Hello,
Just some background as it seems to be a long story. After months of left knee pain went to GP who referred me on. Had steroid injections which did nothing.
Had arthroscopy/microfracture in Dec 2013 which was a disaster, more pain than ever before and off work for 4 months (couldn't bend or kneel which is vital for my work). Had right knee done in 2014 which was a success. Interestingly the physio I saw after the left knee said he felt the knee was out of alignment (more of this in a bit).
Back for another arthroscopy/microfracture in April 2015 which did make a bit of a difference. Surgeon said the previous microfracture didn't work. Got on with it and ignored the constant pain.
Gradual deterioration and back to GP for more referral 2016/17 Through another round of steroid injections & hyaluronic acid injections. The first doctor I saw in 2017 - not a knee specialist - this is the Virgin Care musculoskeletal clinic; said I would need a partial knee replacement, sent me for mri then phoned (no appointments just telephone consultation) to say I had severe inflammation of the pes anserinus and a steroid jab would cure it along with physio - there was nothing wrong with my knee as such.
Well this didn't work - not a jot. Physio gave me exercises, which I did, ultrasound treatment and strapping. I seem to have multiple points of pain, the knee cap itself constantly aches - all the time. This is a dull grinding ache. Then I have the sharp pain at the point of inflammation - very painful. The pain keeps me awake at night and does impact on my life. I cannot sit with my leg at right angles without pain at all. Strangely my mobility is very good - I can flex and bend and straighten it. I am consistent in doing my strengthening exercises and stretching too.
So back to Dr who referred me on to the consultant sports knee specialist for some ultrasound shock treatment which first Dr assured me would cure the problem.
Saw this man who looked at my knee and said I had multiple problems, the main one being my knee is out of alignment and wearing the medial (?) inside bit of my knee. Which in turn is causing the inflammation problems. He talked about doing an osteotomy to realign my leg/knee.
He said my situation was not clear cut in that he wouldn't say yes he would do it. He said the inflammation problems will not go all the time my knee is wonky. He has sent me for a set of xrays and another mri which is this week and I have another telephone appt at the end of February.
The pain is constant and does affect my life. I have a physical job in that I have to be able to get up and down off the floor multiple times a day (I work with disabled pre-schoolers). I like my job and would like to continue to do it. I'm 54 - nearly 55. I have been advised to lose weight. I have lost over 10lbs in 3 weeks. I know this must be beneficial and know this is a good thing to do, so am determined to do so. I know it must have made a difference but the pain has not eased at all. (I don't know what I expected really!) But I will lose it.
So, after all that, my question is; does anybody have any experience of this? I can understand the reservations of doing a partial knee replacement at my age - once there's no joint you can't go back the other way. However cutting a bit of bone out of my leg and plating it also seems very drastic. But it does give me the option of a replacement later if necessary. Consultant did say that there are not many options for arthritic knees apart from replacement.
I've had a bad weekend pain wise so feeling a bit down and lost. I would just like the pain to stop for once.
What ever I have done I am committed to aiding recovery, I am very good at following through on physio etc. I also get very good sick pay from work which is something to consider. I would rather have something done now while I am young enough to be able to recover well. How much should I push for something to be done?
Has anybody had an osteotomy vs knee replacement?
Thank you and thank you for getting to the end of this very long ramble!