arthroscopy versus knee replacement reviews

starops? I meant straps .

I use under knee straps too (in fact bought GreatNan's for her, lol) - it is amazing how much it helps.

So glad nobody has 'shot me down' for mentioning weight -as said it applies to me too! Crimson you don't need to be a swimmer to get into water. In fact, for many knees, including mine, traditional breaststroke with 'froggie' legs is a total no-no. I have re-learnt to swim using short/soft physiotherapy flippers, doing breaststroke arms but crawl up-and-down legs - using goggles so I can keep my head down and not get neck-ache. I also swim with up and down legs holding a float at the front- and that is great too.

But you can just hold to the side, on front, then on back- and do up-and-down legs with said physio-flippers, or if you have a pool with steps down, sit on the steps and do so, then turn to front and hold on to steps or bars, and do the same. It is amazing how much easier it is to start to exercise in water.

Many pools will not allow you to swim in main pool with flippers, even the short/soft physio flippers, but will be happy to allow you to exercise on the steps or holding to sides.

One of the cheapest form of soft impact exercise for knees is a rebounder, a small round trampoline. They are very reasonable in price and do not take much space- you can start with very low gentle jumps, and then go on to alternate legs, knees up, start jumps - all very gentle, and extremely good aerobically too.

Gi-Gung or Tai-chi is also brilliant to improve posture, balance, stretch and strengh - so if there is a class near you, that would be brilliant.

Good luck to all of us - hurrah.

Just though; have you tried leg starops [the ones that go just under the knee]? Greatnan swears by them, and I've used them on and off for a long time.

I do find the poles and the dog don't go together [always worried that I might 'spear' her!]. When my first knee started playing up a few years back I was hobbling through the village and someone came out of their house to ask what was wrong. She then went on to say that she'd had a new knee and hadn't looked back since then. It is miserable isn't it, though when you've always been fit and active and suddenly your body starts to let you down. You never know; the visit to the Dr might do the trick; I've had a touch of sciatica for months; finally went to the Dr and had an x ray and, y'know, it stopped hurting [think it was the change in the weather?]. Feel like a complete fraud now. Let us know how you get on tomorrow.

Thanks to everybody for sensible, balanced comments, the mention of overweight certainly hit home and I will try to reduce mine. I am interested in what you say Crimson re. Nordic walking poles as I sure miss my walk in the woods with the dog.
I will go to my GP tomorrow and start the ball rolling. I was checking out waiting times for Arthroscopy in my local area which is East Lancs NHS and got a shock as it quoted something like 78 days!! So, I am wondering now what GP can suggest to keep me going for next 3 months, I have heard that Cortisone injections might help.
I have only just found Gransnet and I can see already that we have here a lifetime of wisdom and common sense, so, thank you all.

Glad you mentioned that, granjura. I've had knee problems for years and have arthritis in both knees but I'm very pear shaped and, whenever I put weight on it goes straight onto my legs. This has happened quite a lot recently, as I've been working long hours and also clearing my house up; tiring but not really using up any energy. Whenever I have a bath I always raise my legs, one at a time and hold for several seconds; it's something my doctor told me to do years ago and a few seconds a day strengthens the knee muscles. I also read that for every extra pound of weight you carry, the knee has to carry a helluvalot more. Anyways; what you've said has kicked me into action and I really am going to get myself fit again! I wish I was a swimmer, though; certainly the best exercise for people with dodgy knees. D'you think an exercise bike would be as good? I've had a couple of second hand ones and keep meaning to buy a good one; the family used to moan about having them in the house, but they've all left home now so I can do what I like . I also need to start using my nordic walking poles; hopefully I'll have a lot more spare time now.

Hope this won't upset anybody- I can assure you it applies to ME, as I am very chubby. It is very important to try and lose as much weight as possible if you have problems with knees, and to keep the muscles around the knee as strong as possible. A/ to avoid surgery in the first place and B/ to give surgery the best chance of success.

The best way to achieve this is in water- wearing short physiotherapy flippers. Really worthwhile asking for advice on you can best exercise, adapted to your personal needs and condition.

Last October I had an arthroscopy. I could hardly bare to walk before - especially down slopes. Speed humps were a major problem (no footpaths on our road). So really I felt I had little choice - an op wasn't going to make it much worse and my family were suffering too as I don't do pain very well and apparently, surprisingly to me, I wasn't too nice to live with. Had NHS keyhole day surgery and within weeks the improvement was fantastic.
Nearly a year on it's still stiff in the mornings - but I can run a bit if necessary (not a pretty sight). They did find arthritis so apparently a replacement will be on the cards in a few years.
Go with what the surgeon advises. Good luck.

I had a hip-replacement 6yrs ago and had a wonderful result, pain free for the first time in years and improved mobility.. if you are in extreme pain I would go for it as in my book I couldn't of been worse off if mine had not been successful, the pain couldn't be any worse than before the surgery.

I watch this thread with interest as I may have a knee op. soon. The human body is a very sophisticated instrument, and very individual results can come from the same op. There seems to be for and against in all decisions - so go with what , hopefully, is best for you!

And I had a shoulder hemi-arthroplasty by a young but highly thought-of NHS consultant. It was fine for about three years but right now is almost as bad as ever.

Well I went private for my ankle to an acknowledged national expert. £7000 later, it's worse than ever! I don't have private insurance! I could have had a cruise for that!

There are as many knee problems as there are solutions. Only a knee expert can tell you what is best. I've had a bad knee ever since I had a car accident when young, and I know that one day it will have to be replaced- and yes, I don't find the prospect easy to take. Bonne chance.

Personally I wouldn't go private- unless you know the surgeon is the best in his field. For most serious operations, the NHS is still best.

My 65 year old friend couldn't control the pain any longer and was advised to have a new knee in early June. She has been gradually feelng better and emailed me today to say she has done a 2 mile walk in a local beauty spot without having to stop once. She's glad she's had it done now.