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patellafemoral osteo diagnosis
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evrhpfl posted:
I'm a relatively healthy 55 year old woman...and have been a waitress ALL my life. I was recently told by an orthopedic surgeon that I have fairly severe arthritis in bo."th knees. In the left, I can't sit and can walk only with pretty severe pain, not to mention TONS of clicking and popping. No way can I straighten or stand on the right knee.
He said, "there's nothing we can do for it, no surgery would help you, it's progressive. Here's some naproxen, call me in four weeks."

That pretty much takes away my ability to support myself with absolutely NO direction whatsoever! The more I think about it, the more appalled and dissatisfied I am with that consult. No MRI, no real tests. He looked at old x-rays online, three quick views that showed nothing. Did a little manipulation and sent me on my way.

I refuse to accept that as an end! Without the ability to walk...and walk A LOT...I am homeless. That just can't be the END of it all! Don't specialist treat osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid?

I asked about braces since it's screaming painful. He said, "well, you could wrap it if you wanna keep it warm or something but nothing really does much good." He said, "well, you COULD get cortisone injections" then changed the subject!

And the more I write out what this guy said, the more upset I get. What doctor gives you a DEVASTATING diagnosis and then says, "I got nothing for ya, have a nice day, and pay your copay on your way out" Okay, HE didn't say that last part, his receptionist did!

So I'm going to put on the $50 knee brace I bought at CVS and get ready for another brutal night at work. I would SO appreciate some advice! I feel like a bomb got dropped in my life and it's just "too bad! Here's an aspirin!"

I've worked SO hard all my life...raised two kids waitressing and bartending. I'm back in college but only a sophomore and YEARS from having a degree that will help me get out of the restaurant industry. And NOW...another devastating thing about this knee thing is I can't sit! I think the reason it's so bad right now is from sitting in class! So...walking is OUT. Sitting is OUT. How do you support yourself from a recliner?? That's the ONLY time I'm out of pain.

Thank you in advance to anyone who has some advice!
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tupper99 responded:
Always get a second opinion! I am a nurse and I want to tell you there is always hope. Find out in your community who has had successful knee replacements and go to their doctor! Don't give up! One of the best therapies that you can do is physical therapy to increase your range of motion. Simple knee exercises like taking your knee and moving it across your other knee like a scissor helps. Thera band therapy is also good. Water therapy in a lukewarm pool is excellent. This is a low impact therapy that decreases the strain on your joints. Hang in there and don't give up!
 
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aeliram responded:
This may sound wacky at first but it does work. Buy some golden raisins and some gin. Put the raisins in the the gin and let them soak up all the juice. Then eat 9 raisins three times a day and it should ease the pain if not stop it all together.
 
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s2infla replied to evrhpfl's response:
I am enraged a medical professional would be so uncaring. Go to a doctor who respects you -- you are the customer!

I have medial OA in both knees and am looking at knee replacement for them both. While I wait for that surgery, I use a topical NSAID that works wonders. In fact, I call it, "PFM Cream," Pure Flippin' Magic. It's Voltaren and unlike the pill form which runs through your liver at a 100%, this only has about 5% absorption -- a much better alternative. And it will help tremendously when the flare-ups happen. I know how crippling they can be...

Good luck and you're definitely not alone.

S2
 
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bob249 responded:
evrhpfl

I have no medical credentials.

My conditions are psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Wanted to share that I've been ingesting 2/3 ounce
of glycerin mixed in warm water 2 X daily -
and it has taken away all the pain in my knees
and most of the pain in my ankles.

I tried that after reading that it can help psoriasis
when applied topically. I'm doing that and it does
seem to help, but is taking a long time.
Further research turned up that in higher amounts,
glycerin has been used to treat glaucoma - which
I also have.

Glycerin is sweet tasting, not bad. The first time
I took it, I mixed two ounces as the recommended
amount was an ounce per 100 pounds. That's for
glaucoma. I almost threw it up, not because it
tasted bad, just not what my stomach liked. The
very next day I realized my knees were pain free!
That's when I decided a lower dose, taken daily,
should continue relief.

My first arthritis diagnosis was in my ankles,
and they are not pain free, just better. Possibly some
damage exists that can't be mediated.

If you choose to try it, you should be able to find it
in a drug store, either near the vitamin E or near band aides.

Good Luck!
Bob
 
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clothesguy1954 responded:
I have had my knees scoped 3 times each side. I have tried the synvik injections also after my last scope. My knees are so diseased they both need to be replaced. I am bone on bone and I understand your pain. If you have tried the synvik injection, I think that you will find that it is helpful. After the injection that I had, i had good relief for about 5 years. Your insurance should cover it and at least, hopefully, you will get 3-5 years of some relief and will be able to function.
I too use pain medications because I have severe arthritis in all joints and have had over 20 surgerys on neck, knees, elbows, feet, and fingers. I was told also by my ortho doctor, who is my neighbor, that my knees need to be replaced and in his words, take your pick which one first. They are both so diseased that he didn't care which one was done first. That was over a year ago and I keep putting it off because I don't want to chance them not working.

