figured that I needed to reassure them, with visual cues, that I was competent and worthy of their trust. After all, they were being asked to put their lives in my hands. And that commitment requires a leap of faith. So I set about getting them to “believe.” I couldn’t do much about my face, so I had to find a way to instill confidence, without saying anything that could be interpreted as empty bluster or boasting. 

Nonverbal cues, as the shrinks call them, are very effective for this purpose. So I had real engraved stationery and business cards made–not cheap thermographed cards, that mimic engraving, but the real thing, on Crane’s Crest linen paper, no less. The difference is subtle, but those who recognize the difference KNOW and those who don’t still FEEL the weight of the paper stock. Either way, it goes right to their subconscious and screams QUALITY, albeit quietly, in an understated way.
 
Then, I got a real antique oak partner’s desk, circa 1865, large, long and supported by smooth turned columns on each corner. I bought real leather furniture, brown tufted wing chairs for the patients to sit on and an even larger cordovan leather wing chair for myself, all sitting on plush wine colored carpeting. 
 
There was mahogany chair rail all around the room, and there was a set of richly polished cherry bookcases, some open, some with windowed doors, backlit with subtle lighting. The very same bookcases I still have. 
 
The overall effect was more like a lawyer’s office than a physician’s. But it stated, without saying so, that this was an office of substance, of permanence, of quality and traditional values. In short, it projected an aura of gravitas and competence that compensated for my youthful appearance. And you know, it worked. And once I showed what I could do, the issue of my relatively tender years never came up again….
 
Well, time has had its way with my face, like everyone else. But I still love my bookcases and have them filled with leatherbound volumes, novels as well as medical texts, these days. They still make a nice backdrop for an office, or a video set. So, I’m going to use them as a backdrop for my next major production.
 
I have a video producer coming over and we’re about to shoot my very first video DVD. As you may know, I’ve written a number of books and produced a few audio CD’s to teach you about the various problems that can result in knee pain and the various options you have to relieve that pain, especially those options that allow you to stay out of the operating room and avoid knee surgery. These topics are well covered in my LITTLE GREEN BOOK FOR ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN   http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
But now, I’ll have the opportunity to SHOW you what I’m talking about. I can SHOW you the bones, show you where the ligaments attach, show you what torn menisci look like, and what actually happens in surgery, from videos taken during actual procedures. There isn’t anything like this for lay people on the market. So, I’m pretty excited about it. I hope when it’s released that you’ll like it and find it useful, as well.  I guess we’ll see….
 
Well, have a great weekend and I’ll talk to you next week, with some new tips and things you can do for yourself, to prevent or eliminate knee pain. Til next time, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to  http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html
 
P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2008 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD
All rights reserved