My Right Knee

Chris

Hi Everyone its been just over a year since I had my last right knee operation. the surgeon performed micro facture to my knee joint to try and encourage cartilage growth. Six weeks on crutch's and weeks of physio  . the pain and stiffness never changed and the constant crunching from the inside of my right knee never improved the last meeting I had with the surgeon in February resulted in him saying the pain and stiffness may be physiological and recommended me to a pain clinic. then Covid happened. In July I had reached a point of utter frustration. I paid for a private consultation to see a Knee professor in Harrogate he accessed all my MRI scans and Xrays. The consultation was great he basically said the MRI scan and Xrays were definitive I had osteoarthritis due to cartilage loss and damage in just one compartment of my knee and I was bone on bone when walking or standing in the medial part of my knee. He said I had two options either put up with it which I have been doing for over three years now or have a partial knee replacement. He said it was pretty obvious and even though I am only 47 this condition is pretty common. I immediately got referred to him through the NHS. I did ask him why this had not been offered to me two or three years ago? He replied by saying my age would be a concern for some surgeons, but he did not see it that way, why wait when your quality of life is bad and in constant pain. Yes I may need a complete Knee in 15-20 years but that is not now.

Roll on 5 months I have seen the surgeon again and he still stands by his prognosis he also put me on the waiting list back in July so hopefully early next year. I am relieved there is a light at the end of the tunnel but also very frustrated and annoyed at having to struggle and limp and take 8 tablets a day just to manage to work. the only positive I had gained from three years of constant pain is I have huge empathy with other people who fight daily in pain and huge admiration form hearing how other people cope and carry on living with Arthritis. Stay strong people and Merry Christmas 

Froglet

Hi Chris

I too am named Chris, from Halifax in West Yorkshire but have lived in South London for over 30 years. I had a full replacement left knee in March just before C19. My surgeon was brilliant and due to C19 I could not attend physiotherapy, but as I run my own Cattery after retiring from the NHS, I walk up a lot of steps at least 3 times per day and put a massager under my knee regularly and did many of the exercises on the sheet sent to me and found all these regular exercises helped. My surgeon was very surprised at how well my knee is recovering, but agreed it was because of the exercises and movements I did. I can ride my exercise bike too, only about15 mins a time, but this too helps, so I would strongly recommend EXERCISE to all, as it has worked for me. I am 60, but have a fantastic GP, and of course a fantastic surgeon. I would be delighted to be in touch if anyone wished. BW Chris

Pammy

I am waiting for a knee replacement but who knows when that will be now. There are many more deserving souls in front of me. I'm 65 and fairly fit being a golfer so used to walking. I was wondering how long it was before you were able to walk again normally. Pleased you are doing so well.

Froglet

Hi, I had a new left knee March 17th 2020 and then C19 hit us, so I had no physiotherapy, but as I now run my own Cattery having retired from the NHS I walk up and down steps at least 3 times a day, even with my crutches and used an electric massager under my knee to get my muscles going and also helped with the pain. I also did some basic exercises sent to me by physiotherapy and found the more movement, although sometimes not easy helped. I would say I walked after about 2 weeks with my crutches and gradually none. I can now even ride my exercise bike for about 15 minutes. My surgeon said he was amazed that my knee had improved so quickly and agreed that the exercises and movements were clearly working.

I hope this helps. Feel free to contact. BW Chris

Chris

Thanks for the encouraging comments i have found these forums hugely helpful i have some dark days but i find talking to other people helps a lot. when i find i am struggling at work with the pain and i get frustrated i have a little Mantra i say to myself. ( Chris be kind to yourself and take a rest stop being so stubborn) I find this helps and i manage my pain better. Stay safe people.

Pmb

Hi, I have bone on bone osteoarthritis in my right knee and have just been offered a knee replacement. I can no longer straighten my right knee and often have difficulty in getting into a comfortable position to sleep. My pain during the day and when walking varies. I have times when I have little pain and times when I just don’t want to walk due to discomfort and a couple of times when I couldn’t walk across the room.

I am in a total dilemma as to whether I should do through with the knee replacement and have to make the decision over the weekend. At the moment I am going through a good period. I don’t know if this is through complete fear of the operation!

Any thoughts

Pauline

Jenwren

Hi Im Jenny from Lincolnshire, I have had ostio arthritis from my late 30s. I worked in nursing homes before the stand aids & hoists were introduced into the care sector. When I was 50 I was told that I needed a full knee replacement, right knee. Because of my age the specialist asked if I would try physio & a built up shoe to stop my bones rubbing together. I agreed to this as I was told if I need to see him again just go to see my gp & I would be referred back. I saw my gp on numerous occasions, all I got was we'll go down the medication route. Eventually through other circumstances I saw a nurse practitioner who was very thorough. She sent me to see a rheumatologist who discovered that I'd got fibromyalgia she took one look at my walking & said she'd refer me to an orthopedic specialist. I finally had my right knee operated on full knee replacement at the end of November 2021. I'm due to have my left knee replacement as soon as this one heals properly. The surgeon asked me why I'd left it so long to see him as my knees were in such a bad state & he didn't know how I was walking on them. I am now 64 nearly 65. I waited nearly 15 years. My quality of life has been ruined but hopefully will soon improve.

