Hello from North Jersey. I`m here by my big xmas tree, something I love to put up every year. But its different for me now. On Oct 1, I went to an orthopedist at NYU medical center in Manhattan. He weas referred to me by my regular doctor. I kept feeling pops and clicks in my knees. This doctor spoke to me briefly, took a quick look at one of the x rays, and told me I have loose bodies. So I was so relieved that I didnt have anything more serious, like arthritis or something that would cripple me. The next day I realized that I didnt have enough questions prepared for the appt, so I called him and asked more about it. What causes loose bodies? He said "arthritis", almost treating it as an afterthought. Im 43. Always been pretty healthy except for about 40 extrs lbs on my 6`3 frame. No injuries. He said a few more things on the phone like, theres a micro surguery that you can get,but it wil only address a symptom, not the problem.
As I began to live with this, and start doing some exercises for it, other things began to hurt. My neck. My wrists. Was I imagining all of it?
I found a doctor who was more patient friendly, and he reviewed the x rays from NYU. He explained that theres good cartilage there in my kness, some loose bodies and a bone spur. Really not too bad. My neck is showing some loss of joint space. The facts are that I have "some" arthritis in my kness and my neck.
By then I was a google expert on all of this.
Each day I grapple more with going from being a healthy,able guy to one who has symptoms, and maybe big time pain and disability down the line.
And now the kicker, after i digest all of this news since Oct 1, here it is not even Christmas and my knee is way worse where I feel like its always about to give out or buckle.****! What happen to stretching out the symptoms and a gradual course of arthritis?
I know that arthroscopic surgery is not a cure for knee arthritis, but Im hoping that one of the loose bodies has floated closer to the joint, and can be removed so that the catching will stop. Im going to see about that first thing in 2008.
Im now full of small symptoms, not real pain, but plenty of anxiety, and cant walk too far without considering every step.
That sucks. I thought it would be good for me to hook into a site like this instead of endless googling.
Max
Dear Max---I have had OA (osteoarthritis) for several years, and am doing quite well, thank you! It seems that many people, on hearing your diagnosis, or their own, start playing a funeral dirge. Yes, I've had to have several joint replacement surgeries---and know I will have at least 2 more in the future; HOWEVER--I'm healthy, almost 65, run 2 small businesses, write for the Health Central Network, and travel all over the world as a nature photographer---in fact, I'm "moving" to Tanzania, E. Africa this summer for 12 weeks to work as a volunteer.
Since I officially became arthritic, I've gone power parachuting, white water rafting, flown in an open cockpit airplane, gone 4X4ing up and down rock walls in a jeep, gone on zip lines in the Rainforest and many other exciting adventures. For me, the secret to my success: find good doctors you can trust, become very involved with the Arthritis Foundation (you CAN help), and do what you're told, ie. there are fun ways to help get rid of that extra weight---don't give up---keep a positive attitude (and most importantly---a sense of humor )
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pattye