Advanced arthritis in knee, had steroid injection - still not great anything else I could do/ask for?

[mynaughtylittlesister]

I have just been diagnosised with advanced arthritis in my knee. I fell approximately 18mths ago and basically bee in pain ever since. I had a MRI scan a few months after which showed I had torn my PCL and I had extensive bone bruising. I was recommended phsyio for 6 weeks (which I did). After a year consultant decided to do a knee arthroscopy, gave my knee a general wash out and said that he had to chip away at some arthritis.

To cut a long story short the pain has been worse since the arthroscopy so eventually I went back to consultant 3 weeks ago and the consultant did a general X ray and it now shows advanced arthritis. He recommended I had a steroid injection and he hoped I would get away with one of these every 6 months for the next couple of years and then would need a partial knee replacement. After he had done the injection (which I hasten to add - hurt) he said that he wont make any more appointments with me but just make an appointment when my knee starts hurting again.

Now here is where the trouble is - my knee really hurt after the injection for a couple of days and gradually the pain wore off. I could walk up and downstairs smiling (and not grimacing) my knee felt really good. Unfortunately this pain free knee was short lived as now it blooming hurts! I think the consultant thought he would not see me for 6 months + but here I am not even 6 weeks +.

I obviously do not want to go down the route of a partial knee replacement as I am 44 years old. But at the same time I am left feeling like a very old lady with a really painful knee!

[mynaughtylittlesister]

bump

[Showtime]

For temporary relief, try BioFreeze in roll-on form. Knees are so difficult to get right, I'd try acupuncture before seeing consultant again.

[mynaughtylittlesister]

Acupuncture?? Had not thought of that route, will look into it - thank you

[digerd]

I too had an Arthroscopy 6 years ago, to remove torn cartiledge - agony it was-, and was told I had arthritis in the bones of the knee and would need a knee replacement in the near future. I am still OK, though. My neighbour also had arthritis in both knees in her 50s, but waited until it was absolute agony at 78, and then had both done at the same time.
You are young, but agony is agony and intolerable. It took me months after the arthroscopy for the pain to go away. How long ago did you have it done?

[mynaughtylittlesister]

I had the arthroscopy done in May of this year. Steroid injection was done 3 weeks ago today.

[digerd]

Can only advise you to contact Doc, as I had mine in May/June 06, and can't remember how long I was in pain, , but seemed to last for months. I had no steroid injections. But your fall and tearing the ligament, and bone bruising was worse than I had. Don't understand why the brilliant steroid didn't last long? Needs further investigation - demand another MRI scan
Good luck

[digerd]

ps
My arthritis in the bones of my knee was diagnosed during the arthroscopy, so how come they didn't diagnose yours then, I wonder??.

[fedupwithdeployment]

I was diagnosed with severe osteo arthritis in one hip in Feb this year. I thought I had groin strain, but the MRI scan told a different story. The consultant said I could live with it, or have a full hip replacement. I was pretty shocked as I was only 40.

Anyway, although the day to day pain wasn't too bad, I couldn't run after my small boys. Sex was really painful....etc. So in the Summer I had the hip replaced. It went really well and within 6-8 weeks I was feeling fantastic. Prob TMI, but managed sex within 2 weeks. I know that it might need replacing again at some point, but I want to spend my 40s and 50s being mobile and as fit as I can be.

Separately my father aged 70 had septic arthritis in his knee and had a full replacement a year ago. AGain - fantastic success. From hardly being able to walk, he can do 18 holes of golf.

Why don't you push for the replacement. I don't know about steroid injections, other than you can't give them indefinitely. I thought it was a once / twice in an emergency situation pre operation.

Good luck.

[mynaughtylittlesister]

Digerd - the consultant did find some arthritis when he did the arthroscopy as he told me he had round my knee cap and I thought he said he had chiseled some of the arthritis away (may be I got that bit wrong!) But I am pretty certain that he did not mention it being advanced, in fact I know he was really surprised when he got my X rays back that showed the arthritis.

[NotAnotherPackedLunch]

Not sure this would be relevant to you, but I was very overweight and as I shed the weight the pain gradually eased. Consultant is no longer talking about knee replacement in the near future, and is optimistic that if I keep the weight off and do my physio there may be some better options around by the time I need them.

Apologies if you are slim - I just wish someone had had the nerve to be blunt and tell me to lose weight sooner. It would have saved me years of pain and poor mobility.

[digerd]

Perhaps that's why my arthritis in the bones of my knee have not rapidly got worse, as have always been tiny. But I do not have stairs ( bungalow) and don't do all the gardening I used to - so have not been burdening it.

[digerd]

ps Also now wear only sensible shoes with low heel so the knee joint is not jolted etc.

[mynaughtylittlesister]

Consultant has recommended me to lose some weight which is what I am doing, bit difficult trying to exercise due to the pain but I am honestly trying and eating very healthily! I have always worn sensible shoes, have never been able to walk in high heels.

Unfortunately my job is working with children children who are 5 years old, low tables and chairs etc so I am constantly on the go. Stairs are another issue, I try and only do them once a day at home, as in once I am downstairs in the morning I try and stay down until bedtime.

I honestly feel old before my time!!

Thank you for all that have replied, its good to know what works/helps for other people.