My knee is gone and it gives out without warning! I have RA and my weight is not helping I'm very overweight so losing is very difficult

[reeree949]

And I need replacement on both knees. I'm afraid to have surgery but a walker isn't get it what to do?

[Beaches2]

Hi

Sorry to hear about your knees. It is like a vicious circle isn't it? Can't exercise because of pain and so trying to loose weight becomes so difficult.

Are you asking about a walker to help you walk or saying that you can't walk well?

If you need something to help you walk and so maybe loose some weight and get fitter then you will want a referral to physio ( from your gp) Might be a good idea anyway, they will show you how to strengthen up the muscles around your joint to give you more support, and if you do decide on replacements it's better if your muscle is stronger before surgery.

Knee replacements are generally very successful now, could be a new lease of life for you? Reduce the pain, get moving again and loose some weight. Well worth it I would say

Good luck with whatever you decide to do x

[cathie]

I'm in a similar boat. Very painful knees and an appointment with surgeon this month. I lost weight ( more to go) because I didn't want to have to go to loo so much. Rather a basic reason. People I know haven't needed a general anaesthetic, but have taken a while for swelling to go down. The hospital hits the pain before it even starts.

Maybe it would help if you could itemise the aspects you're afraid of? It's a horrible situation, I really sympathise.

[sylvi]

I have had a knee replacement and i can tell you it can be very successful. You know you can have it done with epidural and very successful they are too. I have recently had a broken ankle fixed with epidural and i can assure you you don't feel a thing. Weight is always a problem,but you can't help that especially if your on steroids. Yes losing weight is ideal,but it is not always possible. You will be got up the very next day from a knee replacement so rest assured you will be mobile whatever weight you are.xxx

[bluetit33]

hello reeree949, I just want to say, like everyone else, that knee replacements are great, on the whole, having very few that do not benefit, I have a left knee that was replaced in 92, and is still going strong, and my right knee, replaced in 2004, for the second time (due to a fall damaging the 1st replacement) and both are completely pain free, and working well. One tip you might like to know about, if you do have this done. When you are back home and in early stages of knee recovery, place a plastic shop bag on the floor by your chair, and while watching the t.v. slide back and forth with your operated leg gently BUT DO REMEMBER TO PICK THIS UP BEFORE GETTING OUT OF CHAIR. hope this gives you some help with your decision. and all the best

[Hidden]

Hi, have you actually been assessed for surgery by an orthopaedic consultant? I was assessed 12 months ago by surgeon for my knees and was told that the latest thinking with knees and RA may not always be a full knee replacement. My right knee is very problematic and the surgeon wanted to perform a synovectomy and arthroscopy instead of knee replacement because doing it that way would enable him to revisit the knee in future and re adjust as the RA causes more damage. I was booked in for surgery, but then it was discovered I had quite a major heart murmur, so it was put on hold whilst I have been evaluated. It turns out my heart has been affected by the rheumatic fever I had aged 4 yrs (I am now nearly 66). Of course this complicates any surgery,but my knee surgeon and heart specialist seem to think I can now have the surgery but with using spinal block anaesthetic instead of general one. I am nervous about this but my knee is giving way so much now I am more or less reliant on wheelchair so feel I must have the surgery, I have no choice. I would be interested to know if you have been assessed for surgery and whether you have had same options as me !!! Take care, lynda x

[farm123]

I had an arthroscopic synovectomy on my left (long term worst) knee in 2011 and feel very mixed about the result. It was very painful directly after the op and has helped to some degree although I felt it took a long time to heal/settle afterwards and it was thought at the time that it had not worked as they hoped. The fluid still collects in the joint although in a different pattern to previous and can still blow right up. My rheumy team are considering whether joint replacements are an option as my long term main problems are knees with pain, lack of mobility and regular swelling and cannot seem to control them with medication but I am not sure the actual joints themselves are damaged enough and will it really stop the swelling - I am 46 so early for replacements.

[joan_w]

I was terrified of knee replacement surgery but the pain was so bad I figured that even if things went wrong I could not be in any more pain, so I had surgery. It was fantastic and now there is no pain at all. Please don't put off surgery because you are afraid.

[Hidden]

You've been given some great advice on surgery but I was wondering if you're not ready for a walker, do you think you'd manage crutches? Are you seeing a physio or OT?

[cathie]

Can anyone who has had this done tell us how long before you felt better and if you had to come off biologics how that worked? How long before you could start again?

[Metal-legs]

I had both my knees replaced aged 38 in 2008, 6 months apart. Coming off Enbrel 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks afterwards was most challenging, I needed lots of painkillers and anti-inflammatories. The first knee went like clockwork, walking with a stick 6 weeks post op with no pain and little swelling. The second operation on the other knee, I got a nasty staph infection.It was an absolute nightmare trying to clear it with so any antibiotics. Off Enbrel again. As a result the outcome wasn't as good,I haven't got a full bend and still some pain. But it is still far better than before the op, don't regret having my new knees. The key is to really work on the physio exercises and hope you don't get an infection.

[Judetheobscure]

Cathie, I was allowed to resume Enbrel once the stitches had been removed from wound and it was established there was no infection. This was approximately 2 weeks after operation. I stopped Enbrel 2 weeks prior to operation. I understand that length of break is usually OK if the biologic has the RD fairly well controlled at the time. I did find with the first knee that when I disobeyed the guidelines and carried a small bag of shopping two weeks after op I flared a little but it calmed down when I took it easy.

For me the worst of the pain was over in two weeks. With the left knee I was able to drive after 2 weeks but you have to wait 6 weeks to drive with the right. In both cases I used a stick immediately following op as I knew crutches would cause problems with shoulders, elbows, wrists etc.