Osteoarthritis and acoustic neuroma

Hi Ann,

Thanks for your reply.  I always have some level of pain in my left knee.  It ranges from tolerable to feeling like my knee will explode.  When I started PT four weeks ago, the pain was radiating down into my shin and up to about my mid-thigh and was pretty bad.  It still can get pretty bad, but has improved.  My right knee only hurts sometimes and not nearly as much as my left knee, even at its worst, so I guess I should be thankful for that.  OTC pain meds (Aleeve, Advil, etc.) help to some extent but never fully alleviate the pain in my left knee.  My docs want me to continue PT for three more weeks before sending me for an MRI. 

Did you have microsurgery or radiosurgery for your AN?  I had microsurgery last July and tried going to the beach a few weeks post-op.  It was a hysterically funny experience becuase of  my balance.  My kids were afraid (as I was) that I would fall on someone while walking in the sand and when I went into the water calf deep, a wave knocked me over and I almost fell on some little kids.  That was the end of the water for me.  Luckily, no one got hurt.  I still laugh when I think about that day.  Better to laugh than cry.  My balance had improved a lot until very recently, just couldn't walk straight and only slightly unsteady.   My neurotologist thinks my recent balance issues are more likely my knees than my head.  I went for an MRI of the brain and IACs yesterday so that should tell the story.  I'm hoping for a nice clear MRI and good report from the radiologist.  Since I haven't heard anything yet, I'm guessing no news is good news.

Wendy

Hi Wendy,

I had microsurgery.  It was larger than a quarter.  I lost hearing in my left ear but other than that am doing well.

Have you tried Hyalgan or Supartz injections in your knees?  I hear that that can help.

Oh my was I embarrassed at the beach!!  Now I know not to try it anymore.  I think people thought I was drunk!

Have a good day!

Ann

Hi Ann,

I also had microsurgery, but I think I mentioned that.  My AN was 2cm X 9cm X4cm (about an inch X about 1/2 inchX about 1/4 inch.  Not huge, but big enough.  I also lost my hearing in my affected ear (right side -- we're like bookends).  I had BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid) surgery in January and am now using a Divino sound processor.  Did you find you adapted to being SSD okay or do you also use a BAHA or TransEar? 

My doc wants me to continue PT for another two weeks before doing anything else.  If indicated, he will send me for an MRI at that point.  We have discussed injections of Synvisc One briefly and he thinks I may be a good candidate for that.  I read about it and if it really provides six pain-free months per injection, I'm more than willing.  For now, I'm following his lead.  I've had this pain so long another two weeks won't kill me.  When I found this website, I thought it would be a good way to connect and get information from others who also have OA and possibly chondromalacia (aka runners knee).  Even though I have runners knee, it's not from running, but rather because of repeated injuries to my knees.

Wendy