Going to (try) to be brief. I was born with knock knees, my feet have always pointed inwards, I had my first dislocation in (r) knee at age 9, 2nd was at 11, a dislocation in (l) knee at 12, and 3 more dislocations in the (r) between 2015-2016.They all required an ER doctor to reduce, 6+ weeks rest, crutches, braced.
Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in right knee in 2009. Left knee, 2010. Have been having real difficulty since 2015 with the pain, and in the past year, the LEFT knee has become extremely painful, the last 3 months, excruciating pain. Keeping me from walking, getting out of bed. Now have a walker. I am 36 years old. I had lost 60lbs by 2015, and just about 30lbs overweight. I was so active, and swam daily. It didn't matter, the arthritis progressed.
I have tried so many things for years. ibuprofen 600, tylenols, lidocaine patches,shots and so on. Nothing is helping now, and I FINALLY got my doc to prescribe something (tramadol) its helped some, but it still is painful and thats to be expected. He originally said "Youre to young for the surgery" until my 4th visit, he sent me to his associate who said "Its crazy to do this surgery on someone your age." Went back to the original ortho doc, who is sending me to someone else for another opinion. I am concerned because of the mixed answers and opinions on this. This knee is comparable to someone in their elder years, 70s or so.
I am tired of suffering but I am wondering if surgery is the best option? Trying to get something realistic for the pain is like pulling teeth I assume from all of the opioate abusers, and I really cannot continue on with this pain.
Hello Kate, I'm sorry to hear about the pain you're going through. My limited knowledge says that surgery is pretty much the only option, I'm sorry to say. What I'd suggest in the meantime is attending a pain management clinic and see what they come up with. They don't like to do TKRs under 60 years because of the "lifespan" of the prothsesis. Mind you, I do know people who have had it done much younger. They are reticent to do it because they say they last about ten years and they don't want you to have a revision tkr down the track. As I said though, sometimes they do. I hope they do for you. Try doing exercises to build up your quads that eventually makes it easier on the knee. I was about 48 when it became obvious I'd need TKRs but had to wait for the first one till I was 59. It was a long wait.
As I said -
- firstly try and get into a pain management clinic,
- do quad strengthening exercises
- hopefully - the tkr
Best of luck and please let us know how you go.
Thoughts...
1. Yes, you are really young to have a TKR but we've heard of it on the Forum before...maybe once or twice. Used in very rare cases (like yours) or someone who was in a bad car wreck and the original knee was not salvageable.
2. Have you tried SynVisc? One shot lasts up to 6 months; a 3-shot course (days 1, 8 and 15) can last up to a year. Worked for me for over five years. Check into it. NOT like cortisone which is a steroid and is very temporary. This is more of a synthetic lubricant for your joints.
3. Arthritis, just like rust, never sleeps...period...
4. The pills will wreck your stomach long-term; the opioids (and Tramadol is a mild, synthetic opioid) will rot your teeth. None of that crap is good for you if you take it year after year. Fix the problem and get off the drugs.
5. Find a doc who will do the op...really. So you need a new one in 25 years? That's 25 years of a good quality of life. And who knows what kind of replacement will be available in 2052?????? Just get it done.
Crazy not to do surgery! Quality of life is so important! Are you in UK?
Soooooooooooo right! Surgeon reckons 20 years for my knee. Good point too about future developments.
Hi Kate
36 is much too young to be condemned to a life of pain and disablement. Surely it is better to have the operation now while you are young and have a life to live.
Most candidates for TKR are 60+ and many doctors (here in UK anyway) just "tick boxes" to see if they qualify. As yours is a special case, I think your doctors owe you a more detailed explanation as to why they think it is such a bad idea at your age and the possible outcomes they envisage. This would enable you to make a more informed decision.
Best of luck.
I'm getting mine done but I'm 56 but my son is 35 and his is bad already he is going to wait awhile but he did change jobs to something less strenuous
Have the op Kate. My knee kept dislocating, it was dreadful. I had suffered with arthritis since my forties,knees were bad even before then.
Have had both done now, I just wish I had the option of tkr before. I let it go on too long.
But you are too young to let something that can be treated ruin your life.
I wish you all the best.
Just as an after thought, After taking anti inflammatories for at least five years, I was diagnosed wth gastric ulcers in May, and am now trying to deal with that. I was told it was the Naproxen that caused them.
Hi Laura
I was told that the artificial knee can also dislocate. Have you had any issues with this, and does the fake knee cap have to be popped back in like a real knee cap? I cannot have the surgery that helps keep knee cap in its place, mine were incorrect when I was born.
Your experience with naproxen made me really want this surgery. I too am on that and now I dont want to be long term.
Yes, and the doctors seem to not get that! United States.
No I haven't had any problems, but I kept my kneecap.
It used to dislocate several times a day, especially when getting in car, I was constantly having to get out again to pop it back. God knows why I went on for so long, and when I went for steroid injections I was surprised to be told I needed a tkr. I lived with the pain so long, it became normal. I haven't looked back since having replacements, a year apart, only wish I had done it years before I did.
Yes it's a painful op to get over, but I'm used to pain. i drove back after two weeks with my surgeons knowledge, and walked into physio with just one stick, both times I did this-- don't ket the scare stories frighten you from getting it done. People are different in how they deal with pain.
☺You will find a surgeon who will do it, but you may need to educate them in the process...explaining the restrictions and limitations on your quality of life..how it affects your aspirations in life, how it is socially being young but living with old knee!
Take a peek at my profile and maybe visit my blog. I have devoted one of the pages to my own story. I spent a lot of time expressing my own frustrations and struggle pre operative ly...I needed to sort my head out! Writing helped. It is very long. Skim reading recommended!
As long as you fully understand the risks and benefits, and once you are clear in your own mind about what you want, I am sure you will manage to put your case across!
I an 52. Four months post op. Over the moon. It's great not being disabled and in pain anymore. If you are overweight, lose weight. It makes a huge difference too. Will help new knee to last as long as possible.
Hi Kate
I am 49 and am 4 weeks post op of a TKR.
I was shocked to be told that I needed the op but when explained made sense as I couldn't continue with the poor quality of life I had.
I have osteoporosis and psoratic arthritis which is the one that took my whole cartridge away.
It's a very painful journey but thanks to this forum has given me hope that I'll be better than I was before.
My Dad asked me a couple of days after the surgery if I still had the pain I had before the op. I hadn't thought about it as I had other pain to deal with but I replied. Omg Dad yes it's completely gone! You must know what I'm talking about
Thankfully I work from home so I manage to work. Attend physio and still be there for everyone although not being able to jump in the car and go somewhere drives me mad
Good luck to you