Osteoarthritis of knee

Emmamillie

I am 54 and have grade 4 arthritis on tibia and grade 3 on patella and keep getting told that it’s best to wait until I am 55 ,been suffering for 5 years

Anna

Hello @Emmamillie and welcome to the online community,

I understand you are 54 and have been in pain for five years with arthritis in your knee. You’ve been told that it’s best to wait until you are 55, and I presume this is for knee replacement surgery.

I’ve attached below a link from the Versus Arthritis website that talks about knee replacement surgery. It explains that the earlier you have a knee replacement, the greater the chances that you’ll eventually need further surgery, so I wonder if this is the reason that your consultant is asking you to wait a while longer. The website also talks about ways you can help manage your pain and you might find some of the suggestions useful.

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

Several of our members have undergone knee replacement surgery and I’m sure they will be happy to share their experiences with you and suggest some ways you can help deal with the pain while you are waiting.

Best wishes,

Anna ( Mod)

Link added Yvonne x

Emmamillie

Yes I am needing a knee replacement at some point ,my life feels on hold at the moment

ajs72

Im 49, had grade 4 since 2015, had arthoscopy, but hasnt helped been told i need a knee replacement, but they tell me i need to wait intill my mid 50's. But unsure how long i can wait as pain unbearable. So i feel your pain

Skilegs

Has anyone had a hyaluronic injection to their knee?

Emmamillie

I’ve had numerous injection into the knee joint ,it definitely helps for a while

stickywicket

My understanding is that hyaluronic acid injections are not normally offered by the NHS as the evidence for their effectiveness with OA is very limited. Normally, we are given steroid injections which work well for some people sometimes.

Many hospitals insist on patients waiting to a certain age before hip and knee replacements as they have a limited lifespan and replacing a replacement is a more difficult, expensive and time-consuming operation with an ongoing risk of problems. I think the exact age varies.

Right now, orthopaedic waiting lists are off the scale. Several people on here have biitten the bullet and gone privately.

wazz42

Hi @Emmamillie and @ajs72

I too was told I had to wait for knee surgery and it is a really tricky balancing act. You have pain and a very poor quality of life now compared to a risk of needing a revision operation (replacing the replacement) in the future.

Here's some pain management information

Managing your pain

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

Pain can be a major symptom of arthritis. Find out about treatments, self-help and how to assess if your pain management is working.

Do have a read as it includes medicines, other alternative types of treatment, self help with distraction; pacing; relaxation; joint protection; using aids and so on.

With this information you can give it your best shot and if does not work still you are well prepared to return to your GP to have a chat to cover your route to a replacement joint.

In the end I waited it was hard but once I had got my head round the reasons for the delay I worked on my mindset - I was preparing - I did all the exercises you are advised to do pre and post op, lost weight and got my family to help me when my mind got into a bad place along the way

xx