Connect
← Return to Alternatives to knee replacements
Discussion
Alternatives to knee replacements
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Feb 8, 2021 | Replies (69)Comment receiving replies
@rorygrabowsky : Just adding a few comments.... Had knee pain due to some arthritis, and partially torn Meniscus, and some cartilage floaters in knee. Cortisone injection did not help, so had knee “clean-out” surgery in 2019. Did not really help matters, even after another cortisone shot, and a series of hyaluronic acid injections. Caved, and had knee replacement surgery September of 2018 at age 69. Quite a bit of pain, as is to be expected from a major surgery. Ditched walker within 4 days of surgery, and was walking short distances on neighborhood streets within a week. Rehab is a bitch, but having been in good shape generally, and being able to join a facility with a heated indoor pool helped matters a lot. However, I did not know about PRP or stem cell treatment before my 1st surgery, or the replacement decision, otherwise I might have tried those first.
Replies to "@rorygrabowsky : Just adding a few comments.... Had knee pain due to some arthritis, and partially..."
Just saw that I messed up my time line. Of course, first surgery preceded the replacement - so that would have been in 2017, not 2019. Also, adding that while the aftermath of knee replacement is no fun, I stopped Oxycodone within about 9 or 10 days of procedure. Not pain free by any means, but unwilling to tolerate side effects.
Connect
@ellerbracke cortisone shots are always a gamble. If the doctor doesn't get the exact right spot they do no good. I finally did find a doctor who hit it every time and it did provide quite a bit of relief. I also had Synvisc when the cortisone was no longer helping, and that was a huge help for a while. I have discovered since then that the best doctors to go to for these shots are the physiatrists - doctors of physical medicine. They use guided imagery so they can hit the spot consistently. Eventually, I did need TKRs on both knees.
The second TKR had to be delayed due to a low platelet count. During the wait, I exercised a lot and the improvement in my supporting muscles made a huge difference. I was waiting for 3 years. I highly recommend exercising but anyone who is waiting for a TKR should check with their orthopedist to know exactly what exercises that doctor advocates. Mine loves the recumbent bike and water jogging.
JK