Knee Arthritis

OldCrocCath

Hi, I’m 49 and just been diagnosed with bilateral medial and patellofemoral knee arthritis. Absolutely devastated as always so active and now have no idea what future holds. Anyone else in similar position? I feel I am too young for this!

[Deleted User]

Hello Cath welcome to the Versus Arthritis online community from the moderating team.

I am really very sorry to hear about your diagnosis of bilateral medial and patellofemoral knee arthritis I believe this to be a form of osteoarthritis. There is a misconception that Arthritis affects only older people, but it can and does affect people of any age even children. I wonder whether your consultant has suggested any treatment options for you? The fact that you are/were very active will certainly stand you in good stead.

We have a great community here, with have lots of experience of arthritis who I know will make you very welcome and help in any way they can.

In the meantime I attach a link about Osteoarthritis and another specifically about knee Arthritis:

https://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/osteoarthritis.aspx
https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/



Just in case you this it might help you to ring our helpline for a chat to someone they are available Monday-Friday 9am to 8pm:

0800 520 0520


Best wishes

Ellen.

dreamdaisy

Hello, I began my first arthritis when I was 37 then osteo was diagnosed when I was 52. One great stroke of luck I have had in life is that I have never been healthy, relegated to life's sidelines since birth: this must be so much harder for you as you've always been out there, making the most of what you have naturally taken for granted because it was there. I am trying to imagine how I might feel if I woke up tomorrow and everything was better: I suspect I would feel as you are.

Life was pretty good before the arthritis began, I was able to cycle, dance, play tennis and go walking. I can't do any of them now which is a shame but life remains pretty good: I have a lovely husband, good friends, have developed new interests, I have followed the arthritis ABC - adapt, believe, compromise - and although it has changed my life and how I live it it has not changed what I get from life and will never be allowed to. I am more than my disease, it affects me but does not define me. It's easier for me though, 23 years of Living With Arthritis has been time well spent in developing and employing strategies to help me get on with things.

I have always known what the future holds - it's the unknown and always has been. Like everyone else I assume and presume but life can be turned upside down and inside out in a moment, as you have found out. You are one of the many millions in the UK to whom this has happened, it's more common than chips but its effects can be a damned site more epensive.

Is one knee affected or both? Are you using any walking aids to ease the strain on the affected joint/s? What has your GP suggested? Exercise is important but it must be non weight-bearing and low-impact. DD

stickywicket

Unfortunately there's no such thing as 'too young for arthritis'. Just look through our 'My child....' forum.

We learn to cope by degrees. If ever I have to give up one activity I make a point of takimng up another. For knee arthritis cycling and swimming are highly recommended. One chap came on here like you, took up cycling, posted two or three times about how great it was for his knee then cycled off into the distance problem solved.

Be adaptable. Don't cling to what can't be achieved. Seek out what can.

JMac

I am in the same boat.

I am 50 now and was 49 when I was told I had OA in both knees, I am now waiting for a double High Tibial Osteotomy.

What keeps me going is cycling and swimming and as I can no longer walk any useful distance, a kick scooter gets me around.

Kirsten

Hi Cath,
I’m 45 and was diagnosed with bilateral knee arthritis including patellofemoral when I was 41, also have it in my spine and used to be very active so took my diagnosis hard.
I’d definitely suggest that once you’ve got your head around your news you ask about any possible treatments, including specialist physio, medication and even alternative therapies (my MSK team do acupuncture). I did have a couple of steroid / kenalog injections into my knees but sadly they made no difference (they do make a big difference to some though) and had an arthroscopy a couple of years ago to clear out my knees of all the ‘junk’ which lessened the swelling and reduced the pain in my knees, he also did something to the ligaments to reduce the pull on my kneecaps from them, but other than that, resisting the temptation to stop moving & keeping as active as you are able, I don’t have much to suggest on the knee front.
I can’t say I don’t have a few mopey times when I feel very sorry for myself, but on the whole things aren’t as bad as I feared when I was first diagnosed. Take your time, it is a shock & a lot to take in, be patient with and kind to yourself, don’t be afraid to ask questions (either to your medical team or somewhere like on here) and definitely join your local Versus Arthritis branch if there’s one nearby as I’ve found there’s always someone willing to listen, to support and to have fun with (our branch trips out are fabulous!) who understand what you’re going through as they too are living with arthritis.
Take care x

YogaJones

Hey Cath!

I’m 32 and have OA in one knee and one shoulder and my advice? Stay as active as you can!

I’ve suffered from hyper mobility since childhood and I suspect as I get older I’ll find it happens with more joints so I’m doing a lot of work to keep everything strong; I swim competitively and supplement my swimming with resistance workouts down the gym. I find my joints are much more painful when I don’t use them. It may be worth finding out if your local NHS physios offer functional rehabilitation, which is where they use dynamic exercises to strengthen the muscles to support the joint. It’s something my local NHS offered and it really helped.

Good luck and don’t forget to reach out if you need anything!
Yoga x

Hughesl

Hi I was diagnosed with OA 11 years ago when I was 43 . Very active life before OA kicked in both Knees. Had 3 operations in left leg including osteotomy but finally been told I need to have a partial knee /full knee replacement depending on the day of operation. Has anyone got any stories on their condition after knee replacement as I’m quite nervous but also desperately want this pain to ease . Also wondering on recovery times as want to go on a holiday in the summer.
Thanks Lesley

Jules70

Hi I’m on a waiting list for partial/possibly total knee replacement .
I got diagnosed with knee oesteoarthiritis 12 months ago which came as a shock as I’ve always been active
This has impacted on my mobility and over past 6 months have been told it has spread to my left knee .
It is scary how suddenly my symptoms have come on as up to 22 months ago I was symptom free .
I had an arthroscopy done 16 months ago on my right knee but when they opened up my knee the damage was already done .
I have preop next week but been told there is a long waiting list .
I’m fed up of pain now and want my life back .😥