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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/15/2013 Posts: 125
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Hi all you lovely people I have just had knee x ray results (over the phone)which show severe arthritis at the back of the knee. My knee has been getting progressively worse for a while and is now very swollen and prescription painkillers are not very effective at all  This is osteo as opposed to rheumatoid as if that isn't enough to put up with so was wondering if all you knee experts can help. I have been reading previous threads regarding knee replacements and chuckling at your antics  Before the x ray it was suggested that I could see a specialist with a view to either an arthroscopy or a replacement A bit minor or a bit major me thinks!!! But now have been told I def need to see an orthopaedic surgeon. I'm seeing GP this week to get referral. Meanwhile I have been Googling--- A dangerous thing to do. What I have read seems to imply that when the symptoms reach the stage they have, that a total replacement is the best option. Any opinions out there??? Am trying to keep smiling  Hope you are all having an ok day and if you are not, have a hug! And if you ARE have a hug too! Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Julie,
there are people who have had knee replacement's here who i am sure will post soon,
i am not the best person to ask really .. i have bad Osteo in both my knee's, i'm down to bone on bone and have been fome some years and can only walk a very short distance, and at home .. need a wheelchair for distance, but i am going to hang on to my knee's if i can.
my GP actually agree's with me, for me it would be a huge decision to undergo a knee replacement op, and i know they can be very successful but then again they also can't as i have known this happen to people i know.
my knee's are double the size, and yes i have pain if i stand on them for too long, or try for any distance walking ( seldom do ) but i have no discomfort sleeping or sitting.
it really is a personal choice and of course how you feel you are able to cope,
if i can carry on as i am then that's fine with me.
and agree don't Google it is very dangerous and at time's scary!!
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/2/2012 Posts: 670 Location: where the sun always shines :o
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Hello Julie I had total knee replacement February this year age 40 My orth surgeon said that my knees were from osteo wear & tear. The choices we're keep popping painkillers or surgery. Glad to be a wake   some me time listening to my iPod and seeing my leg swinging in the air!!!! The joys of epidurals! The worst thing was post op and morphine.....made me feel like I've been on a cruise and vomiting!!  The nurses will guide you to when you are ready to start being mobile in hospital. You start off on a Zimmer frame and progress to crutches/sticks. NHS is fantastic and I still have my weekly physio session. Since February I've progressed to gym and dog walking!    My quality of mobility has been better than pre op I only take painkillers morning and nite time. Glad I have had the op, sad to of had it so young. Good luck with your decision. Jane Xxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/2/2012 Posts: 670 Location: where the sun always shines :o
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Ps/
I don't walk with sticks anymore!
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/15/2013 Posts: 125
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Thanks Suzanne and Jane for your different views .I know only I can make the final decision but your views are helpful.
I think I would love NOT to go down that route but am used to being very active - dog walking, gym, work and grandchildren care etc and am finding it hard to be relatively inactive and so reliant on painkillers
Have just got a referral from GP to an orthopaedic guy so will go with an open mind!
Hope your adoption medical went well Jane
Julie x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/2/2012 Posts: 670 Location: where the sun always shines :o
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Good luck Julie, I remember the surgeon mentioning YouTube and knee replacements to music.....not something I will take a look at!! Thank you, adoption medical didn't happen.....I got the tine wrong  Just under 2 weeks to wait. I hot hubby time for his medical (the day before) mixed up with mine! Felt gutted.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hi only just caught up with this post. I am in the same position. Saw surgeon well over a year ago. He was very good said a replacement was needed but totally up to me to decide when, unless my knee started to turn in. Have eventually decided to go for it if I want to get about better and do more. Should have been tomorrow but been postponed. It is massive decision to make and involves major surgery, but one we can only make ourselves. The only advice I would give is to take your time. Do not rush into anything and it can always be done at a later date. Zena xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/15/2013 Posts: 125
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thanks Zena & so sorry yours has been postponed Not good news.
I have actually seen consultant today and he says he thinks at the moment I could get away with a partial replacement --Still major surgery and a big decision but I am 99% certain that I am going to go ahead as I am really struggling at the moment.
More of a problem at the moment is my workplace is not too happy at the time I will need off! They should try living with it!!
Take care
Julie x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/15/2013 Posts: 125
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Hello lovely people
thought I would just update!
After much thought and consideration and reading of previous threads regarding knee replacements (thanks especially Jane and Jenni----where is Jenni??) I have decided to go ahead with this.
As long as my husband carries on working we have private healthcare insurance so have decided to go down this route mainly for the convenience of being able to chose a suitable date--This has at least given my boss the chance to employ someone to cover me at work. I was offered a date in January but that didn't go down too well.A bit annoying as I could have been up and running by now!??!@@!
So February it is .I have my pre op on Thursday and the op is next week on the 13th. Which is NOT Friday!
I'm usually a fairly calm person but am just beginning to get a bit jittery and feeling a bit agitated.I guess this is just normal!
Considering a blog!
Sending hugs to you all and hope you are having an ok day
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Hi Julie I feel the need to say 'everything will be fine', even though I know nothing about knee surgery.  I've had carpal tunnel surgery twice, once on NHS and once on health insurance. Much better process with the private, neater stitches too. Wish you the best of luck and hope all goes well. Angie Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Good luck Julie - I hope the op goes well and you make a good and speedy recovery. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/2/2012 Posts: 670 Location: where the sun always shines :o
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Good luck to you! Jenni is around - she is on social media. Are you on twitter? Let me know, and I post her twitter name Xxxxx You be fine xxxxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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good luck hope you recover quickly and all works out well for you, Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 302
Location: Rainham Kent
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Good Luck
Hope it goes as well as mine did(do). Keep doing the exercises will help in the long run.
Sorry no pun intended.
Anne
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/15/2013 Posts: 125
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Thanks all I have been for my pre op today and am now feeling much happier (if happy is the right word when facing a sharp scalpel!) and reassured about everything. And my ECG was fine too--I think I was as worried about that as much as anything  Counting down the days Love Julie x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Good to see you have been reassured. Will 'look forward' to your updates. Angie Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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