Not quite old enough and knee not quite 'bad' enough..

plantartist

Hi! I am new to this forum and I am rather confused at present. Have had OA in knees for a while now and had arthroscopy on L knee last July due to locking, giving way and pain. Was told at the time that my knee is in a terrible state and will need a TKR at some point. The arthroscopy helped but relief was only shortlived. Now have pain in hip as well as knee, weakness and a sensation that my knee is going to lock (although is doesn't). Saw consultant yesterday (a different chap) who critiscised his colleague for doing arthroscopy. Told me that the only treatment long term is a TKR BUT..There is still some cartiledge left and that I am too young at 55, and if I have it done now I will encounter worse problems 10 years down the road. My quality of life is going downhill. I used to like walking and Jazzercise but it is getting too painful. Difficulty climbing stairs at work. He told me not to walk, to use a stick and take painkillers - all very well but I only 3 years out of 8 years of severe disability due to a spinal fusion gone wrong and was only resolved by my persistence at having the plates removed. Having lost 8 years of my life I am not prepared to go back to a life of disability. I am already on very strong analgesia due to permanent nerve damage in spine caused by fusion.
Is there anyone out there who has been told similar by surgeon? :?

elnafinn

Hi

Welcome to the forum and I am saddened to read your thread. I cannot quite understand why the consultant would criticise his colleague for arranging an arthro for you. That is usually done to see if it will help when the only other option is a TKR.

We often read on here that consultants say we are too young for these replacement joints. I think they are being unfair. Why don't they give their views and then let you, the patient, have your say and tell them why it would mean so much to you and your life at this present time.

I had a TKR at just over 57 years of age. It has been brilliant. This was performed in January 2008. He discouraged me from having the op, until I could bear it no more, but he did say, in the end, it was up to me.

I have no regrets. They don't seem to get it, that we want our life now.

I am sorry I can give you no easy solution to all this.

Chin up,
Elna x

mrsdalloway

Hi your post rang a bell with me as I was told at the age of 35 that although my knee was completely useless, also locking, cracking crunching and I was unable to straighten it that I was too young for a replacement and possibly come back when I was 50! Needless to say my husband got involved as I was so run down by this point that I would have agreed to anything. We had to really argue our case and I was also trying to hold down a job and had 2 young children to look after. Eventually after me walking virtually doubled over for 18 months they replaced it. Although it still doesn't bend properly because they had left it so long before replacing the pain relief was amazing. So you are going to have to get stroppy with them and make a fuss. I know it sounds ridiculous but if you don't they just fob you off, if needs be take someone with you for moral support and explain to them determinedly how much this is affecting your quality of life. Sorry for the long post but I feel for your situation, good luck!

lindalegs

Hi Plantartist and welcome to the forum,

How can you be too young for a TKR at 55 when people in their 20's and before have them done? I had bi-latertal (both knees at once) replacements when I was 42 and I wasn't told I was too young. I think surgeons tell you that because they want you to hang on as long as you're able. Knee replacements now often last beyond 10 years and can be done more than once (although, from what I understand, the first replacement is always the best)

I feel you need a second opinion and don't accept the excuse that you're too young.

Luv Legs

bertyboy

hi i was told vertually the same to young go home and get on with it , so got refered to a different hospital , from there i have had physo, lots of painkillers steroid injections in both knees various xrays , i have got an mri booked for 7th march and going to have some other injections , but at least i now feel somebody is trying to help i knew it would not be new knees over night , but to be toldto go home and get on with it ,was hard to cope with , so go back and talk to your doctor , i still dont expect miracles but at least i am being taken seriously ,, good luck xxxxxxxxx

joanlawson

plantartist wrote:

Hi! I am new to this forum and I am rather confused at present. Have had OA in knees for a while now and had arthroscopy on L knee last July due to locking, giving way and pain. Was told at the time that my knee is in a terrible state and will need a TKR at some point. The arthroscopy helped but relief was only shortlived. Now have pain in hip as well as knee, weakness and a sensation that my knee is going to lock (although is doesn't). Saw consultant yesterday (a different chap) who critiscised his colleague for doing arthroscopy. Told me that the only treatment long term is a TKR BUT..There is still some cartiledge left and that I am too young at 55, and if I have it done now I will encounter worse problems 10 years down the road. My quality of life is going downhill. I used to like walking and Jazzercise but it is getting too painful. Difficulty climbing stairs at work. He told me not to walk, to use a stick and take painkillers - all very well but I only 3 years out of 8 years of severe disability due to a spinal fusion gone wrong and was only resolved by my persistence at having the plates removed. Having lost 8 years of my life I am not prepared to go back to a life of disability. I am already on very strong analgesia due to permanent nerve damage in spine caused by fusion.
Is there anyone out there who has been told similar by surgeon? :?

