Degenerative Joint Disease Support Group

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints. Due to decreased movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax. OA is the most common form of arthritis.

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Muscles & Bones
/ Degenerative Joint Disease Support Group

New to group - OA in knee

Trish27sch
Trish27sch

I have been having severe pain for 9 months coulsnt even walk and ready to take short term disability till doctors could find out whats wrong.  Finally after MRI 5 months found out I had a torn meniscus and OA with BML (bone marrow lession). February 27 had surgery to repair the torn meniscus, bone cement into the top of the tibia due to stress fractures and deriedment(?) Of the total knee.  After surgery was told my OA is a grade 4 and is totally bone on bone and is about a bad as it gets.  Since surgery 2 months ago had my knee dtained of fluid twice and yesterday had a cortisone shot for the pain as I was in severe pain again and could not go upstairs again.  Todsy no pain, but feel this putting a bandaid on something that needs more help.  Doctor told me sincr I am 51 I am too young for a knee replacement. So at this point sm wondering is this my life now with severe pain, crying for years to come? Is thete any other alternative to this misery?           NEEDING HELP.....PLEASE.....

ZooMom
ZooMom
I feel your pain and am only 48 facing this nightmare of knowing the OA is just starting and will only get worse with no cure and no reversal of current damage. I am also trying to figure out how to cope with the depression from this inevitability and just looking at my hands puts me in a major funk sometimes. How are you coping?
hermosodia
hermosodia
My foot was grade 31/2 and moving to 4 when I had joint replacement. I just turned 40. Im struggling with pain and depression. I have always been active so it stinks. I have another couple surgeries I may need in order to stay mobile how depressing is that?! I’m trying to lose weight although my BMI is overweight I am not obese and most of my life I was within healthy. It seems so unfair. I was sitting in the podiatrists office and this old lady in her 80s was complaining about the arthritis in her foot. She wasnt going to need surgery. And I thought man if I were so lucky to get OA in my 70s or 80s instead of 40.

For coping I keep a bullet journal and do lots of positive quotes. I’m blessed I have a job that is flexible and low impact. -K