Knee arthritis

[WTFH]

Be prepared to be told you're too fat for surgery and have to lose weight before they'll consider putting you on the waiting list

Too fat, or blood glucose too high. That's where my wife his. Her right knee has no cartilage left. Her left knee causes her more pain and that is the one to be replaced first. She's had hydrocortisone injections a few times and they used to provide a bit of relief. In June she had an Arthrosamid injection (done privately not with her preferred consultant), which was supposed to be a great way to buy time until surgery. It didn't work and apart from costing over £2k, she was still in a lot of pain.
We are hoping that she will have one knee done as early next year as possible. We have gone back to her preferred consultant (and since woody1 is vaguely in the area, he may want to speak to https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consu...n-r-a-phillips ), who is planning to do robotic surgery on her, but was waiting until 6 months after the other failed procedure, and also for her to have better blood results.

[woody1]

Sorry to hear that WTFH

Mine aren't that bad (yet). Just can't walk the dog far any more. And travelling has become a pain; stuck standing in airport queues.

[tazdevil]

I know nothing about knee problems but recently had the gall bladder removed. There's a thing called NHS E-Referral that used to be called 'patients choice' where you can decide where and who you want to do a procedure including going private on the NHS. Using this route is actively discouraged by some consultants and some GP's aren't clued up on it but it does work. I booked a private consultation (got the fee back on a simply health plan we have) and the consultant advised going the E-Referral route. Explained it to the GP, who at first didn't know what I was talking about, but they did the necessary and E-Referred me to a private hospital. That was actually a cock up as the consultant I saw there was an arrogant prat who was dead against people using this route! Went back to the original private consultant who booked me onto his own list at the local teaching hospital. If I'd have gone straight NHS I'd still be waiting but going the other way got my op within 6 months of diagnosis and a few weeks after the final consultation, on the NHS

[malvolio]

osteoarthritis and rheumatoid are entirely different.
knee probs could be meniscus related, too.

I'M NOT a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Nor am I. My wife is, however. And we are well aware of the difference. Sadly, the net result is the same - bone-on-bone in a load bearing joint.

But thank you for the usual pointlessly useless post.

[malvolio]

Private or NHS? If NHS, how long did she have to wait?

Private, a couple of weeks both times. But the NHS may not be a long time either, they sub the operation to the private sector. You need to ask your doctor or local trust.

[Paddy]

I was on crutches until three months ago.
What I have learned from doctors.
Arthritic knees are normal when getting old.
Manage the pain before they become painful.
Keep exercising gently such as walking,
Keep to recommended physio exercises.
Reduce weight if possible (less stress on knees).

[DoctorStrangelove]

I take cod liver oil, turmeric and glocosamine.

I stopped taking those & the knees and now the hip seem a lot more painful than they were, I'm also off the ibuprofen for the moment.

Looks like the stuff might have been doing some good after all.

Who'd have thunk?

Came off the ibuprofen before the other two.

I don't doubt I'll be back on all of it sooner or later. .

[woody1]

Came off the ibuprofen before the other two.

Was that oral or topical?

[DoctorStrangelove]

Was that oral or topical?

Now you mention it: pills. I'm still using the topical: Tesco's finest.

[Dorkeaux]

Even if I was keen, unless I went private, delay would be the operative word. Woman at the boarding kennels where we take our dog had to wait 3 years for one knee and then another 2 for the other knee.

Indeed, this.
A close colleague of mine was diagnosed years ago. Very fit otherwise, but can barely walk. Both knees need replacing.
Hasn't got a surgery date yet.

But stick your hand in your pocket, you can get it done immediately. Probably by the same surgeon as the NHS.

Knee surgery has really come along in recent decades.
It used to be it was so invasive they had to time it as late in life as possible, because by the time it came around for your second you would be too old to withstand the surgery.
These days it's a lot easier on the patient, with better outcomes. They also do replacement parts!

Another close friend has just received a new treatment, some sort of injectable coating for the moving knee parts.
I don't know the name of it, I'm afraid. It's Danish, I believe. Not covered by the NHS, and quite new. But my mate seems to be getting on well with it.