Re: When do you get a knee replacement?

[Guest guest]

HI Judy,

First of all, welcome!! Has your OS done an MRI? That's usually how they can

tell to what extent the arthritis has taken over. Both my knees are shot. I

conquered a hill on bike and that was the end of that!! LOL I used to walk and

hike and everything. Had to to give it up and find something else. I swim and

do weights now. I don't take anyting but Excederin for pain (only because I'm

kinda med phobic) I've started on Xenical in hopes of losing some weight. Just

make sure you get an MRI done and then get a 2nd opinion. Those coil shoes on

the earlier posts sound hopeful, might be worth a try. Good luck! Hope this

helps a little.

Judy

Subject: When do you get a knee replacement?

Dear folks,

I have been lurking on this newsgroup for a couple of months, but now

I am ready to ask my questions.

I am a 66 year old woman in pretty good health, but for the last

couple of years I have had increasing pain in my knees. I have always

done lots of walking, and my husband and I travel in our RV van and

like to hike. My knee problems seem to have begun when we took quite

a long uphill/downhill hike in Zion National Park, so at first I

thought it was an injury which would get better. This hasn't proved

to be right - my knees are getting progressively worse (knee Xrays

show narrowed joints).

What do I mean by worse? They always hurt when I walk; I find it very

painful to go up or down stairs in the ordinary way; if I am going to

be on my feet for more than the minimum of doing some housework or a

little shopping, I find I need pain meds to make this bearable. My

husband and I just got back from a 3 week trip of sightseeing (like

zoos, museums), and some walking (not hiking) in the outdoors. I DID

enjoy it, but I was never free from more or less severe pain. And I

hate to take medications, so try to take the minimum.

Okay, I won't go on and on... I have started swimming and a water

arthritis class, got a recumbent exercise bike (had to give up

Curves), lost a little weight, and my ortho agreed to try an

arthroscopy on the most painful knee - but I feel he does not think it

will help very much.

So, what should I do? Is there a point to doing the arthroscopy?

Should I get the total knee replacement? I get the feeling from

reading the posts on this group that many people have actually been in

much worse shape than I am before having this done - so should I just

put up with it until it gets much worse?

All your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated.

Judy

[Guest guest]

Yes, I had an MRI initially when I injured my knees - it showed some

meniscus tearing, but they said it was " degenerative " tearing and not,

presumably like a younger person's, the kind of tear they would try to

repair, or could repair. They also said the cartilage would not

regenerate. I had several cortisone shots and some other injections,

I forget the name, which is supposed to replace the synovial fluid and

supposedly help, but it didn't.

Coil shoes? Could you point me to about how far back these posts

were? I'm always interested in anything that might be helpful short

of surgery if possible.

As for weight, well, I've lost 8 pounds in the past couple of months,

which may be helping somewhat - the ortho guys told me that one pound

of weight puts 6 pounds of torque on the knee joints, so I am pretty

motivated..

Judy (maybe I should sign myself, " Judy from Berkeley " )

>

>

>

>

> HI Judy,

>

> First of all, welcome!! Has your OS done an MRI? That's usually

how they can tell to what extent the arthritis has taken over. Both

my knees are shot. I conquered a hill on bike and that was the end of

that!! LOL I used to walk and hike and everything. Had to to give

it up and find something else. I swim and do weights now. I don't

take anyting but Excederin for pain (only because I'm kinda med

phobic) I've started on Xenical in hopes of losing some weight. Just

make sure you get an MRI done and then get a 2nd opinion. Those coil

shoes on the earlier posts sound hopeful, might be worth a try. Good

luck! Hope this helps a little.

>

> Judy

>

>

> Subject: When do you get a knee replacement?

>

>

>

>

>

> Dear folks,

>

> I have been lurking on this newsgroup for a couple of months, but now

> I am ready to ask my questions.

>

> I am a 66 year old woman in pretty good health, but for the last

> couple of years I have had increasing pain in my knees. I have always

> done lots of walking, and my husband and I travel in our RV van and

> like to hike. My knee problems seem to have begun when we took quite

> a long uphill/downhill hike in Zion National Park, so at first I

> thought it was an injury which would get better. This hasn't proved

> to be right - my knees are getting progressively worse (knee Xrays

> show narrowed joints).

