Too Young for Op? - Severe Patellofemoral Arthritis

Hi Heids

I have suffered all the same problems as you in my left knee

From a very young age fast forward about 48 years i fanily had a TKR a year ago i syffered realy bad pain from my late forties and like yourself eas told by different doctors it's so frustrating and i feel your pain and annoyance there seems to be this stigma that you have to be in you sixties before being considered you need to keep plugging away at your GP and stress to them how it is affecting your life

I really hope you get some better news soon take care

Johnny.

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your replies.  It's been so nice to receive such lovely responses and to read about other people's experiences.

I wouldn't say I'm overweight, like everyone we all would like that lose a little, but I'm happy with my weight. When I was in my early teens I was unhappy with my weight mainly my legs, but I've lost a lot since then. I weigh under 9 stone (probably 8 1/2 stone), so it's not too bad.

What I think is annoying is if I had seen the specialist with exactly the same problem and same results but I was 50 or over then my name would be down on the waiting list and for the sake of 3 years, why couldn't he just say it's fine to do it now rather than try delay it.  I don't like the idea of waiting 3 years or more with pain when I'm ready in my mind for the operation now.   It's probably cutting costs for them. 

Thank you Johnny, it's nice to know someone else has had the same experience,  hope you're knee is really good.

Hey I had a Left TKR on July 26,2017. I am 46 yrs old, I am 10 weeks post-op and I have to get aMUA. Because I have a lot of scar tissue and my kneecap is locked in place. Make sure you do your research this is a very hard drawn out surgery that I wish I would have never gotten.  I tried all shots and scope and nothing worked. Always get second opinion as well. 

I had bilateral replacements in my knees in my 50's. If both had not been done I would not have had the surgery because of the issues I've seen others experience. Them I'm very allergic to a Lot of meds. Age has NOTHING to do with pain!!! Since the surgery and pt my life has improved tremendously. I'm working every day and very blessed. By the Grace of God my knees do not bother me. I'm very thankful for Dr. Murray listening and for him doing time surgery.

For those who are experiencing soreness, if you bathe your knees with Witch hazel it helps pull the soreness out and if you can use shea butter mixed with coconut oil after patting the knee dry, rubbing it in thoroughly for 5 minutes or more will help. You can mix half cup Shea butter/ 3 Tablespoons coconut oil I use a clean chop stick to blend this together until very smooth. Keep in a cool place and cover. If it spills it is a greasy mess to clean up. I use a rubber maid container to mix and keep mine in.

Take just a small amount, rub your hands together and then massage your knee with it. It works. You may not see immediate results but, keep using it will really help over time. It also helps the skin of your knee. When you relax your knee you should be able to move your knee cap and that also helps at least my pt.recommended that I should be also doing this every day to help with the healing. At first it did not feel good but, I'm so glad I did. Don't have any knee cap issues and it does just fine. I'm praying that you will improve quickly. Blessings, have to go to work.

Hi, 

I’m 39 and I’m 40 next month. I had a couple sporting injuries start of the year and I needed a MRI as the orthopaedic surgeon through I tore my meniscus. What my scan highlighted what a lot of chronic stuff that was already there.  I have absolutely no Cartlidge on one side of my knee, patellafemoral tracking and severe arthritis. I’m on a huge lifestyle change and have been for 18 months and have lost about 50 kilos with more to go. It’s ironic I had no probs with my knee untill a recent injury.  The long and short of it is I’m doing specific s physio in regarding patella femoral work to try and strengthen the quads to pull my knee cap over a bit to take the pressure off. Essentially he said that will help but won’t fix the problem as I have bone on bone and I can’t manufacture cartilage and I am inline for a partial knee replacement. I get a lot of knee cap pain and lateral knee pain. Sometimes it’s better than others. Sometimes it feels like giving away. ATM I can still function and do things. I ran a half marathon last Sunday I prob shouldn’t of done lol but it was a bucket list thing of how far I’ve come.  So for me atm my treatment is contained weight loss, physio and cortisone. I’ve had one shot that lasted 2 months.  The surgeon said they don’t treat the scan they treat the patient. So he said when I can’t handle the pain anymore that’s when I need to get it done. He said some might do a arthroscopy but he said he doesn’t see the point esp on my case.  I’m hoping this surgery is a few years off yet but I’ll just see how things pan out. I guess there is the question of the arthritis getting worse or spreading as I get older and other question is is it better to get it earlier rather than later to have a better chance at recovery. I don’t know 

Hello everyone,

Just thought I'd update you all.

I had the arthroscopy last Wednesday the 1st November.  Torn meniscus was taken out and I was given a cortisone injection.

Results yesterday were, I've no cartilage at all down left side of the knee along with the patellofemoral arthritis.  So it's full arthritis in the knee.  He thinks the cartilage has been worn away because of the loose knee cap.

Surgeon has now decided that it's bad news and I do need a TKR.  

I've to see him in 3 months time to see if the arthroscopy and cortisone injection have helped and then see about the total knee replacement if I'm still in pain.  

So looks like I've finally got an answer and I'll be deciding in February next year. 

🙂

Hi Heids

I was in the same position left knee totally goosed for years had a couple of clean ups over the years until eventually got a TKR at 58 i think they fear it wont last as long if your younger for what ever reason idont k ow i hope you bget it done soon.

Johnny.