Saw my Ortho doc today

I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee back in March 2008 because of a meniscus tear.  Did well for almost a year and then the knee starting giving me grief again a few months ago.  Thought it was my menisicus again, but found out today that its degenerative arthritis.  My knees are worn way more than someone my age (51) should have.  I was for sure it was my meniscus because it was similar pain to what I felt before, but found out it couldn't be my meniscus because he removed so much of it, there was nothing available to catch.

I got a cortisone shot, and hopefully that will last at least 6 months or longer.  If it doesn't, looks like I will have to have a total knee replacement.  So here's hoping the cortisone shot works.  Anyone else get a cortisone shot in the knee?  If so, did you have good luck with them.  I would like to avoid the surgery if I can, I kind of feel I am too young to have my knee replaced at this point.  I had a cortisone shot in the bursa of my left knee before, but it only lasted about a month.  Hoping for better luck this time.

Hugs

Gail *Nanners*

My hubby had both knees replaced last year 3 months apart.He's doing great....

SnowyLynne and Judy thanks so much for your posts. I just have this giant fear in me to have the TKR (I know both will eventually have to be done) because of the pain my Mom went thru when she had hers. I will admit my Mom's was like 10-12 years ago, so I am sure things have changed.

Judy, would you tell me what you did that has made your recovery go so well? You are doing so well so soon, I am quite impressed. I am hoping and praying the cortisone shot buys me sometime as well, its been 2 days since I got it, and things are a "tiny" bit better, but I have heard they can take a couple days to kick in. Thanks again for your help.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*

Gail, one thing that I think has moved orthopedic surgery in general forward in recent years is the improvement in pain control. I've had four surgeries since 2004, and with each one I've had general anesthesia but also a nerve block. That keeps the pain level down in the first hours after surgery so you can move around better and begin to recover.

I think one big thing also is that I do move around a lot. Since I have generalized joint pain, staying in one position for a long time is painful for me.

Typically the therapists will get you up the day after surgery to start walking with a walker. The first morning I walked from my bed to the door of my room and back. I was totally surprised at how little pain there was, once I gave up the mental fear that it would hurt.

Physical therapy is, IMO, the key to recovery. The more you move your knee and strengthen the supporting muscles, the quicker you recover. You might even consider asking for a PT visit a month or so ahead of surgery so you can start strengthening those muscles before surgery. I was doing exercises for the month before surgery, which helped a lot.

Hi Gail,

I have not been over on the CD forum in a long time-hanging out at the CP forum these days,lol. Oh, man I feel your pain with the knee, I have had 4 scopes on the left knee and one on the right. I have had everything from meniscus tears, to scar tissue building up to a partial tear of the ACL. I am in need of having both replaced thats next.

I too have had many injections in my knees and its just a temp fix, like putting a bandaide on the problem. My last surgeries were in 05 on both knees 3 weeks apart. Then 10 days post op the knee they repaired the ACL in, I almost fell and twisted the knee really bad to avoid falling. I probably should have went on and fell, I tore the knee up badly, spent one year in a Don Joy brace and in horrible pain.

Something I would like to run by you is the injections called Supaartz. I had this done to both knees after they settle down from surgery. It just buys you time till you get them replaced. Its done in a series of 5 injections to each knee, and yes it hurts like the devil. My ortho sprayed this freeze type stuff on my knees to get them really cold prior to the injections. Supaartz can help some OA patients. There is another brand of a similiar drug and I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it that is used as well.  My ortho has used both kinds and says his patients do much better on Supaartz. Go online and check this out-it may be an option for you. It did help me alot, but it tok a long time because of the surgeries. It is expensive, ow my dr did it was write a script for it, filled it at the pharmacy and took the meds to him. It costs about $2,000 per knee, I paid $10.00 on my script card.

