appointment with orthopaedic consultant

kevsue

My doctor believes I have osteoarthritis in my knees but is puzzled by my rapid decline (From walking 7+ miles at weekends 3 months ago to struggling to get around the house today - although I think it must be linked to a nasty fall I had in October)I had a cortisone injection 3 weeks ago which seemed to work for about 3 days but the pain is now worse. I have Bupa cover through work so the doctor has referred me to a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and I am seeing him on Thursday. My question to everyone is what to expect? when I phoned Bupa they mentioned an arthroscopy, but looking online it says this procedure isn't often used???I really thought the cortisone injection would be a miracle cure and I don't want to get my hopes up again. Surely the doctor must think it's worth me seeing theconsultant? I am struggling with pain relief, I am managing to sleep a bit using tramadol at night, then naproxen and co-codamol during the day but it's turning me into a zombie and I need to get back to work!

dreamdaisy

It is very difficult learning to live with increasing pain levels and decreasing mobility but it's generally true that joint replacements won't be offered until a certain stage of damage has been reached and other treatments tried. Everyone's case is different, I was at the stage of needing replacements in 2011 (that was the year I was given the added diagnosis of OA in my knees thanks to the damage caused by the psoriatic arthritis already present therein) - it was disappointing to be told I was three years too young and three stone too fat. I have had three operations, two on my left knee and one on the right but they were synovectomies rather than arthroscopies.

I asked on your other thread about how you are feeling now - I hope things have improved for you. DD

stickywicket

Alas, there is no 'miracle cure' for any form of arthritis. The 'cure' for OA is a replacement joint. Steroid injections may help temporarily but that's all.

What will happen when you see the orthopaedic surgeon? He'll probably want x-rays to assess damage done. This doesn't necessarily bear much relationship to pain experienced so be prepared.

I think the jury is out on arthroscopies. I believe some surgeons don't do them as they don't feel it's worthwhile. Some on here have benefited but I think most haven't.

Balancing pain, paindullers and work is a tough call. It's really an individual thing. I personally fear the hazards of the zombie thing more than I fear the pain.

kevsue

dreamdaisy wrote:

It is very difficult learning to live with increasing pain levels and decreasing mobility but it's generally true that joint replacements won't be offered until a certain stage of damage has been reached and other treatments tried. Everyone's case is different, I was at the stage of needing replacements in 2011 (that was the year I was given the added diagnosis of OA in my knees thanks to the damage caused by the psoriatic arthritis already present therein) - it was disappointing to be told I was three years too young and three stone too fat. I have had three operations, two on my left knee and one on the right but they were synovectomies rather than arthroscopies.

I asked on your other thread about how you are feeling now - I hope things have improved for you. DD

Definitely struggling DD, can't seem to get the pain relief right and getting frustrated by inactivity. I just can't believe how quickly it has happened. I am just hoping that when I fell over in October, which was when the pain really started I did some damage that the consultant can fix. Otherwise this is going to mean major life changes for me- I have always been the breadwinner and I think my husband is starting to panic a bit about the long term implications too. Anyway off to take a tramadol and enjoy an opium induced sleep for a few hours!! Thanks for all your kind words
Sue x

kevsue

Update - had the appointment and he thinks my fall in October caused cartilage damage (rather than arthritis causing it) he said the arthritis is actually worse in my right knee! I have an MRI scan booked for next Thursday and then he will decide what to do. In the meantime it's rest and pain killers for me. Feeling happier that there might be something he can do to stop the pain

bubbadog

Glad your appt turned out fairly positive, let us know what the MRI shows up.

kevsue

Ok so good news and bad news from the mri! Whilst I have OA it's not causing the pain. When I fell over in the street I tore my medial meniscus which needs to be surgically repaired. However the mri showed a problem in my femur, possibly a fracture, but a further x Ray showed a cyst/tumour. I am having another mri, this time of my femur . The.consultant kept asking me about my mum's history of OA, and quizzed me if there was any history of RA so I'm not sure what he thinks it is. Got mri next Thursday and the consultant will phone me the following week re treatment options. Osteoporosis was mentioned too as I had an early menopause. Now signed off work for another 2 months and long awaited holiday of a lifetime looking dodgy. Husband not dealing with it all very well

stickywicket

I hope the tests show only good things.

As for the 'holiday of a lifetime', make sure you get proper travel insurance cover for all that's wrong. Pre-existing conditions aren't much of a problem usually (Though do shop around as prices vary enormously) but any 'undiagnosed condition' or anything requiring ongoing tests will not be covered.

kevsue

Thanks, we took out the insurance last year before OA diagnosed. I know they would cover cancellation and consultant said he would provide me with another "fit to travel" note. It's a cruise so mobility isnt an issue, they are used to it!! I will give them a ring when I get the results of the latest scan

bubbadog

Hi Kevsue, I had an early menopause due to having endrometriosis which was very wide spread and I had to have a full hysterectomy, I was 25yrs old . And also have Osteoporosis, I can't say if the menopause was the cause of my Osteoporosis because I was having problems with my joints long before all that happened! I don't blame you for having a holiday of a lifetime, you deserve it after all you've had to deal with!!

barbara12

I was going to say my hubby had a arthroscopy..and they washed out his knee while they were in there, then I read further down and I see you have your MRI results ...no wonder you are in pain...I do hope you can have a really goof holiday ..then you can start whatever treatment they are doing...wishing you well with it all x

kevsue

Thanks all. Just really down and bored! Still I have taken up crochet - who knows this may be the start of a new "cath kidstone" type business!!!(if I ever get the hang of it!)

bubbadog

Good luck with the crochet, I do cross stitch when my hands allow me!

kevsue

Hi all, not great news to report. Had a call from the radiologist to let me know I need a full ct scan to find the primary source of my problem......Yes it is potentially secondary bone cancer. They are looking for a primary cause. Can't believe I joined this site as I was diagnosed with arthritis and whilst investigating they have potentially found cancer. I still hold hope it isn't. But I will know Tuesday at about 6.30. Not in a great place
Sue x

bubbadog

Hi Sue, I'm so sorry to hear that you may have secondary bone cancer, I hope the radiologist is wrong when the CT scan is done.