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Second Hyaluronic Gel injection or not??
Had Gel One injection in knee 4 months ago. Didn't help much.
Would another injection be of more help, do you think?
Still wearing knee brace for support using walker in Physical Therapy and at home following stroke 6 months ago.
Any other suggestions???
82 years old with diabetes.
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@bweaver2025
Do you have side effects in addition to elevated blood sugar? If it's only elevated sugar for a few days, but cortisone steroid injection benefits last 1-6 months, maybe I could tolerate it, after all.
@grrranny To clarify, I meant I have high blood sugar all the time, but not diabetic....What they use to call pre-diabetes...My sugar runs around 90-100.
The only negative side effect I get from the shots are difficulty sleeping for a few days after the injections, and maybe some low grade headaches.
You'd have to discuss with your doctor if you cold get them.
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!
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2 Reactions@laughlin1947 I had my left knee done on Feb 25 of this year. I am sorry I had it done and would not have the other one done. I am 72 but very healthy and active. I guess I was not really prepared for the recovery time. It has been 9 months and the knee is still very stiff and not any better than at the 6 month mark. I do my bike 5-10 miles several times a week. Nothing seems to help much. Very disappointed.
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1 ReactionDid not help me at all, I had to have my knee replaced. I know a million people have TKR but I would not have it done again.
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3 Reactions@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.
Do not waste your time and money. Recently reviewed a peer reviewed study that shows a placebo is as effective as the shot....
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1 Reaction@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
@steve6094
3 weeks ago!?
Wow. That is amazing.
I most definitely will be researching and taking it slow. Never going through that again!
Best wishes on your recovery.
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1 ReactionYes, I had this as well. They said that three (3) are needed; one week between each one. The second I felt much less pain in my knee. The 3rd, pain subsided completely. I am sure how often this procedure needs to be done in order to stay pain free.
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3 Reactions