Find a good doctor is key. That will help alot and then consider the injections and pain regement if needed.

Good luck.
 
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mexicangoddess responded:
I know exactly how you feel. I have arthritis in both my knees, especially my left for years. I am going to have to have a knee replacement. I have had 5 surgeries and am know bone on bone. I hurt my right knee which cause me to put more pressure on it. Now the doctor tells me that my left leg is starting to bow. What I have been doing is riding my bike and walking in a pool. This helps because there is no pressure on it. The doctor gave a antiinflamitory medication that does not contain asprin since I am alergic to asprine. I stand all day and when I get home I try to elevate my legs and put ice.
 
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pharmaceutical4 responded:
Hi evrhpfl,
Since one of my close friendin India also had similar problem and he was advised to do any of these three things;-
1.Brisk walking in morning, or
2.Swimming, or
3.Cycling
he bought cycle exerciser and kept it home and started using it.After 15 days his pain was reduced by 60% than he started walking. Believe me now he is 90% OK after 2 months of exercise.
If possible you may try it.
 
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Felines3 responded:
I am sorry you are going through this pain. I know how you feel. I have had a total knee replacement on one knee and a realigning of the other knee. I had no luck with the total knee, the dr. told me I either have scar tissue or nerve damage. I can not bend it fully. The other knee is still in recovering stage, I had my surgery in Oct. During the physcical therapy I started after my surgery I started to have drastic pain in both knee cap areas. I went back to the surgeon who did my surgery and he told me there was nothing else he could do for me. So he referred me to joint replacement dr. I just wanted some answers to why this pain. I could understand the recent surgery but not the replacement one. He also had a bad attitude, told me he wouldn't do a replacement on that knee until I was a year out from my surgery. That's not why I was there. He told me that "we doctors aren't magical", and said I will see you in Nov. Umm, Not. I had started going to a different place for therapy and they have been wonderful. I started off with water therapy and now I am in stretching and strengthing. I was told that my muscles were really tight and that can cause alot of pain. They also massage my knees. I am not where I want to be yet, but I am not giving up. This therapy has helped. Good Luck and I hope you feel better.
 
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azetrop responded:
oh its a pityful situation that you are suffering osteoarthritis. I am also suffering just like me, until a friend of mind told me of a Chinese medicine name Fast Act I drink it two times a day with warm water after meals, cause it is a herbal medicine. I am rel eave of the pain.I avoid eating foods that is rich in uric acid. I hope you can secure that Chinese meds.
 
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Liz499 replied to Michael66049's response:
How do you get on disability? What do I need to do and how do I get started?
 
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Asagrace responded:
This is a devastating report. It appears you have hit a brick wall. However, God specializes in the impossible. That's the first thing I do with a problem, I ask Him what to do. There are other doctors and it sounds like you need one. I pray you will find one who is smart and compassionate, and who cares about his/her patients. You might have to drop out of school temporarily because your life sounds pretty stressed and that makes all pain (or any medical condition) worse. I have osteo all over my body, as well as fibromyalgia, but thankfully, I am way past retirement. I do have pain, every day of my life, to one degree or another . I had surgery on my right knee several months ago and it is right back like it was It just "wore out" from age and dr had to go in and "scrape out the debris". My shoulders, rotor cuffs, are doing the same thing. I truly don't have any options because surgery is not lasting, and I have a heart condition that gives trouble when I have to have anesthesia, as well as diabetes, which slows healing. I believe you have some options though and I think you are just overwhelmed right now with not seeing a way out. You will have better days!!!
 
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quest77 responded:
In the 1960's a community pool in New Jersey forgot to turn the heater in the pool off one night. The pool was 92 F the next AM. The pool was a lot warmer than it was normally kept. A LUCKY ACCIDENT. They found out the people with arthritis could move without pain or as much pain when they came out of the water.

We have an arthritic exercise pool in our community kept at 92F. Moist heat and exercise help.

quest 77
 
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kbfirefghtr responded:
I recently had my rt knee replacement surgery and 6 months later my rt hip. I would get a second opinion if I was you. I was lucky enough to have caring Doctors. For six years I had Synvisc injections in both my knees. They kept me walking, till my right knee finally needed to be replaced. I will continue injecting left knee. If you need to find a Doctor that does treat with injections, go to website. You'll find list of Orthos in your area. Good luck.
 
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MommySays responded:
Cortizone shots sometimes provide relief of pain for a period of time - a perfect shot can last 6 months. Sometimes they don't work at all. I recommend you have a different orthopedic surgeon administer them (someone you would be comfortable doing surgery on your knees - hopefully recommended by people who have used his services). You could have knee replacements done - I know this is extremely expensive, but it is a wonderful thing for people who live with bad chronic knee pain. I know three people who have had both knees replaced and their mobility is greatly improved and pain is nonexistent (after recuperation of 6 months or so).
You definitely have options. First get a new orthopedic doctor.


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