Bad limp - reason for surgery?

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June

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May 27, 2006
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I have an unstable knee cap - am told cartilage gone - but actually I have practically no pain. However, I do limp severely and avoid steps and stairs as leg feels as if it would give out. More I walk, weaker it feels... I am considering total knee replacement in order that I could walk better, faster, and up steps. I feel a knee replacement is inevitable so might as well have it performed now. Anyone have a replacement to correct a severe limp? I do not have pain at all sitting or lying . Limping (strong limping) makes for a limited lifestyle. My doctor says it is up to me!
 
June, I have the same thing. I saw an orthopedic doctor yesterday and he took xrays--they show clearly that the cartilage of my right kneecap is entirely gone. I too have practically no pain and don't use a cane (he said after looking at the xray that he was surprised I'm not in a wheelchair!). He said he wouln't have surgery until I had pain or it was 'slipping out' a lot. I feel like you: why wait? I am 62 and very healthy and like to hike, etc. Have you had xrays? What are your thoughts now?
 
Thank you SO much for replying. I decided-finally-to delay surgery until it was painful. I'm in excellent health, except for limp, and will go with a cane and slow walk. Am exercising faithfully, take l Aleve daily (to offset knee swelling), and and glucosamine chondroitin (which I have taken for 5 years - wonder if that's what's helped} Perhaps there will be better procedures or another answer to this strange - no cartilage but no pain! I am 78!
 
June--It's me again. After reading comments on this website, you're probably wise to delay! But I've heard a lot of positive comments too and I don't know what I'll do yet. I guess if you can do the things you want to do, there is no reason to go through the surgery and PT afterwards, especially since we don't have pain. But I'm not happy with limping so much and I think that might aggravate other things..I do see a chiropractor regularly and I think that helps with general alignment. I wish you good luck in the future!
 
Lynda--Interesting about the chiropractor. But isn't that about the spine?
And I am looking to learn more about a procedure that does not cut a quad tendon. I just feel there is another answer to this. Do let me know if you have this.
 
June--yes, a chiropractor is concerned with spine alignment, but it's all connected. Read the after-surgery comments on this website--caravan4220 had knee surgery in NJ that didn't cut the quadracept muscle--maybe they could tell you more. Check out other sites on Goggle--I put in 'knee replacement surgery" and got lots. The more informed we are, the better (and more confused!).
 
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