Just diagnosed with DDD (degenerative disc disease)

[AJ56470]

My story-
I had a (L) knee replacement 11 yrs ago that was NOT successful. I've been living with pain, swelling, numbness off and on since then. 4 months ago I turned my body, but not my knee and my knee went from bring OK to HORRIBLE! My knee locks up, gives out and if I try to straighten it, I have shooting pain on the outer part of my knee. I also started having lower right back pain, numbness in my (L) foot and some neck pain at the base. (I used to have migraines, so I just ignored it.)

Finally I found a awesome orthopedic surgeon who actually listened to my symptoms. They did a MRI of my back and a CT scan of my left knee where I had the replacement done. Well, it's not my knee they said. It's my back. I have degenerative disc disease in the lumbar region on my right side. (My mom and sister also have this) They want to do a spinal injection to see if it helps or not. My mom had the same injections and she can barely walk due to those injections!

Help, I don't know what I should do!!??

 

[Sparky87]

Hi, I had the spinal injection and it didn't work for me, was hell for two weeks, my story is similar, I have arthritis in both knees, had a RTKR 3 weeks ago, I've got lumbar sponylosis of the 3rd vertebra bottom of the spine, mine flares up when my knees hurt, as my knees hurt they give me pain so my posture changes to try and compensate, this then flares the pain in my back, I've tried acupuncture but doesn't work.
Basically there's nothing can be done for me, I'm hoping that when I get over the knee op I will be much better, my back doesn't hurt at the moment maybe because of all the meds I'm on, my advice is don't have the injections, it's up to you, sorry. Can't give you a miracle cure because there isn't one.. Good luck.

 

[Celle]

I'm assuming that by DDD you mean Degenerative Disc Disease? If so, I'm sorry to hear that.

However, I'm not sure that all your problems are related to your back.

You say that your knee replacement done eleven years ago was not successful. To have problems for so long is not normal. Have you considered seeking a second (or even a third of fourth) opinion about your knee?
You will need to find a surgeon who specializes in doing revisions of knee replacements, and one who has no affiliations, either professional or social, with the surgeon who did your knee replacement. These surgeons see problem knees every working day and they can often suggest a solution that other surgeons have not seen.

I'm going to ask @Josephine , our Nurse Director, to advise you further.

 

[referee54]

You say that your knee replacement done eleven years ago was not successful. To have problems for so long is not normal. Have you considered seeking a second (or even a third of fourth) opinion about your knee?
You will need to find a surgeon who specializes in doing revisions of knee replacements, and one who has no affiliations, either professional or social, with the surgeon who did your knee replacement. These surgeons see problem knees every working day and they can often suggest a solution that other surgeons have not seen.

I concur---to put up with a knee for that length of time can really take its toll on you ---physically and psychologically. I would also find an OS who specializes in TKR revisions---and do not hesitate to get a third opinion after that---get to the very root of the matter.

 

[Josephine]

I had a (L) knee replacement 11yrs ago that was NOT successful. I've been living with pain, swelling, numbness off and on since then

11 years? Can you explain/describe this in some more detail please? Then I might be able to offer an opinion for you.

 

[JLP]

I have a really bad back that seems to run in my family. My lower back is a mess with ripped, slipped, compressed, you name it plus an extra lumber vertabrae. I had to have a lamenectomy in 2011. After my initial knee injury, a torn meniscus and a stress fracture while traveling in Alaska, I had to wait for about 6 months to get treatment (unsuccessful as I developed avascular necrosis which is bone death in the area of the stress fracture). After months of limping around, I had a severe sciatica attack that lasted 7 weeks. Interestingly after my RTRK, I have not experienced any back pain at all. Maybe your unsuccessful TKR is contributing to your back problem.

 

[Jaycey]

They want to do a spinal injection to see if it helps or not.

I had 3 of these. The first one worked for a few weeks. The others did not as further down the line I was finally diagnosed as needing a hip replacement. After 11 years I doubt this is TKR related.

 

[newlybionic]

I had what they termed as moderate degenerative disc disease. The only correlation I have is that as I have been recovering from my knee replacement that you back is a liitle more painful until I start to put full weight on both knees and I'm walking with a normal gait. I actually think your knee is aggravating your back not the other way around. I had a revision on my knee and the knee is doing well but I'm not 100% yet so I do feel some achiness in my back but the better my knee becomes I know my back will also respond. I suggest you seek out a revision specialist and take care of that knee first. This is just my opinion since it worked for me,

 

[Celle]

I actually think your knee is aggravating your back not the other way around.

I agree. When your knee is not right, it alters your whole gait and other parts of your body have to adjust to that.

 

[AJ56470]

Iam seeing a revision specialist. He doesn't think anything is wrong with my knee, he thinks it's my back. So if the shot doesn't work, then possibly a revision. I KNOW something is wrong, but CTScan and X-rays only show that I have lost a lot of poly to cushion my knee.

I also have pain in my Right knee. Meniscus related. It's so frustrating! I want to try the shot and see if it works. I'm hoping and praying it does.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[AJ56470]

I have been looking for help with my knee for years. I don't even know how many I have seen. This is my 3rd opinion from a ortho specialist. To top it off, I also have Crohns Disease, so I cannot have any anti-inflammatory meds. None of my Dr's will give me pain meds, they don't believe in it.

My L knee is done, I know it. It gives out and locks up. This morning I got out of bed and slowly stood up. My knee caved in and down I went. I don't understand how that has anything to do with my back!!?? Nobody will listen to me.

Thank you all for sharing your "story" to me. At least I'm not alone.

Any advice would be amazing!

 

[Celle]

I will repeat my advice: Go and consult an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in knee revisions. Don't give up. There is the right specialist for you out there somewhere.

 

[Jaycey]

None of my Dr's will give me pain meds, they don't believe in it.

As Celle suggested, you need to find another doctor. Anyone who refuses to prescribe proper pain management should be avoided!

 

[kneeper]

My mom had disk disease and spinal stenosis. Her tkr was great. The back was unaffected. She found some help for the back pain by some creative pain management (not narcotics).
It could be the back is making the knee worse; but like others said the knee symptoms like locking up seem like *knee* symptoms.