Wellness

[drizzellla]

I saw a topic about knee replacements - I did not want to hijack the ladies question.

But I wanted to know - How long did your knee hurt before you went to the Doctor? My knee has been hurting for going on 3 weeks. I kept thinking it would start to feel better but it hasn't. The knee feels just fine if the leg is straight. But if I have to sit for an extended period of time. OUCH! And going up and down stairs. It takes awhile.

It could be two things. Walking my collie, I have fallen a few times. He likes to run home after he goes. But then he also stops with no warning and I try and avoid bumping into him or I was following him on the lawn and I tripped over a tree root.

I am also on a anti-estrogen drug because of breast cancer. THe Doctor said the #1 side effect is that it affects joints.  

I retired July 1st and I am already a mess.

[janeec]

Just because your knee hurts does not mean you need a knee replacement.  It could be a strain, arthritis, etc.  If it hurts and you are worried, go to the doctor.  He/she can tell you whether it's something to worry about or not.  It may involve physical therapy, a wait and see approach, or something more. Peace of mind is a great healer.  If it is bad enough to cause you loss of sleep, make the appointment.

I wish you the best.  

[chrystaltree]

You have no reason to think that you need a knee replacement.  Any number of things could be causing your knee pain.  My sister had knee pain and it was  just some fluid on her knee that had to be dealth with and she's been fine ever since.  That was years ago.   I do think it's time for you to see a doctor.  Even if you have arthritis in that knee, that doesn't mean you need your knee replaced now or ever.  But don't do what I did.  My knee hurt for 2 years and like a dummy I refused to see a doctor because I was very overweight and I thought that if I just "lose some weight" the pain will go away.  I have OA and the pain is pretty bad, even after losing 55lbs.  I get steroid injections and take Advil but at some point I will need the knee replaced.  I'm just not quite ready to do that now.  Hubby is an RN and he thinks I should accept the reality of my situation and get the knee replacment surgery sooner rather than later. 

[Annabellethecat66]

@drizzellla I know you didn't address your question to me and I don't think I'm a very good example because I waited a very long time (way too long) before I got both of my knees replaced.  That's one reason I decided to get them both done at the same time.  They were both total bone on bone.  It was terrible pain.

Most of the people I know and at the Drs office were in severe pain for some time.  Your Dr is best to decide about replacement.

The x-rays will show how bad it is.  My daughter had bad knee pain and the Dr sent her to a podiatrist and she had some inserts made for her shoes.  She's also having her back worked on (i.e. massage and acupuncture).  This has all helped her knee and back.

If it hasn't hurt for very long you probably don't need to have it replaced.  However, like I said, your Dr can tell you the right thing to do about it.  Maybe you just need to give it a rest.

Take care and I hope you feel better.  I will say I've never met anyone who regrets having it done.  It has helped some more than others though.  It got rid of all of my knee pain and I could barely walk at all before.

[Azcowgirl]

I am dealing with that in my right knee also. When I sleep with it bent, Trying to straighten it out when I wake up is painful, also if sitting in a car for a couple hours with it bent. Once I walk on it for a little bit, it feels fine.

worried that ultimately I will need a knee replacement.

[Kachina624]

@drizzellla  When a person starts having knee pain and goes to the doctor, there are many things that can be done to relieve the pain before surgery is indicated.  It's sort of the last resort.  They'll probably x-ray it immediately to see what kind of condition it's in.  

Why don't you call the doctor who prescribed the meds that can cause joint pain, and ask him what you should do.  He may order an x-ray and if there is arthritis, refer you to a rheumatologist.  I'd start with this doctor and take it from there. 

[sfnative]

@drizzellla

You indicated that this problem is approximately 3 weeks in duration and has not subsided.  Even thinking about a knee replacement at this point it off topic.  What is advised is for you to make an appointment with your physician to address this problem.  If it were me and I REALLY wanted to get to the bottom of it, I'd ask for a referral to an orthopaedic physician specializing in knees.

Your doc may simply prescribe an NSAID and leave it at that.  However, you may have torn a bit of cartilage during one of those tumbles or pulled a ligament.  Best let the expert make that diagnosis - an Ortho specialist.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

You may want to check your shoes for wear. I work a job that requires walking on hard surfaces 8 hrs/day, and recently started to feel knee pain.  Lo and behold, I had worn down the shoes quite a bit where I strike the ground.  New shoes fixed it.

(I've had a hip replacement, BTW, FWIW.)

[shaggygirl]

I was just mentioning in another thread how I had been going to my chiropractor because I did my back in doing something I shouldn't have been doing and happened to mention to him at my last visit a couple days ago how my knee had been killing me. Hard getting out of bed, hard getting out of chairs, hard getting on and off the toilet, aching in bed at night. Was iceing, heating, taking Advil. He felt my knee, did some maneuver, long story short, he said my knee cap was dislocated and fixed it. I walked out of there with my knee waaaaaaaaaaay better. It is just slightly sore if I press on one particular spot. Moral of story, as others have just told you, you don't always need surgery!

[drizzellla]

Ladies -  I am not thinking about a knee replacement. I was just wondering how long you waited before you went to the Doctor.

The post about knee replacements made me think of asking. Because it started with trouble with the knee. I was just curious how long the knee bothered you before you sought professional help.

To be honest - I thought the discomfort would be gone by now.