arthritic knee

I have an arthritic knee and finally got an arthroscope after a long wait


an arthritus expert said at a lecture that the wait for surgery depended on the patients level of complaints, as to pain and inconvenience, rather than the actual condition of the joint



therefore those being brave and minimising their compalints would likely have to wait longer, I assumed and started complaining more

does this apply to knee replacement as well?
i'm 25 and am afraid i would be laughed out of the office if i were to pursue getting knee replacement. this is the area that effects me most & seriously cannot wait for another 20 years to go past in order to "better qualify" for TKR.

sure! no problemo.

Erin,

What are requirements for you to have TKR? Recent posts indicate that you're housebound, unable to walk, go out to work and at a point where quality of life sucks. I would have thought that would be enough to qualify you.  I found this at WebMD when I was researching:

Surgery such as arthroplasty will not cure rheumatoid arthritis, nor will it stop disease activity. However, if a joint is badly diseased, surgery may provide pain relief and improve function.¹ Arthroplasty is considered when:

• Symptoms can no longer be controlled with medication, joint injections, physical therapy, and exercise.
• Pain from rheumatoid arthritis can no longer be tolerated.
• You are unable to do normal daily activities.
• Narrowing of the joint space or wearing away of the cartilage and bone is causing severe pain or reduced range of motion.

Citations

1. Firestein GS (2002). Rheumatoid arthritis. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., Scientific American Medicine, vol. 3, part 15, chap. 2, pp. 1–15. New York: Scientific American.

I think you pretty much fit the criteria.

M. had THR last summer...age 28. Dr wants to do other hip (cartilage practically non-existent) and then replace knees! Probably won't be done though until he just can't bear the pain of bone-on-bone any longer...and that will be the day he is forced back into a wheelchair. He just doesn't want to be away from work! I think part of his problem is related to work...pressure cooker job with deadlines to meet everyday as a post production co-ordinator for a daily entertainment/magazine show. Lots of stress could possibly exacerbate the psoriasis triggered by REMICADE. He was even working from his hospital bed last summer the day after surgery! darn those mobile phones with email capabilities!

Jem

Post Edited (Jemima Puddleduck) : 2/7/2007 5:36:45 PM (GMT-7)