>

> What do I mean by worse? They always hurt when I walk; I find it very

> painful to go up or down stairs in the ordinary way; if I am going to

> be on my feet for more than the minimum of doing some housework or a

> little shopping, I find I need pain meds to make this bearable. My

> husband and I just got back from a 3 week trip of sightseeing (like

> zoos, museums), and some walking (not hiking) in the outdoors. I DID

> enjoy it, but I was never free from more or less severe pain. And I

> hate to take medications, so try to take the minimum.

>

> Okay, I won't go on and on... I have started swimming and a water

> arthritis class, got a recumbent exercise bike (had to give up

> Curves), lost a little weight, and my ortho agreed to try an

> arthroscopy on the most painful knee - but I feel he does not think it

> will help very much.

>

> So, what should I do? Is there a point to doing the arthroscopy?

> Should I get the total knee replacement? I get the feeling from

> reading the posts on this group that many people have actually been in

> much worse shape than I am before having this done - so should I just

> put up with it until it gets much worse?

>

> All your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated.

>

> Judy

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

http://www.zcoil.com/

These shoes help with knee pain a lot. Basically, you are

walking on a shock absorber all the time. You have to find a store near you,

and the shoes are expensive, but worth it!

claire

Callahan Goodman

claire@...

From:

Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]

On Behalf Of Judy

Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:20

PM

To:

Joint Replacement

Subject:

Re: When do you get a knee replacement?

Yes, I had an MRI initially

when I injured my knees - it showed some

meniscus tearing, but they said it was

" degenerative " tearing and not,

presumably like a younger person's, the kind of

tear they would try to

repair, or could repair. They also said the

cartilage would not

regenerate. I had several cortisone shots

and some other injections,

I forget the name, which is supposed to replace

the synovial fluid and

supposedly help, but it didn't.

Coil shoes? Could you point me to about how

far back these posts

were? I'm always interested in anything that

might be helpful short

of surgery if possible.

As for weight, well, I've lost 8 pounds in the

past couple of months,

which may be helping somewhat - the ortho guys

told me that one pound

of weight puts 6 pounds of torque on the knee

joints, so I am pretty

motivated..

Judy (maybe I should sign myself, " Judy

from Berkeley " )

>

>

>

>

> HI Judy,

>

> First of all, welcome!! Has

your OS done an MRI? That's usually

how they can tell to what extent the arthritis has

taken over. Both

my knees are shot. I conquered a hill on

bike and that was the end of

that!! LOL I used to walk and hike and

everything. Had to to give

it up and find something else. I swim and do

weights now. I don't

take anyting but Excederin for pain (only because

I'm kinda med

phobic) I've started on Xenical in hopes of

losing some weight. Just

make sure you get an MRI done and then get a 2nd

opinion. Those coil

shoes on the earlier posts sound hopeful, might be

worth a try. Good

luck! Hope this helps a little.

>

> Judy

>

>

> Subject: When do

you get a knee replacement?

>

>

>

>

>

> Dear folks,

>

> I have been lurking on this newsgroup for a

couple of months, but now

> I am ready to ask my questions.

>

> I am a 66 year old woman in pretty good

health, but for the last

> couple of years I have had increasing pain in

my knees. I have always

> done lots of walking, and my husband and I

travel in our RV van and

> like to hike. My knee problems seem to

have begun when we took quite

> a long uphill/downhill hike in Zion National

Park, so at first I

> thought it was an injury which would get

better. This hasn't proved

> to be right - my knees are getting progressively

worse (knee Xrays

> show narrowed joints).

>

> What do I mean by worse? They always

hurt when I walk; I find it very

> painful to go up or down stairs in the

ordinary way; if I am going to

> be on my feet for more than the minimum of

doing some housework or a

> little shopping, I find I need pain meds to

make this bearable. My

> husband and I just got back from a 3 week

trip of sightseeing (like

> zoos, museums), and some walking (not hiking)

in the outdoors. I DID

> enjoy it, but I was never free from more or

less severe pain. And I

> hate to take medications, so try to take the

minimum.

>

> Okay, I won't go on and on... I have started

swimming and a water

> arthritis class, got a recumbent exercise

bike (had to give up

> Curves), lost a little weight, and my ortho

agreed to try an

> arthroscopy on the most painful knee - but I

feel he does not think it

> will help very much.

>

> So, what should I do? Is there a point

to doing the arthroscopy?

> Should I get the total knee

replacement? I get the feeling from

> reading the posts on this group that many

people have actually been in

> much worse shape than I am before having this

done - so should I just

> put up with it until it gets much

worse?

