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Osteo in both knees.

Posted , 4 users are following.

dennis50814
dennis50814

For years I have been suffering with knee problems and knew I had Osteo in both knees.

​I visited my GP who told me I am too young at 59 to endure the operation. I visited him again with a more solid approach but he got very angry and told me I was putting him under pressure. He refused again. I recently changed my GP who had no problem sending me for X Rays and to see a consultant.

​I have been there this morning and the Surgeon is more than willing to goahead to replace one of the knees. During the interview he told me of the problems which could occur saying 1in 5 will be dissapointed and will call the surgeon for not doing it correctly. He told me of the difficulties that could arise after the op and all this has put me right off. My wife seems a bit cautious for me after hearing what he said.

I am in pain when I walk and I struggle to get about properly. My feet are also aching and I walk now flat footed. The surgeon says this is because of the Osteo in both knees and it would rectify the way I walk.

​He was also concerned about my weight, I am currently 104 KG and wants me to lose at least a stone before he would operate. This weight situation could be a stumbling bloc but I shall have to try harder at the Gym.

Who has endured the op and is it all they say it is afterwards?

Kind regards Dennis

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • loxie
    loxie dennis50814

    Posted

    Hi Dennis.  I haven't had surgery but I do have friends/relatives who have and in most cases there's been vast improvement post surgery.  Your surgeon is however 100% right to warn you of possible complications and to make sure you are fully aware of the risks involved and not have too high expectations.  That said his assessment of 1 in 5 still means that 80% are fully successful, pretty good odds really.  I do understand the difficulties with weight loss, particularly if you are so much less able to exercise because of the arthritis but you definitely will significantly lessen your chances of a successful outcome if you do not lose the weight as recommended.  Being overweight will not only put too much strain on the new joint but will also mean that you have internal fat around critical organs, which makes major surgery of this type very high risk.  It's going to be hard work but think of the rewards to you if you manage it and get better.  It's only a question of reducing/improving your food intake really - isn't that easier than a life of disability and pain?
  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 dennis50814

    Posted

    Hi Dennis!

    I had my left knee replaced in June and my RIGHT KNEE replaced four weeks ago.

    Prior to surgery I had HORRIBLE pain in both knees.

    Today my husband and I are heading out Christmas shopping for the day! This would have been next to impossible for me prior to surgery! Both knees were BONE-ON-BONE with no cartilage. Had bone spurs at one time but literally wore them off!

    I am 64, have a first grandchild and our youngest son is getting married next year. I am SO GRATEFUL I have two new knees that are not painful.

    Find a doctor you trust, and don't be afraid to ask all the questions you want. Insist on seeing your X-RAYS. Eat well and keep hydrated. Losing weight isn't easy when you are hurting with each step! Watching carbs helps. Protein and vegetables are your friends!

    Keep in touch.

    You CAN do this!

  • dennis50814
    dennis50814

    Posted

    Thank you for the kind replies. I have lost over a stone since last February because I joined a Gym and have a great level of fitness. I do work out hard but I do find trying to get more weight off a bit of a struggle.

    I do eat healthy with plenty Veg etc but we do have a treat at Weekends when we probably go for a curry and a few beers.

    ​It is comforting to know that people on here have had successful operations and are active after it.

    ​My wife and myself recently returned from a Midweek break to Bratislava, I struggled to get around and had to keep finding a seat every ten mins or so. The pain in my left knee was unbarable and my right knee kept giving way.

    ​I am 60 in December and a similar break has been booked for my Birthday treat but this had already been booked before the last trip.

    ​All I want in life is to do be able to walk without too much discomfort and to be able to walk our little dog without being in pain.

    Kind regards Dennis.

  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 dennis50814

    Posted

    Hello Dennis, I am sorry your suffering the pain of Arthritis. I have had my left knee replaced twice due to childhood arthritis. My first one at 39 and the second one at 52. I can say that my first one was very successful and i was walking well after recuperation, about 3 months approx. I had virtually no pain for at least ten years. My second one was more complicated as i had to have it replaced again with a broken leg. I had bone graft and pernament stents to give me support and have used a stick ever since. I also suffer nerve pain. Yours would be more straight forward and in most cases are successful. I think the younger you are the easier the mobility is after a knee replacement. I hear of less successful ones in much older people. You are still young and why not have some pain free years now while you can still enjoy your life. All operations carry risks such as infections and blood loss, but the prognosis should be good. If you can loose some weight this will help you. Going to the gym will keep you fit but you won't loose weight. Look at how much your eating, it may be quanitiy you need to watch. It is hard to lose weight when our mobility is poor. Some surgeons are not willing to operate because the younger you are for a first knee replacement usuall means you will need another one in your lifetime and second ones are less successful. You need to weigh everything up and decied on the pros and cons. I had no choice with mine due to deformity and my ligaments had gone and i needed my tibia and fibia straightened. They did a marvelous job with mine. 

    Best wishes.

    Elizabeth.

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