Judy told you the truth, rehab is the key to replacements. If you don't do the rehab religiously you will not have a good result.  My sister-in=law had one knee done last year, she is a whiner and if something hurts the least amount its the end of the world. lol. Well, she messed around and did not do what she was suppose to. Her dr was furious with her, guess who wants to blame the dr!!!

Sure hope you get better.

Well I think the cortisone shot is doing what it is supposed to, as it is feeling much better. Not 100%, but no where near as bad as it was. I think if these shots poop out for me I will go ahead with the TKR. I want to do it while a little younger and a little better able to push myself to do the rehab. I think my Mom had a harder time with hers, because she was alot older than I currently am. I believe she was in her 70's at the time.

Susie, thank you for the information about the other options I have. Those could very well be another option too, as I have heard others have had some luck with them.

Oh Judy, one more question. After the surgery did you have any problems with your UC acting up? I have found when I have had surgeries before, I tend to have a little mini flare or stomach upset due to the pain meds and trauma. I suffer with Crohns.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*

Hey Judy, I remember the name of the other shots, Synvisc. Wow, sometimes my brain just idles on me lol.

Well I can honestly tell you all that I think the cortisone shot is already starting to fizzle out. I can feel the pain returning and yesterday I had that quick stabbing pain I thought was Meniscus before. But I do think maybe if I can hang on for a bit longer, I will try getting another one. This time I think I will ask him to shoot up both knees, that way I can avoid the pain I am feeling in the other knee. I have to tell you that the shot did help some, just not as much as I would have liked.

Good Morning Nanners,

I am sorry to hear the injection did not last as long as you had hoped.  I agree with you re having both knees injected. It does sound like a wise idea.

Please do keep us up to date on how things are going for you.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

CHeck into a partial knee replacement. My dad just had that and recovered very fast (he is 83 and plays tennis 3x a week). You may not need a total replacement.

Nanners said...
Well I can honestly tell you all that I think the cortisone shot is already starting to fizzle out. I can feel the pain returning and yesterday I had that quick stabbing pain I thought was Meniscus before. But I do think maybe if I can hang on for a bit longer, I will try getting another one. This time I think I will ask him to shoot up both knees, that way I can avoid the pain I am feeling in the other knee. I have to tell you that the shot did help some, just not as much as I would have liked.

Nanners,

I have been searching for someone who describes a "stabbing" pain in the knee. My ortho did xrays, 2 MRIs and says I am developing arthritis. I have had 2 cortizone shots and have noticed no difference. The only pain I get is while twisting my leg and it is a stabbing pain, enough to make me shout out. Needless to say I can't walk for several minutes. I do have a constant limp since the first episode in May 2009 which put me on crutches for about a week. I just can't believe this pain is arthritis. It doesn't ache, not sore to the touch, not swollen.

Can you tell me more about your stabbing pain?

Nanna Monster mentioned some herbals I will try them. I can't work like this, I am on my feet walking most of the day.

 

Thanks Gail,

The input does help me narrow down 'feelings'. My pain is localized, not going anywhere but in the knee. I think I may try the herbals and maybe a chiropractor. I simply do not believe it is soley arthritis. I can relate to stiffening of joints, grinding, my knees do that too.

This other thing was a sudden onset. I heard a pop and I could bear absolutely no weight on it. I had to wait for someone to bring me crutches. It gradually got to where I could walk with the limp afet about 2 weeks. Still, I dare not turn the wrong way....

Thanks for the reply,

Shari (wanna be a dog walker LOL)

Well on the 29th I had my both knees shot up with cortisone again. It has given some relief, but I still get those cattle prod pains occasionally. I am hoping that it will help more within the next few days, like it did before. He mentioned the Synovisc shots. I told him I heard they were alot more painful, and he said its because they aren't allowed to use the Lidocaine with it as it messes with the Synovisc. But wouldn't you think that they could shoot your knee up first with Lidocaine then do those???

I am one of those people, must come from living with all my illnesses so long, that if it hurts too much, I won't do it again:) So not sure that would be for me. We shall see! Just hoping the cortisone helps some more.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*