Knee issues - Me not cats!

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Hi there.

As some of you know have been having problems with my left knee. I enjoy jogging (which I haven't been able to do for the past month), walking/hiking and don't drive so either have to walk or use public transport. Even walking has been difficult lately with stiffness and pain.

I fell on a treadmill about 20 years ago onto my knee and it's never really been the same since but the past month has been very bad.

Was referred by GP for an x-ray and went to see her this morning for results.

I was dismayed as she was forever looking at her watch and I didn't really get any information out of her at all apart from maybe in 10 years time I may need a knee replacement.

When I pushed her she agreed to print out Consultants report which I read when I got home. Main points are:

There is quite severe OA (osteoarthritis) involving the medial joint compartment with chondrocalcinosis.

Moderate OA is seen involving the patellofemoral joint and to a lesser extent the lateral joint compartment.

Calcified body is seen within the posterior aspect of the knee which may reside in a large popliteal cyst.

Now there was absolutely NO discussion about any of the above with the GP. I quickly googled the first point and it advises that a knee replacement should be offered.

I don't trust the GP and don't want to sit around for 10 years doing nothing when there is something, anything (surely) that I can do or should be done.

Anyone have any advice on the above as I know there are a couple of members on here with knee problems. You can PM me if you prefer.

Many thanks for any advice.

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

Hi Debbie, It sounds like a very uncomfortable situation for you. I have no medical expertise but I do have two close relatives who have had recent knee replacements. What you really need to know, as I understand it is.........is there anything that can be done or will your condition definitely need a full knee replacement? Only a specialist can explain this and a gp is not a specialist. I would push to see the specialist again - he who shouts loudest gets heard! I know that people with arthritis in knees are encouraged to build up and strengthen the muscles as much as possible as this pulls the joint apart slightly therefore alleviating pain. If your condition will definitely need a replacement and there is nothing that can be done, then push to have it done asap. Both my relatives waited too long and have other complications due to wasted muscles and ligaments, bad hips and backs etc. A dodgy knee joint can affect so many other parts of the body so don't let that happen! You need expert advice and as soon as possible. Good luck and hope there are some specialists that can help amongst the bengal parents! x

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

My old boss (before I retired) had both of his knees replaced. He was out about 3 weeks -- had to go to physical therapy for it. Walked with a cane ( the man is almost 75 years old) for a couple of weeks, and then he was fine.

I believe you are in the UK and you have a totally different medical system than what we have hear. I have a friend who lives in Lancashire and has had back problems for years and can't seem to get the surgery scheduled to have it taken care of. In the states, if you want a knee replacement, they'll have you in the hospital next week to get it done. There may be much more to it for you in the UK. There is truly no need to suffer with pain when there is a solution that will eventually have you pain free.

lilzzz · **Joined:** Thu Jan 28, 2016 2:04 pm **Posts:** 63

GP's over here are so useless. My advice would be push, push, push. I have a friend who was told for months that she is just suffering from a really bad cold. Turned out cancer afterwards.
If you can afford it, go for private.

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

That's so helpful thank you so much for sharing your experiences and advice.

It's spurred me on to ring the Surgery up this morning and ask to be referred to a specialist. Phoning back on Friday to see if they have made the referral or if I have to kick more of a fuss up to get one.

My gut feeling (I really do trust this a lot as it's usually always right) is not to leave things the way they are.

Thanks again.

Debbie x

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

I was going to suggest you make a nuisance of yourself. I didn't and now have severe inflammatory arthritis when it probably wouldn't have got to this stage if I'd received treatment quicker to halt it in its tracks. All the symptoms I described to my GP were typical for inflammatory arthritis. Unfortunately GPs are a jack of all trades, and master of none...

Sometimes I also think they are trying to save money but in actual fact I now cost the NHS a fortune which I constantly feel guilty about even though its not my fault. I have injections that are pretty new and cost the NHS the best part of £10,000 pa so their cost cutting doesn't always work out as I'll be on these most likely for the rest of my life assuming they continue to work! As I'm only 46, that could be a substantial number of years.

I had a hospital apt yesterday as it happens. I always have to take a urine sample for which they provide me with a urine sample container. Now they have started supplying a pot to catch your urine in before transferring to the container. I really don't see this as cost effective either! I bought those little plastic disposable cups you can get from Tesco for absolute peanuts and are used with cold water dispensers, and I'm still on the first pack after 6 years. They do the job and would be nowhere near as expensive as what they are now providing me with!

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Thanks Clare, that's what I was thinking that it was a cost cutting exercise on their part but it's short sighted and I'm not going to put up with it!

I'm so pleased I put this post on here as I could have just easily left it and not bothered to take it any further. To be honest it's taken me a long time to pluck up the courage to see my GP as I was always worried I would just get fobbed off and look what happened.

