For all you old timers

[BengalHawk62]

Can I just get some stuff of my chest with you guys?  Any of you guys have bad knees or already surgically repaired knees?  I hurt my left knee playing football in high school years ago, to the point that I had to have a scoop done to clean out all the loose cartilage.  Now I have little to no cartilage left in that knee.  So since then, I've always compensated my left leg by using my right leg more and more.  Well, with in the past year and a half or two years, my right knee has been giving me more and more fits.  The cartilage is gone now too.  Its to the point that driving in a car for a long distance, anything over 15 minutes, really makes it stiff and ache.  If I sit at work too long or at home in my chair, both my legs stiffen up so bad, I almost feel like I need a walker or something to give me some support. Walking and going grocery shopping with the wife is painful.  Every night after work, I have to put a bag of ice on both knees to keep the swelling down.  I'm not even 40 yet (I'm 39) and I was told there wasn't a doctor in the state who would touch my legs because of my age.  I don't know if that's true or not, but my personal doctor is the one who mentioned it.  I go back in to see him for my annual insurance physical this Friday and I think I'm going to have a heart to heart with him about it.  How do you know when its time for surgery?  I've never had any kind of surgery done other than that scoop I mentioned earlier?  Any help is appreciated.

[*wildcats forever*]

(11-15-2016, 02:41 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: Can I just get some stuff of my chest with you guys?  Any of you guys have bad knees or already surgically repaired knees?  I hurt my left knee playing football in high school years ago, to the point that I had to have a scoop done to clean out all the loose cartilage.  Now I have little to no cartilage left in that knee.  So since then, I've always compensated my left leg by using my right leg more and more.  Well, with in the past year and a half or two years, my right knee has been giving me more and more fits.  The cartilage is gone now too.  Its to the point that driving in a car for a long distance, anything over 15 minutes, really makes it stiff and ache.  If I sit at work too long or at home in my chair, both my legs stiffen up so bad, I almost feel like I need a walker or something to give me some support. Walking and going grocery shopping with the wife is painful.  Every night after work, I have to put a bag of ice on both knees to keep the swelling down.  I'm not even 40 yet (I'm 39) and I was told there wasn't a doctor in the state who would touch my legs because of my age.  I don't know if that's true or not, but my personal doctor is the one who mentioned it.  I go back in to see him for my annual insurance physical this Friday and I think I'm going to have a heart to heart with him about it.  How do you know when its time for surgery?  I've never had any kind of surgery done other than that scoop I mentioned earlier?  Any help is appreciated.

I can maybe help by telling you about two of my friends who had knee replacement surgeries, both in their 60's at the time. The similarities were both had extreme pain going into the surgeries. Each waited about one year between the surgeries, each said the hardest period of the recovery was around a month. And both said they wished they had done it a lot sooner.

I can only imagine what you're dealing with, especially at such a young age. These joint replacement surgeries really seemed to have advanced though. Another friend (also in his 60's) had shoulder replacement surgery toward the end of July, and was back on the golf course in 2 months. Amazing to me. So it all seems very hopeful for ya IMO. Best of luck.

[fredtoast]

I have severe arthritis or some sort of inflammation/calcium deposits in my right knee. Over the counter anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naproxin sodium) don't touch it. I probably need a new knee, but celebrex has helped some.

[BengalHawk62]

(11-15-2016, 05:04 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I have severe arthritis or some sort of inflammation/calcium deposits in my right knee.   Over the counter anti-inflammatories  (ibuprofen, naproxin sodium) don't touch it.  I probably need a new knee, but celebrex has helped some.

I see those commercials for Celebrex and quite honestly, they scare me more than anything.  May cause heart failure, liver failure, high blood pressure (I already have that), death, disfigurement, penile envy, loss of sanity, etc etc etc.  Sounds like it does more bad than good.  


Does anybody know anyone who has looked into stem cell surgery? 


Maybe I just have to smoke more weed. 

[fredtoast]

(11-15-2016, 05:13 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: I see those commercials for Celebrex and quite honestly, they scare me more than anything.  May cause heart failure, liver failure, high blood pressure (I already have that), death, disfigurement, penile envy, loss of sanity, etc etc etc.  Sounds like it does more bad than good.  


Does anybody know anyone who has looked into stem cell surgery? 


Maybe I just have to smoke more weed. 

If you are afraid of possible side effects then you will never take another prescription drug in your life.  They ALL have possible bad side effects.

