Please can someone offer me some advice. My husband is only 42 and is suffering badly from arthritis in his kneecaps. He has seen several doctors and specialists and they have told him nothing can be done for him- they won't operate because they say it won't help and won't give him a knee replacement because he is too young. My husband can't sleep at nights because of the pain and is taking multiple painkillers just to get through each day. It is affecting his quality of life already and will only get worse. The doctor has told him in a few years he will be unable to work. We are both devastated.
Basically what I am asking is is there anywhere we can go where we can pay for a knee replacement or some treatment which will alleviate his pain? Surely he cannot just be expected to suffer for 20 years until they deem him old enough for a replacement?
please help.
No we are in the uk. But to be honest we would be willing to travel anywhere if someone could help us!
Have you seen a specialist privately or on the NHS?
If only on the NHS, I would findout who is the BEST knee person in your area and get a private referral. Treatment does seem to be different, I have had 2 finger joint replacements but was told it was unlikely to be offered on the NHS
Hi Charlie I hope your ok. I am 43 and have osteoarthritis in both knees and now in my hip I am on morphine patches and lots of other pain killers. My consultant is brilliant and told me the long term affect on me about having both knees replaced at my age . I am having my left done first in the next month he told me he would never refuse any patient but if it affects the quality of life which it does he will do it. No one should refuse your husband it's just not fair I have been so close to the edge I kniw exactly how your husband feels. Go back and push them as it's affecting the quality of his live. I really hope it works out you and your husband.
I am familiar only with the USA, but there are MANY wonderful people on this site who can direct you to places in your area.
You are right to fight for your husband! It is a terrible thing to be in pain!
My physical therapist had a double knee replacement at age 42. Osteoarthritis ran in her family. She is fully recovered and pain-free. She was back at work within about six months.
She EASILY got down on the floor to check my knee and was quite flexible. She told me that her surgery brought her life back.
You will get some help here very soon. Keep checking your discussion thread.
There is always something you can do! Getting a different doctor sounds like a really good next step!
Keep us posted on your progress with this.
Never, EVER give up!
Thank you, this gives us some hope at least!
My husband has a pretty physical job and LOVES to work, he is struggling on painkillers at the minute and in my opinion is taking too many but it's the only way he can continue working.
Maybe if we go to another gp or a different specialist we can push it further.
He has seen both private and NHS consultants and both have refused a knee replacement.
Hi,
I'd agree with others here and ask to see a knee specialist. Where are you in UK?
However, two things might help you asap: how heavy is your hubby? It will help enormously if he is or can get to the correct healthy bmi weight. Makes a big difference to knees and may help more than anything. The other thing which may help him is to get a padded mattress topper - depending on how he sleeps.
We are in Northern Ireland!
Hubby is a well built man but by no means overweight. But yes we will work on losing a few lbs.Thanks
Hi
there is one other thing which may offer you some hope. The first clinical trials for using stem cells to re-grow cartilege in knees are currently being conducted with arthritis UK in the UK. These are trials at clinical stage. There are 3 centres in UK conducting them. So treatment not currently available but one woudl think that within 3 to 5 years it would be and this would negate reqirement for a knee replacement in many cases. If you search web - i cant tell you the sites or this post will be barred - you will find them. I wouldn't volunteer to be a guinea pig as these are the first trials but they are now testing on humans in UK hospitals so this is not years away - this is relatively close. If you search you will find the key guys doing the work and it might be worth going to see them privately to see what they say if you are desperate. Also, your specilaist may know /probably does know this is not in the not-so-distant future and thus might be more reluctant to operate n someone so young. You will be able to find out about this if you either search internet or type in Scholar and then it will divert you to more learned articles on subject.
Thank you so much, I will look into it right away.
Yes do go to another gp. As your husband tried the patches they are so much better and they get released into your system every hour you just have to change them weekly. I had to give up work in April I was devastated but couldn't carry on. Take care.
just had a look - The irish times had an article earlier this year on stem cells - Galway - look on internet.
but if you go to arthritis UK you shoudl find the ist of participating hospitals
If you simply type in OA Knees Stem Cells trial or similar loads and oads of articles will come up to help you
Your surgeon maybe protecting you - but i'd go see one of the guys working on this new stuff and see if e.g. you dont have a knee replacement for 2 years you;d be better off long term etc. i.e. find out more facts first and when armed with lots more information, make a decision on what to do.
No I havnt heard of the patches but will def look into them, thank you.
Thank you so much for all your help. We have an 18 month old son and it's heartbreaking that my husband can't play with him or kick a ball with him.
At least there is some hope for us
Hello CharlieP, I am sorry your husband is suffering Arthritis and i know how debilitating this can be. I am 59 and have had my left knee replaced twice. Thou I had Septic arthritis from aged 11 and this developed into Osteo arthritis. My first knee was done aged 39 and 2nd time aged 52. I am due to see the consultant for my right knee and have already being told that i may need a partial knee replacement.I also suffer Arthritis in my spine since aged 40. I do think it can depend on what area you are in. Physiotherapist told me it's best to get things sorted before thay get too bad as it will cause more problems in the future. My therory is we don't know how long each of us is going to live, so why not have the operation now while we can still enjoy our lives. Thou this doesn't work like this with the NHS. Have you asked for a second opionion with a specilist? Can i ask what pain killers is he on, as there are some better ones now than the older drugs. I must admit my second knee replacement was not as successful as the first one and i suffer terrible nerve pain and knee locking, and they do not last as long. I am 6 years into my second one now. I dread to think what will happen when that one wears. However the younger the patient the less problems and mobility is good. I had no pain after the first one. I know some specialists won't operate till 60 plus because if the patient is younger then they will need a second one done, which are not as successful, thou that doesn't help us that are in constant pain. I hope he can find someone that will be more understanding and offer knee replacements. I have heard about stem cell treatment thou don't know much about this or where it is offered. I am going to ask about an alternative for my right knee rather than go down the operation route if i can, only because i have suffered most of my life and have had numerous operations as a child, as well as tibia and fibia straightening and deformity. My second one was replaced with a broken leg. Without knee replacements i would of being in a wheelchair 20years ago. There must be something they can do for your husband.
Elizabeth.
There called bu trans patches there good.
Thank you, we def will not give up!
Hey just had a look on internet for you.... massive European trial on stem cells about to kick off. It is being co-ordinated by the University in Galway but covers most of Europe. Seriously, check it out on interenet - there are tons of articles. Go see them - they are looking for volunteers - i would not necessarily volunteer but at least go see the guys in Ireland as they are co-ordinating it and would know if your hubbie's OA woudl be a prime candidate ultiamtely for either this at some future stage or a replacement - they must be pretty good if they have been chosen to co-ordinate across Europe on this massive clinical trial. Its being funded by European Commission and is about to start... you will be abel to find it by typing in a few key words - its such a pain that on this site you cant refer people to the pages which woudl help them but you will be able to find easily enough.