Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction.
Hi, I'm new and found this group after recently joining the one for Widows/Widowers
I'm female, 71, overweight with controlled high PB, cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes. Actually in pretty health even with the above. OA in knees for many years. Bone on bone now and always some level of pain. Have tried chiropractic, acupuncture, PT, Synvisc and PRP (stem cell) shots. All to no avail. Call me silly.....my family doctor does....but I'm really afraid to have the surgery. Everything about it scares me from the anesthesia to the loooooooong recovery. I am recently widowed and share a 2-family home with my 91-year-old mother (better knees than mine!). I'm on the second floor and have several pets to care for. Can't even imagine how I could be away from home for the time it takes for TKR now that my husband is not here to hold down the fort. But the fear factor is the biggie. I've been told that stem cells harvested from placentas might work better to regenerate cartilage because the cells are younger, fresher and stronger than those harvested from my own blood and fat. I'm hesitant to spend another several thousand $ for something that might give me a 70% chance to feel 50% better (per the stem cell specialist). Then there's cold laser therapy and something new called Calmare. Can anyone give me a reason to hope I can lick this thing without surgery.......pleeeeeze?
I'm female, 71, overweight with controlled high PB, cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes. Actually in pretty health even with the above. OA in knees for many years. Bone on bone now and always some level of pain. Have tried chiropractic, acupuncture, PT, Synvisc and PRP (stem cell) shots. All to no avail. Call me silly.....my family doctor does....but I'm really afraid to have the surgery. Everything about it scares me from the anesthesia to the loooooooong recovery. I am recently widowed and share a 2-family home with my 91-year-old mother (better knees than mine!). I'm on the second floor and have several pets to care for. Can't even imagine how I could be away from home for the time it takes for TKR now that my husband is not here to hold down the fort. But the fear factor is the biggie. I've been told that stem cells harvested from placentas might work better to regenerate cartilage because the cells are younger, fresher and stronger than those harvested from my own blood and fat. I'm hesitant to spend another several thousand $ for something that might give me a 70% chance to feel 50% better (per the stem cell specialist). Then there's cold laser therapy and something new called Calmare. Can anyone give me a reason to hope I can lick this thing without surgery.......pleeeeeze?
Up and down stairs already??? OMG, it's magic! What an encouraging post-op report.
I'm amazed that you went straight home from the hospital and not to a rehab. That possibility gives me hope should I ever decide to have the surgery. How/why did that happen? Did you have TKR or partial? Will you do therapy as an outpatient, or will the therapists come to you? BTW, why OT as well as PT?
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. Godspeed in your recovery.
Juanita
Did you get your hip done? Seeking sun?
I am happy that you are moving already. Continue with the good work.
Seeking sun. you had knee done. Well that's great you are having a good recovery. Keep on going. Well done.
because I had both my knees done at the same time. I was in hospital 5 days.
It's true they want you to be able to climb stairs before leaving hospital. That was the weirdest thing. very hard too. I can't believe I got through it but I did. both knees is really hard. the reason why I got both done is I didn't have a good knee. both knees were as bad as each other and after discussing with my rheumatologist and the surgeon I came to that decision to get them both done.
My Surgeon was close to sending me to the rehab place. but the next time he saw me I had improved enough and he was satisfied with my progress and said that I was good enough to go home and not to rehab facility.
I too had home nurse and PT come every other day.
I am so glad that those days are far behind because it was a wicked time for me I won't lie. I don't know why I had such a hard time with pain but I was and they gave me medications. However the PT's were always happy with my progress and kept saying that I was ahead of the game.
For some things I wonder if It would have been a good thing for me. Coming home was actually very difficult for me to transition to from the hospital.
At the rehab place you get close individual attention and PT's work with you daily.
IF insurance covers rehab then I would not dismiss the idea. It could be to your advantage so take it into consideration.
I had a knee replacement in Aug 2010 at the ripe old age of 48. They were hesitant due to my age. TOO young l was told. Not too young to be crippled and limping every moment of every day at work. Was taking tremol daily so l could keep working.
That is all behind me and like you l was terrified.... Now back to today. No regrets at all . I would not change a thing. Yes the knee replacement does not feel like a "real" knee bit l tell you its a huge improvement on loosing your mobility,
If l could convince my surgeon today l would have my degenerating other knee done ASAP. However it is degenerated enough. This will come in time......
My advice is book that knee replacement and you will not look back. he recovery as l feel you know is not easy. I was back at full time work standing on my feet all day in seven weeks.
Good luck with your decision.
Lorna.k.c
just wish i could done it sooner
if i can be of any support let me know