Living with arthritis: How do you stay active?

I have two knees and two hips replaced. Without those operations, I'd be unable to do much. My main exercise is just walking which I try to do every day. I used to go occasionally to the health club, but now in this period of the Corona virus, I've been just walking outside. I got a Fitbit so I can see how I'm doing each day. That does help to motivate. My problem will be when the hot and humid weather comes. Living in the south, I find the summer weather keeps me inside most of the time as I can't tolerate the heat. I'm hoping the heat will lower the virus risk and I can return to the treadmill at my health club, but that's still unknown. I also do occasional light weight lifting for my arthritic shoulders.

Hello- I am 64 years old, and have only been plagued with this for about a year, so I guess I should consider myself lucky. Having said that , is arthritis just something you have to endure? Is there no long term relief? I really wanted to say cure, but decided against it.

Sorry to read of your situation. There is no cure but many ways to help yourself. For me it has been surgery, weight loss, physical therapy exercise, and a good orthopedist. That has provided for me, short term, and hopefully long term relief. As I don't know your personal story, I can't offer any other suggestions. I do know, healing is a process and it takes time. Getting as much information as you can about your specific condition is a good start. Good luck.

Good afternoon @michael6822, Welcome to Connect. I am glad that you chose to post about the issues you currently are facing. To start this journey on Connect, I am going to ask that you spend about 19 minutes watching this video created at Mayo Clinic just a couple of weeks ago by Dr. John Davis.

It will update you on the changes in arthritis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
I know that if we don't have some form of arthritis at this age, it will be coming our way soon. I would like to gather a couple of members who have taken a stab at controlling the pain and discomfort while you are watching the video. Check back in with any questions or what I call "wonderments".

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Good afternoon @trayus, At 27 you are very young to be considering knee surgery. You say that an injury wore away the cartilage. Would you please explain a bit more about the injury. How old were you? What tests were run? You say it was too late......too late to do what? I am struggling to wrap my arms around what you are trying to convey.

What kind of surgery are you considering......a (Total Knee Replacement TKR)? We have lots of feedback from members about that surgery. Why are you concerned about "courage"? You may want to ask your clinician how long you can wait and still get the best outcome from the recommended surgery.

And you know, the success of a TKR is a lot about good preparation and patient rehabilitation. Here is a discussion that was introduced a few weeks ago. Maybe you will find it helpful.

Be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

@trayus I understand your frustration. At 44 an sports injury blew out my knew and I had ACL/MCL replacement and reconstruction. At 50, after 10 years of pain and struggle, according to the ortho I had "the hips of an 85 year-old" and they were so severely locked I could not walk up stairs or lift a leg high enough to get onto a women's bike. We decided it was time to replace, and now at 69 I am on my second set of replacement hips. I will tell you that I was severely chastised by my doc and ortho for continuing to run and jump on already damaged joints (I was a lifelong runner and volleyball player), and told to find "kinder" methods of exercise. All that said, I am now active and have minimal hip pain - mostly bursitis, as well as arthritis in many parts of my body. I can walk, bike, dance and keep up with toddler grandsons.
My advice for you is seek a second opinion from an ortho that specializes in young, active patients. Then, if you decide to replace, commit yourself to one year of preparation and rehab every day - about an hour a day. That is what is needed for optimal recovery. Finally, treat the new knee kindly so it will last.
Sue

I dislocated my kneecap at 15 and that damaged my cartilage. There was a short window after injury that I could have done surgery to have that cartilage repaired but I guess the physician at the time never brought it up to me or my parents. Now that cartilage has worn away completely. So my orthopedist gave me two options, partial knee replacement now which would last maybe 10 years or just tough it out until I’m old enough for it last the rest of my life.

I’ve had to do some digging on my own to find a couple “experimental procedures” like osteochondral allograft transplants which is a cartilage transplant but it’s somewhat unproven in treating arthritis because the procedure is so rare. That’s the surgery I’m working up the courage to do. It also supposedly lasts 10 years or so but it will be a much more natural knee so I would still be able to live out my prime years somewhat pain free but it is a risky procedure since failure rate is pretty high after the 10 year mark.

@trayus The allograft of my ligament was supposed to last 10-15 years. I am at 25 years and counting, so averages are really just that. My Mom had a thumb replaced in the 1980's when it was experimental and thought to last 10-15 years. It was still operational when she died 25 years later, even though she used it heavily for years. I believe the surgeon's skill, use of the best available technique, and thorough rehab are really the keys to successful joint repairs and replacements.

@trayus I was scheduled for a knee replacement in 2013 but it had to be delayed due to a low platelet count. I was actually on the gurney with IV in my hand when the doctor came in and gave me the bad news.
I lost weight and exercised a lot to improve the supporting muscles around my knee. Those things helped so much that when I could finally have a knee replacement in the spring of 2017 I delayed it until the fall. I even considered not doing it but I knew it would eventually get worse again so I went ahead. It worked out well for me, I am very happy with that knee. I had a Conformis knee which is custom made for each patient. When the time comes that you need to proceed I would strongly recommend that you consider that knee and find a doctor who uses that one.
I understand having to work up the courage, especially considering your young age. Most people never get as much flex again as they had, generally the best you can hope for is about 135 and that is rare. Doctors are happy if you can get to 120 which is just about where I am at. I blame myself for it not being better, I probably should have exercised it more after the surgery. If you can lose weight and exercise to get to a good point as I did, I would put it off if I was you since you are so young. These knees all have a life expectancy so if you have one now you will eventually need to have a second one.
JK

@artscaping

Chris, I think I know how to bookmark, but I'm not sure. Could you please tell me how to do it and where to find what I bookmark?

Thanks
Jim