I know this post is overdue but I was helping my elderly mother-in-law. Why is it that the older I get, the older “OLD” is?
Anyway, I wanted to share some thoughts and my experience with total knee replacement. Please NOTE: This is by NO means a recomendation for you per se. It is MY PERSONAL experience with knee replacement and some information I found helpful. I just share it because I did a lot of research and trial/error and I want to help others to possibly avoid that.
This might take a few posts. Knee replacement is not to be taken lightly and should not be the first option when you feel pain. There are things you can do such as:
–Lose weight and exercise if you’re overweight (I was)
I was told that for every 10 lbs I lost, that was 40 lbs less force pressing on my knee. Losing weight helped a lot. Some of my activities were:
–walking with a knee brace or kinesiology tape (tape supports muscles to relieve pain and reduce inflammation – it comes in many pretty colors/patterns)
–bike riding – again with a knee brace or kinesiology tape
–strength training – be careful with the weight though
–water aerobics – this felt about the best
–yoga but then I can’t live without my yoga
–tai chi was suggested but I’m not a fan although I know many are
–Physical Therapy
They can help you with a plan to strengthen the muscles around your knee and be there to not only make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly but monitor your progress.
–OTC Medications & Supplements
Options I tried:
–Excedrin (acetaminopen and NSAID) but I took so much it made my stomach bleed
–Advil (NSAID) again bleeding
–Tylenol (acetaminopen) worked for a while
–Topical creams that have capsaicin which also provide temporary relief
–Osteo BiFlex – no help
–Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate – no help
–Revival Balm from Lemongrass Spa
–Bio Freeze – temporary relief
–Deep Blue from DoTerra – temporary relief
–Green Deva Massage Oil which was an essential oil blend – temporary relief
There are many more options available and they MAY work well for you.
–Corticosteriod Injection
This was an injection right into the knee. It wasn’t painful to get. It supposedly helped with inflammation and pain. For many, this will work and relief will last for several weeks. It’s a great option.
–Acupuncture
This is an ancient Chinese technique that uses thin needles injected into your knee to change the flow of energy within your body. While it sounds kind of creepy and painful to get needles put into your body, you really don’t feel them. It can take several sessions for them to work and most insurance companies don’t cover the cost.
I was offered Prolotherapy which is where the dr injects a solution into the ligament to increase blood flow and supply nutrients. It takes several injections about 4 weeks apart and there is no guarantees. I opted out of that AND an injection for a pain block. I felt the pain block was just a bandaid cure.
There are other options that I’ve read about but did not try such as:
–Arthroscopic Surgery
This is where the surgeon uses a small incision to operate on the inside of the knee, It can be used for a torn meniscus, damaged cartliage or repair ligaments.
–Stem Cell Treatment
I read where they use bone marrow stem cells to help regenerate cartilage.
I’m sure there is or will be more options as us baby boomers continue to age and research continues. Remember this is a big money maker for all those involved with treatment.
I went to the doctor, he took X-rays. When I saw the X-rays, I could see that my cartliage (the cushion between my knee bones) was pretty much gone. I was bone on bone.
With anything this important, always weigh your options before you opt for invasive surgery. So, when IS the time?
Consider:
-Knee pain can cause you to walk in such a way that it will affect other parts of your body because you will favor the knee.
-If you have difficulty in just accomplishing normal tasks due to pain – like walking to the mailbox
-Your overall health is getting bad due to your increasing sedentary lifestyle
-Bottomline – is it affecting your quality of life????
I found this Questionnaire online from Healthline: Osteoarthritis Newsletter I thought it was really helpful:
Questionnaire
For each question, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5. The total may help you and your doctor decide whether a knee replacement is a suitable option for you.
