Date: 13.12.2009
From: Irene
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Subject: osteoarthritis in the knee
Hello everybody!
I've just been diognosed with osteoarthritis. My symptoms devoloped just 3 months ago.
Although xray showed early stage I feel it's hard to walk and do things the way I used, as I feel tension behind my knees,pain and swelling, which gets worse when I walk for periods of time. The Orthopaedic surgeon offered a porcedure to arthroscope my knee to see better but explained that it only guarantees 50% effectivness and for 50% patients could make things worse. Does anybody have something similar? What would you recommend? Any alternative , chinese, homeopathy or acupuncture? Could an MRI scan help to see things better? Any news would be of help!!! Thank you
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Date: 13.12.2009
From: jill
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Welcome Irene, im Jill, chronic with Inflamatory artha and DDD, I have had both Knees arthrocopied. I wasnt told that news your surgeon told u.. I think if I was u, and if it was for me to have now, I would deffo ask for an MRI b4 the op, but I would deffo have the op again, they took pics and showd that my cartledge was broken and flying about cusing pain, plus they found tht there was hardly any cartledge in the knee, I have also had acupuncture on my elbows and currently my neck.... I think acupuncture works, but u must go wekly for say 6/8weeks..... I also want to say the reson Y I wld, if I was u, go 4 that op, is becos its a simple op, and easily to get over..... Iv to date so far had 7 corrective surgerys, 3 being major.....spone and hips....due another major spine op, and two shoulder ops, so for me personally, if I cant cope with the pain, and i m also on Opiates to take the pain away, but if th pain gets thru altho meds i take, I cant imagine what the pain wld fel like....... as I said, ive had some major ops for corrective surgery reasons, and havin g knees done is for me like having a tooth pulled, I know for u its huge, but its a simple precedure and done keyhole....but never been told its 50/50....think I need knee replacements, but they can find all tht out for u too..... unless they go in and look, they wont really know...... let me know how u get on..take care Jill
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Date: 13.12.2009
From: Irene
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Jill. It's very helpful. I'll give it all a think. Do let me know if you think of anything else. All the best to you, Irene
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Date: 13.12.2009
From: Chris
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Hi Irene, I also have Osteoarthritis in my knees (but only my right knee suffers from it). I had a flare up last year and the consultant was very confident, so just went straight in with keyhole surgery to tidy bits up. However, I did a lot of exercising this summer and set it off again. The consultant i am seeing this time, wants to to do a scan first. As for medicine....I have not got on at all with pain killers so I'm off them and try to rest if i am in discomfort. A friend is professional Reike practitioner and has given me two sessions so far. It left me tired as hell and incredibly sore the next day, so i cannot say if it's helping yet. Will let you know if you like! All the best. Chris.
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Date: 14.12.2009
From: jill
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Hi Chris... reflexology makes u feel tied and zinked out.....been told means its working well..... had reflexology(my sister is a reflexologist) and it was fab. made me thirtsy too..... let me know how u get on the more sessions u have...good luck x
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Date: 15.12.2009
From: valh:-)
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
hi sorry u got this i have oa as well. and take anti inflam for swelling and pain meds to keep moving as have in lots of joints at early stages so will try anything that helps. so hope u find something that helps u. exercise is important as keeps muscles around joint strong so helps to keep it staight but no hi impact stick to tia chi or yoga type also swimming good if water warm enough
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Date: 15.12.2009
From: jill
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
\hi Val, how ya doing...... looking forward to crimbo?? I am, but cant think stright bout pressies, havnt been shopping much as such, ordered kids stuff via argos etc.... did go out last sat, and cos wearing neck brace, I bumped into three people and tripped up a pavement..grrrr...wont go out alone now, and cant use my crutch cos my shoulders hate it!!!! oh well, if I dont have enuff pressies, kids can like it or lump it lolol........fellla goona go buy all xmas foood too!.......heheeh xxx
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Date: 15.12.2009
From: Irene
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Hi Chris!!
Many thanks for the reply. How long have you had the oa in the knee? mine was very sudden so i can't quite believe what it is. it seems quite drastic to already have the kehole surg after just 3 months? how long after did u have yours done? and did it help much?
do let me know how it goes with reike practitioner. i'm going to see a physiotherapist whose supposed to be very very good in these things and understand even better than surgeon. we'll see..! keep me updated! MERry XMAS!!
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Date: 15.12.2009
From: Irene
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Hi Valh! thanks for writing!
which pain meds you taking? are they helpful? did you have any of the operations,or arthroscope?
id love to go swimming- i've also heard it's good in warm water, but not sure where to find the warm swimming pools:) i went to the normal ones in town but i think it made me feel worse. maybe i didn't do it for long enough...
Take care!!!
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Date: 16.12.2009
From: Chris
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Subject: Re: osteoarthritis in the knee
Hi Irene, Well i scuppered my knee when i was 10 by falling off a bike. Boys eh?! Lol. The knee suffered from painful swelling for several years. At 16 I was demanding the docs take this further and i was given keyhole surgery. They found that i had been bleeding internally (around the knee) for several years (hence the swelling) and the knee joint was badly worn as a result. They said my knee was basically knackered and the joint would need replacing in my forties. After my flare up last year, it was decided to delay replacing the joint until later on in life, when i would not need the mobility so much. They also said that a replacement would not last long and the procedure could only be done twice. The keyhole surgery performed last year made a brilliant improvement and for a year, it was like a new knee. However, I probably ruined all that with lots of stomping in the summer to lose some weight.... and who said losing weight is good for you? Lol. All the best and merry xmas, too. Chris.
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