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Chronic pain

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Original poster

Anyone had a total knee replacement at around 50?

25 replies

QOD · 29/10/2021 04:13

I’ve had worsening pain ongoing since 2009

Managed to break the OTHER knee cap 2 yrs ago which is absolutely perfect now 🙄 but been told I have absolutely no option, either surgical or therapy wise, than a total knee replacement

OP posts:
Akire · 29/10/2021 11:58

Bumping for you

Original poster
QOD · 29/10/2021 13:56

Bumpetity bump for the daytime crew

OP posts:
Original poster
QOD · 29/10/2021 20:55

🦵

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 01/11/2021 13:12

DH has needed a TKR since he was 40, and is 50 next year. He's been nursing it along (cycling helped a lot in re stabilising it), but had a massive downturn last year with a total meniscal avulsion. As his surgeon couldn't get him in to repair that to buy him some more time he tried a hydroluronic acid gel injection and its been absolutely amazing in terms of pain, stability and oedema so he's had another two and will have his 'good' knee done as well next time and there are no limits on how many times you can have it done

LadybirdsAreFab · 01/11/2021 13:25

I had it done when I was 45. Absolutely the best thing I could have done. I kept putting it off but when my knees started buckling & I was using a stick, I decided to go for it. I can walk miles with no pain, I'm back in the gym & swimming regularly. The first day is painful, the first week is frustrating (still using crutches) but from then on, each day gets better.

Original poster
QOD · 01/11/2021 23:44

Thank you!

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 02/11/2021 00:02

Had one this year, am 54.

SkiingIsHeaven · 02/11/2021 00:30

I'm currently putting a knee replacement off. Doctors thinks I am too young at 49.

Original poster
QOD · 02/11/2021 19:26

it's a tough one, dd is a diagnostic radiographer and says my xray is way way way milder damage than any she has seen in surgery BUT she works in the nhs so they dont do it until they have to.
I'm at the "why dont i get it done before it's bad and then it's all better" (once recovered)
would you yay or nay that @notapizzaeater and what do YOU think about putting yours off @SkiingIsHeaven ?

OP posts:
Etonmessisyum · 02/11/2021 19:31

I have a terrible right knee and just had first hydrocortisone injection for bad arthritis I could hardly walk and was in such pain - I’m a nurse on a ward so been off work it’s better but I think that’ll be my next option but I’m only 42 so need to lose weight and carry on injections as Ortho consultant said I’m too young for a replacement as outcomes aren’t as good. Fair enough if i can manage with injections but still sore but much more mobile. Are you going to have it done privately op? I think if it’ll benefit your life and make a difference go for it. It could end my nursing career I’m on my feet for hours a day so will see how it holds up when I go back.
All the best op,

bilbodog · 02/11/2021 20:00

Ive had both knees replaced about 6/7 years ago, in my late 50s. It was done on the NHS but via the local private hospital where the after care was so much better than a friend who had it done on the NHS. Good physio including hydro therapy was included in the package and the hospital sent me home with an ice pack for my knee which was invaluable.

Its very, very painful afterwards for 2-4 weeks but gradually gets better. The trick is working out how much exercising to do vs how much to rest. At least 6 weeks off work and no driving - i did a desk job so going back after 6 weeks was relatively easy but you might need more time off if you do a more manual job.

Now some 7 years later i do get stiffness and soreness at times and cant kneel as its too uncomfortable.

SkiingIsHeaven · 02/11/2021 21:22

@QOD last week I would have agreed with the doctor but it has been really painful this week. Barely slept last night because of the pain.

Skiing in January so looking for an exoskeleton knee brace like the ski-mojo but it is so expensive.

Maybe I should bite the bullet and get my knee done.

The women in my family have all lived into their 90's so that is another reason for waiting. You can only have a couple of goes at each knee and they don't last forever.

notapizzaeater · 02/11/2021 22:00

@QOD if you'd have asked me straight after I'd have said no bloody way. The pain was off the scale 24 x 7 for a good 2/3 weeks. I had it done at the end of April. I went private my consultant gave me a ceramic knee so it should outlive me !

Now my bend isn't great, I can walk up (ok) and down stairs (not quite as easy but I can do it if I can hold on). It that's just the muscles around my knee which can take a year to heal. Pain wise it's amazing, my knee was keeping me awake every night for 2/3 hours, no matter what I did. Now I don't have that pain. Some days it does hurt, normally if I've done too much, but nothing like the scale before. So in summary yes I'd get it done again but be better prepared for the first few weeks.

I'm still having monthly physio / acupuncture and I'm slowly getting more bend. My consultant wasn't worried about that at all, he was more concerned about the 'straight' (which I've got)

Original poster
QOD · 04/11/2021 18:32

@Etonmessisyum

I have a terrible right knee and just had first hydrocortisone injection for bad arthritis I could hardly walk and was in such pain - I’m a nurse on a ward so been off work it’s better but I think that’ll be my next option but I’m only 42 so need to lose weight and carry on injections as Ortho consultant said I’m too young for a replacement as outcomes aren’t as good. Fair enough if i can manage with injections but still sore but much more mobile. Are you going to have it done privately op? I think if it’ll benefit your life and make a difference go for it. It could end my nursing career I’m on my feet for hours a day so will see how it holds up when I go back. All the best op,
I have had lots of physio and one steroid jab which did nothing apart from hurt like hell for 48 hrs I do do a sedentary job, even wfh now so don’t do much exercise. Must be awful for you
OP posts:
Original poster
QOD · 04/11/2021 18:37

@bilbodog

Ive had both knees replaced about 6/7 years ago, in my late 50s. It was done on the NHS but via the local private hospital where the after care was so much better than a friend who had it done on the NHS. Good physio including hydro therapy was included in the package and the hospital sent me home with an ice pack for my knee which was invaluable.