1. Overall level of pain
How would you describe your overall pain level?
| 1 | Slight pain and/or no trouble |
| 2 | Slight pain and/or little trouble |
| 3 | Moderate pain and/or moderate trouble |
| 4 | Serious pain and/or extreme difficulty |
| 5 | Severe pain and/or impossible |
2. Pain and difficulty bathing
How difficult is it for you to bathe and dry yourself?
| 1 | Slight pain and/or no trouble |
| 2 | Slight pain and/or little trouble |
| 3 | Moderate pain and/or moderate trouble |
| 4 | Serious pain and/or extreme difficulty |
| 5 | Severe pain and/or impossible |
3. Using transportation
How much pain and difficulty do you experience when getting in and out of a car, operating a vehicle, or using public transportation?
| 1 | Slight pain and/or no trouble |
| 2 | Slight pain and/or little trouble |
| 3 | Moderate pain and/or moderate trouble |
| 4 | Serious pain and/or extreme difficulty |
| 5 | Severe pain and/or impossible |
4. Walking capacity
How long can you walk, with or without a cane, before experiencing severe knee pain?
| 1 | Longer than 30 minutes |
| 2 | 16–30 minutes |
| 3 | 5–15 minutes |
| 4 | Less than 5 minutes |
| 5 | Can’t walk without severe pain |
5. Standing up
After sitting in a chair or at a table and then getting up to stand, what level of pain do you experience?
| 1 | Slight pain and/or no trouble |
| 2 | Slight pain and/or little trouble |
| 3 | Moderate pain and/or moderate trouble |
| 4 | Serious pain and/or extreme difficulty |
| 5 | Severe pain and/or impossible |
6. Pain while walking
Does the pain in your knee cause you to limp while walking?
| 1 | Rarely or never |
| 2 | Occasionally or only when first starting to walk |
| 3 | Frequently |
| 4 | Most of the time |
| 5 | Always |
7. Kneeling down
Are you able to kneel down and get back up easily afterward?
| 1 | Yes, without any problem |
| 2 | Yes, with slight difficulty |
| 3 | Yes, with moderate difficulty |
| 4 | Yes, with extreme difficulty |
| 5 | Not possible |
8. Sleep
Does your knee pain interfere with sleep?
| 1 | Never |
| 2 | Once in a while |
| 3 | Some nights |
| 4 | Most nights |
| 5 | Every night |
9. Work and housework
Are you able to work and do housework?
| 1 | Yes, with minimal or no problem |
| 2 | Yes, most of the time |
| 3 | Yes, fairly often |
| 4 | Sometimes |
| 5 | Rarely or never |
10. Knee stability
Does your knee ever feel as though it’s going to give way?
| 1 | Not at all |
| 2 | Occasionally |
| 3 | Fairly often |
| 4 | Most of the time |
| 5 | All of the time |
11. Household shopping
Are you able to do household shopping?
| 1 | Yes, with minimal or no problem |
| 2 | Yes, most of the time |
| 3 | Yes, fairly often |
| 4 | Sometimes |
| 5 | Rarely or never |
12. Managing stairs
Are you able to walk down a flight of stairs?
| 1 | Yes, with minimal or no problem |
| 2 | Yes, most of the time |
| 3 | Yes, fairly often |
| 4 | Sometimes |
| 5 | Rarely or never |
Score
Final Score = ______________ (Add your score from above.)
- 54 or higher: indicates that your condition is fairly severe
- 43 to 53: indicates that you have a moderate problem
- 30 to 42: indicates some problem or inhibited function
- 18 to 29: indicates that your condition is relatively mild
- 17 or lower: indicates that you have little to no knee problems
Only YOU and your doctor can determine when the right time is but DO NOT be pressured. YOU will know more than anyone when the time is right! It was 6 years from the time of my first X-ray and was told I needed Total Knee Replacement immediately to when I actually had it done.
Was that good or bad? I don’t know but it was right for me. I chose to look at alternative solutions first knowing that a replacement is only good for a limited number of years. Surgery for me is always a last resort.
I’m going to end this here and will continue with what to do AFTER you make the decision. I promise I won’t take as long for the next part.
Questions/comments/or thoughts are welcome and encouraged.
Hugs
~Debbi
Founder of Not Your Mama’s Senior
and Scrapbooking For Anyone