Osteoarthritis of the knee

Hi i have both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid and i have been told im too young at 50 to have surgery besides my weight is an issue but i would be able to do so much more exercise if my knees were sorted out, i just cant win 

Listening to you all, it appears we have that common frustration that there's no treatment available that cures or heals these conditions. Only pain relief drugs which cause almost as much frustration from side effects or partial relief. Never strong enough..  it really is a lose-lose situation. 

A HUGE question:  how far is the research on an effective treatment for arthritis? Does anyone know?

Hi I am 54 years old and have osteoarthritis in both knees my left is worse, I had an MRI scan bone touching bone and in constant pain.  I can't sleep at night as I sleep on my side with a cushion between my knees but it feels like someone is sticking a knife into my knee! I am having to use my mums walker on wheels to get about at the moment, needs must

Back in the north east after 2 years.Had my first knee op at 50,see consultant tomorrow for the other knee.All being well I can expect op within 3 months.Due to lack of funding 5 years in south Wales

 in 67 had osteoarthritis since I was 17 when  first had operations on both knees. Since getting on a cross trainer machine for one year given up all my tablets cohlesteral , gout , arthritis and only have to take paracetamol now and then as I've strengthened my  knee muscles I managed to do 200 cycles on this machine 5 times a day and I feel fitter ! All  age pensioners should be encouraged to buy this machine. 

I'm in same boat, diagnosed with arthritis in both knees at 43. Told too young for replacement. Now I'm 64 still being told too young. But now I have in both knees, right hip, ankle, shoulder and elbow. Now they are saying that they might not be able to sort all of it, so maybe be better off having none of it. I was reading a report from Lancet a while back that says. It would be better to do replacements at the age of 40 Plus as would give people quality of life, and would be more unlikely for people to have other complications later, I've other joints affected due to trying to alleviate pain from knees. I think we should all Sue the Government  for not having funding to do these operations. It is not an age thing. Replacements now should never wear out. It is down as usual to not enough operations being performed. 

Ben Bhanot is right.

Yes, i do agree that it is easier to advise, and its not what we read up, but what we expirience. I have OA in both my knees, right worse than the left. MRI scan last Aug. concluded that it is bone on bone and I needed Total Knee Replacement. Having been through two major Spinal surgeries, my body had suffered tremendous shock and I wasnt ready for another big operation. The pain in my knee was like electric shocks going through the bones and it made my cry out in pain. Then I read up on Turmeric for health. After checking with my GP I made my own Golden Paste to the recipe on the website "Turmeric for health" and started taking one teaspoon of paste in a cup of hot Almond milk once a day. After 4 weeks I began to tell the difference. The pain eased considerably. In addition to the paste, I also started gentle exercises in the swimming pool and increased them gradually as the pain eased. I also do the exercises shown by the physio, I walk a lot even though I am on crutches permanently since my Spainal surgeries. Now I have joined the gym. I do tredmill, Cross trainer, climbing up moving Steps and gym bike. All of which helps tremendously. I came off my Anti inflamatories but continue with Glucosamine Sulphate, MSM Cod Liver Oil and Omega 3 amongst 20 other supplements. I must say that the pain is greatly reduced, I no longer get the rubbing of bone on bone or electric shock like pain. I know it is very hard for people to do exercises when they are in so much pain and need a walker to get about. But if you try to start with gentle exercises, walking, swimming or just standing in the swimming pool and doing some exercises, as the water takes the weight and you can do in water what you cant do on solid ground, it will help a great deal. Any one considering taking Turmeric must first read up on the website, as it may not be for every one. If you are on blood thinners or Diabetic, or on several medication, you need to first check with your GP to see if it would interact with your other medication or your condition. Soaking in Magnasium Sulphate bath for half an hour also helps as the magnesium soaks through your skin and gives relief. Again, must check with GP first. There is still hope out there. If you are willing to help your self and not give up because of pain, you will find a way to manage your condition better. I hope this is helpful. Sorry its so long.

Good luck to all the sufferers seeking to find solution to their pain.

Nineteengale.

Hi, I'm Eileen {70} Not at all new to arthritis but new to this.  I've had hip arthritis and 2 THR's...the second one didn't work very well and I'm permanently on crutches but never mind I'm coping {that's almost 3 years ago} I also have OA on lower spine, ankle, neck, also kypho scoliosis  and NOW  just been diagnosed with arthritis in both knees, the right one being worse.

The consultant was concerned about it being drained and then very shortly afterwards every thing had swollen again. He wanted to know why so booked me in for an aspiration. That was last Friday {3 days ago} My knees had been sore but I expected that the same as the rest of the arthritis. The aspiration {although given a local} was very sore Sat was the same then on Sunday {DONT KNOW IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ASPIRATION} I felt as if there was something jabbing into my back ...about the waistband area....almost like a pin. I checked and could see nothing. This morning when I woke up the pain was really really bad. Mostly my pain is either aches or a pain which is fairly constant but this is , like I said the feeling of a pin or something jabbing into you only more so and a burning sensation????? Any advice about the type of pain?

I'm sorry this has been such a ramble but I thought I would tell you from the beginning but its the last bit that I'm having problems with. I have been driving even with crutches.  No problem. I went out and got into the car today to test myself and I drove for 2 mins before I had to turn round and come back so that seems as if driving is out ????   Thanks for reading....if you have managed to get to the bottom of this 

Love

Eileen

Hi, I've had painful knees since my 30's  was told to loose weight each time.  I wasn't obese plus I'm a very keen hillwalker, cyclist and swimmer.  I've used all sorts of gels, sprays, pills and supports to no avail.  It wasn't until last year I finally broke down in the doctors telling her that at 50 I feel my life is over as my knees are excruciating on a daily basis.  Hillwalking was my life and now a walk to the local shop has me in agony.  Finally after 20 years I was sent for an x ray which revealed osteoarthritis.  I saw a specialist and (as I've read above) I was told I was too young for new knees.  I have to struggle along on ibruphen until I'm old enough to get a replacement.  I am in constant pain, and its affecting my life in so many ways.  I had to give up a job I loved as it is very painful to drive - does anyone else find this?  

I'm about to join some trials on a new drug through a company called synexus.  My own doing, not through the doctor.  I will let you know how it goes :-). Fingers crossed.

Also, I read up on stem cell treatment, has anyone else?  My doctor wasn't interested in it though. 

Cheers

Thanks for reading 

Hi, when I was 64 i got up to find I could not put my foot to the ground due to an excruciating pain in my left groin.This continued and to cut a long story short, I had my first hip replacement a year later and found that my other hip also needed replacing. I found these replacements were both amazing. I was up walking around the next day and no pain, although I do have OA in my back, which they can do nothing about. One year later, found that my left knee also needed replacing. Due to not being mobile, firstly with my hips and then with my knee, I had put on so much weight, regardless of eating healthy and much less.  Last November, I was told that the waiting time for a knee replacement, was about a year and told me to lose 4 stone. I laughed at this as I had not been that weight since I was at school and had always been heavy despite my friends telling me I never looked it. Eventually, my right knee then collapsed, so need a knee replacement on that one too.

Finally, I have a date for next month for the op. I will be having a spinal anaesthetic and sedation, as i don't want to know what's happening during the op.  I had the same for my hips and it was amazing.  I had no idea of what happened in either op and when I came to in recovery, was wide awake with no grogginess and no nausea. Apparently, the aneasthetist's much prefer this procedure over a general.

i do hope your knee op goes well and you will soon be pain free, but if you do get the chance, go for the spinal anaesthetic, you will feel much better afterwards. 

Good luck. 

Mo xx