>

> All your thoughts and comments will be much

appreciated.

>

> Judy

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I live in Berkeley, so looks like the closest stores are SF,

San , and Santa . I think I will have to go to one and see -

boy, they look weird though!

Thanks,

Judy

>

>

>

> These shoes help with knee pain a lot. Basically, you are walking on

a shock

> absorber all the time. You have to find a store near you, and the

shoes are

> expensive, but worth it!

>

>

>

> claire

>

>

>

> Callahan Goodman

>

> claire@...

>

> _____

>

> From: Joint Replacement

> [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Judy

> Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:20 PM

> Joint Replacement

> Subject: Re: When do you get a knee

replacement?

>

>

>

> Yes, I had an MRI initially when I injured my knees - it showed some

> meniscus tearing, but they said it was " degenerative " tearing and not,

> presumably like a younger person's, the kind of tear they would try to

> repair, or could repair. They also said the cartilage would not

> regenerate. I had several cortisone shots and some other injections,

> I forget the name, which is supposed to replace the synovial fluid and

> supposedly help, but it didn't.

>

> Coil shoes? Could you point me to about how far back these posts

> were? I'm always interested in anything that might be helpful short

> of surgery if possible.

>

> As for weight, well, I've lost 8 pounds in the past couple of months,

> which may be helping somewhat - the ortho guys told me that one pound

> of weight puts 6 pounds of torque on the knee joints, so I am pretty

> motivated..

>

> Judy (maybe I should sign myself, " Judy from Berkeley " )

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > HI Judy,

> >

> > First of all, welcome!! Has your OS done an MRI? That's usually

> how they can tell to what extent the arthritis has taken over. Both

> my knees are shot. I conquered a hill on bike and that was the end of

> that!! LOL I used to walk and hike and everything. Had to to give

> it up and find something else. I swim and do weights now. I don't

> take anyting but Excederin for pain (only because I'm kinda med

> phobic) I've started on Xenical in hopes of losing some weight. Just

> make sure you get an MRI done and then get a 2nd opinion. Those coil

> shoes on the earlier posts sound hopeful, might be worth a try. Good

> luck! Hope this helps a little.

> >

> > Judy

> >

> >

> > Subject: When do you get a knee replacement?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear folks,

> >

> > I have been lurking on this newsgroup for a couple of months, but now

> > I am ready to ask my questions.

> >

> > I am a 66 year old woman in pretty good health, but for the last

> > couple of years I have had increasing pain in my knees. I have always

> > done lots of walking, and my husband and I travel in our RV van and

> > like to hike. My knee problems seem to have begun when we took quite

> > a long uphill/downhill hike in Zion National Park, so at first I

> > thought it was an injury which would get better. This hasn't proved

> > to be right - my knees are getting progressively worse (knee Xrays

> > show narrowed joints).

> >

> > What do I mean by worse? They always hurt when I walk; I find it very

> > painful to go up or down stairs in the ordinary way; if I am going to

> > be on my feet for more than the minimum of doing some housework or a

> > little shopping, I find I need pain meds to make this bearable. My

> > husband and I just got back from a 3 week trip of sightseeing (like

> > zoos, museums), and some walking (not hiking) in the outdoors. I DID

> > enjoy it, but I was never free from more or less severe pain. And I

> > hate to take medications, so try to take the minimum.

> >

> > Okay, I won't go on and on... I have started swimming and a water

> > arthritis class, got a recumbent exercise bike (had to give up

> > Curves), lost a little weight, and my ortho agreed to try an

> > arthroscopy on the most painful knee - but I feel he does not think it

> > will help very much.

> >

> > So, what should I do? Is there a point to doing the arthroscopy?

> > Should I get the total knee replacement? I get the feeling from

> > reading the posts on this group that many people have actually been in

> > much worse shape than I am before having this done - so should I just

> > put up with it until it gets much worse?

> >

> > All your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated.

