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Please help- arthritis in kneecaps at 42!

Posted , 10 users are following.

CharlieP
CharlieP

Please can someone offer me some advice. My husband is only 42 and is suffering badly from arthritis in his kneecaps. He has seen several doctors and specialists and they have told him nothing can be done for him- they won't operate because they say it won't help and won't give him a knee replacement because he is too young. My husband can't sleep at nights because of the pain and is taking multiple painkillers just to get through each day. It is affecting his quality of life already and will only get worse. The doctor has told him in a few years he will be unable to work. We are both devastated.

Basically what I am asking is is there anywhere we can go where we can pay for a knee replacement or some treatment which will alleviate his pain? Surely he cannot just be expected to suffer for 20 years until they deem him old enough for a replacement?

please help.

 

0 likes, 31 replies

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  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 CharlieP

    Posted

    Are you in the USA?
    • CharlieP
      CharlieP cheryl90571

      Posted

      No we are in the uk. But to be honest we would be willing to travel anywhere if someone could help us! 
    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 CharlieP

      Posted

      I am familiar only with the USA, but there are MANY wonderful people on this site who can direct you to places in your area.

      You are right to fight for your husband! It is a terrible thing to be in pain!

      My physical therapist had a double knee replacement at age 42. Osteoarthritis ran in her family. She is fully recovered and pain-free. She was back at work within about six months.

      She EASILY got down on the floor to check my knee and was quite flexible. She told me that her surgery brought her life back.

      You will get some help here very soon. Keep checking your discussion thread.

      There is always something you can do! Getting a different doctor sounds like a really good next step!

      Keep us posted on your progress with this.

      Never, EVER give up!

    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 CharlieP

      Posted

      That's the attitude!😊

      Every person is different, and no two knees even on the same body react in the same way!

      Doctors who make sweeping generalizations are NOT truly looking at the individual.

      You will find the right doctor who will help you.

      Your husband is a lucky guy to have you! He will be playing with your son in no time. Keep the faith!😇

  • wknight
    wknight CharlieP

    Posted

    Have you seen a specialist privately or on the NHS?

    If only on the NHS, I would findout who is the BEST knee person in your area and get a private referral. Treatment does seem to be different, I have had 2 finger joint replacements but was told it was unlikely to be offered on the NHS

    • CharlieP
      CharlieP wknight

      Posted

      He has seen both private and NHS consultants and both have refused a knee replacement.
  • barbara51733
    barbara51733 CharlieP

    Posted

    Hi Charlie I hope your ok. I am 43 and have osteoarthritis in both knees and now in my hip I am on morphine patches and lots of other pain killers. My consultant is brilliant and told me the long term affect on me about having both knees replaced at my age . I am having my left done first in the next month he told me he would never refuse any patient but if it affects the quality of life which it does he will do it. No one should refuse your husband it's just not fair I have been so close to the edge I kniw exactly how your husband feels. Go back and push them as it's affecting the quality of his live. I really hope it works out you and your husband.
    • CharlieP
      CharlieP barbara51733

      Posted

      Thank you, this gives us some hope at least! 

      My husband has a pretty physical job and LOVES to work, he is struggling  on painkillers at the minute and in my opinion is taking too many but it's the only way he can continue working.

      Maybe if we go to another gp or a different specialist we can push it further.

    • barbara51733
      barbara51733 CharlieP

      Posted

      Yes do go to another gp. As your husband tried the patches they are so much better and they get released into your system every hour you just have to change them weekly. I had to give up work in April I was devastated but couldn't carry on. Take care.
    • CharlieP
      CharlieP barbara51733

      Posted

      No I havnt heard of the patches but will def look into them, thank you.
  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 CharlieP

    Posted

    Hi, 

    I'd agree with others here and ask to see a knee specialist. Where are you in UK?

    However, two things might help you asap: how heavy is your hubby?   It will help enormously if he is or can get to the correct healthy bmi weight. Makes a big difference to knees and may help more than anything.  The other thing which may help him is to get a padded mattress topper - depending on how he sleeps. 

     

    • CharlieP
      CharlieP sparkle1

      Posted

      We are in Northern Ireland! 

      Hubby is a well built man but by no means overweight. But yes we will work on losing a few lbs.Thanks

  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 CharlieP

    Posted

    Hi

    there is one other thing which may offer you some hope.   The first clinical trials for using stem cells to re-grow cartilege in knees are currently being conducted with arthritis UK in the UK.   These are trials at clinical stage. There are 3 centres in UK conducting them. So treatment not currently available but one woudl think that within 3 to 5 years it would be and this would negate reqirement for a knee replacement in many cases. If you search web - i cant tell you the sites or this post will be barred - you will find them.  I wouldn't volunteer to be a guinea pig as these are the first trials but they are now testing on humans in UK hospitals so this is not years away  - this is relatively close.  If you search you will find the key guys doing the work and it might be worth going to see them privately to see what they say if you are desperate.  Also, your specilaist may know /probably does know this is not in the not-so-distant future and thus might be more reluctant to operate n someone so young. You will be able to find out about this if you either search internet or type in Scholar and then it will divert you to more learned articles on subject.

     

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