Ohknow
new member
Hi new Bonesmart friends! I have OA in my right knee. It was diagnosed about 8 years ago. In order to avoid/postpone surgery I made numerous lifestyle changes - switched from aerobics and lap swimming to water aerobics and pilates, wear a knee brace, learned to drive with my left foot, etc. Over the years I've had 4-5 cortisone shots and take a prescription anti-inflammatory (Meloxicam) as needed. I was able to manage the knee with almost no pain. Flare ups were minimal and easily managed.
I have always been athletic and recently got into hiking and biking. Well...it didn't go very well. My knee blew up and learned that my AO is now bone on bone in several places.
Here's the thing: I'm not in much pain at all (maybe 2-3). Just a base level of discomfort - almost all the time. The knee doesn't like stairs, and my walking is down to 1 to 1-1/2 miles (I could do 3 miles just fine before).
I've been doing PT 2x week to get the leg muscles as strong as possible. But my PT and 2 surgeons are telling me "it's time to make a decision." I have plateaued in PT. I can go on like this or bite the scary bullet.
I really thought I had 2-3 more years and this is a shocker! Do I really need major surgery?? Is it worth it to do it now? I worry that if I don't, I'll get weaker and make for a harder recovery.
I'm so scared about what life will be like afterward. They tell me "it won't feel like your real knee." What does that mean?? Help me out folks! I'm so glad I found this forum!! I've been lurking but now it's time to open up. What do you all think? Has anyone waited and regretted it? I'd also love to hear from anyone who wants to pursue sports, hiking, biking afterward - how has it gone for you? Anyway, thanks for reading this long post!!
I have always been athletic and recently got into hiking and biking. Well...it didn't go very well. My knee blew up and learned that my AO is now bone on bone in several places.
Here's the thing: I'm not in much pain at all (maybe 2-3). Just a base level of discomfort - almost all the time. The knee doesn't like stairs, and my walking is down to 1 to 1-1/2 miles (I could do 3 miles just fine before).
I've been doing PT 2x week to get the leg muscles as strong as possible. But my PT and 2 surgeons are telling me "it's time to make a decision." I have plateaued in PT. I can go on like this or bite the scary bullet.
I really thought I had 2-3 more years and this is a shocker! Do I really need major surgery?? Is it worth it to do it now? I worry that if I don't, I'll get weaker and make for a harder recovery.
I'm so scared about what life will be like afterward. They tell me "it won't feel like your real knee." What does that mean?? Help me out folks! I'm so glad I found this forum!! I've been lurking but now it's time to open up. What do you all think? Has anyone waited and regretted it? I'd also love to hear from anyone who wants to pursue sports, hiking, biking afterward - how has it gone for you? Anyway, thanks for reading this long post!!