feeling sorry for myself-locking arthritic knee

sunnyside2

I have severe arthritis in my one knee, hip pain and I think a torn meniscus (again) in arthritic knee.

I am due to see knee surgeon on 23rd having just had a fresh MRI of knee and am feeling very sorry for myself. My knee hurts after ANY period of standing on it or being seated with it bent but sometimes it locks solid which I think is meniscus tear catching and it is off scale pain when it happens.

Last night I went to sit on chair and it locked solid, screamed as hurt so much and then passed out cold. came to on kitchen floor with huge bump on head and husband trying to wake me up. Thankfully the fall did unlock knee, This is a new low for me- the pain was so extreme it made me faint :( no real reason for this post but feeling very sorry for myself this morning, knee swollen to double normal size and hurts, and frightened to move in case locks again as I know from bitter experience that once its locked it is more likely to lock for next couple of days and I do not want a repeat of last night. It has always unlocked after a few minutes but the pain is undescribable while it is locked-and the pain after for days likewise is pretty fierce

does anyone know a quick method of unlocking leg? I have tried straightening and it simply will NOT, it always happens when knee is bent and then I cannot straighten it, cannot even stand with it dangling as the pain of the dangling leg is off the scale so at the moment I am stuck with trying very hard to relax joint until it pops free

also does anyone know if a knee replacement gets rid of meniscus ? I'd sooner have none then have this locking. I had a meniscus repair some years ago and a TTT surgery which helped for a few years but everything is back with a vengance. My arthritis was assessed as bone on bone some years ago

stickywicket

That sounds like a horrible experience. Do tell your consultant when you see him. And I think he'd be the best one to advise about the meniscus and whether the op can cure it.

I very occasionally got knees locking before TKRs but mine was the opposite. It happened when I'd been walking for too long. I sat down and they wouldn't bend. I had to wait then hold the knee firmly and, slowly, take it down bit by bit.

How are things now?

sunnyside2

Thank you. It is very swollen and hurts. not as bad as when locks but not nice. It will pass. I have had it hurt at this level often and a few days complete rest with it elevated it will calm down a bit.

You are right-I will tell the consultant about fainting as its really rather scared me- coming to with a huge bump on head was a bit much on top of knee issues and makes me very nervous of moving in case happens again. The pain when it locks is extreme.

I am 49 and really think this time I need to be more assertive about wanting the joint replaced as this is no way to live. I've done the weight loss, I've done the pain clinic, I've done the physio and now I am done- and want it done.

stickywicket

Do you use walking aids indoors? A zimmer? A rollator? Even a walking stick would stabilise you a bit.

And we'll done for all you have tried.

sunnyside2

thank you, yes use a stick , tiny terraced house with stairs so anything else not usable

Sheelee

Hi Sunnyside2,

I'm seeing my masseuse tomorrow. She's very knowledgeable. I'll ask her.

But to be in so.much pain that you pass out is past re need for patience regarding action. And this is potentially very dangerous. You could have fallen somewhere where you injured yourself quite badly and your husband may have been out.

And so young too. I'm so sorry 😞

Sending you a 🫂 xx

sunnyside2

I saw the consultants yesterday and am now on the waiting list for a full knee replacement. They were not very keen and a lot of dire warnings about how younger people tend to be unsatisfied with knee after & that it will require revision later as too young but I cannot go on like this . I feel relieved. said about a 9 - 12 month wait at the moment but at least now in the queue.

The scans done last month showed the arthritis has now spread and in all compartments of knee and he said my knee anatomy is badly put together- so I started out wonky and it failing was inevitable- there is nothing else can be done for it, no amount of physio is going to fix a knee that is put together badly so I feel it is the right thing to do

stickywicket

Go for it!

I had to have new knees at 35 and didn't need a revision until 27 years later. Admittedly I treated them like royalty. I've always been very conscientious about exercises and, as I already had widespread RA and OA elsewhere, plus two young boys, I was never going to go in for marathons or parachuting. But it was great. The revision is even better. But the other TKR, done at virtually the same time, has since deteriorated, along with the THR above it, to the point where it can't be operated on. So there is a good argument for leaving these things as long as possible. However, my ancient, knackered TKR is now 40 years old and still, more or less, holding me up.

I'd just say do the exercises - start now to strengthen the muscles - and make them your priority post op. I wish you all the best and hope you have as good an outcome as I've had.

sunnyside2

Thank you :)

That is really encouraging. I am planning on using my wait time productively- increasing my weight loss and doing gentle exercise so I am in best possible shape for it to go well. I have already lost 3 and half stone and want to lose a further stone by time surgery date is in as I know least weight on knee the better .

I am so relieved on the list- the consultant agreed I needed TKR it was just an issue of whether I could stand waiting another 10 years in this state-and it getting worse and I cannot. I am not doing this lightly as I know its a gamble but quality of life now is too compromised and they have no other options to try . I am 49 and yes it would be better in 60s but I need to be able to move