Question
Recently I had an MRI without contrast on my left leg.  Unfortunately, a few days later, I lost my health insurance.  the results of my MRI showed:
1.  Medial Meniscal Tear
2.  Joint Effusion containing debris (the possibility of intraarticular bodies cannot be excluded
3.  Small Baker's cyst
4.  Tri Compartmental Osteoarthitis
Since, I lost my insurance I cannot afford to see a doctor.
Do you think this is serious?
Thank you.

Answer
Carolyn,

I am sorry to hear this.

The most serious of the three is the Medial Meniscal Tear. It depends on how serious the tear is as to whether or not it is serious.

The other three are more uncomfortable than anything else.  Your best bet is to take it easy but not become inactive. Your joint needs to have exercise and movement to stay healthy but you do not want to put to much strain on it either.

It does not sound like you are at a high risk at this time but it would be advisable to remedy the insurance situation as fast as you can. The odds are that over time the situation will become worse. Then you could live for years with little change. Still the best thing to do is to take care of it when you can.

Rusty