Knee arthritis

Maziknoun

Hello all, this is my first time here. I've joined out of desperation and am.looking for help and advice. I had a tibial tubercle osteotomy in August for knee arthritis. Unfortunately it has not relieved any of my pain and the o my option now is replacement. I am 43 and consultant is very reluctant to do this. TTO was supposed to give me some time. Can I insist on replacement now? To make matters worse, the left knee has become.much worse. I dislocate bad knee in march and have had brace and.crutches since then. Particularly since TTO, I've been lopsided, transferring most of my weight to opposite knee. This has caused a decline in the cartridge here. Surgeon wants to do same surgery here but I can't go through that again. I should add that my liver produces an enzyme.which means opiates metabolose so quickly that they're not effective. This means constant wearing pain. Sorry for rambling but in a desperate situation. The debilitating pain means I can no longer work and with 4 children to look after, I am at the end of.my tether! If anyone has advice, please.please say! Thanks Maz xx

Sharon_K

Hi @Maziknoun

welcome to the community, sorry to hear things have become desperate for you but it's understandable as you seem to have had a rough time. I would certainly have a a long discussion with your surgeon to discuss all the options. He may have some other ideas. It is certainly possible to have knee replacements at your age if there is a clinical need and being in severe pain and unable to manage ould certainly be very important to metion loudly and repeatedly. I had my knee replacements in my late 30's.

I would also suggest you take time to learn everything you can about knee replacement surgery and also find out what is causing all our continued pain. Knee replacements are different for everyone and I am sure our members will share their experiences with you.

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

Here are some top tips which might help with the pain

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/april/top-tips-to-help-knee-pain/

Let us know how you get on

Best Wishes

Shaon

Moira

Welcome.

It is difficult for you. I have found physio exercises have really helped me over the years. Ask to see a physio - I was put onto one years ago before my surgery - you will have to do exercises to strengthen the muscles anyway before surgery.

Use the Versus arthritis videos of exercises too, they are brilliant.

Depends on the surgery the surgeon wants to do. Years ago I had arthroscopies on both knees and that certainly helped for quite a bit.

Many surgeons are reluctant to give replacement surgery to younger folks because the artificial joints can wear down - mine has on my right side.

I've had arthritis now since I was 39 and I'm now 70. I can honestly say that targeted exercises from a proper physio who is trained to work with arthritis patients is probably your way ahead. A good healthy diet is crucial and keeping your weight down as much as you can.

Don't give up there's lots of help out there. Talk to your specialist and get a physio appointment. Best of luck.

Moira

Whiteheart

Hi, beside other things , I’ve had both knees replaced with total knee replacement ones due to the arthritis, they said they last between 15 and 25 years, and no matter what, I cannot kneel down, but not everyone is the same. Some people are ok, some are not, but I think you need to check out things before asking for a knee replacement. I’ve had 3 ops on my right replacement,