> >

> > Judy

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy

I had an arthroscopy done about 5 years prior to having both knees TKR in the last 5 months and also had gastric bypass done to lose 200 lbs. in between. I think the weight loss was more effective than the arthroscopy but each person is different. I would discuss the pro's and cons with your surgeon before making any final decision but the arthroscopy will only buy you a little time in my opinion. And that is only my opinion. I do feel though that you are in a good place (this site) to ask questions and get feedback on what has worked for others. Do as much research as you can before any surgery and then decide what would be best for your situation. I still have pain as I just had the 2nd knee done two months ago and am still healing from having both knees done but I am glad I did it. In fact I have been bugging my Docs for years to have TKR done but they were reluctant to do it due to my 'young' age I am now 50 so I guess that means I am 'old' now LOL. But like I said please weigh your options, educate yourself and keep asking questions before making the decision. The posts here are very informative and we try to answer each others questions ...everything from meds to surgery to even wearing high heels. (for the gals).

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Love Contessa

-- When do you get a knee replacement?

Dear folks,

I have been lurking on this newsgroup for a couple of months, but now

I am ready to ask my questions.

I am a 66 year old woman in pretty good health, but for the last

couple of years I have had increasing pain in my knees. I have always

done lots of walking, and my husband and I travel in our RV van and

like to hike. My knee problems seem to have begun when we took quite

a long uphill/downhill hike in Zion National Park, so at first I

thought it was an injury which would get better. This hasn't proved

to be right - my knees are getting progressively worse (knee Xrays

show narrowed joints).

What do I mean by worse? They always hurt when I walk; I find it very

painful to go up or down stairs in the ordinary way; if I am going to

be on my feet for more than the minimum of doing some housework or a

little shopping, I find I need pain meds to make this bearable. My

husband and I just got back from a 3 week trip of sightseeing (like

zoos, museums), and some walking (not hiking) in the outdoors. I DID

enjoy it, but I was never free from more or less severe pain. And I

hate to take medications, so try to take the minimum.

Okay, I won't go on and on... I have started swimming and a water

arthritis class, got a recumbent exercise bike (had to give up

Curves), lost a little weight, and my ortho agreed to try an

arthroscopy on the most painful knee - but I feel he does not think it

will help very much.

So, what should I do? Is there a point to doing the arthroscopy?

Should I get the total knee replacement? I get the feeling from

reading the posts on this group that many people have actually been in

much worse shape than I am before having this done - so should I just

put up with it until it gets much worse?

All your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated.

Judy

[Guest guest]

Good luck! If you wear bigger than a size 5 you will have a

very large selection. They have clogs, boots and oxfords, but they don’t

come in size 5. Apparently the z-coil shoes are becoming very popular with

medical personnel who are on their feet all the time on hard floors. I was

told that if 10 people mention my name when they buy shoes at the SF store, I

will get a free pair. If you go to SF, feel free to mention my name, although

I already have one of each of all the styles they sell in size 5 and can’t

imagine needing another pair for at least 10 years, since they are so sturdy!

Callahan Goodman

claire@...

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Judy

Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 11:49

AM

Joint Replacement

Subject:

Re: When do you get a knee replacement?

, I live in Berkeley,

so looks like the closest stores are SF,

San , and Santa .

I think I will have to go to one and see -

boy, they look weird though!

Thanks,

Judy

>

>

>

> These shoes help with knee pain a lot.

Basically, you are walking on

a shock

> absorber all the time. You have to find

a store near you, and the

shoes are

> expensive, but worth it!

>

>

>

> claire

>

>

>

> Callahan Goodman

>

> claire@...

>

> _____

>

> From: Joint Replacement

> [mailto:Joint Replacement ]

On Behalf Of Judy

> Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:20 PM

> Joint Replacement

> Subject: Re: When

do you get a knee

replacement?

>

>

>

> Yes, I had an MRI initially when I injured my

knees - it showed some

> meniscus tearing, but they said it was

" degenerative " tearing and not,

> presumably like a younger person's, the kind

of tear they would try to

> repair, or could repair. They also said

the cartilage would not

> regenerate. I had several cortisone

shots and some other injections,

> I forget the name, which is supposed to

replace the synovial fluid and

> supposedly help, but it didn't.

>

> Coil shoes? Could you point me to about

how far back these posts

> were? I'm always interested in anything

that might be helpful short

> of surgery if possible.

>

> As for weight, well, I've lost 8 pounds in

the past couple of months,

> which may be helping somewhat - the ortho

guys told me that one pound

> of weight puts 6 pounds of torque on the knee

joints, so I am pretty

> motivated..

