Hello everyone - could do with some advice and support

Peppercorn

Hi all

I recently had a hip replacement at 38 due to severe OA secondary to hip dysplasia. I’ve had noisy crackling knees for a while, my GP kept fobbing me off as I had no pain and my X-rays were fine, so I paid to see a private consultant and he confirmed that the cartilage is wearing too quickly in both knees. He didn’t use the term arthritis but I’m assuming that’s what he meant. He was very good, told me it’s likely linked to me having very underdeveloped leg muscles due to dysplasia and uneven gait. He’s discharged me to physio for now and told me to call him as and when pain starts. He basically said don’t worry yet, let’s get you stronger and see how we go. You may or may not need surgery in the future, etc.

I’m feeling very lost and numb having already been through a THR. I hate to say “why me” as I know everyone is suffering so much, but I feel very depressed over this. I’ve already been in daily physio for three years and still struggle to build muscle. I couldn’t walk without aids for several years leading up to my op so that hasn’t helped either.

Has anyone caught knee arthritis at an early stage and been able to manage it well? Does it always progress to end stage? I’m petrified of a TKR, I just admit - a complex THR was big enough!

I’m slim so no issues with weight (the consultant told me my weight is ideal and not to worry about that other than putting muscle on), I’m walking daily and doing an hour of stretching/strengthening physio a day under a fab physio who has been so helpful. Every time my knee crunches (usually coming downstairs or lifting it straight) I find myself horrified by the noise/sensation and don’t know how to mentally overcome it. I’m scared of the same kind of pain I’ve had with my hip coming back. I’ve also still got a dysplastic hip on the other side that’s OA free right now but I’ve been warned will be a second early replacement due to the shape. I’ve been taking glucosamine for a few months now.

I keep blaming myself for this, I don’t know why. I suppose I keep wondering if I’d gone for the THR earlier this might not have happened? I was reassured that it’s nothing I’ve done, but I’m feeling a lot of guilt too.

Ive rung the VA helpline, the lady was lovely. I just don’t know where to turn. I don’t know if I should be pushing for things like MACI etc or whether I need to wait for pain? I’m so confused.

Thank you

Chris_R

Hi @Peppercorn

Welcome to the online community,I see you have been posting and chatting on the forums already so i expect some of your Questions have been answered already.

You say that you have had a Crackling in your knee and wonder if you can avoid a complete TKR,if your cartilage is worn you should be getting a referral to and orthopaedic surgeon to get diagnosed. I have had 2 TKRs and although painful within 6 weeks i was back to work with no pain whatsoseverWhich was wonderful it was worth going through the pain to get those results but i can understand your reservations, i have also had a Complete hip replacement which was nothing like the pain in the knees,but the pain has gone i am so grateful to be able to do much more.

The decision is yours to take. Here is a bit of information for you

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

Hope these help you to make a decision.

All the best Christine

Peppercorn

Hi @Chris_R, thanks for your reply. Sorry if I wasn’t clear - I have seen the ortho surgeon and he said it’s cartilage wear, although he said nothing was serious yet and I might be able to avoid major surgery with careful management. He’s told me to stick with conservative treatment for now and see how things go.

I am always impressed by people brave enough to have TKR, it’s my greatest fear. I have no other symptoms other than the noise on certain movements at the moment, I suppose I want to know if I’m doing the right things. The ortho’s view seemed to be that if there’s no pain, stick with physio and that building up muscle should help protect the joint?

Chris_R

Hi @Peppercorn

Yes i quite agree with you if you are not in pain it is good to stick with Physio and build up the muscle for when you need to use it.

Here is a link that may help youhttps://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-knees/

These are great exercises and will help you build up muscle. In the meantime do continue to chat on the forums and let us know how you get on.

All the best Christine

Fif

My knees have creaked and cracked for years. They are also painful particularly when going downstairs or down hills, but I have kept active and strong and the last time I saw a physio for my rheumatoid arthritis, she said there was no way the osteoarthritis arthritis in my knees meant that I would need a replacement if I kept on keeping on, if you see what I mean. Trying to build up your muscles is the right way to go. Weight training can help. Good luck.

Peppercorn

@Fif I really appreciate that, thank you. The surgeon/physio seemed to say similar things if I could build my legs up, and they’ve certainly been better since my THR now I can walk without crutches and I’m not tilted. The surgeon said we might be able to get away with a few scopes in future. I just have to get my head around the noise, only in one knee so far. Just feeling very aged with my plastic hip and scrunchy knee and I’m not even forty yet! I’m so pleased you’re done so well