Bad Knees and PN
 

Dear PN Angels,

I'm dealing with deteriorating knees and PN that is talking its toll.

Last spring I tried Physical Therapy because I noticed my calves and ankles atrophying. My knees began to knock and my ankles and feet turned in.

I worked and worked but after 5 weeks of therapy twice week I didn't improve enough to continue. I wish I could keep at it, without improvement, but Medicare doesn't work that way and I don't have the resources to pay it all.

My knees (osteoarthritis) are getting worse, and it is hard to know if it is PN or knees or both that makes standing and starting to move so difficult. I cannot walk any distance of course, but I manage getting around the house using walls and furniture.

I guess I will try again to ask my Orthopedist if my knees are ready for replacement. The 'good knee' is deteriorating and isn't much help now with the 'bad' knee.

Thank goodness for water exercise and time spent on the Nu Step. They save my sanity and alleviate a great deal of pain.

The BEST thing I got was handicapped tags for both cars. Being able to park at the front is a blessing.

How do you handle knee replacement with PN?

I'm on Gabapentin now (3600 mg a day) for Small Fiber Neuropathy pain. My PN didn't advance up my body, but now I have Small Fiber Neuropathy.

And Small Airway Obstruction, evidently caused by my CVID. Honestly it is ALWAS something.

So any ideas? I can't take opioid pain medications, so how will knee replacement surgery work?

Hugs, ElaineD

Elaine, I deal with a miserable right knee and all worse since hip replacement surgery in 2010....I wear knee supports and my latest type is a magnetic knee support. I'm doing ALL I can with my means and power to not do a knee surgery...for starters it's about a year rehab/recovery for most as I've read and heard. It can help but for me the hip job did me in on surgery route.

I have a Prolozone post in the Chronic Pain section and there are a couple Prolotherapy PRP/Stem Cell posts on the boards by me and others.

Right now I'm into 4th week of ultrasound and laser work with a chiro. I had this work a couple yrs ago but the chiro I was seeing had to retire due to health issues so I had to find another chiro who does this work. She accepts medicare.

I use so many topicals including Topricin, Ultra Tiger Balm, DMSO, Tea Tree Oil...and others, I've learned how to mix them and also add some crushed aspirin and tylenol 3 to my mixes. I'm like a chemist trying to save myself from a replacement surgery or even a knee surgery, which I've heard often leads to a knee replacement.

Acupuncture can help but one has to stick with it. I don't know of any cures and many go for the replacements and end up with more issues.

My belief is more surgery, more nerve damage. My nerve issue came from hip replacement. I use ice and heat and believe my magnetic support helps. C

Elaine, I know no one personally who has done Prolozone injections but do know some people who did replacements. Replacements and surgery get insurance support. Prolozone we are on our own. Most human nature goes to insurance but I've learned so much better as I age.

Here is an impressive link and about a doctor who travels to India to help people over there. I can just imagine the misery and grief in that country. Joint pain is worldwide.

http://www.faim.org/painrelief/knee-...prolozone.html

The only way we can know is if we try this method or go with the mainstream treatments.

Oh BTW: I had prolotherapy (dextrose) injections in my right shoulder over 6 yrs ago and got 3 years of pain free shoulder. So I know these class of no insurance coverage protocols do work. I need to get off my B*** and do it.

Just talked to a friend who had a knee replacement at 84 and it took a year rehab but she is happy to climb her long stairs. Her story is she would have fluid filled knees, have them drained and then they would fill up again, so she did the replacement. She had no idea about the Prolozone etc. Again, MOST go to the insurance covered works. I don't have fluid on the knee.

2nd opinion?
 

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.