Anyone lost the ability to walk due to peripheral neuropathy?

Knee replacement?

Hi, @thomasmichael. My right knee is a TKR. I was given it over 20 years ago and have it checked not that long ago to ensure that it's still in good shape. The aches in my left knee (my "birth" knee) is arthritis, pure and simple. When my right knee aches, it's not because it's my Tin Man Knee but because of strains on all the surrounding soft tissue.

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

@timely Will Medicare cover the cost of the HLA oral medication? Is it 100% effective or do you take the tablets at only certain times of the day. like at bedtime?
How long have you been taking the tablets and do the doctors indicate they will be effective for a long time? What is the brand name of the HLA tablets? Thanks!

@ray666 I don't quite understand what you mean when you say regarding your right TKR knee, that it aches when you have strains on all the surrounding soft tissue?
What strenuous activities do you do that causes those soft tissue aches?

Hello, @laughlin1947

Strenuous activities? Not that strenuous, I must admit. After 14 months of post-sepsis rehab and being largely recliner-bound, I'm much in need of restoring good leg strength. The exercises my PT has me doing are intended to do just that, but while building leg strength, they are also putting stress on my knees, enough to irriate the tendons and muscles surrounding my TKR. It's not unbearable, just annoying.

Ray (@ray666)

Not yet lost it, but after 4 years since PN diagnosis, has gotten progressively more difficult. Took infusions of Gammagard (IVIG 35 mg 2x weeky, every 3 weeks, discontinued after 15 months in Dec '24. Felt it was not helping improve condition. Numb in both legs knees to toes. Burning, etc. Muscles deteriorating. This I believe accelerated considerably since Dec. 24. Now back on Infusions after 8 months. However, considerabliy weaker legs, MUST use walking stick outside home for balance. Stamina is weak due to PN and heart/lung issues.

@ray666
I watched a YouTube video, of which there are several sessions that appear on Facebook reels, and the leader of the "knee arthritis" exercises focuses, among many things, a lot on strengthening the glute (butt) muscles), These, when stronger, will take some of the weight off your knee joints. And you can get the glutes stronger by sitting in a chair or on the couch and tightening (i.e. isometric) your butt muscles for as long as you can hold the squeeze. Or stand up against the wall and do so, or while you are in the shower hold the muscles tight as long as you can. I'd still like you to simply identify the exercises your PT person has you do.

I know there are Mayo Clinic posts about "peripheral neuropathy', but you should do a search for that terminology and see what people say. I did read one such blog from a woman and it was long and detailed. She indicated the medication she was taking.

@laughlin1947
We do some of what you've found on YouTube: isometics for the butt and core (presses, face forward, back to the wall, seated, etc.) as well as leg raises (with & without ankle weights), dead lifts (again, trying to strengthen butt & core), plus as much recumbent cycling as time allows to improve joint flexibilty: ankles, knees & hips. Others, too, but I'm nowhere near my notes.

@ray666
Ray, OK I appreciate your info and your fast response. Good luck with getting better with less pain with that left knee!!! It's no fun needing to concentrate on what activities and motions will require some level of focus to minimize arthritic pain almost every hour of the day.