Knee joint pain and knee replacement

Beaconlight

Hello I’ve joined Versus arthritis for support and knowledge in the community on here to help me deal with my condition. I’ve had arthritis at a manageable level in my knees since my 40 s I’m now 62 always a keen walker of coast and countryside and being close to nature. But since February this year my arthritis has become severe and I’ve been told I will need a full knee replacement I now feel in limbo, I’ve found walking in general much more difficult and have had many flare ups where I can’t put my foot to the ground or walk at all on my right leg for many hours and sometimes days. I’m feeling so deflated and missing out on or cancelling things I love to do eg meet friends go to music events take off to places independently on public transport as my confidence has been knocked re whether my leg will give way and I will be stranded. These feelings are so new to me as I am normally a confident woman. I work in the community in social care attending appointments,visits trips etc but it’s the uncertainty each day when I wake up if I can walk and what I can achieve. Any advice and positivity would be most welcome 😊

noddingtonpete

Hello @Beaconlight and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

Have a look through the following which I hope will be of some help to you.

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

and there are our stretching exercises on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMkxh1Alz2A

Hope it helps. Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

jamieA

Hi @Beaconlight

I had a football injury 35 years ago and the meniscus of my left knee was removed which didn't really cause a problem till 2020. When I contracted inflammatory arthritis 4 years ago my left knee was the first joint affected. I was told 2 years ago I needed a replacement knee. I resisted being put on the waiting list until the start of this year. Like you I used to walk the hills with my dog. I now restrict my walks to relatively flat surfaces - I'm lucky as I have river and canal walks locally. I wear a strong elasticated support on my knee and use ibuprofen gel twice daily. I carry a collapsible walking stick in my backpack in case I need it. My knee gives me most problems on inclines, declines and stairs but I find if I can compensate by using handrails or fencing I can still get by. For stairs I use my good leg as lead on the way up and my bad leg as lead on the way down as instructed by physio. I also do regular exercises. The physio and consultant have stressed the need to continue to move and exercise the joint to avoid muscle and tendon wastage.

frogmorton

Hi @Beaconlight

Horrible when suddenly your activities get restricted isn't it?

I was just wondering whether you are 'on the list' for your knee to be replaced?

Other than that I have to say Jamie's experience with coping with his knee problems is a fantastic example of what can be done by shear motivation and determination so any advice he gives I would take.

Hope you'll decide to keep posting

Toni x