Posted by lois on July 27, 2003 at 19:22:17:
I have read many of the postings here. My son is 28 and in so much pain that he can no longer work. His story is like many of yours. He was a top high school athlete untill his femor head caved in. He now has osteoarthritis and has areas that are bone on bone. He has no insurance, no job, he worked for a non-profit organization and they don't pay into disability or unemployment. How are those of you with bad results like him, living? His doctor is one of the finest in the world with hips, but he can't afford to see him. They will do a replacement on him, but no insurance. The doctor does a resurfacing surgery that is a precurser to a replacement. My son is living with me part of the time and with his girlfriend the other part of the time. We are supporting him and he has no normal life at all. I fear that he is losing his mind. He has days that he can walk, but pays for it and is on the couch for 3 or 4 days after that. He refuses to use a wheelchair or a crutch. He says that is giving in. He has gone through the welfare department and applied for Medical(we live in ca.) It has now been 7 months since we applied. They sent him to see a doctor and the doctor has never even heard of Legg Perthes. If they turn him down for medical, He is at his wits end. If anyone has any advice for us, please help.