Hi.  I will provide a brief history.  I've had two different surgeries (one on each knee) to address the following:

Right knee-  When I was 31 I had a scope to fix a torn lateral meniscus. Once he was in he found a huge gouge type defect which runs from lateral to medial, all the way across the lateral femoral condyle (this wasn't visible on the MRI for some reason). Since I was bone on bone, he performed cortical perforation and cleaned everything else up with a shaver. His final diagnosis was global significant synovitis, chondromalcia grade 1 to grade 4 and of course the large "skid type" injury running entirely across the weightbearing surface.

Left knee- When I was 36 (4 1/2 months ago) another surgeon worked on this knee.  In the operative report he noted "Examination of the articular surfaces revealed grade 3 changes along the lateral portion of the weightberaring dome" and "grade 3 chondromalacia along the lateral facet".  He performed extensive chondroplasty, removed a 2 x 3 mm loose body (bone chip), repaired a macerated complex tear and then performed a lateral release.  I have a lot of pain and swelling still and on occasion the knee sort of catches and I yell out (it's so embarassing) and then somehow I move it in another direction and it goes back into place and feels better.

I have not recovered well from this surgery.  I saw another OS for a second opinion.  He thought the doc did a great job.  He did aspirate the knee and inject steroids.  This gave me pain relief for two weeks. 

Here are my questions if anyone can help or give advice:

1) The aspirated fluid was pink and he was able to get 40 cc's off.  The swelling is back now, but does that color indicate anything about what type of arthritis this is or give any other clues?
2)  Both the left and right knee doctors said my knees looked like they were the result of car wreck type injuries, but I've never been in an accident or had any blows to the knee.  How could I possibly have this much damage?
3)  Do any of you also experience pain in other joints?  My wrists occasionally throb and my lower back kills me every morning.  5 years ago I had a blood panel done that happened to include the RA factor in it and I tested at 10  (normal RA factor is 0 to 13.9, so I'm pretty sure it's not Rheumatoid Arthritis).  So, what could cause Osteoarthritis to this degree at this age and what can I do about it?
4)  I was a collegiate athlete and want to continue doing the sports I love, like tennis, now.  I do not tolerate Mobic, Celebrex or any of the anti-inflamatories or glucosamine because my body reacts with intense fluid retention.  Basically I just go on with my days and activities and try to buck through the pain.  Lately it's tough getting up the stairs after a long day.  I have a 7 year old and 10 year old to manage as well, so I'm pretty active.  Can anyone out there relate and give me any advice?

Thank you so much for getting through this long description.  Your comments would be dearly appreciated.  Sincerely,  Tennis Junkie

Dear Kathy-  Thank you so much for your response.  I actually got in to see a rheumatologist today.  He did xrays and a ton of bloodwork, so hopefully I will have some answers soon.  I think knowing what type of arthritis I'm dealing with will be helpful.  Anyway, I just wanted to tell you thank you because it was my first time to ever post and if no one would have replied I think that would have ended my career on the message boards.  lol  I appreciate your advice and sharing as well. :-)

HI I just posted with questiong about knee injections but read your post. I am 38 so I understand you frustration with the OA andbeing young and having to tend to kiddos.  I have 4 myself... 8, 6 and twin 4 yr olds.  I hope you got the infor you were looking for from the rhuem. doc.  What did you find out?

Kathy when is your surgery scheduled?  Hope it goes well!

Melissa

Hi,

How are things? I had surgery a week ago today, and am now bored out of my brain after a week of doing nothing much!! I just hope the surgery works!! It looks like I will be out of action longer than I thought, as I was told I won't get to go to physio until after my 6 week x-ray. I have organised 6 weeks off work, but I won't be able to work on crutches, and I don't think they'll let me stop using them until the x-ray comes back okay. Then I will have to get strong enough to be able to do manual handling at work before I can go back. I can't even do a straight leg raise at the moment!!

What do they plan to do about your scoliosis? I have mild scoliosis, and have never done anything about it, though I wonder if physio would be able to help. I hope yours isn't due to something awful, like the degenerative disc disease you mentioned. Let us know how things go.

Do the aspirations help? I have never had anything like that done, nor any injections either. I hate the thought of having a needle in my knee, though it hasn't been presented as an option yet anyway.

Anyway, good luck with your back, and your knees too! I hope you get some good news or something to help you soon.

Kathy