I am 35, and getting a knee replacement. Yikes!

Fit4LifeAR

I started having knee pain 7-8 years ago. Doctor after doctor told me that there was nothing wrong, I just needed to lose weight and my knee would stop hurting. Fast forward to a year ago, I finally went to a doctor who thought i should get an MRI done, that maybe something was really wrong. The MRI showed two areas of bone on bone, so they went in to perform a newer cartilage surgery. When they got in my knee during the surgery, they found three full areas of bone on bone and a torn meniscus. He cleaned up what he could, canceled the surgery plan and told me I needed a total knee replacement. I had already been getting shots for the past 2 or 3 years, so we continued to do that for as long as we could. Now, a year later, every single step hurts. So, I went back to my doc and I basically have two options, go in to pain management and start taking stronger pain meds for the next 5 years or so, or go ahead with the replacement. My concern with holding off and taking stronger pain meds is we want to have another baby in a year, so the doc said I will have to stop using any and all pain medicine, except for Tylenol. He said, and I agree, that even walking would be difficult at that point. Heck, it's difficult now with prescription ibuprofen. Anyhow, after weighing the risks and quality of life, I decided that it was best if I got the knee done now, and we had our next baby in about a year. I'm not sure I am doing the right thing, but I am so tired of being in pain. I can hardly work out anymore, and with one toddler, and hopefully another one soon, I don't want to live in the fog of prescription pain pills. I know there is a high risk that I will need another replacement 15-20 years down the road, but the doctor mentioned that medicine will advance so much in that time, that the technology will be much better. That gives me hope...

CrazyMermaid1

My problem is in the morning when I get up I can hardly walk. I've been told a knee replacement is in my future. But my weight loss has helped.

JeromeBarry1

I think you are making the right choice. Both my mother and my wife have gone through years of prescription fog and it's really hard on the kids when mom is stoned. Mom died young and Mrs had a cervical discectomy a few years ago and got out of the fog.

DylsGrandma

I have had knee pain before and I know how difficult the pain can be. Sending prayers for the knee and your desire for a baby!

caammph

I think you have very carefully weighed the options available and made the best decision for you and your family based on the information available to you. Only you can know what is the right choice for you and your family. Best of luck to you, that's a really hard decision to make.

kaydensmom2009

I feel your pain, literally. I have had juvenile osteoarthritis since I have been 11, so almost 15 years. My knees ache so bad like a cavity, especially after working out, that I usually have to ice and elevate. I also take lots of ibuprofen to help with the pain and swelling. Walking up and down stairs is even very painful for me, I can't alternate legs, I have to step with my right foot always (my left knee is the worst). I'm so scared to get a knee replacement, not because of the risk of the procedure but because of the process of recovery, and I am the main breadwinner so I need to wait at least a few years before I can afford a leave of abcense.

47Jacqueline

If you need to do this, I'd suggest pre-op conditioning with an aquatics specialist. And again afterwards. I'd actually suggest that as an alternative, but it sounds like you already decided to go the medical route. Good luck.

Fit4LifeAR

47Jacqueline wrote: »

If you need to do this, I'd suggest pre-op conditioning with an aquatics specialist. And again afterwards. I'd actually suggest that as an alternative, but it sounds like you already decided to go the medical route. Good luck.

Luckily, I am in really good shape and have been on a strengthening program for years. I still do it now, although I have had to reduce the weight on my legs and have had to reduce how many times a week I lift. When I do squats now, it's a good 3-4 days before I stop hurting enough to do it again.

Fit4LifeAR

And I have done PT for years before my surgery, and then for a few months after.

caammph

Sounds to me like you've exhausted all the other options. I applaud you for being so proactive in your own medical care!

Khazadoom

Notice there are not any posts from men here....will change that. I had both of my knees done (two months apart) about four years ago......both were totally bone on bone. I had a surgery done called Macoplasticy....by a doctor named Jimmy Chow in Phoenix. I walked out of the hospital the next day...with a walker....spent four days on the walker....two weeks with a cane.....lots of rehab. I now have a Fitbit, and walk an average on 9.8 miles per day. You seriously need to consider this if it is not what you are having done. Changed my life.

bsexton3

20 years ago, I had daily pain, and the doctor told me to lose weight to delay a knee surgery. technology would be better in 20 years. I lost 75 pounds and haven't had pain again until a year ago. I am not far behind you on the knee replacement. Fortunately, I put it off until 54. Yet, had the pain not gone away, I would have had it then. I have seen too many people addicted to pain medication, or in a fog for too many years.

