No cartilage left in knees

Posted by chesh @chesh, Jun 22 8:45am

I have been told by my orthopedic surgeon that I have no cartilage left in my knees. Walking is beginning to be more difficult but not terrible. Stepping up and down even a curb is awkward. Stairs are a one step up or down with one leg and then bringing the other beside it and slow going.
I am having hyaluronic acid injections six months apart that help some. I am now wearing the right kind of shoe. I had been wearing a rubber soled platform sandal that I figured (because of all the rubber) cushioned my knees). Recently I developed tendon pain in both legs which I was told was due to shortening of the tendons behind and inside of my legs below my knees. I think the platform shoes might have been responsible for this because ,with running shoes now ,I feel the tendons stretching.
I do NOT want knee replacements!
What do others of you do in my situation that helps?
P.S. I know that losing weight would help. My weight has been a challenge all my life.. I am 5 foot seven and weigh 185. I am 73 years old.
I do swim laps regularly with no problem. I haven't tested whether I can still walk around a block.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jun 23 7:28am

I don't understand why you don't want knee replacements. I'm 70 and had both knees replaced when I was 67. I too was bone on bone. All the pain is gone, I go up and down stairs with no problem. Joint replacement is extremely advanced. Why bother with the pain and ineffective treatments?

It's up to you of course. Unless there are other reasons precluding it, you sound like a great candidate for knee replacement.

And your weight is on the high side, but not that high. What does your surgeon say?

Finally, it's great that you swim. Do avoid the breast stroke as it is very hard on the knees to kick out at an angle as required by the stroke.

dltstoose | @dltstoose | Jun 24 9:59am

Would suggest the same thing for a 78 yr old who weighs 88 pounds ?

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jun 25 7:40am

In reply to @dltstoose "Would suggest the same thing for a 78 yr old who weighs 88 pounds ?" + (show)

If you're asking about getting a knee replacement, that question is best answered by your Dr and an orthopedic specialist.

Ann Shrader | @annshrader | Jun 26 5:55am

In reply to @dltstoose "Would suggest the same thing for a 78 yr old who weighs 88 pounds ?" + (show)

Good Morning.
As another commenter suggested, speak to your doctor about it.
Quality of life is important. I have seen 65 and over perceived as "old" but that is not old! Older, maybe. We have potential to live a long life - why not work on the quality part.

As you shared some information, I would suggest, again as someone else put up here, speak to your doctor. If you are not engaging in proper fitness training and nutrition for your age and lifestyle I would work on that first with the appropriate professional (I am an exercise physiologist and nutritionist - will defer to your healthcare provider first!).
Surgery can be a great thing but it is also very demanding. Learn you options and progress towards feeling better!

Ann Shrader | @annshrader | Jun 26 5:59am

To the original poster I would again agree with another post that suggests conferring with your providers.
A question I would ask and suggest you discuss with your provider is incorporating strengthening exercises into your program. Swimming is a great cardio exercise with some resistance built into it. You might want to consider some walking and water aerobics (for strength training) or even on land strength training - as tolerated. Stretching should also be included.

Again, consult with your providers.

pcb | @pcb | Jun 26 6:47am

If you don’t feel ready for surgery I have found that PRP injections can buy you some comfort and time. I have no idea how long the relief will last and insurance doesn’t cover the treatment.

mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 26 4:52pm

If possible, I would hold off on knee replacement until you can’t take the discomfort and pain. Go for cortisone shots as long as you can and do exercises to strengthen your upper quads. TKR is a very rough surgery. Although many people have success with it, I didn’t. The recouperation is long and difficult. My replaced knee still gives me trouble. I told this to the surgeon and his words to me were “Well, it will never be the knee that God gave you.” I am not doing my other knee. I will live with the bone on bone pain, keep exercising, use a knee brace, get a cortisone shot……..Anything but knee replacement surgery!!! Put it off until you can’t stand the discomfort any longer. Wishing you the very best with whatever decision you make.

stevewolfe779 | @stevewolfe779 | Jun 26 10:53pm

In reply to @heyjoe415 "I don't understand why you don't want knee replacements. I'm 70 and had both knees replaced..." + (show)

Thank you so much,your words of encouragement help me make final decision to tell my knee dr let's do the surgery 🙏 🙌 😀

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jun 27 7:08am

In reply to @stevewolfe779 "Thank you so much,your words of encouragement help me make final decision to tell my knee..." + (show)

You're very welcome Steve. I had two very successful TKRs. My advice is to get your leg in shape as much as is possible prior to the surgery, even if it pushes the surgery out a bit. I worked with a trainer for six months pre-surgery and he was great.

And then be obsessive about the post-surgery rehab and exercises. Don't be discouraged in the first two weeks, just go as far as you can each day. It is a major surgery and so yeah, there's gonna be pain. The way I looked at it, after the first week or two the pain was definitely lessening, and that only encouraged me to do more. Before the surgery, the pain would only stay the same or get worse.

My surgeon also used the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant. "Robotic" is misleading. A 3D CT scan is used and loaded into a computer. The assistant will only allow the Dr. to cut bone that should be removed, and will stop the blade if it starts to go to far.

The difference is probably less than a mm in any direction, but accuracy is everything. Just a thought if your surgeon offers this. It's still up to you.

(And your Dr may tell you, but before surgery, a huge tourniquet is wrapped around your thigh above the knee to control bleeding. A few days after my surgery, a huge bruise appeared on my inner thigh. Don't worry. It looks awful but it's normal and doesn't hurt.

All the best Steve! Keep us posted! Joe