Living with arthritis: How do you stay active?

@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

Sure @jimhd, I assume you want to bookmark within the Connect site....correct. You already know how to bookmark within your browser.....right?

So....look up at your post above. If you want to bookmark it just click on the flag to the right of the heart. The flag graphic will turn blue and stay that way.

Now, place your cursor on your picture and a drop down will open. The third option is "My Bookmarks". Click and you are good to go.

May you have a lovely sleep tonight.
Chris

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, deciding on replacement at such a young age is such a huge decision. I had end-stage arthritis in my knee by the time I was 12. By the time I turned 19, my knee was so deformed and worn that the decision was made for me. Every morning I woke up, my knee was "locked" in a bent position so tightly that I had to use my arms to "snap" it loose, something that took me up to 15 minutes to build the courage to do so. I finally woke up one morning and decided I couldn't do it anymore. I had a full replacement in 2006. In 2016, I had my 10-year checkup and my surgeon said the knee looked the same as it did the day after the replacement, meaning after 10 years of use, it was still in great shape.

What I learned is that "toughing it out" during your younger years to wait until you are older and potentially less active can have both a physical and mental health affect. I was miserable. The replacement and recovery were hard, but they improved my life drastically.

@trayus, while you consider your options, have you considered altering your activities to those that are less impact? Perhaps running could be replaced by cycling or swimming? When I started lifting weights, I made sure to not do any jumping or high-impact workouts on my lower body - primarily sticking to leg presses and static extensions (sitting position, leg extended and setting a weight on it and holding - no bending involved).

I have altered those activities but what really gets me down is the sense of dread I get when I see stairs or when I drop something as I'm walking. The dread that comes from knowing I'll have to bend down on my knee and putting up with that sharp pain. Or when I'm playing ping pong with coworkers, knowing that I can't make sharp dives for the ball that I want to like everyone else...knowing that I won't get any better at the game because my knee can't take it. As unrealistic and as childish as it sounds, I want that feeling gone.

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 You are like most of us that are living with arthritis or other pain. It isn't going away so we have to adjust the amount of time we do things but one thing that will help is for all of us to start slowly and do some stretching then light exercise I do 45 min. a day to keep my bones from getting stiff and also my muscles as I have fibromyalgia also. Old age isn't for sissies . We cant do things we use to do but you can still enjoy them but know your limits . Tell the person you play with in ping pong that you arthritis wont let you make those sharp turns. Its an adjustment we all have to make. Good luck

@jimhd, 32+ hours a week of yard work is certainly no small feet. I grumble if I have to do more than 1-2! Battling weeds in landscaping is admittedly one my least favorite and most frustrating things to deal with. I wish I had learned to play the piano. I forgot to mention that around the time I started playing golf as an alternative, I also started playing electric guitar. Those two things were my saving grace in middle school and high school. I spent about 6 hours a day playing guitar from the ages of 14-18. I also agree on the biking, it's zero fun when it's cold. I often see the cyclists riding throughout the winter here in MN and can't help but think it has to be absolutely miserable.

I bought an adapter to ride my bike in front of my TV in the winter, about $75-100 and worth it. Training athletes use them. Check Facebook bicycle groups, they can help inform you locally. I work out with 10 lb weights and lunges while watching TV too, for my particular case of osteoporosis. I work full time. Walk the dog 30 minutes each morning.

I have altered those activities but what really gets me down is the sense of dread I get when I see stairs or when I drop something as I'm walking. The dread that comes from knowing I'll have to bend down on my knee and putting up with that sharp pain. Or when I'm playing ping pong with coworkers, knowing that I can't make sharp dives for the ball that I want to like everyone else...knowing that I won't get any better at the game because my knee can't take it. As unrealistic and as childish as it sounds, I want that feeling gone.