>

> Judy (maybe I should sign myself,

" Judy from Berkeley " )

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > HI Judy,

> >

> > First of all,

welcome!! Has your OS done an MRI? That's usually

> how they can tell to what extent the

arthritis has taken over. Both

> my knees are shot. I conquered a hill

on bike and that was the end of

> that!! LOL I used to walk and

hike and everything. Had to to give

> it up and find something else. I swim

and do weights now. I don't

> take anyting but Excederin for pain (only

because I'm kinda med

> phobic) I've started on Xenical in

hopes of losing some weight. Just

> make sure you get an MRI done and then get a

2nd opinion. Those coil

> shoes on the earlier posts sound hopeful,

might be worth a try. Good

> luck! Hope this helps a little.

> >

> > Judy

> >

> >

> > Subject: When

do you get a knee replacement?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear folks,

> >

> > I have been lurking on this newsgroup

for a couple of months, but now

> > I am ready to ask my questions.

> >

> > I am a 66 year old woman in pretty good

health, but for the last

> > couple of years I have had increasing

pain in my knees. I have always

> > done lots of walking, and my husband and

I travel in our RV van and

> > like to hike. My knee problems

seem to have begun when we took quite

> > a long uphill/downhill hike in Zion National

Park, so at first I

> > thought it was an injury which would get

better. This hasn't proved

> > to be right - my knees are getting

progressively worse (knee Xrays

> > show narrowed joints).

> >

> > What do I mean by worse? They

always hurt when I walk; I find it very

> > painful to go up or down stairs in the

ordinary way; if I am going to

> > be on my feet for more than the minimum

of doing some housework or a

> > little shopping, I find I need pain meds

to make this bearable. My

> > husband and I just got back from a 3

week trip of sightseeing (like

> > zoos, museums), and some walking (not

hiking) in the outdoors. I DID

> > enjoy it, but I was never free from more

or less severe pain. And I

> > hate to take medications, so try to take

the minimum.

> >

> > Okay, I won't go on and on... I have

started swimming and a water

> > arthritis class, got a recumbent

exercise bike (had to give up

> > Curves), lost a little weight, and my

ortho agreed to try an

> > arthroscopy on the most painful knee -

but I feel he does not think it

> > will help very much.

> >

> > So, what should I do? Is there a

point to doing the arthroscopy?

> > Should I get the total knee

replacement? I get the feeling from

> > reading the posts on this group that

many people have actually been in

> > much worse shape than I am before having

this done - so should I just

> > put up with it until it gets much

worse?

> >

> > All your thoughts and comments will be

much appreciated.

> >

> > Judy

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/19/2006 3:53:59 P.M. Central Standard Time, jdytart@... writes:

So, what should I do? Is there a point to doing the arthroscopy? Should I get the total knee replacement? I get the feeling fromreading the posts on this group that many people have actually been inmuch worse shape than I am before having this done - so should I justput up with it until it gets much worse? All your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated.Judy

Hi Judy, my arthritis started in my right knee when I was 26. They said I had to be 50 to have replacements. My left one had gotten very bad also. I had arthrocopic surgery on my right knee in the beginning and it gave me about 10 years, but it just depends on what they find in there. I'm 45 now, and have gotten both done, they were bone on bone and haven't regretted it at all. My last one was Feb 2 so I'm still hurting but it's such a different sort of pain.

[Guest guest]

Should I get the total knee replacement? I get the feeling from reading the posts on this group that many people have actually been in much worse shape than I am before having this done - so should I just put up with it until it gets much worse? >>> Judy how nice it would be in this life if we all knew "what the right thing to do was before being forced to make the choice".... it's a question we've all had to hit head on and often it feels as though you've been hit by a Mack truck to stunned to decide for yourself. Bottom line is... only YOU can answer that question.

Waiting can present it's own set of issues.... first off you suffer during that wait but secondly.... you have to ask yourself "am I making a small problem a much huger one with the wait & IF that should happen just how long is too long before it's beyond repair". You need to question your wants in life... get serious with yourself about just what you feel YOU can & can't tolerate or want to live with, what is the wait gonna cost you in terms of pain & chancing additional damanage(s) which might occur, how does your knee effect your quality of life, what are the benefits to replacement & what are the list of possible draw backs. Exhaust all possible solutions to the problem before resorting to surgery... but when the choice needs to be made~ don't let another influence your choices on the matter.... their body isn't going to be the one on the operating table nor will they be the ones living with the out come!