[HarleyDog]

Do it. When pain rules your life, go in for a tune up. Technology has made it very possible to get closer to living better lives. Stay away from drugs you don't trust. Listen to the doc's advice and trust your gut. You only live once. Try to enjoy the most you can.

While your at the doc, get a prescription for viagra! I'm 49, I'll send you my mailing address!

[fredtoast]

(11-15-2016, 03:03 PM)wildcats forever Wrote: I can maybe help by telling you about two of my friends who had knee replacement surgeries, both in their 60's at the time.  And both said they wished they had done it a lot sooner.

(11-16-2016, 01:33 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: Do it. When pain rules your life, go in for a tune up. Technology has made it very possible to get closer to living better lives. 

Listen to these guys.  don't lim,p around in pain when you don't have to.

My mother has had both of her knees replaced.  Both times she said she wished she had had it done sooner.  The only reason she kept delaying the second one was because she was getting so old (83) that she was a little afraid to go under anesthesia.  But it got so bad that she could barely walk.  Two days after the surgery she was up and walking better than she was before the operation.  

[WeezyBengal]

Surgery scares this shit out of me but it sounds like something you have to do. Do it man, it sounds like you wont regret it.

[*Awful Llama*]

Damn, thought this was going to be one of those "Hey, you remember the Atari 2600?" kind of threads, and it's just about old age and decay.

My back hurts. Carry on.

[BengalHawk62]

Just got back from my doctors appt. feel like I'm falling apart. He's got me on high blood pressure medication and a sleeping pill, (not Ambien)and Celebrex. (Thanks to you fred). I feel old. They took an X-ray of the knee. He said my left one looks like a 65 year old knee and just from examining the right knee, he guesses it'll be really similar. I go back in a month to see how the BP medicine and pain med is working.


This getting old shit sucks. At this rate, I feel like I'll be dead by 50.

[fredtoast]

(11-18-2016, 01:23 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: and Celebrex.  (Thanks to you fred).   

Just don't blame me when you have insomnia, diarrhea, and teeth sprouting from your penis.

[mallorian69]

(11-15-2016, 05:04 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I have severe arthritis or some sort of inflammation/calcium deposits in my right knee.   Over the counter anti-inflammatories  (ibuprofen, naproxin sodium) don't touch it.  I probably need a new knee, but celebrex has helped some.

Just stay off of your knees and you'll be fine.

[*Awful Llama*]

(11-19-2016, 05:00 PM)mallorian69 Wrote: Just stay off of your knees and you'll be fine.

[fredtoast]

(11-19-2016, 05:00 PM)mallorian69 Wrote: Just stay off of your knees and you'll be fine.

Then tell your mom that she has to be on top from now on.

[mallorian69]

(11-20-2016, 11:23 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Then tell your mom that she has to be on top from now on.

If my mom got on top they would never find be able to find you

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

I tore the cartilage in my left knee twice, had surgery once. It's been as good as new ever since. Everything else hurts. I know one guy your age who had a knee replacement. Most orthopedist recommend putting it off as long as possible if you can tolerate the pain because at your age the knee replacement will need to be replaced once or twice over your life time. Read the adverse reactions for the package insert for aspirin; lots of scary things yet doctors still recommend a daily baby aspirin for most adults.  With every medicine you weigh the benefits vs the risks. Self care for knees, RICE. Rest, ice, compression, elevation. Don't overlook good shoes. If you don't notice an improvement with the Celebrex, talk to your doctor about an ortho consult. There are some options you can try which may help you delay surgery (if needed.)

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(11-23-2016, 04:08 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of Glucosamine Chondroitin? I'm sure i have some damage in my knee from years of sporting and whatnot. I can't flex either of my knees fully so i'm guessing there's fluid in there. I have constant, manageable pain and i have to be careful about when i try to crouch. Since i've been taking it, i've noticed a big difference. Very little pain if any during any kind of activity but i still can't flex. 

It was recommended to me by a friend and i put off taking it for some time. Finally started, then i quit for a bit because i got busy and let it slip my mind and the pain came back after a few days. Been back on it and it's all good again. 

I've never had my knees checked. Used to think i had back issues until i went to the chiropractor and he took xrays and was amazed at what good shape my spine and disks were in (turned out to be all muscluar--lots of stretching and sit ups helped) so i'm sure i don't have as much actual damage in my knees as i might think. 

I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the GC works for me, but i don't know exactly what it does to keep the pain at bay.

Some people believe it helps while others don't.