Do I really need surgery?

Skercat · 25. Aug 2025, 09:47

X-rays show that both my knees are ‘as bad as they are going to get’ according to the doctor.

Yes, they are a bit stiff, and they ache a bit in bed at night. If I am honest they prevent me from walking far, but perhaps exercises might help that.

I have been called for surgery. I am afraid of making a not too serious situation worse.

If you were me, would you have the surgery, or carry on as I am.

I’m going round in circles in my head, and would be grateful for some advice.

Thank you.

annabanana · 25. Aug 2025, 11:39

hi @Skercat , surgery is always a tough decision to make, so its perfectly natural that you’re feeling stuck going round in circles. Your best option would probably be addressing these concerns with your doctor, as every patient is different, but lots of members here have been in similar same situations and found it helpful to hear how others got on. if you pop “knee surgery” into the search bar, you’ll find plenty of posts where people have shared their experiences. I hope you find the clarity you’re looking for!

in the meantime, these pages from Versus Arthritis might be handy:

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

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-surgery-and-arthritis/

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

Bryony · 26. Aug 2025, 01:09

If it is not having much negative restriction on your life at the moment and are able to do reasonably well what you want or need to do, are not in great pain or not relying on strong regular pain meds to control the pain, and it is not unduly disturbing your sleep, if it were me I'd hold off for a while. Some people can have advanced knee OA yet not be in much pain, and not be greatly affected by it, whilst others can be in great pain and have their life badly affected by it.

frogmorton · 26. Aug 2025, 08:33

Hi @Skercat

This is tricky isn't it? It's such an individual choice no-one can decide for you. Is it possible to in a sense 'defer' your place for a while? If you said no thank you right now and things suddenly took a turn for the worst it would be awful if you were at the back of the queue again…😯

Here are threads by others struggling to make similar decisions maybe it might help to read some?

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?domain=all_content&query=should%20I%20have%20surgery&scope=site&source=community

Best of luck and do let us know whet you decide

Toni x

Jane18 · 26. Aug 2025, 09:38

@Skercat, I would discuss your concerns with your consultant when you see her/him. I had similar reservations about hip surgery, but when I saw my consultant the first time he advised that there was a self-referral pathway available, where I could defer my decision for up to a year and still refer myself back directly to the consultant within that time if I found my circumstances changed. In my case, they did, so I was able to speak to the consultant's secretary and get back on the waiting list without having to go through my GP again. So it would be worth asking if this option is available in your case, so you don't have to make the decision for surgery immediately if you prefer not to.

Hope that helps,

Jane

Do I really need surgery?

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