surgeon/gp no help

moonheid

Hi all,

Was hoping I could get advice. I snapped my cruciate ligament 5 years ago. Through a combination mis-diagnosis and time scale I have now had an acl rebuilt, 5 arthroscopies, and now need a knee replacement, which I cant get as im 33.

I also have terrible arthritis in my knee, taking tramadol most days. I have also been referred as my years of limping have also given me arthritis in my hip.

I have no idea what to do, how to manage the pain. I cant walk 50 yards withput limping or stopping. I feel useless, I cant even play outdoors with my 4 year old boy.

I have had no positive advice from anyone.

Thanks.

Ria

Sorry to hear that; sounds very painful. I also struggle to walk far, in fact ive given up and use a mobility scooter or wheelchair when out and about.

I was wondering why you can't have a knee replacement at 33, as i'm hoping for new knees and hips once my pain and flare up of RA is under control.

Ria

moonheid

Surgeon says im too young.


Hope all goes well for you.

valval

have you had second opinion on that does not seem fair but have heard it before. can not talk about the medical bit as have no idea what most of it is . but can understand your pain and frustration at not being able to play with your little one, you are very bright person and feel you will think of a way around it. sit on a chair while little one does all the running, foot ball, cricket you name it you will come up with a chair version so long as it fun you will both enjoy it.
do not give up go back to gp tell them what you have us print what you have put here if need be but make sure they understand how bad your quality of life has been affected good luck val

moonheid

My surgeon is supposedly one best in Glasgow/Scotland. Not sure who's opinion up here would go against my surgeon.

claud1ne

Hi,
I was surprised to see you were saying your surgeon thinks you are 'too young' for a knee replacement. Until recently, the technology meant that a replacement could last as little as 10 years or so. But newer developments mean they can now last 20-25 years, and NHS patients in your age bracket are, no question, being given them. In your shoes, I'd be wanting to get other opinions, regardless.
Best wishes, Claudine.

moonheid

I have a visit with the surgeon next week. Fingers crossed that he has something good to say.

Thanks all.

dreamdaisy

If you are struggling with walking then use a stick or crutch: these aid stability, they take the weight off the affected joint when moving and can help to avoid the other problems encountered with an awkward gait. Use the stick on the oppposite side to the affected joint and your hand should hold the support at about, or slightly above, your hip height. If your knee is affected by OA then yes, they will wait until the joint damage is extensive enough to warrant a replacement - age should not be a factor but it is a common plaint on here. I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

I had my first knee replacements at 35 thanks, largely, to a very supportive GP who pleaded my case. The 'not lasting a long time' argument is a valid one as replacements to TKRs are more tricky, more likely to go wrong and carry an ongoing risk on infection. Having said that I had one of mine replaced 2 years ago and still have the other 30 years on.

Life with arthritis and yong children is very difficult. I always wanted to do more kicking balls around etc than I was capable of. But kids are adaptable. They're willing to do the running round bit. It's our presence and interest they really want.

I do hope you can find some relief soon.

barbara12

Hi
Im sorry I cant really help, but like the others have said you push to get a TKR, its ok them saying you are to young, but they haven't got the pain.
I do wish you well with it all.
And please let us know how you get on.

frogmorton

Hi Moonhead

poor you :sad:

Knees apparently only last a certain amount of time - l have heard this sort of thing before on here :x

Knees are vile especially if you have small kids to look after. I do use my walking stick if l need to for mine....have you tried on? l know it's not very pretty and you are young, but it really CAN help.

Also has anyone tried steroid jabs in your knees? Some people find them very effective....and they may buy you time?

Love and hugs

Toni xx

lincolnshirelass

I'm sure the criteria for having replacement joints has something to do with whatever NHS trust you come under.

My GP referred me to Nottingham Rheumatologist as he'd had good feedback from patients who'd had treatment there even though I came under a different NHS trust. GP thought I'd have to have Hip Replacements but thought it wouldn't be done for another few years as I was only 57.

So glad he did - Rheumy diagnosed RA in wrists (which I wasn't aware were problematic) & started meds straightaway, & also referred me urgently on to Ortho surgeon for hip pains. Within 2 months of seeing Ortho for 1st time I was having THR (caused by severe OA which had come on very suddenly), 5 months after that op I have just had THR on other side - my surgeon says I'll be bionic soon!

Am now looking forward to being off crutches soon & hopefully getting on with life.
I know someone who is in their 30's who has also got to have THR (both hips) - they're in shock but hospital have no qualms about them being young as the joints last so long now.
On the other side of the coin, a fellow patient on the ward was 80 years young & was in for her second knee replacement & had had both hips replaced about 5 years previously, had come through breast cancer op 20 years ago & was going to have cateracts removed later this year! She never complained once & just got on with it! What an inspiration!

What's the point of having years of pain until you're in your 60's when you can have new joints at a younger age & enjoy life more? By the time these joints wear out technology will have moved on so much that the 2nd revision joint procedures should be so much more advanced & much more successful.

I intend to take care of my new joints & not do anything silly to wear them out or dislocate them, if I need them replacing in the future it shouldn't be until I'm about 80 - the only downside will be that my wonderful surgeon will have retired by then!

Do some searches on the internet for the op that you need & which hospitals/NHS trusts have the best ratings - then see if you can be referred to the one you prefer if you're not getting satisfactory treatment from your own NHS trust.