Osteoarthritis 36 years old

Trav56

Hi. I’m in a real middle. I had two meniscus repairs last year (trims) in my lateral compartment. Knee continued to buckle and severe pain. Latest surgery shown I have osteoarthritis in that part of the knee. My surgeon found someone who would do a partial knee replacement for me. I heard nothing for 8 weeks abs found out on Friday it’s been rejected due to my age. I am now being sent to someone at a bios hospital for articulate cartlidge regeneration. I can’t find anything online about this. Im on so many tablets and creams and still in severe pain. Im not coping. Any advice is really greatfully received.

stacey.

helpline_team

Hi Stacey (Trav56),

Thank you for posting on the Helpline Forum. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain in your knee despite previous surgery and you have now been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). It sounds as if you are going through a rough time, and it must feel confusing to be offered one treatment and then another procedure instead. Talking things through further with your specialist and GP may help to clarify things for you. You could also ask for a review of your pain medication. Gentle exercise, a healthy balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can also help to make a difference to how you feel. If you have not seen a physiotherapist recently, you could ask about this too.

I hope you will find the information given below of some help. A new procedure has been developed for early OA to reduce the need for knee replacement in younger people which involves regeneration of cartilage. This may be what your specialist is considering. Research funded by Versus Arthritis led to the development of treatment to repair damaged cartilage in early-stage osteoarthritis called Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), which is now available on the NHS.

I have also included a link to knee pain which I hope will help too. 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/research/research-achievements/new-procedure-for-early-osteoarthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/knee-pain/

If at any point you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence, you are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays 9am – 6pm.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor 

Dove23!

Dear Stacy,

I have no advice but just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. My life has turned upside down ever since I was diagnosed with OA. It is frustrating and scary to get such news in your 30s. Hang in there! 🥺💐

Regards,

An OA sufferer

Skinny Keef

Hi Stacey, I feel for you. I too started with arthritis at an early age. ( 30s pain diagnosed early 40s)

unfortunately sometimes the medical professionals need chasing up and you need to make a nuisance of yourself.

arthritis is seen as a disease that only affects the older generation hence your refusal for your op. I would question that and make sure the person that refused you on the grounds of age has actually read your medical file and knows your surgeon recommended the surgery. It may be they juat saw your age and didn’t read any further.

keep your chin up. Make sure you’ve got the right pain meds as once the pain is under control you will at least be able to think clearly.

stick around too coz this forum can be a good laugh and chattering with fellow zombies is a great help.

speedalong

Hi Stacey,

I got OA in my twenties - I was born with congenital hip dysplasia and got OA as a result. I had my first THR at age 30; by then my hip was a mess and the operation was difficult to do. My second hip was a resurface replacement, a relatively new procedure at the time and I had to push to have it, luckily my surgeon was willing to perform the op. This is my better hip as the operation is less invasive. If you are being offered ACI - I'd go for it. It sounds amazing and if for any reason it isn't successful or your knee deteriorates in later years, you will still have the option of a TKR. Best to avoid an early one if you can - as revisions for knees are complicated - although some on here can vouch for their success.