Senior Knees

Hi @woondogger, I suppose the answer might be it depends 🙃. I tore some cartilage in my right knee in my 50s and had surgery to remove it and have had pain in the knee over the years. It got really bad in my mid 60s and I received a cortisone shot in the knee and it felt great for a long time. Then I started having pain again my mid 70s and I had a second cortisone injection in my right knee. It felt great for about 3 weeks until I decided it was OK to kneel down on a concrete driveway to repair a drain. After I did that I started having pain again and tried PT to no avail and eventually ended up getting a knee replacement and being told nix to kneeling down anymore.

So, I'm guessing if a person is careful it could last a long time but it seems like sometimes circumstances might change how long it lasts. I'm sure others may have some experience to share with you also.

I guess it depends on why you are having trouble with your knee. Everyone is different. I had arthritis, and a torn meniscus a few years ago. The shots helped me for a little, but I eventually had to have both my knees replaced because of osteoarthritis.

I am getting ready for total right knee replacement surgery next week. What tips, tools, suggestions do you have for before & after surgery? It's a bit daunting.

@ann16, There is a discussion on your question that you might find helpful:

-- How should I prepare for my knee replacements?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-should-i-do-prepare-for-my-knee-replacements/
I wished I would have had an ice machine to use after my knee replacement surgery but I was able to make do with several flexible ice/gel packs. This helps keep the swelling down when you are icing and elevating the knee after you get home.

Hoping your knee replacement surgery goes well next week!

I had some that helped up to 4 years! But the previous ones didn’t even come close . First one was 3 weeks 2 nd one was 9 months the 3rd one 18 months finally the 4 th one 4 years! The bad part I turn my meniscus I had surgery on that but they didn’t connect the acl ligament. The surgeon claimed I didn’t need it ! 3 years later half of my knee joint was gone ! They did an ingestion and it didn’t do anything. Had a partial knee replacement. The best that knee has been in a really long time ! My surgeon prescribed pensaid it was over a month before I had surgery for the replacement. Pensaid did wonders after a week . If your dr ever prescribes it ask or download a co pay card ! It’s very expensive but it take’s very little to rub on . My surgeon said if it doesn’t help any within a week it won’t ever help ! Good luck and hopefully things will turn around for you.

Pensaid is another word for generic Diclofenac Sodium, usually 1 %. It is an OTC in Canada and the generic is the equivalent of the brand name because the topical is manufactured in India. It offers effective but temporary relief. Problem is that it offers no permanent solution. I suggest looking at the many phase three trials for actual patella replacement. Your co-payment should be $5.00 for the generic. As a topical, the effect is temporary and does not heal but offers tremendous pain relief. One issue is that it may cause itching or even hives as a side effect.