Hello
Your message rang so many bells with me. I also had arthrosopy just before Christmas, and was told that the OA was much worse than they thought. I have been told that I will need TKR, but have asked for a bit of time to think about it. I'm having a review in 6 months time.But if I decide before then, I can just ring. I am older than you, at 65, and was told that knee replacements last about 15 years these days.That means I would be 80 when it possibly wears out.I wonder why you were told 10 years?

My doctor told me that opinions on the value of arthroscopy vary widely, with some consultants thinking they are a waste of time, and others still thinking them useful. He told me that they are doing less and less of them.That is probably why your doctors disagreed with each other.

I also have developed pain in my hip following the surgery. Have they said what it might be in your case? They think mine is Bursitis, a type of inflammation of the sac of fluid on the joint. I was given an injection for it but it didn't work at all.I have been having physiotherapy and acupuncture for a few weeks now, and the pain has reduced, but not disappeared entirely. The physiotherapist has also loaned me a Tens machine to try, and I think it also helps.

I know how you feel about not being able to go walking or the Jazzexercise. I have had to give up an exercise class where I had gone for 5 years,and can no longer go walking with my husband. I also walk with a stick, but tell people it is the latest fashion accessory I bought a pretty one with patterns on it, so it cheers me up.

I am sorry to hear of your spinal problems. That must make it even worse for you. My advice would be to possibly get a second opinion, to which you are entitled, and just be persistent if you would like to have the TKR.
Joan

woodbon

Hello
Sorry you're having a bad time. I know the arguments are that joints don't last etc. but I work or rather, I suppose worked as I'm of sick but thats another story, and I can tell you that frail, elderly people do have successful replacment joints, in the case of hips, I've seen someone have a replacement for a worn out replacement at over 90. She was fine and walking round without her frame in no time, which was worrying as she needed her frame for other problems :!:

So, although I'm no medic, just a carer, it is possible for elderly people to have these ops, and these days they get better quality joints . Go and tell them how bad you feel, how much life your losing and make a fuss if necessery, in 10 to 15 years, if you need more help, it so be it. I hope you manage to get things done. Love Sue.

alicea

Hi I agree with the other posts, if you are in a lot of pain how can they say you are to young, at 55 you still want to enjoy your life not be in pain day after day. They should try it, I had a hip and knee replacement in the last couple of years, one was done when i was 56 and the other at 58 and my life is so much better. I think if you insist they will do it, tell them your life is not worth living with all that pain. Hope you win good luck keep you chin up. Alicea

denpen

Hi
I know exactly what you mean, I saw consultant in January and was told I need a hip replacement and here it is "I am too young at 53" so they dont really want to do it yet, so last week I had the steroid injection, in my opinion they are just cutting waiting lists and trying to save money by only doing one replacement in our lifetime, so if they can wait until you are in your seventies its better for the NHS as it costs them less money.
BUT what about our QUALITY OF LIFE NOW, I know for a fact even though I am dreading the thought of a operation I want to be able to DO the things that I SEE and ENVY other people doing at my age, I dont consider myself as old but I certainly feel old when I cant walk properly nor do the things a person of my age should be able to do.
We should be entitled to a QUALITY OF LIFE while we are still young enough to enjoy it.
Sorry....I am ranting AGAIN****Ahhhh

Denise

jaspercat

Hi, an orthopaedic surgeon told me that I am too young for knee replacement, I have locking etc, but he said that replacements only last for about 10-15 years, so he won't do it until I am 75, 25 years to wait then! I have to say that since losing about 6 stone that my knee feels better and hasn't locked for some time love Jaspercatxx

plantartist

Thank you all for your replies and support. Good luck to you bertyboy on 7th March.
It is amazing how many of us are out there with similar experiences.
I will be seeking a second independent opinion - in fact the surgeon I have just seen thinks I should go for a 2nd opinion.
While I am figuring all of this out I am going to try to make some liefstyle changes - start an exercise programme, lose a bit of weight and take more time for myself.
The surgeon said that the pain in my hip could be coming from knee but could also be from hip itself. I have genetic OA - my toe, fingers, neck and spine are all definitely affected.
Don't for one minute think I am going to consider giving up walking. As long as I am upright I will keep trying to move around!
Thanks again.

jeanniep

Hi plantartist
I am also 55, awaiting a THR and have dodgy knees too. I have found going to local gym helped with muscular strength and pain relief - not miraculous, still have painful days, but definitely feel better and can keep up walking.
There is a system of referrals from health service professionals (GP, physio, etc) when gym has appropriate qualified instructors. Worth asking if there is anything in your local area. This meant I could access gym more cheaply and with knowledgeable trainer who has had bad health problems herself so understands what it is like (she was in a wheelchair for a while).
Hope this helps. Keep on keeping on! :P
JeanP

joanlawson

If you ask the help-line on this site for advice, they will either e-mail or send you various information. I have found this very valuable as the more you know about your condition the better you can help yourself.
Joan