Hello all,
I just came across this forum and it was exactly what I was looking for in terms of finding advice and support regarding knee injuries and TKR. I thought I would post a thread and introduce myself (I hope that is ok). I am currently 44 and was advised by my Doctor last week that I likely need a total knee replacement. I have been referred to a surgeon but have been told that it will likely be 6 months or more before I get the call to go see him.
The background to my injury is that I used to be a long distance runner (ultra marathoner) until one day I was hit by a car while out riding my bike. That was 8 years ago and resulted in soft tissue damage - primarily in my left knee. I continued to try and train and be active following the accident with moderate success, although with considerably less distance on my running.
About 8 months ago my trainer made an adjustment to my running stride and I felt my knee pop. After months of physio, active rehab, massage therapy and acupuncture I am still limping and my left hip is also starting to be affected. My Doctor sent me for an MRI and the results came back last week showing a complex meniscus tear and advanced osteoarthritis in my left knee.
My doctor has said that knee replacements are being done at younger ages all the time and advised that if I want to go back to being active (currently I have deteriorated to the point that I can only walk slowly for up to half an hour before swelling and pain causes me to have to stop and ice my knee) then this is my best course of action.
I have heard a lot of stories of surgeons not wanting to undertake knee replacements for people in their 40's - preferring to delay it as long as possible. My feeling is that if I am going to need one no matter what (which my Doctor has indicated that I will) then I would rather have it sooner than later so that I can go back to a normal quality of life. Before this happened I was running less but still an avid hiker and enjoyed daily workouts in the gym. Currently I can't run 5 steps to try and catch a crossing light without significant pain.
Does anyone have any advice on advocating for myself to be able to have the surgery sooner than later?
Thanks all!
I just came across this forum and it was exactly what I was looking for in terms of finding advice and support regarding knee injuries and TKR. I thought I would post a thread and introduce myself (I hope that is ok). I am currently 44 and was advised by my Doctor last week that I likely need a total knee replacement. I have been referred to a surgeon but have been told that it will likely be 6 months or more before I get the call to go see him.
The background to my injury is that I used to be a long distance runner (ultra marathoner) until one day I was hit by a car while out riding my bike. That was 8 years ago and resulted in soft tissue damage - primarily in my left knee. I continued to try and train and be active following the accident with moderate success, although with considerably less distance on my running.
About 8 months ago my trainer made an adjustment to my running stride and I felt my knee pop. After months of physio, active rehab, massage therapy and acupuncture I am still limping and my left hip is also starting to be affected. My Doctor sent me for an MRI and the results came back last week showing a complex meniscus tear and advanced osteoarthritis in my left knee.
My doctor has said that knee replacements are being done at younger ages all the time and advised that if I want to go back to being active (currently I have deteriorated to the point that I can only walk slowly for up to half an hour before swelling and pain causes me to have to stop and ice my knee) then this is my best course of action.
I have heard a lot of stories of surgeons not wanting to undertake knee replacements for people in their 40's - preferring to delay it as long as possible. My feeling is that if I am going to need one no matter what (which my Doctor has indicated that I will) then I would rather have it sooner than later so that I can go back to a normal quality of life. Before this happened I was running less but still an avid hiker and enjoyed daily workouts in the gym. Currently I can't run 5 steps to try and catch a crossing light without significant pain.
Does anyone have any advice on advocating for myself to be able to have the surgery sooner than later?
Thanks all!