Weird question: My knee replacement is on hold as my hubby needs an unexpected surgery and he will be my caregiver. So, I have too much time to think about the surgery I dont want to have, lol. My knee is in better shape now than it was a yr ago as Ive worked hard riding my exercise bike etc. My pain some days is non existent, other days it reminds me it's there. Surgeon says my valgus( knocked ) knee is bone on bone, valgus is causing my femur to twist causing my hip to turn in, etc etc. I dont doubt that as I can tell my valgus is worse. I guess my two questions are 1. Why are my symptoms better when xrays show worse 2. If I back out of the surgery, will I be doing damage to myself due to valgus?
I am going to get a second opinion next week but wondering if anyone else has had similar situation?
Addendum 3/5: saw ortho doc for second opinion.
I love it when docs tell me what I want to hear!!! He said cancel surgery, you only want knee replacement when you have exhausted everyother option. Continue on with your wt loss, exercise, strengthen your core. Only consider surgery when the pain is bad and daily, you will know. He said it might b 6 mo, 2 yr, 5 yr, never. I was sooo happy when I left and more motivated to be more aggressive with diet/ exercise.
Good for you Hoski. You seem to have come upon a good, good doctor. Knee replacement lasts only about 20 years, I was told, so I too haven't gone for it, and will do so only if I'm absolutely unable to get about. I have found from experience that reducing mental stress too reduces pain from arthritis. So you might want to take up meditation or tai chi or vipassana rather than aggressive exercise which could aggravate your condition.
thankyou so much! He too escaped the bullet. He had a mass removed from his neck that was benign but the type of tumor that likes to become malignant over time! He is recovering well. I made an appt with a trainer this week to get started on a core building ex program I can do at home. Im afraid he might make me break a sweat!!!
Thanks! I could have kissed that doc! I told him I appreciated his honesty as here in the USA, surgeons dont make $$ by not advising surgery. I feel confident that my motivation with be fueled by avoiding or at least prolonging a surgery👍🏻
Well done with all the hard work keeping your physical activity levels up! One important thing I learned from my Start Moving team is that you can reduce pain and stiffness by building strength and flexibility in the muscles and tendons around your knee. That is one reason why we emphasize physical activity, stretching and balancing in the new Healthy Activity Score. The other effect to reduce chronic pain may be that the physical activity is reducing inflammation around the joint. So pleased to hear of your progress and best wishes with all that is going on with you
One thing is motion is lotion for your joint-the bike has played a role in how you feel...better muscle tone supporting your knee, lubrication, increase movement of joint, & endurance
I have arthritis and my knee is particularly painful and I have been told I will need a knee replacement eventually. At the moment I am undergoing PRP injections (platelet rich plasma) which are helping with the pain your own platelets help to rebuild worn cartilage as long as you still have some cartilage left. (Plenty of info on the internet) May be an option?
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