Legseleven
Insider
Hello I’m new here and live in the UK. Age 66.
Knee pain (L) since February. Eventually saw trainee GP and eventually had X ray. She said chrondocalcinosis = pseudogout, I disagreed as the pain had gone on too long. It was 9 weeks at this time and she said previously it’d clear within 2 weeks. I asked to be referred and she said everyone has bad knees at your age (!), but eventually she agreed to refer me to physio… and my appointment is through but not until the end of August…..
Meanwhile the knee pain got worse and as I very luckily have medical insurance and I had been referred to MSK was able to see a specialist. He said X-ray normal for someone my age, and ordered a scan. Scan showed severe meniscal tear and severe Patellafemoral arthritis, bone on bone. He described the symptoms at which point I went ah yes, the other knee is like that too, so it’s been scanned too and I got the results today. It’s even worse than the left one but the pain in L is from the cartilage flap which keeps getting caught up. There’s almost no cartilage left behind either knee cap.
Saw surgeon today, and now almost too much to think about….
1) meniscus repair L knee together with
2) Patellafemoral resurfacing/ replacement L knee
Plus
3) Patellafemoral resurfacing/replacement R knee
Can be done singly or bilateral.
The worn patella is due to patella maltracking on both knees and at least I know now why some transfers have been so hard for the last three+ years. I always thought pain would be the main symptom, not locking and sticking. So the results have actually been quite shocking to little ol’ me! I had no idea I was this bad.
Usually I know what’s best for me and this time I have no idea, and my son’s wonderful wedding is in November, so that’s a great goal.
I’m in awe of what so many of you have been through and achieved and I remember how useful the health forums were to both of us on hubby’s cancer journey. Now it’s just me and I need all the help I can get. I live alone with lots of stairs, and I’m determined to get through this. I have no wish to leave my home and end up in a bungalow, well not until I’m in my dotage and I absolutely have to. I’m an artist some of the time and the attic on the second floor is my studio. That will surely make me do the stairs. I’m still working part time, although have cut my days a bit as it’s a physical job and I’m on my feet all day.
I also went to see a convalescent/respite place today and they’ve had a lot of joint replacement patients staying for a couple of weeks afterwards. I’m doing my best to take care of myself and considering all options before making a decision.
The surgeon was optimistic and confident, his numbers are good with the Joint Registry but I know these consultants don’t see their patients at their lowest moments when they’re home alone and in pain.
Your thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated, thank you and best wishes on your own health journeys.
Knee pain (L) since February. Eventually saw trainee GP and eventually had X ray. She said chrondocalcinosis = pseudogout, I disagreed as the pain had gone on too long. It was 9 weeks at this time and she said previously it’d clear within 2 weeks. I asked to be referred and she said everyone has bad knees at your age (!), but eventually she agreed to refer me to physio… and my appointment is through but not until the end of August…..
Meanwhile the knee pain got worse and as I very luckily have medical insurance and I had been referred to MSK was able to see a specialist. He said X-ray normal for someone my age, and ordered a scan. Scan showed severe meniscal tear and severe Patellafemoral arthritis, bone on bone. He described the symptoms at which point I went ah yes, the other knee is like that too, so it’s been scanned too and I got the results today. It’s even worse than the left one but the pain in L is from the cartilage flap which keeps getting caught up. There’s almost no cartilage left behind either knee cap.
Saw surgeon today, and now almost too much to think about….
1) meniscus repair L knee together with
2) Patellafemoral resurfacing/ replacement L knee
Plus
3) Patellafemoral resurfacing/replacement R knee
Can be done singly or bilateral.
The worn patella is due to patella maltracking on both knees and at least I know now why some transfers have been so hard for the last three+ years. I always thought pain would be the main symptom, not locking and sticking. So the results have actually been quite shocking to little ol’ me! I had no idea I was this bad.
Usually I know what’s best for me and this time I have no idea, and my son’s wonderful wedding is in November, so that’s a great goal.
I’m in awe of what so many of you have been through and achieved and I remember how useful the health forums were to both of us on hubby’s cancer journey. Now it’s just me and I need all the help I can get. I live alone with lots of stairs, and I’m determined to get through this. I have no wish to leave my home and end up in a bungalow, well not until I’m in my dotage and I absolutely have to. I’m an artist some of the time and the attic on the second floor is my studio. That will surely make me do the stairs. I’m still working part time, although have cut my days a bit as it’s a physical job and I’m on my feet all day.
I also went to see a convalescent/respite place today and they’ve had a lot of joint replacement patients staying for a couple of weeks afterwards. I’m doing my best to take care of myself and considering all options before making a decision.
The surgeon was optimistic and confident, his numbers are good with the Joint Registry but I know these consultants don’t see their patients at their lowest moments when they’re home alone and in pain.
Your thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated, thank you and best wishes on your own health journeys.