Its very, very painful afterwards for 2-4 weeks but gradually gets better. The trick is working out how much exercising to do vs how much to rest. At least 6 weeks off work and no driving - i did a desk job so going back after 6 weeks was relatively easy but you might need more time off if you do a more manual job.

Now some 7 years later i do get stiffness and soreness at times and cant kneel as its too uncomfortable.

‘Luckily’ I have an office job and wfh. Not willingly lol but the company have sold our biggest building. I’ll be office working just once a month so getting a lift in once or twice would be fine I am lucky to have private medical insurance so hoping the experience will be as positive as yours. It’s really difficult as right now for example, I have no pain or discomfort. But that’s because I’m reclined, legs up, on the sofa. Sitting at my desk I have to use a 2 level leg rest. Keeping knees bent AND legs up Long walks hurt so much but I’m already fat and unfit … doesn’t seem sensible to stop! I’ll be 53 by op date I’d guess as I’ll book for Jan feb March Got a Butlins 70’s weekend in June lol. Want to be on my feet for that
OP posts:
Original poster
QOD · 05/11/2021 09:51

[quote SkiingIsHeaven]@QOD last week I would have agreed with the doctor but it has been really painful this week. Barely slept last night because of the pain.

Skiing in January so looking for an exoskeleton knee brace like the ski-mojo but it is so expensive.

Maybe I should bite the bullet and get my knee done.

The women in my family have all lived into their 90's so that is another reason for waiting. You can only have a couple of goes at each knee and they don't last forever. [/quote]
That’s so true about not waiting too long
That’s the position o am in. Doesn’t NEED a need doing now. It’s the only option and will ultimately resolve the pain and will and can only get worse.
Do I delay and then just spend longer in in creasing pain

OP posts:
SkiingIsHeaven · 05/11/2021 10:55

@QOD that is my dilemma.

You have actually encouraged me to go and test drive an exoskeletal brace. Life is short.

Apparently you can do it at some of the snow domes but you need an appointment.

Original poster
QOD · 06/11/2021 05:20

[quote notapizzaeater]@QOD if you'd have asked me straight after I'd have said no bloody way. The pain was off the scale 24 x 7 for a good 2/3 weeks. I had it done at the end of April. I went private my consultant gave me a ceramic knee so it should outlive me !

Now my bend isn't great, I can walk up (ok) and down stairs (not quite as easy but I can do it if I can hold on). It that's just the muscles around my knee which can take a year to heal. Pain wise it's amazing, my knee was keeping me awake every night for 2/3 hours, no matter what I did. Now I don't have that pain. Some days it does hurt, normally if I've done too much, but nothing like the scale before. So in summary yes I'd get it done again but be better prepared for the first few weeks.

I'm still having monthly physio / acupuncture and I'm slowly getting more bend. My consultant wasn't worried about that at all, he was more concerned about the 'straight' (which I've got) [/quote]
Sorry it’s taken me a while to respond. I really appreciate you all taking the time to
I have an unusual range of movement still because I’m hyper mobile- I had major shoulder reconstruction years ago and the surgeon didn’t think I’d got much damage until he put the camera in as I was using my arm normally just had constant full aching and couldn’t do front crawl lol. Turned out I’d detached 3 tendons and got the usual impingement, bone spurs etc etc. Described as car crash injury lol
I did say to the knee surgeon about this that that’s why I can still do everything- well except kneel. I never kneel as it hurts and also bend from the waist to garden etc as I can’t crouch or squat because of the pain.
So the things that are possible side effects of surgery already happen
Can you ski post knee replacement ?

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 07/11/2021 00:00

Not sure about the skiing but but I've been out tonight and was happily dancing away. (I'm also hyper mobile - think that's why my knee was knackered tbh)

Original poster
QOD · 07/11/2021 06:18

I can Dance and walk etc but I have a limp constantly now, used to just be sometimes now it’s always. Going downstairs can be fun too
I find if I stand still I rock to keep the weight off my knee.
At home and when working I never sit in the traditional knees bent feet o floor way. But went out to dinner with some old school friends and 2 hours at a table meant I found it hard to get up and walk
It used to be more like that, massive limp when first walking but then ok but now the limp limps on

OP posts:
Original poster
QOD · 14/11/2021 21:12

Well. I’ve had the mri results and there’s no option other than new knee
Have decided to go for it because it’s just going downhill more and more. I’m bone on bone front of knee, side and middle. Sigh.

OP posts:
SkiingIsHeaven · 14/11/2021 21:33

Good luck with the operation. Let us know how you get on. It sounds really painful. I feel so sorry for you.

bilbodog · 15/11/2021 09:24

Good luck OP - post here for continued support.

Original poster
QOD · 15/11/2021 21:12

Thanks 🙏🏻

OP posts:
deuxgarcons · 22/02/2022 19:09

[quote SkiingIsHeaven]@QOD last week I would have agreed with the doctor but it has been really painful this week. Barely slept last night because of the pain.

Skiing in January so looking for an exoskeleton knee brace like the ski-mojo but it is so expensive.

Maybe I should bite the bullet and get my knee done.

The women in my family have all lived into their 90's so that is another reason for waiting. You can only have a couple of goes at each knee and they don't last forever. [/quote]
@skiingisHeaven how did you get on skiing. Hope you had a great time. I have been recently diagnosed with OA in knee and will be devastated not to be able to ski. I am going soon and really
hoping I can. Do you use any knee supports or anything. I'll dose up on painkillers. Don't think I can splash to an exoskeleton 🤣

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