Re: Trying to Avoid Total Knee Replacement

fortune · ‎03-14-2010

On 11/8/2014 Persephonel said: I was just reading about curcumen/turmeric on amazon and one of the review's said they had problems with their knees, but after taking curcumen it went away. I think the dose was 500 milligrams. Just thought I'd mention it. Take care.

Thanks so much Persephonel! I'll look into it! So nice of you to suggest this!

HisElk · ‎09-30-2012

On 11/9/2014 Fortune said:
On 11/8/2014 Persephonel said: I was just reading about curcumen/turmeric on amazon and one of the review's said they had problems with their knees, but after taking curcumen it went away. I think the dose was 500 milligrams. Just thought I'd mention it. Take care.

Thanks so much Persephonel! I'll look into it! So nice of you to suggest this!

Fortune, please check into the above. My chiro recommends this for many of his patients. The reviews on amazon are high rating.

goodstuff · ‎03-09-2010

On 11/1/2014 DARING GREATLY said:
My friend needs knee surgery so badly, but she has been suffering from a bladder infection that won't seem to clear up. They won't do surgery on her knee as long as she still has the infection. The poor woman has been on every antibiotic known to man with "supposedly" no results. I say supposedly because I worry that the urine tests are not accurate or she's not being tested properly.

It's a darn shame that people have to live with such pain with all the technology that is out there.

As long as doctors can keep getting richer and make patients jump through all kinds of hoops to get relief, things will never change.

I'll also look into the laser procedures you are describing.

This has to be one of the most uninformed and misguided posts ever! The presence of an uncontrolled infection in the body makes it totally unsafe to do joint replacement surgery, as bacteria can colonize around the surgery area and the new joint and cause major, serious problems! For a couple of years after joint replacement surgery, you are required to take an antibiotic before undergoing even simple invastive procedures like dental work, as a serious infection in the new joint can occur. I know someone right now who is months post TKR and has spent weeks in the hospital with a very serious joint replacement infection and is now in a nursing center for an indefinite period taking powerful IV antibiotics, on a wound vac, etc. because of an infection that travelled to the knee. No surgeon in his right mind will perform joint replacement surgery on a patient with a known active infection. It has nothing to do with "the doctor getting richer" or "making the patient jump through hoops". You are totally off base here.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

On 11/9/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 11/1/2014 DARING GREATLY said:
My friend needs knee surgery so badly, but she has been suffering from a bladder infection that won't seem to clear up. They won't do surgery on her knee as long as she still has the infection. The poor woman has been on every antibiotic known to man with "supposedly" no results. I say supposedly because I worry that the urine tests are not accurate or she's not being tested properly.

It's a darn shame that people have to live with such pain with all the technology that is out there.

As long as doctors can keep getting richer and make patients jump through all kinds of hoops to get relief, things will never change.

I'll also look into the laser procedures you are describing.

This has to be one of the most uninformed and misguided posts ever! The presence of an uncontrolled infection in the body makes it totally unsafe to do joint replacement surgery, as bacteria can colonize around the surgery area and the new joint and cause major, serious problems! For a couple of years after joint replacement surgery, you are required to take an antibiotic before undergoing even simple invastive procedures like dental work, as a serious infection in the new joint can occur. I know someone right now who is months post TKR and has spent weeks in the hospital with a very serious joint replacement infection and is now in a nursing center for an indefinite period taking powerful IV antibiotics, on a wound vac, etc. because of an infection that travelled to the knee. No surgeon in his right mind will perform joint replacement surgery on a patient with a known active infection. It has nothing to do with "the doctor getting richer" or "making the patient jump through hoops". You are totally off base here.

I absolutely agree with GoodStuff. From my vantage point here in my chair and having read that many antibiotics have been tried, what I haven't read is that this lady's physician has ordered her ur-ne to be "plated" in order to determine exactly which bacteria is causing the infection. Once the offending bacteria is known, an Infectious Disease physician should be brought in to handle her care - which antiobiotic(s) to order. It is only until the patient is at this point that any headway can be made against the offending microbe.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

On 11/7/2014 Fortune said:
On 11/7/2014 Persephonel said:
On 11/6/2014 Fortune said:
So many brave and helpful posters!!! You ladies are so kind to share your thoughts and experiences!!! ${#emotions_dlg.wub}$

have you decided what to do? Hope you are OK!

Using the info that I got from you all, I've located an orthopedic specialist that works out of a well-known clinic in my area. He is versed in minimal invasive surgery and navigation. My doctor gave me a steroid shot in my affected knee, but so far, it hasn't helped at all. It's been less than a week, though. I started taking Aleve--2 a day--and it makes absolutely no difference in my pain. Icing doesn't help with the pain either. I'm going to make an appointment with the surgeon I mentioned above and have my latest X-rays sent to him. It's about time I start the wheels rolling for possible TKA. Thanks so much for all your help and interest!!!!!!!

You go girl! You seem to be in a better space now and I'm happy for you! Best of luck with your new physician. Take it a day at a time and an appointment at a time. Please keep us up to date.

God Bless - Rebecca

kismet · ‎03-10-2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHVxt-3vQDE

Fortune,

Here's a youtube page on the minimally invasive procedure. There are others on youtube showing the surgery itself. Hope this answers some of your questions.

laserlady · ‎10-05-2014

Laser therapy can be very helpful in pain management and in reduction of swelling, allowing for freer movement and greater mobility. There are many types of therapy lasers (often referred to as low level lasers) and not all of them are appropriate for treating pain and swelling. Good results will depend on a well educated and trained therapist with the right laser - often hard to come by in the US - as we are far behind the rest of the world with this treatment modality. If you have no cartilage left, no matter what you do will only be temporary and laser treatments must be looked at as continuing management - but will not take the place of surgery. I have maintained my knee for several years using laser therapy but eventually will have to have the replacement. Make sure the laser is cleared by the FDA for the correct indication and that the therapist has more than just a bit of training from the laser company. The clinic or practice should be in compliance with ANSI (American National Standards) safety standards, and if in a state requiring state license, that documentation is up to date. For more information about this, check out the website WALT.org - this is the World Association for Laser Therapy - and has many links to valuable resources on laser use and users.

fortune · ‎03-14-2010

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I've been very fortunate to have such knowledgeable people weighing in!!! I'm so glad I started this forum!!! Kiss

kismet · ‎03-10-2010

Fortune,

Just wanted to mention that sometimes it takes more than a week for your joint to feel better after having a shot. Sometimes mine would take over two weeks. I found that if I rested for 2 or 3 days and didn't push the knee that it worked better. Once I had a shot by a resident and got a bump alongside the shot. Found out that the shot didn't take. That's when I went from sports medicine to a doctor that takes care of arthritic knees and surgery. I originally had two meniscus tears repaired.

Another thing my doctor gives a spinal just before they start surgery so you don't feel pain that day and very little the next. Of course you'll have a pump for pain meds too when you feel you need them. My doctor has all his knee replacement patients in private rooms. So glad to go home so I could get some sleep.