Saw specialist today

sharmaine

Hey all
I saw the specialist today and he said my left knee was completely shot and he is referring me to someone else.My knee is too severe for him to deal with. It's not even worth them cleaning it out! I've been told to try and lose some weight - I did lose about 20 lbs but got so down because my GP wasn't listening that I put it all back on again. I'm now determined to lose it. It looks as if the other knee is going the same way.

I had a little cry because it has got me down these past few months. It seems I'm still too young at 53 but they will not option but to replace it. I told him it would be a good idea just to chop it off!

Anyway, I'm back on the diet as I have something to aim for.

woodbon

Hello, I agree it is too young, I'm 54, but then thats the way things go sometimes. If your rhummy is sending you to someone else, I would think that is a good sign. He wouldn't bother to refer you if he didn't think someone can help you. Perhaps he means that HE can no longer offer you anything but someone else, a surgeon or neuro or pain clinic would be more helpful.

I have oa in my spine and neck and I'm going to have my first appointment at the pain management clinic at the end of July. I'm also having treatment for carpel tunnel at the plastic surgery dept :shock: . So, maybe its a good sign, the plastic surgeon (hand specialist) is, so far helping my left hand a lot.

You're bound to feel down, and thats fine to shed a few tears and get a bit cross, but in the end I hope something good comes along for you. Love Sue

ps AS for the diet, don't worry too much, just try and eat a little bit less and hot weather is good for that!

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine,

Sorry to hear you had a little cry as things have not been great. At least you have an incentive to get that weight off and speaking from experience, I have no regrets having had a TKR, not long after my 57th birthday.

Another tip is to try and strengthen your thighs if possible as this will aid you tremenduously, for a speedier recovery, if the femur is strong.

I wish you all the best with the diet.

Luv
Elna x

skezier

Hi Sharmain,

I can't add better advice than Sue and Elna have give you but just to add a ((( ))) and hope you will be ok with it all once you have processed it all. Luv Cris

sharmaine

Hi Elna

Can you recommend any exercises to strengthen my thighs? I can't cycle as both knees are in poor shape. I suppose I could lift my bum off the seat and down again. I need one of those baby bouncers. My husband said he would have to reinforce the ceiling and getting one designed for someone who is 5' 7" may prove expensive!

Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sharmaine,

Sorry to hear you had a little cry as things have not been great. At least you have an incentive to get that weight off and speaking from experience, I have no regrets having had a TKR, not long after my 57th birthday.

Another tip is to try and strengthen your thighs if possible as this will aid you tremenduously, for a speedier recovery, if the femur is strong.

I wish you all the best with the diet.

Luv
Elna x

elnafinn

Hi sharmaine

The one that I was recomended to do, which I quite enjoyed, was to sit on a desk and swing your legs backwards and forwards, like you would on a swing. I found this quite relaxing and is not weightbearing.

What do you think about that one?

Luv
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi elna
I'll try it... not sure if my knees can take the swinging but I'll give it a go and let you know.
Thank you.
Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi sharmaine

The one that I was recomended to do, which I quite enjoyed, was to sit on a desk and swing your legs backwards and forwards, like you would on a swing. I found this quite relaxing and is not weightbearing.

What do you think about that one?

Luv
Elna x

lindah

You could try exercise in the swimming pool as the load is taken from your joints etc.The resistance of the water makes the muscles and joints work but without strain.
Linda H

tkachev

Hiya,
Have you tried an exercise bike?My physio put me on one.I was horrified at this suggestion as my knees were so painful but it was lovely and releasing much to my surprise.Unfortunately I cannot step over the frame now to use an exercise bike but I remember they felt tons better when I could.
Regards, tkachev.

sharmaine

I used to use an exercise bike but over the past 4 months have been unable too. I cannot pedal now. Tried it and screamed in agony a few weeks back.

Sharmaine

tkachev wrote:

Hiya,
Have you tried an exercise bike?My physio put me on one.I was horrified at this suggestion as my knees were so painful but it was lovely and releasing much to my surprise.Unfortunately I cannot step over the frame now to use an exercise bike but I remember they felt tons better when I could.
Regards, tkachev.

joanlawson

Hi Sharmaine

If you ask the helpline, they can give you advice about exercise to strengthen your muscles.

Joan

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

Did you have the pedals at the very least resistance? I appreciate that your knees are extremely bad to be using crutches to get around but after my TKR when I had physio she very soon got me on the exercise bike and I thought I would never be able to push the pedals around but I did.

The suggestion of exercising your knees is water is an excellent idea if you fancy going to a pool.

