What’s your experience with painful knees?

[Mollymeer]

I have ataxia (sca 6), Sjogrens, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Wasn’t sure where to post this question but decided to post under Ataxia. I had a total knee replacement two and a half years ago. It is still painful to walk ( painful in a different way...very tight and always feels swollen). I have been back to the original surgeon three times, and he is at a loss for what to do. He thought it might be arthritis and had me take Celebrex for a month. He has taken X-rays and says the device is intact and not loose. My range of motion is not affected at all. Has anyone had problems with knees post surgery? Does anyone with Sjogrens have joint pain? Does anyone with sca experience joint pain, stiffness, in their knees? I am at a point where I don’t know what type of doctor to see. I take ibuprofen when the pain is unbearable, but I don’t want to have to rely on this. Or, at 72, is this just the way it is going to be? I try to stay active with water aerobics and riding a recumbent trike (my salvation!!)

Thank you for any advice!

[rideabike]

I have ataxia (unknown origin) and pain in my knees. I often wondered if it is due to the wobbly walk. I don't think my knee ligaments know which way they're going. I do have osteoarthritis too and had a knee replacement 10 years ago. That knee is better but due to the surgeon taking out too many lymph nodes (reason of "getting it into place isn't an easy job"), but it swelled up for several years and doesn't now, so yours may get better over time. I kept walking no matter what. Some days pain is worse than others but don't think the one knee will ever be as good as the replaced one. Hope this helps.

[Mollymeer in reply to rideabike]

Thanks for sharing about your knee. That would be good if the swelling went away, especially since I would never go through another knee surgery! Being active is too important to be!

[rideabike in reply to Mollymeer]

I know what you mean. The surgeon who did the knee didn't tell me...it was another surgeon. They don't like to admit their mistakes so if it is the lack of lymph nodes causing swelling, time will tell. Maybe it happens more often than we know. I used a comfortable knee sleeve while walking and it helped a lot.