Arthritic Knee.

I read that they won’t operate if you have as much as a mosquito bite on the day of the op. I’m treating my nail myself but I really need a prescription from the doctor.

My brother had Gel injection private, said it felt uncomfortable.
He’s just had full knee done, back to work after three weeks.

Over the past couple of years I’ve seen an osteopath and physio GP and consultant. I’ve asked all of them ‘my knee doesn’t hurt apart from a stabbing pain in one side sometimes, I can drive, walk up the stairs. Walk round the house. But can’t walk outside of the house. Why?’. None of them could give me an answer. But in a light bulb moment the other day I realised it was because my knee is bowed and it has changed the alignment of my whole body. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realise. The problem with committing myself to a TKR is that I’m not entering into from a position of actually being in pain ( apologies for me thinking out loud here).

That’s interesting, Maybee, I find the same with walking outside. I have to use a stick. I am fine indoors. ( However, not so good at stairs as you!)

I find walking uphill easier than flat or downhill. And can walk on the beach with walking poles but not pavements. If I was in constant pain it would be easier to commit to a TKR. As it is I can lead a very pleasant life pottering about the house and garden, watching tv, listening to podcasts, reading etc. But can’t go into town on the bus or go for a walk in the country. I do question my own sanity sometimes; wonder if I’m just a terrible hypochondriac and other people would just ignore it and get on with life. Which is why I’ve asked so many professional people why I can’t walk outside of the house. It’s also a problem that I’ve had for many years. It has got better so many times that I keep expecting it to do so again so I’m in a sort of denial. It’s hard to commit myself to what I know is going to be very painful for a while when I’m not in pain. There’s obviously something wrong as my bad leg is an inch wider than my good knee and there’s no shape to the leg, my thigh on that leg has always been bigger than my other leg too ( I’ve kept a record for years because my weight fluctuates so much (theneverendingdiet).

MayBee have you been xrayed and had an MRI scan? If you lie on your bed do your legs look the same length or does the affected one look a tad shorter? Can you fully straighten the affected leg while lying on the bed or is it slightly bent?

MT62 I can hardly believe that person was back to work after 3 weeks. I was in agony and could barely move. Everybody is so different.

X Ray but no MRI. Just said mild arthritic changes in both legs ( even my good one). I think I’ve always had one leg shorter than the other; everyone tells me I’ve always walked funny. Legs are both straight and flat when lying down but bad leg is markedly bowed when I stand up. And I’ve got an awful bunion on my bad leg which puts my leg at an even worse angle. I did take a wrong step many years ago and that’s when the problem first started. I wonder if I should pay for a private consultation but it would mean diving into my house fund and there is so much work that needs doing on the house.

MayBee70

Over the past couple of years I’ve seen an osteopath and physio GP and consultant. I’ve asked all of them ‘my knee doesn’t hurt apart from a stabbing pain in one side sometimes, I can drive, walk up the stairs. Walk round the house. But can’t walk outside of the house. Why?’. None of them could give me an answer. But in a light bulb moment the other day I realised it was because my knee is bowed and it has changed the alignment of my whole body. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to realise. The problem with committing myself to a TKR is that I’m not entering into from a position of actually being in pain ( apologies for me thinking out loud here).

My brothers knee was bending quite badly, they have managed to straighten it.
What I keep meaning to ask him, does it make him look slightly taller now that it’s straight.
Mine is slightly going on one side tbh I have never had the straightest legs.