I hope you have a good weekend,

Luv
Elna x

nusrat

hello, I have that also, how do you control the pain? How long have you had it for?

prayerman1973

This will make you laugh! I used to lift weights not bodybuilding but weight training, anyway as my shoulders become more and more painful I found I could not lift above my head or curl even the lightest of weights without pain. I cannot do sit ups/stomach crunches as my back will not permit such a thing, I cannot ride excercise bike or ride my bicycle as leaning forward aggrivates the lower back.
I went to see GP about the weight gaining and asked for help with exercises/physio and she said "with arthritis you do not want to do exercises as it can damage the joints further" and wait for it "but you must try something to lose weight"???

I go to church quite often ( no i'm not going to start preaching ) and there is a lady minister there who is also a Dr at Guy's in London, she told me "swimming is by far the best form of exercise you can do with any muscle/joint condition as the weight is completely removed from the body"

Hope your're laughing now


Good luck

Alan

mrsdalloway

Hi Sharmaine I have been in exactly the same boat as you. We had to fight for about 12 months to get mine replaced as at 35 I was told I was too young. By the time the op came around I had been hobbling for 18 months and needless to say had put weight on, as when you cannot walk or exercise properly you will do. Worst thing was the nurse at my pre-op saying ooh you are overweight aren't you!! I felt as though I had to explain myself when in fact shouldn't common sense tell them that when you are in pain, have kids and trying to hold down a job!! Anyway rant over good luck!!

sharmaine

Thanks for all the tips. I'll ask my hubby to look at the exercise bike.
I just couldn't make the turn at all. I want to be strong mentally and as much as I can physcially before the operation.

Sharmaine

joanlawson wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

If you ask the helpline, they can give you advice about exercise to strengthen your muscles.

Joan

sharmaine

I think it is awful when the medical profession have no sympathy for people suffering with arthritis. It is virtually impossible for us to do aerobic exercises much less walk!!! Its a good day for me when I climb the stairs without stopping every 2 minutes! It's a good day when I can walk down the stairs without saying ooh! ahh! ouch!.
I'm blooming exhausted just walking with the aid of my stick. We need to do a tv play - what a hoot that would be. I can just see what a great sight I would be first thing in the morning as I reach for my stick; bent over like a 90 year old woman; hair over the place holding onto the bannister with one hand and the walking stick in the other!!! That would take 15 minutes to shoot in itself!
It's just shameful and ignorant of people in the medical profession not to realise what pressures we are under just to get mobile in the morning!!!

They all need educating!!

Sharmaine

quote="mrsdalloway"]Hi Sharmaine I have been in exactly the same boat as you. We had to fight for about 12 months to get mine replaced as at 35 I was told I was too young. By the time the op came around I had been hobbling for 18 months and needless to say had put weight on, as when you cannot walk or exercise properly you will do. Worst thing was the nurse at my pre-op saying ooh you are overweight aren't you!! I felt as though I had to explain myself when in fact shouldn't common sense tell them that when you are in pain, have kids and trying to hold down a job!! Anyway rant over good luck!![/quote]

vonski

Hi Sharmaine

Sorry you are having problems. Hope the diet goes well, they say it does help and I know it's better for you when you eventually get surgery. Let us know how it all goes.

Have you thought of a recumbent exercise bike? I really like these because they support your back too.

Hope you're feeling a bit brighter now.

Love
Vonski x

sharmaine

Hi all
I'm looking forward to seeing the specialist - the one I saw this week has to refer me to someone else. I'll look on the site for some exercise to strengthen my thighs. I seem to expend so much energy at the moment just walking (with the aid of my stick). We went to a car boot this morning and by the time we returned to the car I thought I had done a round with Mike Tyson. A cup of tea soon sorted that out!

Thanks for all the advice folks. It's nice to know I'm not in the boat, named Arthritis, alone!

Regards
Sharmaine

vonski wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

Sorry you are having problems. Hope the diet goes well, they say it does help and I know it's better for you when you eventually get surgery. Let us know how it all goes.

Have you thought of a recumbent exercise bike? I really like these because they support your back too.

Hope you're feeling a bit brighter now.

Love
Vonski x

tkachev

Oh Sharmaine I know how you feel about the stairs and feeling like youve done a round with Mike Tyson! My son is on the autistic spectrum and I call him Harry Houdini and guess who it is who has to run after him everywhere????Except I cannot run because i use walking sticks.
I am told the exercise does me good!!!

Take lots of care
Luv Tkachev.