Before I can consider Ocrevus or similar drugs, I have osteoarthritis in my right knee. My knee can’t be straightened fully even with PT. I can no longer do yoga or Pilates. All my activities including walking are extremely exhausting and painful with my bad knee. It’s like I have two legs of different lengths. I was wondering if anyone had full knee replacement, and if so can you share your experiences.
Knee or joint replacement or osteoarthri... - My MSAA Community
Knee or joint replacement or osteoarthritis
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TonyiaR7
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I hope you get some answers. My grandpa's wife (doesn't have MS) had knee replacement surgery last year. She did PT for 10 weeks (I believe), 3 times a week. She had great results. Either later this year or next year, she will be having the other knee replaced. Good luck to you TonyiaR7 , keep us updated!
Jessie
There are so many success stories I come across almost every day from people who have had knee replacements. They are so thrilled to be functioning without pain again! We just read about surgery not affecting MS negatively for the vast majority of people, too. I wish you the best with your decision, and know you will choose wisely.
You have 2 legs of different lengths? Do you walk around in circles? Sorry, I had to say that. Sure you heard it before. You have to have humor in life, or we'd all be miserable.
Now I'm probably going too far... Don't you change knees regularly like I do. I always keep a fresh pair handy!
Now seriously.......First, Sorry For Your Troubles. Really. No, I don't have bad knees. I had one knee give me trouble years ago. I didn't have time for it working 80 hour plus weeks, so I ignored it. Hurt like h e double toothpicks x 2, so I know what it's like. But, I ignored it long enough, it went away on it's own. Maybe I simply polished the bad spots by grinding through it. Also have a half dozen friends who all had knee surgeries. None of them ever tried the shots of knee grease we probably all see advertised so much. I figured that's the way I would go before going for the knife? No, I'm not afraid of the knife, I've even been castrated?...No I still have those according to Google...yeah, the other thing, snip, snip.
Full knee replacements? Yes, some of my friends had that I guess. Others talked about they did this, and that.... I'm so glad I never had to go through that, though all my friends that did, got through it....and are doing Okay!!! So which ever way you decide to go, good luck!
You said in your post, that A-word, hidden in a bigger word, osteoArthritis. You do know that the A-word doesn't exist in the deep, deep jungles of nowhere- land, where processed foods don't exist? Okay, shoot me! But it's true! Probably too late for that now anyway?.... My Grandmother J, one of the kindest persons I ever met to this day, also religious, unlike I, had arthritis as bad as anyone I've ever seen. Well wait....seems like every female in our family had it. Yeah but not as bad as her. The males, all of them, never said a word such that you would ever know, if they did? Anyway, not one of them ate healthy, unless you think pirogies, which I love by the way, but have only once every 3-4 years....and all that other old world good stuff. Wait, they did have those....forget the name, I can't even spell it...Golumpki's...thanks google,...Polish Stuffed Cabbage. Well those weren't too bad? Hamburger with rice, rolled in cabbage? Yeah, not great, but not processed. Throw a little homemade tomato sauce on top?.... Much better than those frozen meals on a tray! Swanxxx Gourmet!
As far as knee surgery, and DMT's....yeah, ask your Neurologist. They should know their drugs.
Well I had done PT, the sync visc or ortho visc injections, and some psychiatrist thought some was due to muscle spasms, and Botox injections made it worse (the way she was administering them) because I needed some the spasticity in my legs to be able to stand. Removing all the spasticity made my legs very weak and took longer to regain the strength each time I had Botox injections where my legs would buckle underneath me. I couldn’t even stand. I needed some spascity. I had similar experience with trying a Baclofen pump trial. At least I was able to participate in yoga/Pilates before Botox injections. I use Voltaren, external NSAID for pain. But I can know longer even where sandals. I probably acquired a bad knee more like other people from sports I participated in, gardening, and the Chinese pose for doing garden. At least I can do some stationery biking. Yes before MS, yes I played tennis, volley ball, sprinter, gardener and still the later. The body can experience normal wear and tear. Even after my worse relapse that left me like a quadriplegic, I was blessed to remit enough to walk, stand and even ride a bicycle. I did not get all my fine motor skills in my hands. But God bless me with allowing to play oboe. I had majored to be an engineer and an oboist. I am glad I didn’t try to return playing in professional or even semi-professional orchestras have college/conservatory. God let me work as an engineer until the muscle spams/pain along the muscle of my spine (paraspinal muscle spasms ) did not like for me to work/commute everyday. Even with Botox and baclofen, I could only tolerate sitting in a chair for so long, despite breaks. No I will turn 59 years old. Yes I have seen elderly people and others do well after knee replacement I was just wondering if someone with MS did well with knee replacement surgery (assuming they tried all the conservative measures first, including cortisone injections, sync or ortho visc (gel) injections and PT. In particular the recovery. I had already experienced two meniscus tears. I have to be careful of surgery because I do have platelet aggregation disorder (my blood doesn’t clot properly; which we learned when I had a hysterectomy; thus we found out my reason with so much bleeding. Just not from a few hemroids, the microsurgery that I received with without my agreement because a knee surgeon thought he was saving me from a knee replacement by trying to stimulate regeneration of cartilage in my knee. But I had a bleeding disorder which was worsened with endometrial ablation - instead the male perspective that women are anemic from their menstrual cycle. Thus I don’t heal as fast or as well as other people but I did manage with my bunion removal and my meniscus tear. Just not with that microsurgery. People with MS can get or acquired health issues that has nothing to do with MS. Including osteoarthritis. Some may be genetic or wear and tear of joints or old age.
