Sunday, September 09, 2007
Hi ~ Does anyone else have cholandramalchia (sp?) - arthritis of the kneecap? I have Grade IV and I understand there are no treatments for it. My doctor says that an arthroscopic cleaning of debris would be of no use. I have been getting Suparz injections every six months which seem to help a bit and sometimes I get an anesthetic injection directly into my knees. I have constant burning in the knees and use Lidoderm patches and take Lyrica but sometimes the burning is so bad that only ice will help. I am very active and can't seem to take the time to stop and ice them. Just wondering if anyone out there has any experiences to share. Also, I only see a Pain Management Specialist for all of my many arthritis issues - what would a Rheaumatologist do for me that is different? My PM specialist makes referrals when necessary to PT and surgeons, etc. and otherwise seems to have a comprehensive handle on my care.
Hi, sorry for the delay in responding to you. I have the Suparz injections every six months and they seem to help by 'cushioning' the kneecap. Suparz is probably the same as the Hylagen ~ thery're made from rooster combs or something.
Please be prepared the first time you have them because the injection may hurt. I was not prepared the first time and it was quite a shock even though the area was sprayed with Lidocaine. I am so used to them now but sometimes they go in easy and sometimes not. I've been having them for two years now and I start the next series this Friday. I get both knees done at the same time and there is a feeling of fullness afterwards. It's a little uncomfortable for awhile but you can ice them if you want.
I wish you luck ! It seems to be worth it for me and is the only treatment available for what we have.
No, I am not laid up at all - I go to work, but avoid the gym, just to take it easy. I'm so used to them now, they really don't bother me much.
My left knee has always been the worst and is Grade IV. I fell pretty bad when my knee gave out in Oct 04, and then I was first diagnosed w/ OA all over. I started the shots in Feb 05 and the pain was pretty bad (and still is!). Around that time studies came out that arthroscopic surgery did nothing for knee chondromalachia. My doctor said I had no choice but to have these shots. I never had an MRI of my right knee but these shots seem to have stalled the progression in that knee. I also use Lidoderm patches which seems to numb them. I have a real problem with radiating nerve pain. Heat really bothers my knees - they burn!!!
For the most part it's a daily struggle and I've learned to try to ignore the pain. I belong to a gym and am able to go 12-13 miles on a recumbent bike, but that took about a year to build up to! I avoid the treadmill and the elliptical but do weights. I have a lot going on with cervical & lumbar OA so I don't do much walking. Another issue I have is I can't take and antiinflamatory meds but take other pain meds for breakthrough flare ups. I can't see your total message as I'm replying, so I don't know if I've answered all of your questions. I've blabbed on enough but feel free to post and ask again. Good luck to you. When are you scheduled for your shot? Are your knees your only problem?
Let me know what you decide after your MD's appt. What is AVMs? I will try the Wobenzym-N and the Ashwagandha. Thanks for the tip. I never heard of them before. Did your doctor suggest them? What type of doctor do you go to? I see a Pain Management specialist who will refer to other specialists, surgeons, PT, etc. I often wonder what a rheumatologist would do for me that the PMS doesn't. I take Actonel more as a preventive measure, since my bones are in very good shape, but I am losing 10% and 5% after my last two scans. I am 59 years old and feel like I am 39, except for the pain.
All best to you.
Kris received a new implant called the gender solutions high-flex knee. It was recently approved by the FDA and is made specifically for women. Unlike older implants -- designed more with a man's anatomy in mind -- these implants are narrow and thin. They also allow for a woman's wider pelvis.
"It's just a step that allows us to fit the woman patient better. It's like wearing a pair of pants that fit you well as opposed to one that you sort of have to adjust yourself to because they don't really fit in the right places," says Dr. Aaron Rosenberg, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
Rosenberg is one of 13 doctors who developed the implant. It's put in place during a simple surgical procedure -- with a small incision. Dr. Rosenberg says a better fit means greater flexibility, less pain, and a quicker recovery.
Four weeks after surgery, kris is ready to reclaim her active lifestyle.
Wow! I feel for you. At least you KNOW what's in store for you, which is a good thing. Now you can make lifestlye decisions based on what you know. Do you have any other diagnoses for your knees other than chondromalacia? If your Grade III, and I'm Grade IV I wonder what's in store for me?! Hang in there, at least you got the truth. Knee replacements are so successful that you won't believe how you put it off for so long after you get it done. (I've been reading up about them...) I hope the injections help with your pain. You may want to try the Lidoderm patches as well (they are very expensive, so unless you have insurance or can pay for them-forget it).
All I can say is I wish my doctor told ME what to expect. I know nothing what the future holds....just "we have to keep you going as long as we can." and I have asked, point-blank. The Dr said my cartilage is still pretty good, so I don't know if knee replacement is in the near future and he wouldn't say.
I wish I knew. I did retire last year, just so I can enjoy doing things that I might not be able to in the future. Best decision I ever made, although I do work P/T.
I wish you all the best and don't feel depressed, it's good that you are informed.
I am just trying to deal with it. Strange how some times of the day, you are not bad, and other times, you are hurting really bad. Makes it a puzzle to me. Makes me question everything one moment, that maybe I can do OK and then the next, ouch! Pain....I want to talk to Al tonight as I fear how he is dealing with this. It is not the end of our lives, but constricting and limiting, which I know Al says he feels the upset stomach over this all and just not well, as I do. I keep running erands and not dealing with it, and I need to stop! I have to deal with it.
You said you work P/T, is that for your knees or are you the P/T person? Chrondomalacia (sp) is what I have, the osteoarthritis. That is all, and it has the old patella messed up pretty bad.
I wish your Dr. was more honest about you. Did he say why he keeps putting off the surgery? Is he like mine, wanting it to last until we are too old to care, if that is possible. I hope this new knee for women gets going so we can get one!
Hi ~ you need to hang in there ~ things good be SO much worse!! For instance, you could have rheumatoid arthritis, where the bone disintegrates or you could have arthritis in your hands, feet, neck, back, shoulders and hips, like me.As you said it's not the end of your lives! I know you must be going through a lot of second-guessing, but at least there is an alternative to living a life of constant pain. The women's knee -check out: www.genderknee.com - is already available!
The reason I asked if you had any other diagnoses of your knees is because I thought the cartilage needs to be affected before they do a total knee replacement. My cartilage is still in pretty good shape, so I don't have bone -on-bone issues - it's just the patella that is affected, like you. My doctor has just not said anything about knee replacement and if he does, I would be referred to a surgeon so I would, in effect, have a second opnion. My pain level is managed at a 2-3 with medication and the patches. It can go up to a 5-6 sometimes. I just live with it and try to ignore it and go about my business.
I started another series of shots last week and had my second one this past Wed and am already feeling better. The stuff in the shots contains saline and hyaluronic acid, which is already in your body.
I said I work part-time (P/T) not meaning physical therapy, although I've had that, too. Retiring was the best decision I made and I work at the same job that I retired from.
Well, I hope your husband understands that it's not the end of the world. Take care, and good luck with your shots!
Hi I just read about this...My brother has been seeing this doctor for about 10 years now...he did a hip replacement on him when he was 30 years old. This doctor is an excellent doctor! I am having trouble with my knees and had a neuro surgeon tell me that I have arthritis behind my knee caps and I just received cortisone shots 2 days ago. I was in alot of pain b/c my knees swelled up quite a bit...I could not bend or walk well...Now I am feeling better.