Am I too young?

pmart77
pmart77 Member Posts: 4
edited 30. Mar 2010, 14:56 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello, I am relatively new to this having only been officially diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of both knees.

A letter sent to my doctor said that I have moderate to severe degenerative changes in both knees already and that I must modify my daily activities for life! Furthermore in the medium term I may need bilateral total knee replacements. I am only 32 years old and have been told, and read that this would not be considered at my age!

Has anyone on this forum, or you know anyone that actually has had TKR at a younger age that 'normal'?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Comments

  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Im sorry to hear about your diagnosis but you have come to the best place for advice and support.

    Unfortunately I cant help you with regard to the TKR but like you, I have just been diagnosed with OA everywhere and I am 32. Its already changed my life. I used to be so active and now I struggle with the most simplest of daily tasks but Ive found speaking to people here really does make you feel a little better about things.

    Im sure someone will be along soon to help get the answers you need, they are a great bunch of people on here.

    I hope you get the information you need and just wanted to say welcome to the Forum.

    Caroline x
  • mellman01
    mellman01 Member Posts: 5,306
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi can't help on the TKR but can tell you I have bad OA of both patella and at 48 am told I'm way to young to have any surgery,they tell me I will have to do 10 years before they even think about it, I guess it's to do with risk etc.
    Not much help though if you still want to earn a flippin living.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello,

    I am sorry to hear your diagnosis. That must be a great shock to you all round and I sincerely sympathise.

    There are people onthis forum who have had new knees at a young age.I know Lindalegs did and she has RA. I have had both knees replaced. I am post op 9 weeks on Friday with the second one, but I waited until I was 58. I too have or had OA in my knees. I was not diagnosed like you, when your age though although looking back I had dodgy knees off and on from my early thirties.

    When it all get totally unbearable, or before that I would suggest getting second, third opinions. There are consultants out there that will do this op at a younger age when they weigh up the pros and cons of the individual instead of having this mental block that people are a number and rules are not to be broken.

    I wish you well with that and hope to see your name around the forum. Knowledge is power. Sometimes we do have to fight for medical attention.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    When I was in hospital having my TKR (I'm 54) the surgeon remarked that he had given a TKR to someone aged 16!!! It's all stuff and nonsense about being too young. My GP kept saying I was too young and I had to push for new xrays - she was a bit surprised at how bad both knees were. In the end I had to use a wheelchair to get about. I will have another TKR next year. They don't like doing these ops too young mainly because they only last 10-15 years. The specialist told me that some of us just have bad joints. It's genetic.

    Sharmaine

    pmart77 wrote:
    Hello, I am relatively new to this having only been officially diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of both knees.

    A letter sent to my doctor said that I have moderate to severe degenerative changes in both knees already and that I must modify my daily activities for life! Furthermore in the medium term I may need bilateral total knee replacements. I am only 32 years old and have been told, and read that this would not be considered at my age!

    Has anyone on this forum, or you know anyone that actually has had TKR at a younger age that 'normal'?

    Any comments would be appreciated.
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya, I'm sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with OA so young. You aren't on your own, as you will see as you start reading the threads on here.

    Docs don't like doing replacements on younger people because they don't last forever and revisions (repeating the ops) are never as good as the original and it can only be done so many times ... However this also has to be weighed up against quality of life and function in the present.

    I had my first THR at aged 30. I first felt pain at aged 27, saw the consultant a year later, tried physio and meds etc to no avail and had a metal on metal, cementless, bone grafted replacement. I'm 43 and so far it is still in good condition...

    I am now awaiting an op on the other hip. My replaced hip is pain free but the range of movement is not as good as a "real" hip and my muscles never fully recovered their strength. However, I was in severe pain in the lead up to the op, was stuggling to work and carry out daily life and after my recovery - was almost as good as new.

    So the timing for replacements (hip/knee) is a balancing act. I would rather be able to enjoy life now - thank you. Don't be fobbed off!

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My problem is my hips not my knees. However, the first consultant I saw 3 years ago, I was 37, told me to go away and come back in 10 years. That was a private consultation and he didn't even look at xrays or me. I then got another referral by my GP to NHS and seen another consultants registrar again not very helpful but he said he would arrange for the consultant to see me. Meanwhile I went back to my GP who wrote a strong letter to the department.

    I was then lucky enough to see my current consultant who specialises in 'young' hips. i have since had 2 ops on my right hip although not a THR as they want to save the joint for as long as possible.

    I have rambled but what I am trying to say is check to see if there is a consultant in your area who specialises in young knees.

    Anne