What would you do please?

GraceB

I have an appointment tonight to see an ortho cons., about my left knee tonight (it's an outreach clinic rather conveniently held of an evening and in my GP surgery). This is to discuss what happens with my left knee. An x-ray has shown OA damage and the report says 'the patient would benefit from an orthopaedic review'.

I get a lot of pain from it and it's locking on a regular basis, especially when I go to sit down.

Having travelled a very long distance down the road with my right knee - and 9 operations later - I am very reluctant to do the same with the left. However, bearing in mind I was told in 2010 that my left knee would need replacing I have a very nasty feeling where this is heading ...

I am of the view that if the ortho cons., offers surgery to do repairs as well as washing out the detrius/crap that's obviously sitting in my left knee then I'll agree. If it's just a wash out then it's a 'no'. Arthroscopies don't work on me if it's just to wash out and I have a great deal of medical evidence to back that up!

My right knee is replaced and far from pain-free, I have a knackered left ankle and OA in the L3, L4 and L5 spinal joints.

The surgery would be done in a private hospital (paid for by the PCT/NHS here) so there shouldn't be any danger of MRSA, C-Diff, or any of the other 'delights' sometimes experienced when in an NHS facility.

If it were you, what would you decide please?

Many thanks.
GraceB

constable

First off, whats the weather like where you are?? I know I'm not to far from you and to be honest dont think I would be able to keep the appointment. With the snow and wind the way it is. But, if you still do go, then you must make sure that you stress to the consultant your worries. They must take that in to consideration.

To be honest, if I was in your shoes today, I would cancel due to bad weather conditions. I know my hubby wouldn't drive in this. And even the cabs around here are having real problems.

GraceB

Karen,

Ashford is fairly clear - certainly the main roads.

I'm hoping to keep the appt, I don't live too far from my surgery and it's just off a main road, as I am. As we all know, if you cancel an NHS-based appt you are the most awful person on earth, but I won't take any risks. I can't afford a trip/fall with my joints as they are.

I looked like the Michelin-Man this morning with layers on and my deer-stalker type hat, but I was warm. I don't care what I look like when it's bad as it is at the moment. I'm in trainers at the moment - more grip.

Take care in Tunbridge Wells.

Grace

dreamdaisy

What would I do? I would hope that lightning won't strike twice and I would op for the op. I've had three synovectomies (two open and one closed) plus other procedures which achieved very little, and I am waiting for two new knees (only eighteen months to go for the appointment to discuss it, woo-hoo!) There are many reasons why surgery could fail and many reasons why it might not - this time it could make a very positive difference but, as usual, it's all a gamble. Oh, for a crystal ball! DD

stickywicket

From what I've read (I have no personal experience of them) I'd have doubts about washouts or anything of the kind. However, from personal experience of 2 hips and 3 knees (one replaced when it was 27 yrs old) I'd have no reservations about joint replacement. You were unlucky last time. Maybe it wasn't a great hospital for ortho work; maybe you didn't get the best surgeon; maybe he wasn't having a good day. It might be that, on the contrary, it's me who's been lucky on 5 occasions. I'd say do your research on both hospitals and surgeons and don't assume that a private hospital is better than NHS (All mine were NHS) as I've heard good and bad about both.

chookgate

I think I know where you're coming from. When I was first told by the GP I needed new knees, I didn't believe him, thinking a consultant would come up with an interim solution to keep me going a few more years. It didn't matter anyway I was too young to be referred for a TKR.

So the pain and mobility just got worse, til eventually my husband dragged me to a private consultant. He confirmed my worst fears - TKR the only solution. I agreed and he started the wheels in motion - but I went home and cried. It took me a few weeks to come to terms with the idea, and I was still scared stupid of the surgery, but it really was the best thing I've ever done.

I'm not sure how easy it would be for you post a TKR surgery if your ankle is knackered, so you should ask questions about that and how they think the physio would go with a bad ankle.

You've just got to see what they say, and talk through the options with the experts, but don't be afraid of a TKR if that's what the advice is.

stickywicket

chookgate wrote:

I'm not sure how easy it would be for you post a TKR surgery if your ankle is knackered, so you should ask questions about that and how they think the physio would go with a bad ankle.