No I didn’t find your jokes funny at all.
OMG, you're a mess! Sorry for your hell. But what's this Chinese pose for doing garden? And you were and engineer? me too!, internationally!, and about my age? Get back to engineering a way out of this mess! No, I don't know of anyone who has tried as much as you to resolve this without surgery. I doubt any of the people I knew did anything really, before going straight for surgery. Definitely sounds like it's time. Sure you'll be fine.... That's what they say. I'll say it too. Go For It! Got another friend who is going in for major ankle surgery in a month. Posted a picture of what it looks like. Leftover damage from a motorcycle versus semi-truck. I want to take it and put it in a vice and straighten the who mess out? Ugly! And painful too! So I guess there's a time and place for the knife. Again, wishing you the best. Remember to mark your hospital meal tickets "No Processed Food" LOL!
Kenu's brother got titanium! A 70 year old racketball playing.....with Titanium Knees!!! Yeah I never was a star at racketball, but I'd probably SXXX against anyone with Titanium knees!!!
Go for it, Good Luck, Show off your new knee when all done!
There is always who has it worse. Chinese style gardening is like a yoga pose. Saves your back. I know another woman who gardens like this. But I think some other sports damaged my knee or maybe I pivot too much in that pose. But my knee problem when I notice a meniscus tear and probably had surgery too soon or didn’t properly heal. We didn’t know I had blood disorder with that surgery.
I garden with a shovel and bag of dirt. I'd look silly doing poses gardening? At least where I live. Like I said, you're a mess. Get your work done, and join the healthy way of life! No matter what you're starting with. I was a zombie, like in the walking dead, but I walked, with my cane, and juice cleansed myself for years, now I eat healthy like a king. Processed food is not only bad for you, it costs a lot. There's not just hope, and road to better!
The two people I have known that have had knee replacement surgery have done well.
One even went back to coaching as he was able to run the sidelines as he'd done before.
Good luck with your decision 
My brother has had both of his knees with total replacement. Both are titanium now and has been six years ago. There were six months apart and after a year he has been back playing racketball in A open and he is going to be 70 in March 👍. He says he can’t kneel on them with out a pad, but other than that he is tickled with outcome 🙏😉. Good Luck Ken 🐾🐾
I too have osteoarthritis. It’s in my left knee. I was told by 3 doctors that I needed a replacement. I had done both gel and cortisone injections. They worked well for quite a while. I learned that cortisone injections actually reduce bone mass. Since I didn’t want the surgery, I found out about stem cells for joints. The ones I used were umbilical cells. It has worked super well. The pain scale went from 10 down to 2 to 3. Most of the time there’s no pain at all. The drawback is that it’s extremely expensive and insurance doesn’t pay for it. The companies are happy to pay $80,000+ for surgery and recovery therapy, and they won’t cover something that’s a fraction of the cost🤬. I wish you the very best!!
Kitsey , I was told that my nerve pain in my knee might be due to avascular necrosis of the sub-patellar bones, but I went to my husband's knee surgeon who did both his knee replacements, and she was not at all impressed by the MRIs. She did agree that the avascular necrosis is a common side effect of steroid use, and having suffered with horrific migraines for 25 years and then 9 years with MS, I was a prime candidate. But, she agreed that it was nerve pain, because of the lancinating/burning rather than aching joints AND because she said that usually bone necrosis doesn't hurt unless the knee is collapsing, which mine is not. So, yes, steroid use does cause bone death.
CalfeeChickCommunityAmbassador
I had a total knee replacement 6 years ago because it was bone on bone because of OA. At the time, I was a long distance cyclist and had a very active lifestyle. I actually rode a 100 mile bicycle ride with my doctor the weekend before the surgery! I was a little anxious about the surgery, painful recovery, etc. Dr. put in some kind of morphine block when the surgery was done. I can tell you, I was higher than a kite for hours after the surgery. Nurses helped me up to use the restroom. About 5 hours after the surgery, with a walker, I walked around the floor approximately 300 feet. I went home the next day and the situation really hit home. I was prescribed Vicodin 7.5 MG. every 4-6 hrs. within days, I begged the doctor to bump it up to 10 MG which he did. At home, I laid in bed with pillows stacked up so that the knee was higher than my heart. Ice packs all the way around the knee at least 20 minutes of every hour. Physical Therapy was rough at first, but I challenged myself to do just a little more each time. I discovered Eucerin Calming Cream (after the staples were removed) and would massage my knee with it. It helped the knee and the OA in my hands. I was back on the bicycle 9 weeks after surgery. 16 miles the first time. At my 6 week check up, the doctor released me and just said to keep up the PT and let him know how I was doing in a month or so. I never looked back😊👍🚴♀️🚴♀️ Speaking of backs, I had to have my lower back fused the next year. That was actually less pain, back on bicycle wearing a back brace 3 months later. Let me know if you have any questions and please keep us posted. Best to you!
