help needed

bentlegs

Hi
My first visit so welcome any advice ! have artheritis of the knee which came on very suddenly - was in catering working 10 hours a day then could nt stand - my knee was badly swollen and l was sent for a arthoscopy ? a knee wash out ! told that l had no cartlidge on top and only 2% lower - but due to me being only 62 felt l should wait for 3/4 yrs for a replacement - l struggle to walk the pain killers seem to do nothing - l sleep poorly but rest my knee on a pillow as suggested - all of a sudden last week l got up and felt great after 8 months was shocked - managed to walk with a ache but not agony "great l thought " today after 10 days back to normal can hardly walk - the pain below the knee cap like being stabbed every move l make - is this normal ?
Thinking of pushing my GP to refer me for a replacement but everyone l seem to meet who have had a new knee seem to tell me to delay as long as possible saying that the feelings of a knee never feel right ! any comments or opinnions ?
Need to do something am tired - cant do things l ve always done in the garden - even working on my classic car as had to be stopped ! also affected in my feet-hands-neck but can cope with that its managable - any help would be appreciated

Dave

elnafinn

Hi Dave

I am sorry that you are finding life somewhat difficult due to needing a total knee replacement. I sympathise having been through similar some years back.

I have positive news for you. I have had 2 TKR's two years apart and have no regrets whatsoever. The ops, gave me my life back. I am 62 now and had the replacements in 2008 and 2010.

Only you can decide what is best for you. If you feel strongly that enough is enough then please ask your GP for a referral again. Tell the consultant you want to enjoy life now, not when you have reached the age the medics think you should wait until. Who knows what the future holds for each of us? The response fro the surgeon usually is, the knee will not be like your original one, they do have to be replaced after a certain amount of years, there may be complications.

Unfortunately there are some failures but the majority of knee ops go fine.
I hope you get more replies both positive and negative but in the end only you know how you feel about the pain stopping you leading a full, enjoyable life and if you want to go ahead with the op.

Elna x

maria09

Hi Dave
Welcome this is a great site for advice as many on here have had very successful knee replacements
I'm not one of those yet but no doubt in the future I will
I have osteo arthritis and now a type of inflammatory arthritis which is quite a nasty devil and affects all my joints so at some point replacement of many joints will be the order of the day till then I plod along taking each day as it comes
I did work on an orthopaedic ward for a long long time
Most of the patients having their knees replaced have never looked back of course there are a few that have had problems with their new knee but like everything in life nothing is 100% perfect
I didn't notice if you have said how old you are if you are fairly young they don't like to operate as a further knee replacement will be needed in the far future
Your GP needs to refer you to an orthopaedic consultant who will be the best to advise you
Have you had any X-rays yet? To see how damaged your knee is
My consultant is great he explains everything the pros and cons to surgery but the ultimate decision is mine I've just had foot surgery 10 days ago and everything has gone well
Don't be afraid to ask questions and make a list of what you would like to know coz even though I've been a nurse I still forget to ask questions and leave thinking why didn't I ask that! Think I need to practice what I preach
I hope you will get many replies on here
They are a great bunch
Maria

stickywicket

I'm another who has nothing but praise for my knee replacements. My situation is different from yours as I have RA and was happy just to have no pain and more movement. Maybe some people expect to be as good as new, climbing mountains etc etc and, indeed, I believe it can happen.

With replacement surgery we all have to help it work by resting, exercising and being sensible afterwards. Those who try to skip the hard work, on the one hand, or overdo things on the other are jeopardising the new joint.

I have one TKR that is now 32 years old. When it finally fails I won't hesitate to get another. Having said that, it's only one joint. If your feet are bad, it might help them but equally you might find you notice them more. In the end it has to be your decision.

barbara12

Hello and welcome Dave
I dont know much about knees but I know that pain is pain and so debilitating..like the others have said its up to you at the end of the day...we have had many successful knee ops on this forum... I do wish you well in whatever you decide and please let us know how you get on.

dachshund

Hello Dave
I've had my tkr 8 years now its nice not to have the pain.
my legs ache because of arther in other places I can do what I want with my knee even kneel.
good luck
joan xx

dreamdaisy

Hello, I am 54, I have OA in both knees and have to wait another year or so before they can be replaced on the NHS. I have bone-on-bone through 3/4 of each joint, extra bone growth to the outside of both upper and lower leg bones and cannot walk without either my crutches or, for longer stretches, my rollator. Joints may be replaced when the joint damage has reached a certain level (mine has but I'm too young) and, once you have them, of course they will feel different because they are not a natural material. With care they should last a good long while and your quality of life should improve. Being as fit as possible before the op is important - the stronger your muscle tone the better the chances of a good recovery. I wish you well and I hope you are granted a new knee sooner rather than later. DD