Feeling lost/down without solution in sight

[GillyJay]

Hi all, I’m sure I’m not the only one to feel like this but it’s good to have this site to be able to ‘vent’ my frustrations. From being a fit, active 63 year old last July, doing a good hour cardio in the gym (30 mins cross trainer and 30 mins on static bike) followed by weights three times a week, then out of the blue  in the space of a day my knee started giving out and a day later swelled up and couldn’t bend it. Trip to doc who’s said wait for 4/6 weeks for swelling to go and it may be ok. Saw sports physio who gave me deep tissue massage which helped. Doc arranged X-ray which revealed very worn knee and sorted consultation at hospital which revealed Severe patellofemoral degeneration with osteoarthritis. Had a corticosteroid injection early October and struggled initially with getting back to minimal exercise. Occasions where knee would swell, be very stiff had to use walking stick for a few weeks but by December things seem to settle. Consultant suggested I keep start gradually increasing exercise so after a few weeks could walk on treadmill for about 45 mins without after effects but here we are in January and three days ago the knee started giving out, big time and frequently. Today I can’t get around without a stick and only for 10 mins or so before the pain/giving out starts.  Took CoDydramals to no effect, iced it, rested it but so no improvement. Feeling very low. Can’t get to see NHS consultant til February. Struggling with stairs and generally getting around the house. Realise there’s others far worse off but can’t help feeling at wits end. with this. Considering going private to find out what’s causing this. February is a lifetime away. Sorry to have made this so longwinded but feel slight better for having done so.

[BarefootPilgrim]

Hi there,

sounds like an MRI scan might be needed to get a better idea of what the issue is with your knee. If your knee reacts badly to exercising/walking a lot, the only thing you really can do is continue to give it as much rest as possible, maybe with some stretches to keep the leg mobile.

Do you have any history of issues with that knee?

Maybe write down a list of questions you want to ask your consultant once you do see him, and try to stay patient - February is not that far away :-)

I hope you feel better soon!

[GillyJay]

Thanks for the reply and sorry for being so slow responding. There's been a lot happening with the knee! Yes, I do have a history of problems with this knee going back some 18 or so years. Twisted it badly skiing and a few years later fell off a mountain bike and hurt it badly. Xray after the bike incident showed the kneecap was ok but there was a small bit of bone floating around. Was given the option of keyhole surgery with a warning that it may accelerate arthritis so stuck with it - was in my late 40s so decided to get used to it. Loose bit of bone wasn't an issue. Skied after this by having to use a good strong knee brace. Last winter before skiing, I started using the static bike in the gym which seemed to make my knees feel better. Had a good time skiing but knee was much more swollen when back and more painful but it slowly got a little better. However, out of the blue mid summer, the give out's started and here we are. So, two weeks back I went to see a specialist knee clinic after finding out about the extremely long wait for surgery on the NHS 24 - 32 weeks and the fact that the consultant appointment was delayed another 2 weeks and then it was another 4 week wait from that for a referral. Tic doc...  so bit the bullet and got a private consultation which confirmed that I've reached a point of no return ie I either 'shape my life to suit the knee issues' or consider a replacement of sorts. Took Xrays to specialist knee surgeon and he confirmed that the 'give outs' are arthritic flare ups which, will probably increase over time. The knee cap is badly worn v painful now the corticosteroid injection has well and truly worn off. So it's surgery. CT scan next week and op two weeks after. Feeling better knowing there's a plan in place. Thank you for your help and support.

[neptronix]

Hey.. how did your surgery go?

[GillyJay]

Hey.. how did your surgery go?

Hi Neptronix, thanks for asking and so sorry for the very slow reply - I've spent the post op weeks working on recovery and haven't been on this site. The surgery went very well and I woke up after the op to find I'd had PKR rather than TKR which was a bonus. The date got brought forward a few days which was a bit of a surprise but I was suffering from severe anxiety and scared of going under the knife so probably a blessing. Op was done early saturday morning (8.30 am) and was back in my room by 11.30 and they got me up on crutches late pm that day. I was allowed home on the monday after a couple of physio sessions to make sure I was ok using crutches, managing stairs etc. The first few days at home post op were tricky. Moving around was tedious and slow of course, and I slept a lot and found it very awkward coping on elbow crutches with the expected lack of ROM meant more keeping the leg up and trying to get some movement back into it, but even with the post op pain and swelling, I could feel the knee was so much better. I'm nearly 7 weeks into recovery now. Ditched the crutches after 2 weeks and having fortnightly physio since and things are improving. Managed to walk 2.5 miles quite steadily yesterday and so pleased I've had it done. It highlights the fact that the other knee isn't so good which I knew but I'm planning to look after than for now. If push came to shove, yes, I  would have the other knee done. Lots of people report that recovery on PKR is only 4 - 6 weeks. I know everyone is different but I'd say that in my case (I'm 63) it's more like 6/8 weeks to be able to walk relatively normally. The swelling has reduced a lot and I think that when it has totally gone, I should have good ROM. I do the exercises twice daily and ice the knee afterwards which is bliss! Looking forward to getting my life back and hope to start back at the gym in June but will be taking it easy!

[GillyJay]

Hi BarefootPilgrim,
So sorry I didn't reply at the time.
Things escalated since I posted in January my Feb appointment was shifted to April and I was told that appointment was the only way to get to see the surgeon but that would be a further 4/6 weeks and depending on what surgery he recommended there was currently 18/24 week waiting list (not an option at 63 and struggling to lead a normal life!), so we dug into savings to get things moving. Had a Mako Unicompartmental Knee Replacement early March and on the road to recovery now. So very glad I had it done. I don't have full ROM yet and probably won't get more than 130 degrees but I'm happy with that.
Yes, in answer to you question, I have history with the knee originating from a bad twist skiing some 15 years ago then a fall from a mountain bike 10 years ago - various X-rays but told best to persevere rather than contemplate an op in my early 50s. Skiing since then had always been with a strong knee brace and usually two weeks of swelling after the holiday! I knew some sort of problem was looming having been diagnosed with Severe Patello Femoral Degeneration. Thanks for your interest and once again sorry for the slow response!