My ankles were both in a bad way before my first TKRs. It was hard getting them going again but that's because, back then, I'd to stay with my operated leg elevated for about 10 days. They were no problem after the revision when I was up next day and haven't been since but, by then, they'd fused themselves. Also my expectations of what I could do with the new knees weren't too high as my RA was/is everywhere.

barbara12

Hello Grace
If I was you I would go for it,you say your ankle is knackered, that could add to your knee pain, so I am sure they will take this into consideration , its no wonder you are scared of going through it again, but things are moving on all the time.
I do wish you well with it all, and what a good idea the evening appointment is.

frogmella

I know my problems are spinal, and not leg related, but I also had an awful experience with my first fusion surgery. I got a deep infection and wasn't believed for years. However, when my new surgeon offered me more surgery on the next level up I bit the bullet and went for it. Not that I made the decision overnight. As my surgeon said, we danced around it for months! As sticky said, hopefully lightening doesn't strike twice and sometimes we have to take a risk to try and get some life back. I am now just over two weeks post spinal fusion number two and am 99% sure I did the right thing.
I know that it is different for you. I think you have to look at the risks and benefits. For me I worked out that without the op I would certainly stay the same or get worse. With it I could get better. That was what I had to mull over really. I suppose it also helped that all the people I spoke to in the real world who know me all said "so you are doing it then?".
I wish you luck with your decision and know that we will be behind you whatever you decide.

stickywicket

Hello Grace. How did it go? I hope it was a satisfactory appointment.

GraceB

:oops: :oops: I got the date wrong! :oops: :oops:

A very helpful - and wonderful looking, with a well sculpted posterior - young male receptionist was very apologetic when he told me the letter said 13th March and yesterday was 12th March. Oh dear! :oops: I felt like such a twit. The 'scenery' was lovely though - the young male receptionist. (I didn't touch, honest!).

Thanks for your thoughts - very much appreciated. I think the thing is with all of us 'veterans' of OA-based surgery, is that we know what's coming. We are only too aware of how long it can take to recover after any procedure and the rates of success or not.

I'll let you know tomorrow :roll: how I get on tonight.

Take care,
GraceB

GraceB

Well last night (finally went on the right day :oops: ) I was told by the consultant that I'd "made his day because I wasn't keen on surgery". He agrees that with my history of repeated surgeries to my right knee it may be a bad idea to start on the left one.
Next step is an MRI and I should be hearing today about a date. Bear in mind that although this is NHS treatment, it's been out-sourced to a private hospital - hence the speed.
The consultant told me if I have a cartilage tear these can be very difficult to treat successfully (tell me about it! Been there, got the t-shirt and the hat!)
Once I've had the MRI I go back to clinic to agree the way forward. I've agreed with him that arthroscopy will only be done if he can wash the knee out plus make repairs/tidy up whilst he's in there.
Very nice bloke.
I'll let you know once I've had the MRI and got the results.

Take care everyone,
GraceB

kentishlady

Hi Grace. Glad to hear all went well for your appointment. Our snow has now all gone, but it has been dreadful here (near Maidstone), and is SO cold. I've also got a knee problem. Have OA in my back which causes lots of problems and suspect new problem is linked? When I saw my GP a month ago I told her I thought it might be linked in with my back as am sure I don't walk correctly as am always struggling to try and ease the pain of walking. Also put more pressure on knee when getting up etc. She agreed with me and, just to comfort me, said I would probably find I will get it in the other knee as will now put more pressure on that to ease the pain in the dodgy one!!! She sent me for x-rays 2 weeks ago and am seeing her for appointment to get results on Monday next.

Hope all goes well with your scan. Do PM me if you would like to. It's nice to hear from other 'local' sufferers. Take care. Beryl (())

stickywicket

It sounds as if you're happy with that, Grace, and that's good. I hope the scan results are too.

frogmella

Sounds like a good appointment and that you have a good consultant. Let us know how you go.