Good luck on the surgery, and take care on the recovery. Options will be different in 20 years if you need it again.

Fit4LifeAR

Surgery is now officially scheduled...June 13th. I know it's going to be a rough few months, but I can't wait to be 6 months from now, on the way to being pain free. Today is one of the worst days I've had in a while, and squashed all of my reservations. Continuing like this for another 4 to 5 years is just not ok.

fitnesscat78

just remember you will be able to play more with Karli and JJ and use the warm water pool at the ymca when you can we go in there for Rob.

cpomietto37

I had my knee replaced last July at 32 years old. At that point, I had a daughter who just turned 2 and a son just about to turn 5. I had my first surgery at 17, and my replacement was my 6th surgery on my right knee. I went the pain management route for a few months, but it wasn't for me. With small children, I was only taking meds at night when my husband was home, so it really didn't do much for me. The replacement was honestly the best thing ever. My MCL was torn and had to be repaired at the same time, so that slowed my recovery slightly, but not too much. I was also in PT longer because I was their youngest patient to have a replacement and they wanted to be sure I had strength back to keep up with my kids. I'm more limited than most knee replacement patients now, but mostly because of my age and we want to get as much life as possible out of this knee. For example, I'm not supposed to run, ski, ride horseback, climb ladders - but that's purely due to preservation, not ability. Each time you have to have a replacement, they have to take bone out, which is why they don't like doing too many. At 33, I can't afford to wear this knee out in 10 years. Anyway, if you need advice or just want to chat, message me!

alisonkuan

bsexton3 wrote: »

20 years ago, I had daily pain, and the doctor told me to lose weight to delay a knee surgery. technology would be better in 20 years. I lost 75 pounds and haven't had pain again until a year ago. I am not far behind you on the knee replacement. Fortunately, I put it off until 54. Yet, had the pain not gone away, I would have had it then. I have seen too many people addicted to pain medication, or in a fog for too many years.

Good luck on the surgery, and take care on the recovery. Options will be different in 20 years if you need it again.

bsexton3 wrote: »

20 years ago, I had daily pain, and the doctor told me to lose weight to delay a knee surgery. technology would be better in 20 years. I lost 75 pounds and haven't had pain again until a year ago. I am not far behind you on the knee replacement. Fortunately, I put it off until 54. Yet, had the pain not gone away, I would have had it then. I have seen too many people addicted to pain medication, or in a fog for too many years.

Good luck on the surgery, and take care on the recovery. Options will be different in 20 years if you need it again.

Hi, 20 years back did u do MRI n what cause the knee pain ? Any damage in Meniscus or cartilage that cause the pain ? Just by losing weight u have no pain n sis u take any anti-inflammation medicine ? Thks

1948Peachy

I had a knee replacement last April at age 70! Due to strength training before the surgery and a good pain block during it, I was up walking without a walker the next day (actually cooked breakfast for my husband). Then I did 8 sessions of PT and regularly iced the knee and took Alleve. My biggest problems was going down steps (we park in the basement) but now I can do it. Do not regret the surgery at all.

geraldaltman

I have a brother who had knee replaced gave me this simple advice prior to my hip replacements earlier this year, "work hard during PT, it's everything!" It's true!! It's so true, I continue doing it even months after. I just do the exercises in pool now!

LyndaBSS

I had both knees and one hip replaced in my 50's, due to osteoarthritis. As long as you commit to your physical therapy afterwards, you'll do great. I was driving after 10 days with my last knee and had pt for 3-4 weeks.

I personally found the hip to be much harder recovery than the knees. The worse your pre-surgery condition, the harder the recovery.

Don't wait too long. Get it done before your pain becomes unmanageable.

Gisel2015

Zombie thread from 5/19/2016. I hope that the OP had a successful surgery and rehab.

LyndaBSS

I hate when I get eaten by zombie threads. 😡