Knee!

The next time you visit your GP try and find out how "moderate" your OA is. It is graded 1-4, 1 being excellent and 4 being bone rubbing on bone.

Most but not all surgeons wait until your sleep is disturbed because of pain. Good luck.

Thanks again… what are the best shoes for general walking? I do have some very supportive white trainers and most of my day shoes have small heels which seem to help. Thinking of getting g a neoprene knee support from Boots. Aim being to get back to walking regularly. You are all very helpful :-)

Try the Oxford Knee scale to help you judge how serious your knee pain is and what you should do about it.
Knee replacements are the second commonest joint replacement and are successfully carried out all over the world. Recovery is harder than for hips but I'm so glad every day that I had both mine done.

the success of knee operations is very hit and miss. I worked with a woman that could walk on level ground but on stairs had to go down one at a time after her knee operation. Another man still in pain 12 months on.
I would try other pain control methods if you can before spending money on any knee operation.

An osteopath has used acupuncture on Mr T’s dicky knee. He has had it done a couple of times two or three years apart. The osteopath said acupuncture is particularly effective on knees - I think someone further up this thread mentioned this too.

Thanks everyone! Sorry I did not get back to you earlier but was working. I think I agree with the consensus that the weight loss is my priority. So will concentrate on that and review in Feb 22 by which time I will know for sure if the weight loss or the pain is winning… I might book an appt with a consultant so I am on the radar and hope the NHS can get me the physio. Thanks again!

My advice would be to make losing weight the priority and sensible shoes, I was recommended to wear runners trainers as they cushion the impact when walking and it did work. Also make sure you do sensible exercise for the knee to get and keep the muscles around the knee strong, it will help no end with your recovery if you have an operation.. I had a very successful knee replacement and was able to cycle 7 weeks after the op because I had followed the advice given by the Physio and surgeon. Good luck.

Robotic procedures are available in private hospitals. I had one. It's.workef amazingly well. Am off sticks at two and a half weeks post op.

I was told my patella was worn down because of osteoarthritis and it needs replacing over five years ago. It’s very painful it’s swollen and keeps me awake but I have no intention of having another operation.
I had my hip replaced ten years ago I could not take morphine as my blood pressure was dangerously low. I was offered Tramadol which I refused as they are addictive. I seem to be allergic to every other pain relief they offered. I won’t put myself through post operative pain again. I am not a dramatic person but the pain was that bad I was wishing myself dead.
If you lose weight it will ease the pain somewhat and injections do help but there are only so many injection you can have.
But moderate pain will not justify an operation really NHS will only do the operation if it’s the last stage of deterioration. Try weight loss and injections before you decide to spend your money on an operation privately.

You have been given by this thread excellent advise.
I recently saw orthopedics team for Severe OA of knee. TKR needed.
They probably won't do a TKR for Moderate OA but if it is swollen see if anyone would do a Steroid injection? I paid for mine as NHS not doing due to Covid, cannot believe the relief.
Weight loss is the best thing to do to help yourself and keeping the muscles around the knee working.
My knee issue started 12 years ago and only now it looks like it will be sorted (well in the next year) I suggested going private and surprisingly the consultant said not worth it, keep to NHS.
Even better if Robot assisted operation which is unlikely going Private.
Good luck and fully understand your pain.

I did set to and lost weight before my recent hip replacement. I looked on it as self help. I know it's easier said than done but it can be done!
Knee replacements are much harder to recover from but are very well worth it.
Whether or not you go private losing weight is helpful.

I have moderate to severe knee arthritis diagnosed when it flared up. Ibuprofen, paracetamol, physio prescribed but acupuncture helped most. Now it isn’t agonising but back to niggly.

If it’s moderate arthritis do you need an op?? Lose the weight and go to physio - May solve the problem?

Also be mindful of what shoes you wear? Some are worse than others for causing knee pain.

Good luck.

If I was told losing weight was necessary for my health I would make that my number 1 priority. Even if you go private any benefit from the operation will be jeopardised by putting too much weight on your knee.