As a hip patient I can say... mine didn't go "as planned" nor am I pain free as the majority that have it done. Plus, I've ended up with a life time of restrictions over the choose.... BUT I can't say that I regret my decision. I researched doctors, procedures, hospital infection ratings & everything in between, I questioned everything I was unclear about or didn't understand & know I made the best informed decision I could regarding the matter based SOLELY on MY life needs~ my only regret is that my body didn't permit the perfect out come. Having my THR done changed my life forever.... but in that change.... I got less pain then what I was once experiencing, I gained the ability to buy a cheap pair of shoes~ short notice just because I liked them... without the 30~45 day wait to have a build added to a $500 pair of shoes! There are many things I miss doing... but on the other hand I've gained just as much from the experience that has been a benefit to my life.

Ask Judy what she thinks.... make Judy weigh the pros & cons of the issue at hand & know that I'm not certain about what your out come might be having the replacement done~ but what I DO KNOW is in the end... if Judy questions herself & makes a well informed decision based on her life needs~ then Judy certainly won't have a regret when looking back upon whatever decision she makes over the matter! Life is still good when things don't go "as planned".... it's not what you have that counts... it's how you use it~ regardless of the out come. Walk well~

[Guest guest]

-What a thoughtful and inspiring reply! I know in the end it is

totally up to me, but part of that choice is hearing what the

experience of others has been, how they made their decisions, and what

the outcomes have been. I realize now that TKR is not necessarily

some miracle cure, that there are tradeoffs and that my knees will not

be just like my 20 year old knees, that I might not necessarily be

pain-free, that things can go wrong. I am learning a lot from the

answers I've gotten; I'm reading all the books I can find; doing all

the exercise and strengthing I can. Yesterday I got cortisone

injections; they have helped a little, not the total way they helped a

year ago - I realize - of course they cool down the inflammation, but

I have more inflammation now than I did a year ago, two years ago.

The ortho I saw tries to be optimistic - maybe I can manage for a time

with occasional injections; my regular (and wonderful) doctor thinks I

should certainly try arthroscopy first, since the TKR is such major

surgery. I respect her opinion quite a lot. And in a couple of weeks

I will see the doctor that would be doing the arthroscopy... so I am

not just jumping off the cliff blindly, I think.

Thanks again for your great answer - I will ponder it for sure.

Judy

>>> Judy how nice it would be in this life if we all knew " what

> the right thing to do was before being forced to make the

choice " .... it's a

> question we've all had to hit head on and often it feels as though

you've been

> hit by a Mack truck to stunned to decide for yourself. Bottom line

is...

> only YOU can answer that question.

>

> Waiting can present it's own set of issues.... first off you suffer

during

> that wait but secondly.... you have to ask yourself " am I making a

small problem

> a much huger one with the wait & IF that should happen just how long

is too

> long before it's beyond repair " . You need to question your wants in

life...

> get serious with yourself about just what you feel YOU can & can't

tolerate or

> want to live with, what is the wait gonna cost you in terms of pain

& chancing

> additional damanage(s) which might occur, how does your knee effect

your

> quality of life, what are the benefits to replacement & what are the

list of

> possible draw backs. Exhaust all possible solutions to the problem

before resorting

> to surgery... but when the choice needs to be made~ don't let another

> influence your choices on the matter.... their body isn't going to

be the one on the

> operating table nor will they be the ones living with the out come!

>

> As a hip patient I can say... mine didn't go " as planned " nor am I

pain free

> as the majority that have it done. Plus, I've ended up with a life

time of

> restrictions over the choose.... BUT I can't say that I regret my

decision. I

> researched doctors, procedures, hospital infection ratings &

everything in

> between, I questioned everything I was unclear about or didn't

understand & know I

> made the best informed decision I could regarding the matter based

SOLELY on

> MY life needs~ my only regret is that my body didn't permit the

perfect out

> come. Having my THR done changed my life forever.... but in that

change.... I

> got less pain then what I was once experiencing, I gained the

ability to buy a

> cheap pair of shoes~ short notice just because I liked them...

without the

> 30~45 day wait to have a build added to a $500 pair of shoes! There

are many

> things I miss doing... but on the other hand I've gained just as

much from the

> experience that has been a benefit to my life.

