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...
One of the worst things my doctor had recently told me was when I asked him if my knees from RA were ever going to be better or if they would ever feel normal again. He said, "No, I am sorry..they will never feel normal again. You will have to find a new normal". Even though I already knew the answer, it's just hard to hear. Before having RA, I used to run all the time and feel happy and healthy; it's hard to believe I will ever feel that way again.
Sorry to be a debbie downer--it's just hard to hear!
Sorry to be a debbie downer--it's just hard to hear!
However, synovial membranes do grow back. But getting RA in replaced knees is about 1 in a million according to my ortho. I had both knees replaced Feb. 1999. In 2010, on St. Patrick's Day of all days, Ra hit both of my replaced knees at the same time, same moment(4:10pm...I'll never forget it...like someone shoved knives in my knees). Spent 5 days in the hospital while they ruled out infections.
Not as bad as before surgery but I can still feel it.
There is hope.
hugs............Jen
Then I got on a biologic combo that worked. I started doing a few stretches in my bed. Then I rode an exercise bike for 1 minute! I worked that minute up to 45 minutes outside that first year, and eventually got up to 30 -35 km rides. My knees were so well supported by the muscles, I was experiencing almost no pain.
Then I had a bad fall off my bike. I really damaged both knees permanently. It took me 8 months to see an orthopedic surgeon, and I kept riding the whole time. The ortho told me I was doing the right thing, He said I had a lot of OA damage, and would probably need replacements for both knees, but not for a while. I told him my knees did not hurt at all and he said I was doing the right thing- getting the muscles to support the knees, instead of the tendons.
So you do need to carefully exercise. There may be damage, I won't kid you! But if you work it right, you won't feel any pain, and your knees won't need replacements for many years to come.
PS. I am working my way slowly back out of that non-exercise hole. You really do need to be on decent meds, that more or less control RA. And you do need a strict routine. I never let anything stop me from riding, stretching and doing weight training. This year has been excruciatingly painful, but my hope is once I am over this sinus infection, I can back to getting these old bones back in shape. And if I can do it at my age, so can you.