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Second Hyaluronic Gel injection or not??
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Dec 3 2:52pm | Replies (22)Comment receiving replies
Reading studies that question effectiveness of these injection Band-Aid measures, and feeling the "sell" of braces and injections the minute one walks in the Dr's door- of course all provided by their office (where expensive imaging takes place as well), and the subsequent differences of %s of satisfaction after TKR- one must wonder about the entire knee replacement industry. I had a horrible, lasting reaction to a steroid injection during my MUA (Manipulation under anesthesia) with my first knee replacement.
I too went in for my second knee that was extremely painful, to see what was going on, in that one day I woke up unable to flex or extend the knee and it was very swollen- without an apparent reason other than worsening osteoarthritis. The x-rays show further deterioration, bone on bone. Of course the injections, bracing and PT with the suggestion of scheduling knee #2 started. My summary notes from that visit state my refusal to all suggested (as I wanted to explore further newer surgical options and techniques). I had explained to the P.A. that I knew the PT that would be ordered if I went that route, as I already do those strengthening exercises daily, from knee # 1. I did take the suggestion to increase my dosage of NSAIDS ( though I hate taking medications).
What did I do? I went home and got my ice machine out and iced around the clock, completely rested the knee, upped my Motrin (NSAIDS) to 400mg 2-3x/day. A week later, I was functional again! It was if that episode never happened. Doing my daily +10,000 steps a day... Back to 200 mg Motrin only once in the morning to get me moving, daily morning stretches, exercises, upright bicycle and subsequent walks/hikes.
Yes, I will postpone the grueling surgery for as long as I can while exploring Drs., newer techniques etc... Knee replacements are not for sissies.
My spouse tells me to "get her done". I don't know how anyone could go through a replacement without someone giving total support in the house after!
Replies to "Reading studies that question effectiveness of these injection Band-Aid measures, and feeling the "sell" of braces..."
@cathymw get another opinion.....I just had a knee replacement three weeks ago and I am appalled at the pain you experienced. I have had nothing like you described
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@cathymw
I'm in the same camp as you. I'd like the ortho surgeon who is recommending the TKR to offer new techniques and/or explore what part of the procedure is so delicate that the TKR may not come out better than pre-op condition. I suppose until I see some greater degree of confidence that a TKR is going to come out feeling "natural" after a reasonable period of PT, I'll just keep trying to find the best HLA injections that will give relief for more than 3 months or so. I'd like relief for a year or so.
Good luck and thank you for answering my blog question. I think the doctors these days are only interested in doing TKRs because they get paid more and they can line up the operations up for quick surgeries. When I had my left hip replacement in 2016, I was fortunate that 1.) The office clerk recommended the best surgeon to choose, not settling for a faster appt with a lesser capable surgeon. and 2.) The surgeon had lined up 13 left hip replacements in a row that day, and I got to be 3rd in line. This was a surgeon who was talented and creative, having filed several patents related to his expertise.