I have suddenly bone on bone in both knees

Hi Marilyn @marilyncarkner, Both of my knees were bone on bone from degenerative arthritis but the pain was severe in my right knee so I ended up having a knee replacement at Rochester Mayo. Prior to the knee replacement I discussed both synvisc and possible stem cell treatment with the surgeon and was told that when the joint is bone on bone the treatments aren't recommended. Here's more info:

Synvisc effective when patient has bone on bone in the joint?
https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/ask-the-expert/synvisc-effective-when-patient-has-bone-on-bone-in-the-joint/

Having my right knee replaced has been one of the best decisions I've made. So far my left knee is without pain so I just try to keep the leg strong with daily exercise. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the info and I will definitely bring that up when I see the Dr.

I've had both knees replaced about a year apart. Each time I tried to hold off as long as I could with Synvisc injections, and it helped some. Twice on the right knee before it quit working and only worked a little on the left, so in my case I just bought myself 3-6 months delay per knee. I'm glad I tried it because I did not want to schedule surgery until fall when I was mostly done with gardening. Not a long term solution, and I was told you have to wait 3 months after an injection before they will schedule surgery.

I'm not certain, but think when the knees are bone on bone, only a TKR will help get rid of the pain, and allow a lot more activity in the gym. The only things that can't be done are impact exercises - so no running, tennis, jump rope - but there is a whole lot that can be done - for strength and cardio.

I'm a 69 y/o male and had both knees replaced in 2022. I hired a trainer and strengthened my legs pre surgery, and then was fanatical about post op PT and exercises. I was a marathon runner before, but it was osteoarthritis that did in my knees.

So with that, I suggest finding a good ortho surgeon to discuss TKR. My recovery was phenomenal and I was back in the gym within two months. For cardio, I do intervals on a rowing machine at 80% of max HR. And I do spin classes and still work with a trainer on total body conditioning. I don't remember feeling this good physically.

As for a surgeon, my criteria in finding someone - mid 30s to mid 40s, good pedigree from college and/or residency and skilled with a robotic assistant. My guy did his residency at the Cleveland Clinic, was in his late 30s, and was skilled using the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant.

All the best to you friend. (And BTW, I have never heard of any type of injection or stem cell therapy that will revive a knee once the cartilage is gone. FWIW. Maybe one day, but I don't think it's possible today.)

Thanks so much for taking the time for explaining your knee journey… will take it all into cosideration

Thanks so much for your information ..it is definitely food for thought

Synvisc, I've had on and off for years and truthfully I notice no improvement or pain relief. I just got both knees done a month ago and once again, no improvement. Yet I'm always hopeful.
I found one knee injection which was a miracle, basically 90% pain relief for 3 months to the day. One day it worked and 90 days later all relief ended. Zilretta, a time released steroid. It gave me the knees I had in my teens. Unfortunetly I had a supposedly uncommon side effect of major hair loss. So I'm putting it off getting this repeated as long as I can based on vanity. My hair has regrown.
I am not a canditate for implants because I have allergies to metals which a $600 blood test, not paid for my Medicare confirmed. So I had to cancel my scheduled knee replacement surgery 3 years ago. There is a ceramic coated metal implant which now has a class action lawsuit in the process as the bone cement fails to stick to the ceramic coating. So I'm waiting for an implant that will work with my allergies.
Fortunely I can still walk on level ground without pain, my issue is stairs and getting off the ground. I don't know how much longer I will be able to garden even using my kneeling bench with arms for me to push up off the ground and when I do it is incredibly painful.
A less expensive option than Stem Cell Therapy is Platelet Rich Plasma, PRP which my othopedist recommends as the next step and I know one woman my age it has helped. Medicare doesn't cover it. I will try that next year.

I have a questions....arthritis was what did my knees in as well and there wasn't much space left between the bones. For about a month I did the exercises given and I was very active doing aquafit 2-3 times a week. I did not have the robotic but had a really good surgeon. Although I'm doing most everything I did prior (except aqua) I still have lots of pain and stiffness later in the evening. I feel best wearing jeans because of the compression from them. I do stretching, riding my bike, lots of walking yet still have stiffness and soreness. Dr. says everything is good. I'm a 62 year old female and so want this soreness to be gone and I"m over a year out. PT has said I need to learn to pace myself and I may always have this soreness. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for the great information ..sorry you have had your up s and downs .Feel discouraged about synvisc ..and I am wondering about stem cell I think it is not covered in Ontario but cannot find actual information on that…wondering about private insurance
Thanks again

We are soulmates for sure. I think you are wise searching for every option out there to prolong surgery. At least that may be a viable option for you at some point.
Stem Cell is diffent than PRP, neither are covered here in the US because they are considered experimental. Stem Cell in the US is dramatically more expensive than PRP and it's reviews aren't any better than those getting PRP. I will definately give the PRP a try next year