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Date: 02.09.2016
From: Catherine

Subject: My husband's arthritic knees

Hello! I'm new to this forum, and also, I don't have arthritis, but my husband does, and he is worrying me very much at the moment. He's had a very bad eighteen months, which started in April 2015 with a diagnosis of male breast cancer. He'd been scheduled to have his left knee replaced just three weeks later, and of course, that had to be postponed indefinitely whilst he received treatment. On 21st March this year, he was finally told that he could have his knee done, and it would be in about five weeks. The very next day, he had a massive heart attack, brought on by the radiotherapy he had for the cancer. He's gradually recovering from that, but his knees are giving him far more problems right now. He's on some fairly mean medication of course following the heart attack, and finds that his usual co-codamol on top of those meds makes him feel giddy and sick, so he won't take them. He can barely hobble 100 yards now, and the stairs up to our maisonette are like Mount Everest to him. My mother is currently in hospital, and he has been taking my father in to visit her, and has found that just the walk from the car park to the entrance of the hospital is too much, and we've had to go and find him a wheelchair (not always possible, of course) just so that he can visit her too. What he absolutely hates, though, is my father pushing him in a wheelchair (if I'm not with them), as my dad is 85. What is out there, and who can we ask, about things to make his life more comfortable until he's able to have his knee operation? He has been told that it will be at least a year until this can be done, to allow his poor heart to recover enough. Both knees are arthritic, with the left one being worse than the right. He has been unable to work since last August, and so our income is much diminished, as well, which stresses both of us. I would so appreciate any advice anyone can give. Thank you, Catherine.
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Date: 02.09.2016
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: My husband's arthritic knees

hi Catherine , I need a total knee replacement but because of other health problem they cant do it at the moment , one thing I was told to do is cycling to build up the knee & will make it easier to recover afterwards , I have a lot of problems in walking & use cruckes even to get from one room to another or from one chair to another in the same room

my knee is sticking out at 15 degree angle but the risk is infection after a knee replacement & could end up with amputation

hope his other health problems sort themselfs out , must be hard on him & your family but try the cycling as it will help & support the knee
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Date: 03.09.2016
From: lucy

Subject: Re: My husband's arthritic knees

Hi Catherine, I'm sorry to hear that your husband has had so many health problems recently, it must be very hard on you both. Has your husband applied for disability benefit (now called PIP) if not then you should call for a form and apply for it. I know that some hospitals can arrange transport to take visitors in to see relatives, you could ask if they have anything like that. I would also call the Occupational therapist at the hospital and ask about aids to help your husband. When i was having problems with my knees i sometimes found wearing a support on it helped a bit and also voltarol cream to rub in, ask the doctor what else he could have to help with the pain. I hope things get better soon for you and your family. xx
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Date: 05.09.2016
From: Catherine

Subject: Re: My husband's arthritic knees

Hi, Lucy - yes, he's applied for PIP, we're waiting on a reply at the moment following a visit from the assessor. The daft thing is, he's perfectly comfortable driving his car - my dad is still fine with driving, but my husband has been taking him to the hospital during my mother's stay there. We had a bit of a discussion about what he could do to help himself walking, and he's considering acquiring some crutches. He does have knee supports, but finds them very uncomfortable (although he's not a one for persisting!)and he does sometimes use the Voltarol ointment prescribed for him - his usual complaint about this is that it turns his hairs crispy!! I think he also expects miracles from it because of the adverts on the TV. He has caved in and agreed to use my mother's wheelchair whilst she doesn't need it, and my dad has suggested that he also use her electric mobility scooter whilst she can't use it. Our only problem with this is that we don't really have anywhere to keep it whilst it's recharging. It's a start, though. Thank you so much for your response, it's really appreciated. Catherine.
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