Knee assessment

Am amazed it took till now for you to get results on x-rays before Christmas !!! (had mine the other day- waited 2 mins in waiting room then back to look at them and discuss with surgeon).

Impossible to comment without having the x-ray results- but if you are bone on bone with osteo-arthritis (as I am)- no injections will solve the problem and surgery will probably be the way ahead, But yes, weight, age and fitness, muscle tone + your mental attitude are all factors that will influence decision. Good luck. Do report back after the assessment.

I did a longish walk yesterday. All well on way out with lots of uphill bits. Coming home - with downhill bits of course, was in agony with one knee. It has only starting happening in the last few weeks, since about Christmas. I'm hoping it will go away. Definitely 'bone on bone'. Seems to go all the way up to my hip after a while.

Must not give up exercise!

Ouch jingl- bone on bone can only be assessed via x-rays- severe pain can be due to all sorts of other problems too. See how it goes then go for assessment in if does not improve. Exercise is indeed great- but will non existent cartilage back. The x-rays of my knees showed that my right knee has NO gap at all between bones- on both sides in my right knee, and on the in-side on my left - but a good gap still on the out-side- meaning I may well have to have a partial knee replacement on left knee next year. I had no idea that they do half-knee replacements- but he showed me both a full replacement and a half-one. Interesting.

Ten years ago my right knee was bone-on-bone painful, and then I had it replaced. Fantastically successful! Now, my left knee has the same kind of pain, although not quite as intense as the right knee was, so I don't supppose they will agree to replace it just yet.
From having my right knee x-rayed and then seeing the consultant it took more than six months before I had the operation. I dread to think how long the wait will be this time, when I eventually get onto the waiting list.
I do find that losing a bit of weight helps, as does going to a keep fit class once a week and keeping mobile. Good luck celebgran, the pain really is horrible isn't it. Using a walking stick helps a little, although I must admit I hate it and only use one on really bad days.
I take codeine, by the way, as I am allergic to paracetamol and ibuprofen.
But I only take it when absolutely necessary. I get it on prescription.

DH has always had problems with his knees, mostly caused by playing football in his much younger years. He recently went to the doc again about one of them. He is to go for an "MRI-Knee Scan". We were surprised that they are not just sending him for an x ray. Are we being especially thick in not realising that this is the way they do things now?

I had shredded cartilage removed from my left knee 7 or 8 years ago and was told then that in time I would need knee replacement surgery. However, although I've had trouble with both knees for some time, it is now my right knee that is giving me serious trouble. About 4 weeks ago I was walking downstairs, not rushing, not twisting my legs or doing anything stupid, just walking down normally, when I was gripped with a sudden excruciating pain in my right knee. It was without doubt the worst pain I've ever had in any joint . My DH had to come and help me down the stairs. Ever since then the range of movement in that knee has been reduced. It has improved slightly over times to the point where I can now bend that knee more than 90 deg (I couldn't bend it beyond about 30 deg at first!), but only if I do it slowly. Any quick or sudden movement in that knee and I'm wincing with pain.
I have a doctor's appointment soon for another issue, so I will bring this up with her and see what she suggests.

Thanks ladies granjura I had xray results after week dr refused do injections as think he feels won't last, so hence assessment.

MRI scan is best way to show everyone X-rays don't shOw ligaments, tendons etc, in such detail I had one for my foot year ago.

I take one naproxen am and paracetemol rest day have ibs flare ups do painkillers dodgy.

Xray showed moderate to severe arthritis and fluid on left knee and spur mmm sounds horrid!

Excercises builds muscle which in turn helps knee apparently but will try keep positive have friend who had both knees replaced she says don't listen to scare stories and keep positive.

Will report back after Wednesday !

Medical week have says to copy,Thursday and dr increased beta blocker again Monday despite my saying disagreed with me, took since then feel awful had reduce again ok on 40mg propranolol no good on 80mg. Breathless and just feel dreadful.
On other tablets for be this was supposed help reduce tension and head pains ?

I had my knee assessment with the physio last week. Very thorough and turned out that my problem is actually with osteoarthritis in the hip, which was a total surprise as the hip does not hurt. Have been given exercises to do 3 times a day which will build up the relevant muscles to support the hip, thus taking pressure off the knee and staving off joint replacement for as long as possible. I was so pleased I went ahead with this assessment, could easily have said to myself that my knee was getting better and just needed a bit more rest. It was the timing of that Radio 4 programme about the importance of exercise and strengthening our muscles, especially as we age, that encouraged me not to cancel the appointment.

The exercises only take about 5 minutes three times a day (but they are hard!). Follow up in two weeks.

My surgeon here says MRI scans for the knee are a waste of time and money- and Xrays much better. He spent time explaining why and said I could have MRI if I wanted- but as far as he is concerned it would make no difference whatsover.

He can assess the ligaments by feeling and by moving the knee around to see how they react. At the end of the day, there is little he can do about ligaments - and will have to do what is best once the knee is open and they start operating.

Your knee probably needs to be replaced when it starts to give way and the pain wakens you during the night.

I hope you feel loads better soon celebgran.

And everyone else.

Had both my knees done in 2014, five months apart. X-Ray showed bone on bone and also had Mri scans. From constant pain , every step I took, I can now walk with no pain at all and now building up distance. Has made such a difference . If you do have the 'op do make sure you do all the exercises, hard but it will pay off in the end.

Thanks ginny great hear positive stuff can I ask how old you are , I am 61
Wonder if seems bit early have knee job?

Thank you jingle bells frock for good wishes and other ladies who kindly shared info.
It is a help.

Hi Celeb

I'm PA to my seriously expert Biomechanist boss Alan for 22 years now.

Here's a detailed article from him about weight loss, as losing weight is a big big plus with knees. I know from Al that for every pound you're overweight, it equates to 6 pounds of extra loading/ work for EACH hip and a pound of extra loading/work for EACH knee!

So you really do need to get cracking on the 'ol weight loss.

alangordon-health.co.uk/portfolio-item/beginners-weight-loss-exercise/

Good Luck with it!

Dianna

Oh yes we all know about losing weight! I have very skinny friend who has knee hip problems and another one who lost 3 stone it has not helped her knees she can barely walk, so it doesnt seem to ring true always.

However I intend to renew efforts if only for sake of safety with anaesthetic
Sadly no amount of weight loss with replace the loss of cartilage and help the bone on bone agony

Celebgran I know its not going to cure your pain but have you asked GP about increasing your Naproxen? I take 500g morning and night it might make sleeping a little easier.

Thanks tanith I am allowed take 2 a day but I don't as worried about tum problems if do may give it a try.

I take a stomach protector in the morning although the Naproxen are already coated I believe.

Celebgran, I was 60 / 61 when I had my knees done. Better I thought to have them done now and have years without pain.

celebgran I was 59 when I had both knees replaced. My GP thought it was too young but luckily the surgeon didn't agree. I've never regretted it, the lack of pain is worth a few unpleasant days. And I was several stones overweight too.

Thanks you very much deeda and ginny all sounds positive.

That is a really interesting link Dianna, thank you.
celeb the point is that if you are overweight after the prosthetic joints are fitted, you will be overloading them as dianna has explained. That means that you are far less likely to have a positive outcome, and you may well find for that reason that the surgeon won't operate until you do lose weight.
Surgeons now have to publish their success rates and unsurprisingly, they are reluctant to treat cases where the new joint is unlikely to last very long.