Hiya All

joann1
joann1 Member Posts: 263
edited 14. Jun 2010, 10:20 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hiya everyone

my name is Jo-Ann and i am 30 and have osteoathritis in both knees, im currently waiting for this new stem cell treatment where they take what cartledge you have left grow more then replant it in to my knee, i only qualify for my right knee to be done as they dont feel my left knee is as bad (which is why i fall daily mmm), anyway was ment to have this done at easter but im still waiting secretary keeps telling me it something to do with licence to do the surgery, unfortunatley the longer i wait the more damage i do to my other knee, hips & back already been is hospital for for falling down stairs and knocking myself out (good job my little boy was off poorly) & had to be admitted recently for fracturing numerous ribs through falling in my own sittingroom (ouch)! Trying to look on the positive side that i will be pain free one day

Jo-Ann
:)
Jo-Ann

Comments

  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    welcome to the forum.

    What a nightmare the falling over must be - do you trip, or do your knees just give way?

    The new treatment sounds promising quite a few peeps on this forum would like to be offered the chance to have this treatment.

    We will be following your progress with interest.

    In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to help prevent falls? Have you had an OT and/or physio appointment to see if they have any suggestions/solutions?

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ho hope you get it soon and that it helps you it not nice when you keep falling was for ever tripping last year nearly knocked my self silly falling into the corner of the wall not nice make you scared to go out on your own. so (((hugs))) to keep you going val
    val
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jo-ann

    sounds like you have a lot to contend with chick :(

    I am sorry to hear all that - not good is it?

    I hope you hear soemthing soon about the op - sounds like you need sorting out and sorting out fAST :shock:

    You take care and enjoy these forums

    They will help keep you sane

    Love

    Toni xx
  • abbie41
    abbie41 Member Posts: 55
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi And welcome,

    Im new on here too and its a great forum.

    Sorry to hear about your knees and falling.

    hope you get the help and care you need x
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi and welcome to the forum from me.
    so sorry to hear your having so much trouble and i hope they sort it out for you soon.
    im 32 and have OA in my knees, as well a many other joints. arthur is bad enough without adding falls/trips too so i really feel for you.

    there is a wonderful bunch of people here, very supportive and kind. i dont know where id be without this site.

    caroline x
  • joann1
    joann1 Member Posts: 263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Hi,
    welcome to the forum.

    What a nightmare the falling over must be - do you trip, or do your knees just give way?

    The new treatment sounds promising quite a few peeps on this forum would like to be offered the chance to have this treatment.

    We will be following your progress with interest.

    In the meantime, is there anything that can be done to help prevent falls? Have you had an OT and/or physio appointment to see if they have any suggestions/solutions?

    Speedy

    Hiya Speedy

    unfortunatley my knees just give way, i have a stck to help prevent this but it doesnt seem to stop it, ive been to physion but they cant do anything to help me as they said it makes my knees worse as it makes them lock up, every1 who i go to see just tells me to come back and see them once i have my op :( so to say that i am pinning all my hopes on this operation is an understatment

    Jo-Ann
    Jo-Ann
  • joann1
    joann1 Member Posts: 263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    valval wrote:
    ho hope you get it soon and that it helps you it not nice when you keep falling was for ever tripping last year nearly knocked my self silly falling into the corner of the wall not nice make you scared to go out on your own. so (((hugs))) to keep you going val

    Hiya Val

    Put it this way the only time im allowed to go out on my own is when im going to work, other than that my partner or little boy are constantly with me, feel so sorry for them cause it affects them to, i cant do normal things with my little boy & me and my partner dont have the normal lives of 30yr olds, but it could be worse, positive mental attitude is what i have to have (or so my parnter andy keeps telling me)
    Jo-Ann :roll:
    Jo-Ann
  • joann1
    joann1 Member Posts: 263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    Hi Jo-ann

    sounds like you have a lot to contend with chick :(

    I am sorry to hear all that - not good is it?

    I hope you hear soemthing soon about the op - sounds like you need sorting out and sorting out fAST :shock:

    You take care and enjoy these forums

    They will help keep you sane

    Love

    Toni xx

    Hiya Toni

    These forums are great, im so pleased i read the letters page of out local paper and found the website, it helps to know that there are people out there who are going through the same thing, hopefully i wont have to wait to much longer for this op, as im starting to get very inpatient

    Jo-Ann
    Jo-Ann
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    stay positive you will get op at least you are young enough for it good luck hope it soon val
    val
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jo-Ann

    Gosh - you have a lot to put up with at the moment!

    Perhaps you would be better with a crutch rather than a stick?? The reason I mention this is that I used to use 2 sticks, but have recently had a hip replacement so am on crutches at the moment, and, honestly, they do give you a lot of support and I think I would have been much safer and steadier on my feet and, indeed, more confident, if I had been using crutches BEFORE the operation, instead of my sticks ...

    Please keep on posting and let us know how you get on with the new treatment..

    Best wishes

    Marion
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 14. Jun 2010, 09:56
    Hi Jo-Ann, they'd better hurry up and get a licence then hadn't they?! How awful your knees just giving way like that... I can trip up over fresh air, but the most usual reason is when I turn round too fast - my head whips round (usually in class) and my legs are left behind .. and I end up in a heap on the floor - and it hurts!! I used to do this with just one THR so with a resurface-replacement as well ... oh gee!!

    Keep us updated.

    Speedy

    PS Marion's suggestion of crutches is a good idea. Marion are yours elbow crutches?
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedy

    Yes, mine are elbow crutches.. I thought they would be a real 'bind' to use, but in fact I have found them much easier to use and much more supportive than my previous 2 sticks...

    Glad to hear your scar is no worse.. let us know how that goes...

    My new hip was 'achy' all day yesterday and felt a bit like having lumbago .. I keep inadvertently twisting round - perhaps that's it.

    I am 6 weeks post op this Thursday and can't see me just being on one crutch by then (which some people are, I know..) perhaps thats due to the methotrexate delaying things ... anyway, I will just take things at my own speed....

    best wishes

    Marion
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Marion, I hadn't realised you're post op too - how did that pass me by? I am so sorry!

    I agree with you about elbow crutches, they are very supportive. I use two sticks when we go out as they are slightly more elegant (!) but I certainly feel more unstable on them.

    I hope you are having a good post-op day today. Don't overdo things! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hello joann1. I remember well the horrors of a knee giving way - my right one went thro a phase of it when I was in my twenties, which was centuries ago! It does make one feel very uncertain, doesn't it? Elbow crutches are a good source of steadiness but can be dangerous if you take a tumble. Would a knee support help at all? They do take quite a bit of strain off the muscles.

    I hope you are having a better day today. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marion,

    I can't believe you are nearly 6 weeks post op already ... that has whizzed by. (Probably not to you - but it has to me following your progress .... and means I'm nearly 5 weeks post op.)

    I think the use of 1 or 2 crutches is a personal thing - I inadvertantly cheat a alot when I use two ... so tend to use one, but if I'm unsure or not sure how far I'm going I'd not hesitate to use two. You are doing greater distances than me I'm sure.

    I don't think you should be twisting you know - although it easy to do it without thinking. Be SO careful you don't twist and bend at the same time - now that is risky.

    My scar and around it is pinkish today ... so it is improving - I was worried it was going to be an infection.

    How are you getting on with the stairs and with your physio exercises?

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jo-ann

    You read about this in your local paper?? Well that's brilliant...didnt know they advertised there.

    Glad you found us and that you are finding the forums useful.

    Interetsed in the stemcell stuff - do keep us up to date on it

    Love

    Toni xx