ElaineD How was the decision made about needing a knee replacement? How about trying a Musculoskeletal doctor before making a decision?

About 10 years back I was told by an orthopedic surgeon that I needed a hip replacement. I decided to get a 2nd opinion by someone who would not be prone to advocate for surgery. The Musculoskeletal doctor I saw was part of a teaching hospital, and he point blank told me I did NOT need a hip replacement and referred me to an excellent PT. I know you saw a PT, but not all are created equal. From what you wrote you might have visits left (I have Medicare and have had no problem getting at least 22 visits.) I found a PT that spent the entire hour with just me, not 4-5 clients in a factory type setup. Besides working on my body he would also spend time teaching things I could do on my own.

I'm just throwing this out there and don't know what would be best for you. I just think in these situations a slightly different perspective from another medical professional could be a help.

PN, if one can avoid replacements, that is a good choice. I don't know IF the surgeon ever said "you need a hip replacement" when I saw my xrays at my first visit. Groin showed a lot of bone spurs, it looked terrible and that was my main issue for going to surgeon....groin pain. Now years later, and dealing with all the complications, I often wonder IF something else could have been done besides a total replacement.

Just yesterday I read some comments on a replacement board from those who end up with revisions and more than one revision and are just a mess. I think my issues are bad...One is never out of the woods with these parts in their bodies. C

Well, thanks for ollthe suggestions and experiences. I tend to favor traditional treatments, I think. I have some stents in my coronary arteries, and have had a bone spur taken from my right collarbone where it was impinging on my rotator cuff.

I have had one surgery which didn't work out (I rejected the material used) and would change that if I had it to do over again....but then I have found that true for several things in life.

Otherwise, I am feeling a bit better. I've been getting some exercise which always helps. It's just that I am so very disabled, and find that five years into the diagnosis (profound neuropathy) I still am embarrassed by my ungraceful floppy walk and staggering around. And dizzy and unstable and rather sure I will have a bad fall one of these days.

But I'm lucky I'm 'old' and long retired so only have my own 'expectations' to live up to!

Thanks for all the support.

ElaineD

When I get close to doing Prolozone injection, something comes up and now it's UCII collagen...I posted about it on the arthritis area and I'm giving it some time, way cheaper.

I'm reading a lot of reviews on the UCII and looks good.