Hi, I'm Ollyoyster! Any success stories with pip grade 4 osteoarthritis and anxiety panic?

Ollyoyster

At last i finally have got a date with orthopedic surgeon, end of june,,, im really scared about operation s etc, but i need to do this to see if i can walk without pain again 😬🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Ollyoyster

Has anyone on here had a new knee??? 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Ollyoyster

I'm so glad you have an appointment, you'll be able to talk everything over and hopefully that will put you at ease  

ShirleyW

Ollyoyster said:

Has anyone on here had a new knee??? 

Yes I had a new knee 10 weeks ago.  I also had the other knee replaced 8 years ago.

I am glad I had both of the surgeries but the first few weeks are extremely painful and it can take several months to recover and feel the full benefit of the operation.

What did you want to know about a knee replacement?

Ollyoyster

Everything😂,, i am in pain all the time and physio etc hasnt scratched the surface, and now my other knee is going same way, i am of the understanding that there are different bits they can do, dependant upon which part is damaged,, was all your knee bad, did u have total knee replacement or partial?? Thank u for advice, i am scared but if it means i can walk normally again without pain then i need to do it x

ShirleyW

Both of my knees were full replacements.
In both of them there was no cartilage left and the bone was rubbing on bone which is what causes most of the pain. 

To start with there will be pain after the operation, quite extreme pain for a few days and then it starts to improve.   But the hospital should give you strong painkillers for it.

You will need to use crutches for a few weeks until your muscles, tendons and ligaments heal and grow stronger. 

The pain after the operation is different to the arthritis pain, it is a healing pain which eventually goes away and you can walk without it hurting. 

It is brutal major surgery and it is as if your leg has been chopped in two and then screwed, cemented and hammered back into place. 

The recovery is hard and you will need to do the physio exercises given to you so that you can start walking again.   It will be difficult to sleep for several weeks but eventually it all improves. 

In the early stages you will wish you had never had it done.  I was like that but now I am pleased and it is much easier to walk and will continue to improve. 

Ollyoyster

Thank you so much for your advice, i am stage 3to 4 and tge x ray is bone on bone on right side of knee, it flares up really bad in cold or damp weather, did yours x

ShirleyW

Ollyoyster said:

Thank you so much for your advice, i am stage 3to 4 and tge x ray is bone on bone on right side of knee, it flares up really bad in cold or damp weather, did yours x

Not particularly, it was painful all the time.

Yours may not be painful all the time but you have to realise that it's unlikely to improve, osteoarthritis only gets worse.

Also it's possible that there might be a long wait for the operation.  So even if you agree to the surgery now, it might be a long time before its done. 

Rainbow116

My doctor told me today 6 year wait for the full knee replacement .. also today my mandatory reconsideration wasn’t successful.. been a frustrating day 

Ollyoyster

 Yes you are right shirley, it definitely getting worse. 😩, thank you for advice, hopefully after i see orthopedic surgeon i can come back to you with questiins xx

Ollyoyster

Awww no rainbow, im currently waiting for my tribuneral, i got my mr refused also. ive got a few problems including my knees.  Are you going to go to tribuneral, my whole process started in sep 22, so its been a while!!!!  6 yr wait!!!!! O my days, if only we could afford private 😩😩😩xx

ShirleyW

Rainbow116 said:

My doctor told me today 6 year wait for the full knee replacement .. also today my mandatory reconsideration wasn’t successful.. been a frustrating day 

I think you should wait until you see the Orthopedic Surgeon and see what he says about the waiting list and whether or not you need the operation.  I have not heard of any lists that are 6 years long anywhere in the country.

I live in Lancashire and only waited 4 months for my latest knee replacement.  I knew which surgeon I wanted and which hospital I wanted to be treated in.  It was a private hospital but the operation was carried out on the NHS and didn't cost me a penny.

Do some research and find out which of your local hospitals (both private and NHS) have the shortest waiting lists for knee replacements.  Very often the private ones are much shorter because they are less likely to have cancellations and strike action.

You may not need surgery.  It might be that a steroid injection will help you.  Also very often the surgeons don't like to do the surgery if you are under 60 years old because the new knee may wear out and need replacing in the future.  They appear to have a lifespan of about 20 to 25 years.

Ollyoyster

Thank you, yes i should wait,. My physio has mentioned that im too young, 49, so we wait and see x

L_Volunteer

How do you feel about what the physio said @Ollyoyster? 

Ollyoyster

I do understand, but on the other side i could gwt knkwcked over by a bus tomorrow,  xx

Hannah_Alumni

How is physio going @Ollyoyster?

Ollyoyster

Hi i have just had my appointment with orthopedic surgeon, i am now on waiting list for a knee replacemnt,,, i am scared but excited that i can be hooefully fixed 😬😬,, i have sent this info off to tribuneral as new info, dont knkw if it will count, theoretically it should as i have been waiting for this appointment for about same time as i originally applied???  Im all jittery i think its nerves. I have to have an mri scan as my kther knee is deteriorating fast as well,, think i need a stiff drink!!!!!! 

Alex_Alumni

Oh @Ollyoyster it sounds like you've had quite the day, that's a lot to take on board! Do you have a date for the MRI scan? 

What are you doing for the rest of today, it might be best to try and relax and rest as much as possible. We're here if you need us

Rainbow116

@Ollyoyster hopefully you’ll get an operation date soon xx I’m yet to see mine to get on the waiting list 

Ollyoyster

I think i have waited about 8 or 9 months for mine,, cant remember now,, fingers crossed it wont be long for you xx