Hello and my story (knee replacement)

STEA6

Hello everyone.

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis around 7 years ago, following pain and inflammation in both knees (and stiffness in my back). I have since been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, following an examination by a rheumatologist earlier this year, and she wants me to start Leflunomide. I am not convinced that I have this condition because I am seropositive and only have swelling in a few joints (and no clear signs on my nails). However, orthopaedic consultant, who was planning surgery on my left knee, has told me to wait until start DMARDs. I am unconvinced and would prefer to have surgery first since I am now experiencing locking and instability in my knees. This makes it hard for me to do my job, which requires travel and mobility. I don't feel like I'm being heard, and it seems that my consultants are talking more to each other than to me. My GP agrees I need an urgent orthopaedic referral.

Brynmor

Hi @STEA6 and welcome to the Online Community.

I understand you have had osteoarthritis and now a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis which you are doubtful about. You would like to have knee surgery before starting Leflunomide but the orthopaedic consultant wants to wait until afterwards.

Psoriatic arthritis can cause a number of symptoms around the body. You may have two or more of these symptoms, and they can range from mild to severe. There is a full description including diagnosis and treatments of psoriatic arthritis on our web site that you may find helpful:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/

We also have some great information regarding knee surgery that explains some of the different types of surgery you may have been advised about.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/

It may well be worthwhile in contacting the  orthopaedic consultant team to ask for more information regarding the delay in surgery and the reasoning they have for this. You will also be able to put your points again detailing how not having surgery is currently affecting you, the pain levels and the problems of mobility that you are experiencing.

There are quite a lot of past discussions around this subject you also might like to take a look at. The results of a search on "knee surgery" can be found listed here.

Do join in across the Community, ask further questions and call in to say how you are getting on. You will be most welcome.

All best wishes

Brynmor