Hi, I have some questions, 34 needing replacement eventually..

[novasmagic]

Hi,

To make a long story short, I've had a degenerative knee problem, since the age of twelve. I have been through 4 knee surgeries, one on my left and three on my right. I have a very small knee cap in my right knee and I have not seen a doctor for years.

After my last couple of surgeries I was told I will need a knee replacement by the age of 40. They told me I was to young; that was in my mid 20's. Now my knee has gotten much worse and I am very scared. I am in pain every day. It dislocated several times a day and I have learned over a long period of time to put it back in myself. I have become used to that pain; however now I am experiencing tightness and excruciating pain in the front and back of my knee. It shoots up to my hip and down my calf.

I was told by a doctor to get off of my feet and I did so for a few years; but I gained a lot of weight and was miserable doing desk jobs, so I started working on my feet about 6 years ago. I knew it would come to this eventually, and since it's been around a decade since my last procedure, I was hoping they had more options for my age group. I know at this point, I can't continue with the type of pain I'm experiencing. Over the counter meds barely touch it and even though I'm not athletic, I'm active and I don't want this to interfere with my life as it has started to do.

I am also uninsured and I am not sure what my options are at this point. I am a college student and I get some free medical but I am sure it doesn't cover this and my state does not give medicaid to low income adults unless I have no income at all. If anyone has any advice, ideas, suggestions. I am open. Thank you very much.

Nova

 

[referee54]

What would you liketo know? I was a college basketball official for 17 years, and I also have worked football and baseball (I am hoping to return to baseball inthe spring.) My knees were a victim of that and four years of playing college football, plus I used to love to run to stay in shape. I cycle now---itisn;t the same, but it is better for me.

Have you tried cortizone injetions or Syn-Visc? Sysn-Visc did nothing for me, but the cortizone got me through a year. There are some pres. drugs available that may be of help to you, but you need to see a MD that deals with Knee replacement to talk to you about the whens and the hows and the whats going to happens.

What specific questions might you have---I will do my best to answer themfor you.

Tim C.

 

[novasmagic]

I've never had injections of any kind, aside from fluid removed (that was fun), as for pain, tylenol and ibuprofen. My family doctor isn't to big on meds. When I go in, they usually put me on physical therapy, which does nothing for me. I guess I was curious as to what options might be available for knee's now, surgeries, drugs, etc.

I spoke with a doctor not to long ago who said I should just have a check up done but I haven't done much of anything because I feel there is nothing they will be able to do for it anyway. Woot, send me to physical therapy again, not that I can count how many times I've been there already. I guess after a while I just got discouraged and figured I have to live with it until it won't hold up anymore, then maybe they'll try to help me with it.

I'm a little depressed over it, I feel that I should be able to do more with my life, instead, I'm 34 and can barely scale a few steps, let alone run. I want to keep up with my kids and I can't.

Nova

 

[referee54]

Try to get into to see an orthopedic MD---I had two arthroscopic surgeries done since '95, and my surgeon recommended me to see the TKR specialist. There are options before you go radical---meds such as lodine and other NSAID's, as well as Syn-Visc and coritzone.

I too, am a very active person---I ref and I work part-time on a rather large produce farm when I am not teaching. I know how frustrating and depressing it is when one is not as active as one would like to be. I am not a big activist for meds, but, if that is what is left--well, they did help me get thrugh a very important baseball season. This time last year, I beleived that I would not be able to officiate, and cortizone saved my season---but I knew then that it was only temporary.

Now that I have had both knees replaced, i am looking forward to umping again this year---without the meds or the injections.

Tell your doc that PT isn't working...and try to get a second opinion. Are you seeing an ortho? I believe they would have a better grasp as to what to do.

My best of luck to you,

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

What the ref said ... not a lot I can add!