Well must admit I have been making quite a nuisance of myself :redface:

I telephoned the hospital yesterday trying to talk to the Consultant who wrote the report. Of course they wouldn't let me speak to him but it transpires they did telephone my surgery and tell them I was not happy with the GP consultation.

As I said, I telephoned surgery this morning asking for a referral to a specialist and about 5 mins ago got a call from lady who deals with complaints at the surgery to tell me I should not have been given a report that was not fully explained to me and she is going to have a word with one of the other GPs.

Apparently the GP I saw is a temporary member of staff and not a permanent Doctor. I didn't realise this as I usually avoid the place like the plague.

I told her as soon as I got home yesterday the first thing I did was google all these terms to try and find out what they meant! I told her I really do want a referral as my condition does sound quite serious and I want to discuss the situation fully with a specialist so fingers crossed they will refer me!

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Excellent, sounds like you should get somewhere now.

Surprisingly I have no idea who the Drs are at my surgery either! I think because I have to go to the hospital so regularly and they are ultimately responsible for my care in relation to arthritis, I also avoid the GP surgery like the plague. When I went for my chest infection, the dr said I'm sure I've met you before as I see you are on lots of medication and seemed surprised when I said no, I rarely come here. All I go for are my flu jabs and picking up my repeat prescriptions. Too many sick people there for my liking!

Sometimes it pays to make a nuisance of yourself, and it is certainly called for in this instance!

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

I had meniscus repair about 10 years ago and physical therapy after for 4 months 3 times per week. I was in pain for a couple of years and I still can't really go up or down stairs very well. Knee surgery wasn't the cure all I had hoped for, but I didn't need a knee replacement. Later I discovered cold laser therapy done at a chiropractor or acupuncture office and finally got relief from knee pain. If it acts up, I just go for cold laser and the pain goes away. I always wonder if I had tried that before the surgery, possibly it could have been avoided.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

I'm thinking it's better to get it done while you're younger! I think the knee heals a little bit faster. Good luck, Debbie.

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Well I've got a bit of an update.

I got a call from the Surgery this afternoon saying that the GP I saw wanted to have a telephone appointment with me. I wasn't too keen on this as I was worried she would just be trying to fob me off again.

I told receptionist that I had spoken to the lady from complaints department and could she ring me back. Very shortly afterwards got another call from receptionist to say to that I didn't need appointment with GP and that they had agreed to a referral which I am very relieved about!

The last thing I want is another major operation as I only had a total abdominal hysterectomy in June last year which I am still recovering from but at least I will be able to make an informed decision now.

I can feel that I am putting pressure on my other knee/leg and I don't want to end up with problems in both.

Thanks everyone for all your support and advice. It made a huge difference and was very helpful.

Debbie x

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Happy to hear you are going forward on this, Debbie! Sounds like you've been through a lot since the summer! Healing does take time, but it's worth it in the end.

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Thanks Sherry.

Looks like Surgery has also referred me for physiotherapy as there was a message on my answerphone from a private clinic asking to arrange an appointment with them.

Apparently I have a choice of NHS or private for the specialist referral.

Difficult to know which to do as NHS would be doing many, many knee replacements I would imagine whereas going private they may not have that many cases.

I may not have to have a knee replacement but best to think of worse case scenario.

jodonut99 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2016 9:52 pm

Hi Debbie,

I would hold off having a TKR as long as you can - They only last finite period of time, and depending on your age (I imagine you being under 40) you would need another in years to come. It used to be refused until you were 60+ as there was a chance of needing two more, one every 10 - 12 years. It is longer, nowadays, and they can do things like replace the cup at the end of the thigh bone which relieves the pain considerably, by all counts - That is what they will do to my right knee if the Severe OsteoArthritis gets worse. I am managing it, as I said, with a TENS machine, which interrupts the nerve messages and relieves the pain considerably. I hardly use any painkillers - just topical anaesthetic cream (Movelat) - or Paracetamol. If it flares up due to the weather, then a couple of strong Co-Dydramol normally last me a day (Codeine high...) as I refuse to use them regularly, much to the GP frustration... I have to know how bad it is, to judge how far I can push it, in my job...

I am 50 now, and have had knee trouble since I was 14. I did too many active sports as a child, and had horses / sailed and swam, then took up martial arts at 16, so pretty much wrecked my knees by the time I was 20! I have had cartilage removed, tendons spliced, clean and polish behind the kneecap, and new tracking grooves, all by arthroscopy, and apart from giving me the arthritis it has seen me to 50 without a TKR.

I will have to have TKR eventually, but as long as I can remain active, it delays the surgery, as there is no alternative once it is done.

Talk to as many people as you can, and see if you can look at the scans / XRays yourself, as they will show you the damage and help you get a clearer picture of what is really going on.

Good luck!
Jo xx

Knee issues - Me not cats!

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