KNEE ARTHRITIS - General principles of managing Osteoarthritis of the knee :

Arthritis at 28????? - - Posted by casey2291 (casey2291), 26 October 2004



Hi.  I put this same post up in the meniscus section, but I am hoping maybe someone in this arthritis section will have some good advice for me as well.  I had a second opinion today on my knee.  The first OS said that I probably had a tear in my meniscus...he determined this with little examination and no MRI.  I believe he based it on the PT report that I took him. The frist OS wanted to scope the knee.   So, I decided to get a second opinion.  The OS today said that he wants to do an MRI.  At least he did evlaute my knee.  He  looked at my X-rays and said that there is some hardening on the bone below the meniscus and that my knee x-ray looked more like that of a 38 year old and not that of a 28 year old.  He said that it is possible that I might have arthritis in my knee or small degenerative tears to the meniscus.  He said that if it was small tears that he wanted to try a cortisone shot.  From what I have read, it doesn't appear that the cortisone shots do much.  And if the cortisone shot doesn't work, then surgery.  He did also say that it could be just a tear in the meniscus.  I am really worried that it might be arthritis, especially since I have been having some similar symptoms on my other "good" knee.  I would rather it just be a tear and have the surgery verses having to live with arthritis for the rest of my life.  All my pain started six months ago when I was out running and stepped down and it hurt.  I am thinking that I injured it,  but is it possible that arthritis would start out so suddenly like that?  I didn't have any knee pain whatsoever before my running incident.  The OS said not to worry about my good knee right now, that I may have just stressed it out b/c I am rock climbing when the pain allows me too.  Anyone know what the likelihood of a person having arthritis or degenerative menisus tears at 28 years old?    Any input would be great!!!!

Posted by UCIGimp (UCI Gimp), 27 October 2004

Casey,
I don't know exactly what your symptoms are but yes, it is very possible to have arthritis at 28, I am 18 and have had osteoarthritis for 3 years, my left knee looks like it belongs to a 60 year old runner (not good).  I do suggest seeing a rhumatologist (sp ).  Mine works with my os so they pass information back and forth (rhumy was actually at last surgery to confirm previous diagnosis).  Sorry if this was not the news you were looking for but good luck.
Danielle
Posted by Teresa_S (Teresa_S), 29 October 2004

Unfortunately OA is not age discriminatory, but neither does it come on suddenly, like after a fall. So , you could have arthritis, as it is basically degenerative, but if you notice symptoms after an injury, it is probably more likely that you injured your knee and IF you have any osteo arthritis, it would have been found incidently.My knees at age 35 were worse than most 60 year olds. Now, I have at least four major joints if not six that are almost incapacitated by OA. Good luck, Teresa
Posted by UK_Sam (UK_Sam), 29 October 2004

Hi
Am also 28 and I have arthritis and meniscus damage   (well more acurately no miniscus at all on the lateral side and torn on medial side).

So entirely possible!

I too was shocked as had previously thought was something 'old people' get but alas I was wrong.

Still - gives me and my grandparents something to talk about
TTFN
Sam
Posted by casey2291 (casey2291), 30 October 2004

Thanks to all that have replied to this and shared your stories.  I now understand that anyone can get osteoarthritis regardless of age.  I just I will just keep praying that I have a meniscus tear verses arthritis.  I wish you all good painfree knee days!!!  
Posted by tsanford07 (tsanford07), 19 November 2004

Hi Casey,

I just turned 31 and have oa in both knee caps...I had no warning and the doctors are amazed that oa set in my knee cap cartilige like it did in both knees.  I just woke up one day and 2 years ago next month and went to work and have never been the same...I wouldn't really recomend seeing a rhematologist I would see a regular othropedic doctor....Also if you can avoid surgery then I would from what I understand everone who has surgery by time they get older have will have oa where they had surgery.  I have had 2 knee surgeries already and will probably have 2 more in the next month or two...I will say do as much research and ask many many questions before you let them operate on you...get multiple opinions before you do anything.  The doctors I have seen and now have are still amazed at what happen to my knees because it most common in people over 40 and teenagers.  Which teenagers usually grow out of it because their bodies are still growing... But in adults there usually isn't a full recovery.

I'm just pray you will take my advice research, research, research, ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. becuase these are your legs.

Tara
Posted by grannynan (grannynan), 20 November 2004

Hi, Casey:
I found out I had severe OA in my knee when I had surgery to repair a dislocating patella at 22.  When I heard the diagnosis of OA, I really had no idea what that meant.  Post-surgery, I was as active as I possibly could be, but didn't really understand how damaging some of my activities were.  It is now 29 years later, and my knee has been totally "trashed" for some time now.  I have been extremely disabled by it for about 2 years.  What I'm trying to say is take Tara's advice and research and ask questions and learn all you can about it and, above all, respect it.
Nancy.  

This old Forum was so valuable that we have kept it as an archive. It is just for reference. If you want to ask questions or offer advice, there is also a current Bulletin Board which you can access from our home page.