Steve99

I'm having similar issues. I have o a in several joints , I'm down for shoulder replacements . my left knee is bad again ,I had key hole surgery to clean up the jagged cartlidge a few years back, but is very painful now, it's difficult to walk sometimes. Gp and physio keep saying 'your only 62 its too early for joint replacement, even though my shoulders are having just that when the list gets down to me. I am getting xrays for it soon , I just hope to see the same physio I saw after the ones for my shoulders , she understood the issues ,rather than glossing over them. Some physios I've seen (never see the same one twice)dont seem to understand the difference between a sports injury and arthritis.

Shell_H

Hi @Steve99 - welcome to the online community!

I see you have osteoarthritis in a few places, shoulders and knees included. You're on the waiting list for shoulder replacements, but your GP and physio are saying you're too young for knee replacements.

You are definitely right in it really makes a difference who you see - can you not request an appointment with a specific physio if you know their name? Or go back to them directly? May not be possible, but it would be sensible if you could.

Sadly, due to the fact that joint replacements often need replacing themselves after 10/15 or so years, most doctors try to put them off as long as possible, as each surgery is a risk so the less of them you need the better. Sometimes you look at it and think that the quality (or lack thereof!) of life you have in the meantime is not worth the wait. It's something you have to really decide on and then advocate for yourself. Combine this with the huge current waiting lists for elective surgery, and it can be difficult for us stuck in pain.

Versus Arthritis have done a campaign over the past couple of years now - Impossible to Ignore - on behalf of people waiting for surgeries. Some of the information there may be helpful, particularly the

We also have a lot of information on caring for your joints. Some of this may be helpful to you:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/joint-care/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/

I do hope this helps! These can make a difference even if you're waiting for surgery, for whatever reason.

Lovely to meet you!

Shell

Russell

Hi all.

First Post.....after 5 knee surgeries over the years, I had a 6th just over a year ago. The MRI scans showed Grade 3 OA under the kneecaps and after surgery took away part of the Meniscus, on my left knee, I now have bone on bone pain down the inside of my lower leg.

Having a manual job and being self employed doesn't help either.....but yesterday was a game changer. After a particularly tough day at work, I sat down and my lower legs actually felt numb.

So I've contacted my surgeon about injections to help ease the pain. I've heard of 2 types ...Steroid and Collagen. Does anyone have any experience of either ?

Would appreciate some advice 🙏

Shell_H

Hi @Russell - welcome to the online community!

I see you have had a number of surgeries on your knee over the years, and you have Osteoarthritis. You have a manual job, and the work is really impacting your knee and leg pain. Yesterday you felt numb after work when you sat down, and you're looking for information on injections to help with the pain - steroid or collagen.

Versus Arthritis has some information which may help:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/steroid-injections/

I can't find anything on collagen injections - collagen is normally taken orally to my knowledge - but I have found the following which may be interesting:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/hyaluronan-injections/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/collagen/

And I know I'm currently bombarding you with links, but this may have something in it which you haven't thought of and may help:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I do hope you find a solution. Unfortunately, our normal advice is if you're doing somehting manual which makes your pain worse, we suggest not doing that, or changing it up so it doesn't exacerbate your pain. Given this is your job, I understand this may be extremely difficult to change!

Lovely to meet you!

Shell

suelema

I am due to have a full left knee replacement within the next couple of months. I've been told so many conflicting stories about how much it hurts after the op, ranging from it being very sore but soon passes to its bad enough to be crying with pain for weeks. Similar conflicting views about whether it will help, so I decided to research for myself thoroughly. On the basis of all I read I decided... 1) to choose a consultant specialising in knee replacements with good outcome figures and good patient reviews 2) to use the NHS choose and book scheme to be in a hospital with a good reputation 3) to lose lots of weight, about 3-4 stone on a very low calorie diet with balanced nutrition - lost 2.5 stone now and another 10 weeks commitment to weight loss unless surgery comes up before then, lower weight will help recovery 4) to use painkillers without opiod based, for me it will be strong cocodamol which I made sure I have a good supply already 5) do all the exercises as often as advised and walk around the garden every hour regardless of pain during the early weeks, especially concentrating upon bending the knee further than I would like want due to pain as that seems to be essential to avoid the frontal cut healing too tightly thus preventing the knee from fully bending once healed 6) buying a treadmill and walking at least an hour day, that will be essential for me as I will be recovering through autumn and winter and am unlikely to want to go out often enough in cold and rain 7) after the first year ensure I walk distances regularly to maintain muscle support. That's my plan. I don't know how it will work but any thought will be welcome and if it helps anyone else that will be great! X

hamilton10

Hi Suelema

I am due to have total knee replacement in right knee tomorrow, I am 61 so fairly young (only thing that I am young for!). I was interested to read your post. I found your post encouraging - you are being proative which is what I intend to do and I wonder how you got on? Also, why did you want to avoid the opiod pain killers? I am worried they will make me feel sick as I am very sensitive to pain killers but ok with co-codemol. It would be great to hear how you are doing?

x