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verno

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I have been scheduled for TKR Aug 5th. I went to an appointment today for what I thought was a pre op appointment. The PA told me that the surgeon would realy like me to wait for new technology in knee resurfacing, possible 5 years. He said since I was a "highly functional" patient with arthritis. Yes I can do many things but with extreme pain. They want me to just have it scoped for now to remove a loose body. Here is my mri Diagnosis:

1. Abnormal lateral menicus including the absence of posterior horn and body.2. tricompartment osteoarthritic degenerative changes and chondromalacia. Most notabley the paterllofemoral and lateral compartments. 3. 11 mm osteochondral loose body within the lateral aspect of the suprapatellar recess. There is extension of the suprapatellar recess into the prepatellar soft tissues( likely communicating with the prepatellar bura)4. Baker cyst.

Just dont know what to do now. Im a 43 yr old male.
 
Not sure. New technology is often good but 5 years is a long time to hurt. Will the scope help that?
 
What will they do for the pain? What does loosing loose stuff do if it doesn't remedy the pain? Prevent more pain? HMMMMMM?
 
Im with you. The sergeon just thinks its a shame that a "highly functional" 43 year old male should have to have a TKR.
 
OK, but what can "we" do to remedy the pain? It is true taht these parts have only a certain lifespan. they are parts that are prone to wear and tear. But what is the alternative? Make him work with you to remedy the pain even if it is NOT TKR yet. I'll tell you though, I was not functioning, my life consisted of sitting on the sofa. But to get stronger before the surgery I had PT and it did help with the pain. I also started taking celbrex. My OS wanted to avoid the narcotics before surgery, now I'm grateful for that. Maybe those 2 things could help if you haven't tried them already.
 
Gave up on the pain meds. 3 years worth of injections. Lift my legs twice a week. Ride bicycles all the time play Ice hockey twice a week. Thats why Im considered highly functional. I do all these with pain.
 
Gave up on the pain meds. 3 years worth of injections. Lift my legs twice a week. Ride bicycles all the time play Ice hockey twice a week. Thats why Im considered highly functional. I do all these with pain.

Gotch Ya! Sounds like me the last 5 years. (All but the ice hockey!) I think they push us off because it is major surgery and once they cut out that bone, it can't go or grow back.
 
Verno....have you thought about getting additional opinions from one or two more doctors? It might help clarify things for you so you can make the decision that is best for you.
 
Yes 3 year ago I left my previous doc because he wanted to do a TKR. I wanted other opinions. My new doc ruled all procedures but injections. I did them for the last three years with no real success. So here I am. My MRI and Xrays show I have a really bad Knee. To many sports injuries.
 
Verno, Maybe you need yet another opinion. Find someone highly recommended whose opinion you won't question. You said that you tried the shots but maybe you should also try the scope. I'm sure you want to try everything possible before you go the tkr route.
 
If they go in with the scope and remove the foreign body, they should also be able to disperse the cyst. It may just help. Jo will be able to help you more. I think I would try the scope first and see if it helps the pain if it were me at your age. If that doesn't work then yes ask for the TKR? Or get a second opinion.
 
Gave up on the pain meds. 3 years worth of injections. Lift my legs twice a week. Ride bicycles all the time play Ice hockey twice a week. Thats why Im considered highly functional. I do all these with pain.


Verno -- I apparently was "highly functional" as well.
Ski racing, biking, weight lifting...

Go see another doctor! Pain sucks and is not worth tolerating.

Barb
 
Verno, Maybe you need yet another opinion. Find someone highly recommended whose opinion you won't question. You said that you tried the shots but maybe you should also try the scope. I'm sure you want to try everything possible before you go the tkr route.

I had "one more scope cleaning" and all it bought me was 1 more year, but in the that year had to tolerate the surgery, rehab, more pain, injections that did not work and another lost season and weight gain. But after that year realized there was no more hope for last ditch efforts when the surgeon got inside my joint and said "I can't make this any better". It was time and had my surgery at 44.
 
Hi Verno, In my opinion..

1. Get a second diagnosis.

2 Get the diagnosis simplified..you know so its understandable to ordinary folk.

3. Ask him/her is it bone on bone?

Good luck, cheers klinger.
 
Definately bone on bone. One of the worst knees hes seen for a highly functional. What they dont understand is i just suck it up and do what I want to. Ive been sticking it out for about 7 yrs and nothing new has come out. My time is up cant wait another 5 yrs.
 
Definately bone on bone. One of the worst knees hes seen for a highly functional. What they dont understand is i just suck it up and do what I want to. Ive been sticking it out for about 7 yrs and nothing new has come out. My time is up cant wait another 5 yrs.

When I was to this ppoint, I was told by friends who worked in the neighboring OS office, to cry and shed tears if I had to. My fear was they were going to schedule surgery for 3-4 months out and I couldn't wait that long. I knew in anything more than 30 dys I'd be homicidal/suicidal with pain. I didn't have to and I'm a woman so crying comes easier, and not that we should have to, but if it that is what gets them the message, ya do what works.
 
I'm with these guys. Long-term pain just plain sucks. If there's a remedy, then take it, even if it means getting a 2nd opinion. TKR is pretty common, and if insurnace will cover it, why not? I'm scheduled in June and chose not to wait for years. I've had moderate knee pain for years, but the last year has been unbearable. I told the doctor if it met insurance criteria, then I wanted it done! Good luck to you.
 
For those younger folks out there, how many times have people said to you...."my older aunt, uncle, father, other....had tkr. They were in really bad shape. It's a good thing you didn't wait as long as they did and took care of it now while you are younger! "..... like I had a choice if I wanted to continue walking or sleeping or doing anything that didn't require heavy narcotics...... I shouldn't rant...... I know they mean well and just don't understand that this problem doesn't have an age.
 
I usually get told how old aunt rosy did at age 99 and did wonderfully so I should have no problem. Then I'd worry what if aunt rosy did better than I do. What if I don't do as well as aunt rosy? Are you reminding me that it is usually 99 years olds that do this?...........
 
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