Arthritis in my knee advised will need replacement

[mrsblakey]

After months of problems with my knee - swelling & painful to walk my gp finally referred me to a specialist who has diagnosed early onset arthritis & a general degenerative condition.
He has advised ultimately I will need a knee replacement but I am reluctant to go down this route.
Today has been a bad one lots of pain & difficulty walking great distances which makes me think I should have the op sooner rather than later.
Anyone else out there had a similar diagnosis ?

My Mum had one just before Christmas. She had been suffering for years to the point that her back was starting to be very painful because she was walking (in her words) lopsided.

She was in hospital for about 3 days and has never looked back.

You may find your GP won't actually refer you "early" (my Mum who is sitting here says to tell you) She had wanted to have one for years (had her first cartilage op when she was in her 20s) but her GP kept saying she "wasn't bad enough".

It certainly wasn't such an unpleasant op as I remember her friend having about 10 yrs ago.

Hope it all goes well for you.

Yes, me. I've got lots of joint problems and my right knee is now bone on bone. I'm 47. I've had injections for the past several years which have really helped me. It's called Ostenil which is a synthetic synovial fluid. Essentially it lubricates the joint.

Unfortunately it has fallen out of favour and although initially recommended to me by my consultant I now have to fight hard to get it. Madness since my alternative is a full knee replacement! It really helps me.

I guess you have had physio, tried anti inflammatories etc? I must emphasise that I have had some terrible flare ups of pain and swelling but then can have months of calm. I am now disabled with a spinal injury but before that, despite the severity of my arthritis the only complete no no was skiing.

How old are you and have you tried anything els? For me surgery is the absolute last resort.

When I had pain and swelling in the knee it was cartilage tears.
After the keyhole surgery years later, they found arthritis in the bones of the knee and told me I would need a replacement in the near future.

That was 7 years ago. My arthritic knee does not swell up - have twinges occasionally but pass quickly.
Have you had an MRI to see if it is the cartilage that is causing your symptoms?

thanks guys thats really helpful.
Iam 49 & am going down the physio route aswell.
I have had a course of steroid injections & have been advised to take 400 mg dose of ibuprofen 3 times a day.
I have had an MRI which doesnt show any cartilage problems.
I am back to see the .consultant next month so we shall see where I go from here.

If you are taking regular ibuprofen make sure it's enteric coated and ask for Ostenil,too to protect your stomach.

Maybe ask about the Ostenil? It's great and much less risky than steroids.

My physio is fantastic and has taught me to stand and move protecting my knees, I used to have a tendency to roll my feet inwards. Nice sensible shoes please!

Have you seen the orthopaedic consultant yet? You are very young for a knee replacement and one should (IMO) be only considering it once there is bone on bone wear. If the MRI didn't show that then I wouldn't offer one. It may be that in years to come you may need but that depends on how you progress. Steroids are a stop gap and it depends on what type of arthritis you have as to how many injections are given. Have a chat with the orthopods and see what they say / offer.

Sorry, should have said omeprazole to protect your stomach. Anti inflammatories can cause ulcers and gastric bleeding.

thanks matilda very helpful.
I have had another bad day hopefully it will start to improve soon.