Knee arthritis

Aallyann

I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knee. No cartilage. Keep having horrendously painful knee effusions. Last time I had to have morphine Anyone else had that? Im 51. Will they give me a new knee? Can’t believe it!

Chris_R

Hi @Aallyann

Welcome to the online community,happy to see you posting and asking questions thats why we are here to help and give advice where necessary.

You write that you have just been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in the knee,No cartilage and having horrendous pain, last time having morphine for to control pain.

I had a knee just like yours and i had surgery on both knees. My GP recommended me to the orthopaedic department its called a referral,have you asked your GP about knee surgery yet?

Here are a few links to help you while you go through the process.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/

Hope these links work for you,please keep in touch and tell us how you get on and do chat to others on our forums it often helps

All the best Christine

Aallyann

I have already been referred so back to hospital Monday- I think I am too young for knee replacement though. Feeling a bit low about it really. Thanks for your reply.

jonr

Hi Aallyann,

Arthritis can strike anyone at any age, particularly if it's Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm 56 with Osteo Arthritis in both knees which I've had for about 2 years now, it was brought on by too much high impact sport and am now looking at either a partial or full knee replacement.

I went through exactly the same feelings as you and it's hard to accept this debilitating condition, the pain and impact on your daily life are hard to bear physically and mentally.

I think there are 2 aspects to getting through this, regardless of whether you need surgery or not. 1/ treatment for the swelling, heat and pain (a mixture of prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatories + natural remedies, such as Bromelain, CBD, TENS machines and deep tissue massagers) 2/ Physio and exercise to not only help strengthen the joint which will make everyday tasks a lot easier and aid mobility but will be good for mental health. I go to the gym to use a static bike and walk on the treadmill, plus go to Spin classes. The cardio releases Endorphins, the body's natural painkiller and feel good hormone. You might find it helps to invest in some knee supports to aid mobility and confidence to undertake the physio. If your local GP surgery has a physio there, I'd highly recommend a consultation for an assessment and personal recommendation on some exercises and stretches. I did and the 15-20 minutes these take me are part of my daily routine now, vital to help me get going in the morning when my knees are at their stiffest.

I live by this credo "I've got Arthritis, Arthritis hasn't got me" so please believe me when I say that taking control of your life will really give you a boost but be prepared for good and bad days, Arthritis is like that.

Good luck and we're here for when you're at your lowest so don't suffer in silence!

Jon

Aallyann

Ah thanks Jon. I have osteoarthritis. I have been feeling depressed as I have had to be off work as when it comes on I literally can’t walk with the pain and swelling. I am starting physio in a couple of weeks. Mine wasn’t brought on by high impact sport but I am quite active and the thought of not being active is depressing. I have been looking for an exercise bike on eBay as everyone seems to recommend cycling. I will get a knee support too. Thanks so much for your advice and taking the time to write👍🏻

MarkInSussex

Echo what Jon said above, I too have knackered knees and currently walk bone on bone in both, my hips are on the way out and my shoulders and elbows are not overly good either, i spent seven weeks in hospital last year after my legs just gave up and i was manhandled out of the house by the Fire Brigade to get to the waiting Ambulance as i couldn't stand let alone walk.

I saw a Rheumatologist who put me on a right cocktail of medication and through the meds and sheer bloody mindedness, i learnt how to walk again with the help of the amazing Physios and OT's in the specialist hospital i was transferred to, my knees like yours make some awful noises and i'm on Codeine for the pain, i have been referred for bilateral knee replacement surgery as i argued the point with my Consultant and in the end he agreed that's what i needed, rather than do one knee at a time as is normally the case, when that will be i don't know as i've not even had my initial ortho appointment yet, but i know that each passing day is a day closer to getting them done.

But to answer your question Aallyann, yes they will give you a new knee, but it's a waiting game, just take each day at a time, the mental health side of it is hard, but try and keep your pecker up, there is help out there, your GP can refer you to your local MIND and Wellbeing service, mine did and the help i've received has been amazing, but you have to ask for it, just let your GP know you are struggling physically and mentally. I also try to keep myself busy, i've written a book, i whittle, i read, i write letters all things to occupy my mind and if i may, i can recommend a book called "Rewild Your Mind" by Nick Goldsmith, it's a great book and some of the things in it really resonated with me with my current physical and mental health, to the point that i read the book cover to cover in one afternoon, even if you take just one thing from it, its has to be worth the money.

Enough of my rambling, the help is out there and you will get it, btw im 52.

Aallyann

Thanks so much. Your fire brigade incident sounds horrendous! Well done for all your positivity. Thanks for the reply- I really appreciate it.

My mum offered to pay for a private consultation- do you think it makes any difference?

MarkInSussex

I looked at going Private, but couldn't afford it, but if i could, i would certainly have taken that route.

Aallyann

Is it loads? I probs can’t afford it either. She’s only offered to pay for the initial consultation! I’d imagine it is thousands of pounds. Thanks anyway for all your words

MarkInSussex

When i looked into it last year, to get both my knees done, excluding consultations was over £30k, consultations were in the region of £250.00 to £300.00 a time, i decided to wait lol.

No prob on the words, as Jon intimated above - you are not alone

Aallyann

Wowsers. The only thing is that knee replacement is only supposed to last about 15- 20 years so it made me wonder how that could be different if you went private. If you see what I mean. It doesn’t magically last longer just cos you pay for it. But anyway I can’t afford it!

MarkInSussex

Yup know exactly what you mean, only difference with private is you get to jump the waiting list, private room etc etc, spare parts are the same as NHS.

jonr

FWIW, I've looked into Private too and spoke with 2 different companies. The initial consultation is north of £250-£350, he or she will want an MRI (£650 for both knees), followed by another consultation to discuss treatment options, so another £250+. Each knee would cost the thick end of £15,000 for surgery and then some ongoing costs with post-operative examinations, etc. No difference in treatment privately to the NHS, any replacement would only last 10-15 years and could not be done again. Ergo, to get the most out of them it would require one to avoid anything that would stress the new joints, such as running, jumping, etc.

That's a lot of wonga to find if paying one's self but if I had it and it meant avoiding a lengthy wait on the NHS I'd most certainly do it. I'd push for any XRays and MRIs on the NHS though to save time and money.

Aallyann

Yes that’s an absolute fortune. I’ll see what they tell me on Monday.Thwy have already arranged physio for me so that might help a bit. I don’t think they will be putting me in a waiting list for a new knee at 51. They have told me I have no cartilage. The agony when it swells is the worst thing and it seems to come out of absolutely nowhere. I am missing work which is making me stressed- this is my fifth day off this week. Still can’t walk without crutches. Thanks for your kind words. I’m regretting years of high heels! I’ll have a look for Rewild your mind- thanks for the tip!

Fran54

Hi @Aallyann

I have put a comment for you under another person ( sorry about that ).

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Aallyann

thank you. Also, does anyone have experience of knee effusions? Mine is still very swollen after a week- is this normal? First time I had it aspirated and that made it better but they did not do that this time and just told me to rest it. I can’t bend it and it’s driving me nuts. Does anyone know anything about it? Thanks