>

> Ask Judy what she thinks.... make Judy weigh the pros & cons of the

issue at

> hand & know that I'm not certain about what your out come might be

having the

> replacement done~ but what I DO KNOW is in the end... if Judy questions

> herself & makes a well informed decision based on her life needs~

then Judy

> certainly won't have a regret when looking back upon whatever

decision she makes over

> the matter! Life is still good when things don't go " as

planned " .... it's not

> what you have that counts... it's how you use it~ regardless of the

out come.

> Walk well~

>

[Guest guest]

-What a thoughtful and inspiring reply! I know in the end it is totally up to me, but part of that choice is hearing what the experience of others has been, how they made their decisions, and what the outcomes have been. >>> Thank ya kindly Madam I've remained a portion of multiple hip boards since mine being done. Hopefully my view will help others whether it's providing general information on the topic, suggesting sites to research, encouragement to another who's lost hope or merely lending an ear through the whole frustrating process. There were few talking about the draw backs to THR when I hit the boards with questions, almost everyone had great out comes. So it was ease to think I'm younger then most, in good shape, active BLA BLA BLA~ surely mine will be "as good" or even better then their out comes.... I had a rude awakening dealing with the after math of my out come. It's something one needs to hear BOTH SIDES of the issue to have a clearer out look upon the matter. Least that way you go in it knowing this, this, this & this are all possible.... and you are more braced for a bad out come.

I wish I knew more about the knee issue myself to maybe shed some positive light on the topic for ya... but I'm learning as you are~ my daughter fell in Feb and injuried her knee.... something about medial & lateral reticulium (spelling) with swelling & fluid build up & her patella not being in the femural grove ? Anyone knows about those details I sure would appreicate you saving me all the researching on the matter & would like to know what was done in your case. All I know at this point is her MRI came back last week & they scheduled in April to see a specialist over it~ her family doctor seems to think she'll have to have surgery over it.... but I'm just now starting to research through the details.

As to your decision being based in part on what others experiences have been.... that was my point sweetie~ not one of their cases will be like yours. There are many differences that makes it an individual experience. From weight, to how well your body heals, how diligent one is with their exercising, the skill of your surgeon, the hospital you choose, to the diet you maintain during your recovery can even effect things. I think what your looking for is to know that there are people that lead "normal lives" afterward.... it at least makes the decision process less scarey. But what you have to realize too is... the more you hear the complexity of this case, the problems with that case or complications that person is still struggling through and on the other hand hear the terrific out come or the patient that returned to work in under 10 wks. or how pain free you'll be afterward~ all that tends to make your mind just wonder more about what's right for you... should you do this or that changes & becomes well that way~ so & so's didn't turn out or should I do that~ so & so's been running everyday since. It kinda adds salt to a wound that is already hurting bad enough you trying to make the decision on your own. I suppose what I'm getting at... yes it's good to seek the boards for information & support on matters... but no don't let what's said play into your calculating what's right for you. Listen to your doctors suggestions they know your case history & issues at hand even seek a second option to see a different side to the matter..... listen to what your body is telling you.... say your prayers on the matter if your a believer for help to make the right choice then do just that. If you seek information here to help choose what's right... you could very well be punishing yourself because your merely adding hundreds of additional views & what's worked FOR THEM. Yes advise is good~ but we all know anything good also has a bad side to it.

The very first post I responded to that you'd wrote says to me~ "I'm so confused about what's right to do... would someone kindly speak up to lead me in the right direction". Don't get me wrong... I think you've done yourself a great deed accessing the boards FOR SUPPORT or helpful hints during your recovery process etc.... and an ever greater benefit is you seem on top of the matter. Your researching but your also seeking alternatives to ease your pain without jumpin right into surgery just because it was mentioned. The boards can be a huge benefit but on the other hand they leave some even more confused & left with even more questions then they started with which as an end result translates to one being aggreivated & dazzed about the "right choice". Because they sought it looking for answers and left it with some unresolved but worse a list added to the answers needed. Just don't drive yourself wiggy over it. You know your body better then anyone... you'll also know when the time is right for you to do something about it. I think your research & dedication to exhausting all possible treatments will lead you in the right direction. And I for one think Judy will make the best decision & regardless of what's ahead of her in that choice.... she'll do just fine! Have faith in YOUR opunion & your decision... after all it will be what's best for you. Walk well~

Yesterday I got cortisone injections; they have helped a little, not the total way they helped a year ago >>> Happy 2 hear they at least helped some. Have you ever tried a combination of anti~inflammory with pain meds ? That helped me for several yrs before I actually had my surgery done.