Well you with my anxious behavior. He wants to get this device with ice/compression machine by Game Ready to deal with pain, swelling, ... he does not want to release until I can bend 90 degrees. I will see. Either at home or rehab facility for 2 weeks. I am home alone.
I have heard of the machine you mentioned and had a friend that highly recommended it. If you don’t have s friend or relative to help you, then the rehab center would probably be the best alternative. Best to you 😊
Great job, CalfeeChick ! After two knee replacements, I think my hubby needs his caudal spine fused. When we were kids he used to drive like a maniac and ran a light in his brand new, 6-week old Monte Carlo and got T-boned (his fault totally) and ever since, his caudal spine has taken a severe turn to the left. It looks like the Florida Keys! But both he and I are terrified of back surgery (I need some cervical fusions which is actually more neck because the MS has killed the discs). I know quite a few people who came out worse off, but lately it seems that more and more people are having fusions with very good results. I guess techniques and procedures have improved, and that you just have to get the right surgeon. Good luck, and I hope that your fusion does as well as your knee replacements! Ride on, baby!
Thanks. My fusion was L4-5 and I’ve never had any problems. I’m sure he has access to the best in your area. I think my riding days are over. I recently made a trip to NYC, my cane was a nuisance so I folded it up and have not used it since May. I think that’s progress!! My hubby had neck fused by same doc that did my fusion. Good to see you on here @Sukie427😊
Are you kidding, Calfee? Losing the cane is a GIANT step! Good job keeping on keeping on, and nice to talk to you as well.
Did you go to Hospital of Special Surgery in NYC?
Sukie427, I posted this in response to falalalala's reply about her friend's back surgery. Please read this.
"This is a well-known fact that one back surgery will always require another one, and so one and so forth. I am talking about back fusion surgeries. 15 years ago, a doctor referred my husband for back surgery. Fortunately, my husband realized that the doctor was wearing a more expensive suit than he was and got scared. This is how he discovered his Gonstead chiropractor. This chiropractor was able to fix his back and said he has a lot of patients coming to him after back surgery. But there isn't anything he can do for them anymore. I wish more people knew about the dangers of back surgeries."
That's MY Saying!!! Since the day I was diagnosed! BUT!!! Get your must do work done, then get healthy! You need to join us. I never realized how many healthy, polite, friendly people there are along this one river path we just found. You can go for 80 miles! But, really, found one couple in their 70's, she does 30 mile EVERY day. (Via bike...approximately 3 hrs). He is doing Chemo for leukemia, and is in PT, but he trikes about as much. They aren't letting anything stop them! Okay, on the 5 mile morning jaunt this morning, a fallen tree and signs, bridge out ahead didn't stop us either. The bridge was patched up quite well. So we kept on going, along with everyone else. You can't stop fighting, and pushing on forward. Like they say, bodies in motion stay in motion. Bodies in motion....how's it go?... Either way, it's hard to get moving from comatose...but you do it......even if it takes a cane, walker......the goal is to get better. (Don't tell anyone...., today, I really could have used my cane. The humidity and heat where up again, and I was told repeatedly that I was walking leaning to one side. Like someone we knew with advanced Parkinson's. I pushed through it. Attributed to the lack of cane when overheated. Did you know the human body can only tolerate a few degrees change in core temp before shutting down? Don't quote me on a few, it may have been more...but you get the idea. Well with M.S., it's a whole lot less. BUT, we can tolerate -45°F quite well!
Good luck with your take your body in for repair! See if they can fix the M.S. thing at the same time for a discount!?!?
Thank you for your comments. I apologize for being irritable, just anxious with the recovery. I must stay calm and no second thoughts. I woke up with enough pain that I aced my legs.
Thank you for you kindness and support.
Hi, Hidden . My husband had two knee replacements, one last year and one the year before. They were done by a world class surgeon in Flagstaff. Yes, you heard correctly, Flagstaff. We don't have a lot of really great docs in Northern AZ but this one attracts people from all over the world. He has needed them for 20 years but had always been too heavy to have them. The surgeon works with robotics and she is a master of her craft; both replacements were right on and he is pain free in both knees for the first time since he can remember. They did not do general anesthesia; just an epidural and some propofol.(sp?) I'm not going to lie to you, Tonyia. The pain after everything wore off was immense, especially since they started him on rehab immediately. The trick is to take sufficient painkillers to stay ahead of the game so that you can do your rehab . It hurts, but if you try to stay ahead of the pain and do your rehab religiously, you should be much better at six weeks, and what comes after is sheer, pain free bliss!..I know that some patients have both done both knees at the same time, but his surgeon won't do that. Good luck!
My doc also used robotics!
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