Pain on the opposite side??

[beth1954]

I think I've asked this before, but maybe not. Sorry.
My knee is bone to bone on the inside of my knee. The pain that I have is on the side facing out on my knee. Anyone know what that would be?

Beth

 

[Josephine]

It would be as a result of the damage on the inner (medial) side. See, when you get arthritis, it's a bit like a concrete step that gets worn when lots of people walk on it years after years. The concrete wears away but in doing so, you get lots of dust and debis. Same thing happens in your knee. And the debris won't stay confined to one side of the knee anymore than a stone in your shoe will stay confined to the heel or the toe. When it gets between the weight-bearing surfaces, it is quite as painful as that sharp stone in your shoe! Ultimately it will move out of the way and the pain will go again.

Or, it could be the arthritis is no longer confined to the medial side of your knee which wouldn't be at all unexpected.

Do I take it you are waiting for a TKR?

 

[Sandy R]

Beth... my pain was on the inside of my knee, the opposite side of where I was bone-on-bone. For a long time, I didn't have much pain on the outside of my knee, where I was bone-on-bone. But the inside of my knee hurt like the dickens! When I had an MRI, the inside of my knee showed lots of "floating" fragments.

Jo... thanks for the explanation. Until now, I never had described so clearly.
Sandy

 

[beth1954]

Thanks Jo...like Sandy said, I have been looking for an explanation for this.
Yes, I went to a very reputable OS in Austin, Texas. He told me right away that I needed a knee replacement. (which was a second opinion.) I told him I wanted to put it off for as long as I can. He suggested Synvisc. But from what I've read here, I might as well take the big step and get the TKR. I'm going to make an appointment with him as soon as I can (I'll call today) and talk to him more about the surgery. As many of you know, I wanted to lose weight first, and I've lost 25 pounds (leaving me at 275) but I just don't think I can take it anymore. When I get up even after sitting for 15 minutes, the pain is so bad I think I'm just going to drop to the floor.
Jo, that explains things so clearly to me. I did have about 2-3 days a week or so ago that it felt so much better.....must have been the debris was in a good place.....

 

[beth1954]

RE: Synvisc

Also, regarding Synvisc, my insurance company has so many hoops for me AND the doctor to jump through, and the expense..........that is another reason I decided not to go that route.

 

[Josephine]

Glad it helped and I know what you mean about the weight thing. However, I have seen many, many big people have TKRs and THRs and they seem to have done very well. Trouble is, once you get to this point, much exercise is out of the question! I'm now at that point where I am anxious to get mine done and I know the surgeon I am going to (because I worked with him!

) doesn't have a problem with it. I am about the same weight as you.

 

[Nursepair]

Jo are you going to get your knee done soon then?

 

[Josephine]

I am, Sue. For sure!