I have had osteoarthritis in my right knee for almost 3 years

I can't speak for knees but I can speak for fingers. Mine were badly swollen one was very painful one was not. I used voltarol gel and once had a steroid injection which gave some relief.

Now I am pain free and have movement back, thanks to joint replacement. Swelling is all gone and its wonderful. I would warn you that on my second finger I had no pain, it just went very stiff. Surgeon informed me that I had left it too long because I was waiting for it to be painful,  so I would get to your GP and get a referral to a specialist.

Hello Jane, The Swelling with Osteoarthritis is usually inflamation rather than fluid. Knee replacements are usually only considered when walking is difficult and your age is taken into consideration. I have had my left knee replaced twice thou i am only 58 due to childhood Arthritis.  It is worth getting a referal to see what other options are available. My first knee replacement i had no pain but the second one is causing nerve pain and mobility is poor, this is why knee replacements are not considered at young ages. I cannot comment on the swelling going down as i have had permament swelling due to childhood operations.

Elizabeth. 

Thank you Elizabeth  and wknight. I certainly don't have any mobility problems, just the problem when sitting and in bed during the night. I've heard various reports of replacement knees and not all of them good.  For that reason I would much prefer to avoid that.  Interesting what your surgeon said Wknight about stiffness and Elizabeth your mobility issue doesn't sound too good.I do hope that will improve for you and quickly. It does look as though I need to see the gp though and ask about options. Maybe a first steop would be these cortisone injections, but I'll have to wait and see.  Thank you both anyway.

With new knees comes swelling for about a year according to my doctor. My worst swelling was over after about five weeks post surgery.

I have no arthritic pain in my artificial knee although I am still recovering from my SURGICAL PAIN from seven weeks ago.

My Total Knee Replacement was very successful. I have already scheduled KNEE #2 for October.

I used to walk 5-6 miles a day (2000-2007) Over that time I lost 80 pounds. An injury curtailed my walking and then my husband and I took care of my 99 year old mother in our home for two years.

I believe the walking initially HELPED due to the weight loss, but it also damaged my arthritic knees and probably destroyed cartilage, too. I always needed pain medication before and after walking. The added stress of caring for my mother 24/7 kicked my arthritis and my husband'diabetic pheripheral neuropathy into overdrive.

For me, surgery always was the only option. If my insurance company would have admitted it, they SHOULD have OKd surgery in 2007. I waited eight years with increasing pain each year instead.

Waiting...

Bad move on THEIR part and on MINE!