Rheumatoid 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. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
It seems that my right knee is particularly stubborn and I'm curious if anyone else has/had a similar issue.
Both knees were swollen (along with numerous other joints, of course) when I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I started on Plaquenil and got no relief for 6 months. Started MTX and started to feel some relief in all joints except for my knees. Added Humira and felt mostly controlled except for the knees. I got a steroid shot in each knee. My left knee felt completely normal for 2 years (until 2 months ago :( ).
However, my right knee started to swell 3 months after the first steroid shot. We continued to do steroid shots every 3 months for a year. Each time, the steroid shot wore off earlier than the last. I had an MRI in December 2012. Showed synovitis (duh) and a small meniscus tear. I had an arthroscopic synovectomy in August. I did 8 weeks of PT - all the while the swelling never went down (which was the whole point of the surgery). Did another MRI in October. The surgeon said that everything he removed came back with a vengeance and deemed the surgery a failure. His only suggestion was to talk to my rheumatologist about changing biologics.
So, in January, I switched to Enbrel. All of my joints feel pretty good and I haven't flared in any except my right knee. It remains swollen. The swelling never goes away unless I take a steroid dose pack. Then it decreases for a week and comes right back. I just don't understand why it's not responding when all my other joints are.
I know RA affects all of us a little differently but am I the only one with one stubborn joint?
Both knees were swollen (along with numerous other joints, of course) when I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I started on Plaquenil and got no relief for 6 months. Started MTX and started to feel some relief in all joints except for my knees. Added Humira and felt mostly controlled except for the knees. I got a steroid shot in each knee. My left knee felt completely normal for 2 years (until 2 months ago :( ).
However, my right knee started to swell 3 months after the first steroid shot. We continued to do steroid shots every 3 months for a year. Each time, the steroid shot wore off earlier than the last. I had an MRI in December 2012. Showed synovitis (duh) and a small meniscus tear. I had an arthroscopic synovectomy in August. I did 8 weeks of PT - all the while the swelling never went down (which was the whole point of the surgery). Did another MRI in October. The surgeon said that everything he removed came back with a vengeance and deemed the surgery a failure. His only suggestion was to talk to my rheumatologist about changing biologics.
So, in January, I switched to Enbrel. All of my joints feel pretty good and I haven't flared in any except my right knee. It remains swollen. The swelling never goes away unless I take a steroid dose pack. Then it decreases for a week and comes right back. I just don't understand why it's not responding when all my other joints are.
I know RA affects all of us a little differently but am I the only one with one stubborn joint?
You are not the only person with a stubborn joint or two. I have a couple of unresponsive joints in my feet. I am really sorry about all you went through with your knee. That is so frustrating.
I look at it like this; all these drugs we take can make us feel so much better. Unfortunately, they don't always work as well as portrayed in TV commercials. I have been pretty close to remission a couple of times, but there was always some part of me that just did not respond to the to the drugs as well as the rest of me (besides side effects of drugs themselves). I also have swelling that has never gone away.
Take a look at the website, "Rawarrior". There are many articles that you may find comforting. You have a lot of company.
Take care,
Lynne
Ironically one day it "magically" went fine and now for the last year it's been my right screw you finger. My husband says it's really from overuse that it never unswells but we both know it's from the RA. ;-)
Keep hanging in there - for tomorrow it might just be a wildly different roller coaster ride.
Smith101 - that gives me some hope that something 'magical' can happen! :)
I'm pretty happy with the way everything else has responded to Enbrel so I really don't want to change biologics again just for my knee.
But you could also try seeing another orthopedic surgeon and have him look at the two MRIs before and after surgery and see what he says.
Good luck!