Damn. After all these years, it's happening again.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

When I was just forty two I had my first total knee replacement because of degenerative arthritis. The operation was the culmination of about eight years of steadily increasing pain and countless nights of my knee swelling to twice its normal size. I can't tell you how many times I drove to the emergency room in the middle of the night to have my knee aspirated (which means having a gigantic needle stuck into the knee joint to drain the fluid).

Strangely, only my left knee was affected- my right knee seemed to escape any sort of degeneration and I had no pain or weakness in it. Given that my disease otherwise for the most part seemed to act symmetrically on my body, I counted my blessings and said a lot of Thank You prayers.

It seems my luck has run out- starting almost to the day of my fifty first birthday, the pain, looseness, and general weakness began for the first time in my right knee. Even though I'm now on a very powerful arthritis medication (Remicade), it looks like I'm beginning the long painful process all over again.

I'm not as physically OR mentally strong as I used to be, so I don't know how I'll handle it this time 'round. I do have a nice knee brace, but after a few hours on my feet it makes my leg go numb, and taking it off just sets off the throbbing pain. If I don't wear it I have the steady pain every step I take. No happy medium to be found here!

I was really hoping to avoid this. Looks like I won't be able to.

This really sucks.

[Heidi]

1. Good vibes to you.

My mother-in-law is 70, and she'll have each of her knees replaced in the next year, due to old ski injuries and degenerative arthritis. She was told at her last consultation that a knee replacement lasts only about 10 years. Did your surgeon tell you how long your knee replacement was expected to last?

:hug:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. With care the new ones can last up to 15 years and more

My first one lasted five years- my leg was twisted so far out of line the original operation was unable to completely straighten it, so it worked loose from the bone over time. I've since retired from physical labor and so hope the second one lasts the full fifteen years- I've had it three years so far.

[pitohui]

2. oh my heart goes out to you

that just effin' stinks! i hate freckin osteoarthritis! one of my friends was first attacked by this stupid disease in his teens

best of luck to you in whatever you decide, which probably will be to get the knee replaced, it should give you many more good years

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

5. I had the first symptoms in my mid twenties

but had no idea what they were about, so it went undiagnosed for quite a few years.

[KitchenWitch]

4. I am sorry!

I wish I could wave a wand and take away the pain.

I have had my left hip replaced twice (I am 42 now). First time was when I was 29.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. Owie.

Hip replacements are very much more painful than knees. When I was in therapy after my second replacement I watched a big bad biker who had had a hip replacement, and he was reduced to tears daily. Brutal.

[KitchenWitch]

7. You know, that is funny. I always thought knees were more brutal!

I know that for the revision (the second replacement) I was on a Dilaudid drip.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. Actually, not really.

I was on my feet the next day (using a walker), and once the surgical pain was gone the only pain was from the bending and flexing therapy, and that can be moderated a bit. Not hard for me at all, although I understand it can be far worse for some than others.

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. Holding good thoughts for you

Had left knee blowout in '83 while creating some awesome choreography, and didn't get it fixed until '92. (couldn't afford it until I had insurance)

The right knee is crunchy...arthritis and too many years (35) of dancing ballet and jazz. What I'm experiencing is probably only a tenth of what you have going on...am 52, and hoping it all holds out indefinitely.

Sure hope you can make it through with the meds. And if you do have to have the operation on your other knee, sure hope you have the love and the physical support of others to get you through :hug:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

10. Ballet is brutal on the body in the long run

You must be incredibly strong and/or disciplined. Crunchy (indeed one of my symptoms) means worsening physical damage. Sad to tell you it will NOT hold out indefinitely. :cry:

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. At least it's not slipping like the the left knee did

Left knee has patella about 1/4 of normal size due to the blowout. Right knee, so far, isn't popping in and out...yet! :::fingers crossed for the long haul:::


yeah...ballet and jazz dancing is brutal, but I loved every minute if it. Used to dance 65 hours a week. these days, 2-3 turns on the dance floor is plenty.