Hi I've just been diagnosed with OA

why is doctor saying you are too young for knee replacement operation ? because the younger you are the quicker you will heal. The older you are the longer it will take to heal after the operation.

Hi trex, thanx for your comment, My doctor even thinks I'm too young to have OA, but I think it started when I was 39 and back then a different doctor said " Your getting on a bit so it's probably the start of arthritis " they were not very sympathetic back then.

They make assumptions based on the majority.

I had developed gout (a form of arthirtis) in my early 20's but usually people get it when their much, way older

Hi Dawn

I can completely sympathise with you. I started getting arthritic pain in my late 30's in my neck and lumbar spine. I also had shoulder pain in my 20's. Eventually I had an MRI and I was found to have 4 degenerated discs in my neck and 2 in my lumbar spine. I too was told I was far to young. As there years have gone on I am now 50) I have osteoarthritis in my hips and shoulders plus bursitis. I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS/ME. I continued working until 1 month ago and then the stress and tiredness became too much.

At 50 you expect to see signs of osteo is it just your knee you struggle with? Did you have an MRI to confirm a positive diagnosis? Has your doctor referred you to an orthopedic consultant who can give you either a steroid or other injection into the joint which should the provide you with several months of relief?

I hope you can get some further help.

Hi Gizmo

I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering so much, I don't feel as bad compared to you, and have not even heard of your other conditions.

I have always done manual work up until 2 yrs ago, so I think a lot of my painful joints are down to wear and tear, which they say that's what OA is, I have also started getting pain in my left shoulder and both my hands (only first thing in the morning though ), which sometimes makes it hard to undo bottles/jars.

I do feel too young to be suffering with these pains at 52, and would have expected these sort of problems once I hit 60, but apparently women are more prone to getting OA once they have started their menopause, which I started very early at 39, so that's probably why I've now got this.

My doctor has only diagnosed me from my medical history and an examination, he has not referred me to a consultant or sent me for any x-ray/MRI, or offered the injection, but If the pain does get a lot worse I will be asking for them.

Thank you and I hope you too, get the help and pain relief you need .

Hi Dawn

Yes, I also felt too young when I was first properly diagnosed at 43. Wasn't too happy when I was told I had bones of a 70 year old!! I recently had a steroid injection which has helped me pain wise but when it wears off I go back to where I started from. With OA you will have around 30 to 45 minute of stiffness in the mornings but it should ease as the day goes on. I completely understand difficulty with jars - dropped a few on the floor too :-). I also started my menopause early and I am now post menopausal so may very well have something to do with it plus cold and damp us not good for our joints.

I wish you well and hope you do get some help through your GP. Please let me know how you get on.

Take care, Paula

Hi dawn , I am 43 and was diagnosed with oa about 2 months ago after being in pain for over 10 years I got a new doctor who sent me for a hip X-ray and they found servere oa , I was then passed over to a oa consultent who said I need a new hip so this Friday 2nd may I am having a thr , I also have oa in the spine and neck which he will look at after my op , they said I will have at least 3 thr in my lifetime , my advise is to see another doctor as yout not to old to have oa