Knee replacement

crazered · ‎04-01-2010

My Dr is going to give me a jell shot in the knee. Has anyone had this and does it work? He has said I will need knee replacement eventually. I am on the fence getting surgery but I do realize Woddle and do not walk correctly. Need suggestions on recovery time etc. I realize this may not be what happens to me. But I like to have others expetiences

thank you

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

I'm not sure what gel you're referring to. Do you have more details? I've worked out for almost all of my soon-to-be 69 years and have the knees to prove it. I have had cortisone injections in my knees, but those only offer temporary, albeit welcome, relief. I also had a series of five injections...something derived from some sort of rooster cartilage I think. It didn't work at all. I just read recently that there's a new product that is being injected but I know nothing about it. If that's what you're getting, I'd love to know more. I work out five days a week and it would be nice to enjoy my classes without pain.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

Is your shot the one with hyaluronic acid in it?

I had a series of 5 shots in my knee about 5 years ago. They contained hyaluronic acid and were very expensive; we had to get special authorization from insurance. The shots helped me about 40% and let me go fairly comfortably another 3 years without a full knee replacement. However, I wish I had the knee replacement as soon as the dr recommended it. It was a month of difficult recovery but it changed my life. I can now do things I haven't been able to do in years and years.

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

@crazered wrote:
My Dr is going to give me a jell shot in the knee. Has anyone had this and does it work? He has said I will need knee replacement eventually. I am on the fence getting surgery but I do realize Woddle and do not walk correctly. Need suggestions on recovery time etc. I realize this may not be what happens to me. But I like to have others expetiences
thank you

I had a right total knee replacement in June, 2011 and it never healed completely. I still experience a lot of pain. Two other ortho surgeons reviewed all surgical and post-op notes and DVD and said it was a textbook surgery but every once in a while, for no known reason, they just don't heal properly. Lucky me! My neighbor had the exact same surgery by the same surgeon within weeks of mine and said it was the best thing she ever did.

I now have bone on bone arthritis in the left knee. My new surgeon gave me the set of 3 gel shots in August and I still feel pretty good. He said that within a month of receiving the final injection I would know whether or not they were effective. He said they are 50/50. Fortunately for me, they worked and enable me to continue to work and get around. Like you, I will eventually require the surgery but am not looking forward to it. I won't lie to you...it's a rough surgery and recovery but so many have gotten though it and say they've never felt better. Sometimes I think I should just have the surgery and get it over instead of postponing the inevitable. Good luck in whatever choice you make. docsgirl

ASTP · ‎09-21-2013

Yes, I had that gel injection twice. It worked for a short time only. It has to be it'd by your insurance first. Expensive. I eventually had right knee replacement. Glad I did it but be mentally ready for it. I am a teacher of 4 year olds so I did it as soon as I got out of school for the summer. Spent 3 days in hospital, 3 weeks in an in-patient rehab facility which was great. Spent all summer doing physical therapy. Went back to school in September although wasn't recommended. Hard time doing stairs for quite awhile. So, I would say at least 3 months of therapy. I hope this helps you.

patticakes · ‎03-10-2010

Crazered-I just had my second round of Synvsc One injections about five weeks ago. I had the first set, also on both knees, in April. The first set lasted about seven months and you can have them every six. I would say they gave me about 70-75% relief. This set has given me relief but not as much. I would say about 50%. Yes, they are very expensive and you have to get an authorization from your insurance before they'll cover them. Also, there are different types of gel injections; however, the Synvsc One is just one injection not a series. Also, I'm sure you want to know about the injection itself. My doctor uses the freezing spray and I didn't find the injections to be painful--just a little uncomforable with the pressure of the serum going in. I also took their advice and iced the injections spot on and off for 24 hours and kind of rested. I didn't have any real down time or swelling or pain at the site of the injections. I hope this works for you and you get some relief. Knee pain is no fun!

LIndaMJ · ‎11-02-2014

@crazered, I had the third shot of Synvisc November 30 and have gotten 98% relief. Back in May I had the first set of 3 shots with the same results and they lasted 5 1/2 months before the pain started to come back. If only the FDA would approve a similar product for the hip joint.......😀!

crazered · ‎04-01-2010

Thank you for the responses. As far as jell,shots I really don't know much. He said they are $1800 a shot. I go Tuesday to discuss what is best for me. I also have bone Spurs and arthritis. I am really hoping he can just remove that and it will be better. Three years ago I had an autroscoopic (know that is spelled wrong )in my cartridge same knee. I did not do any rehab and went back to Dr he gave me some exercises .. I was diagnosed with breast cancer so I forgot about knee pain .I was off knees allot going thru chemo being in bed 20 hrs a day. But that is behind me now so I must face another hurdle but hopefully not as bad as cancer.

Keep posting I need opinions

thanks again

Goodie2shoes · ‎04-30-2012

I had a total knee replacement left knee in May of 2015, it's doing very well, glad I had it done. I went thru cortisone and synvisc injections and therapy prior (about 2 yrs)but eventually it became replacement time. I just had a left achilles tendon repair on 12/16 due to the degenerative tears in my tendon from the osteoporosis that ended up causing the knee replacement. The knee problems caused me to limp. Did you get all of that ? It's crazy I know but hopefully the injections will help to delay the possibility of a replacement for you. Overall I am glad I had it done, no more knee pain and I can walk the stairs ! Best of luck to you

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

The fact is that sooner or later when you have arthritic knees the doctor will recommend replacement surgery. IMO - attempting to put it off does not make anything any better, and you could be causing damage to your hips and back by walking on bone on bone knees. I think as soon as the doctor recommends it - best to have it done.