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Kenomac · 25-02-2015, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Got a shot in the bad knee. Feels better already and hopefully that is all that it needed.

Synvisc or steroids only work for a short time, usually less than two weeks. Been there done that.

Loosing weight, exercise and glucosomine if you have any cartilage left are the only things that will work. Shots only provide short term relief for symptoms... you need to solve the underlying problem.

When I say loosing weight, I went from 155 pounds down to 142 pounds and noticed a significant difference.
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DeepFrz · 25-02-2015, 12:08

Quote:

Synvisc or steroids only work for a short time, usually less than two weeks. Been there done that.

I'm not sure this is correct. I had a Cortisone steroid shot about 1 1/2 yrs ago when my knee was swollen and inflamed. Have not needed to get another yet. It felt great immediately, then didn't feel so good for a few weeks and then felt great again. Funny stuff. It's an anti inflammatory and should work for 3 months or more, depending on person and severity of the injured joint. One must move the joint through full range of motion every day enough times to thoroughly warm up the joint. I find the recumbent bike works well for me along with stretching and strength exercises as well as Tai-Chi.

Stu Jackson · 25-02-2015, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

The "use it or lose it" folk wisdom seems to be how it is. We all have individual variation, and given that, not everyone will have the same results, but at least for knees, good results are a reasonable expectation.

Good stuff, Ann, thanks. If the Hinckley guy was here he'd just say he could spend his way out of it!

I broke my left femur skiing a few years ago. Then six months later the titantium plate they put in BROKE! requiring a second surgery. When the doctors asked what exercise I do, I said "I sail!" Both my doctors and PTs said sailing was the very best exercise I could do! Turns out the movement coupled with using the leg and the associated muscles for balance turned out to be the best things I can do on a regular basis. While I'm not a world cruiser by any means, the more time I spend on the boat, either sailing or fixing things are the best days I have, and even the "next day" blues don't happen much anymore.

I guess we all get to the point where our older boats are in better shape than we are!

**JPA Cate** · 25-02-2015, 12:14

Sailorboy,

Everybody tries everything first before TKR surgery. Nobody ever wants to have their body cut on. I'm glad you have had some relief from the cortisone injection. Usually, the first relief comes because it is mixed with lidocaine, which will numb the area for a bit, then the cortisone will act as an anti-inflammatory.

For your particular knees, I'd suggest finding out where the best orthopedic hospital in your area is, and the best knee surgeon, and get your GP to make the referral. The big danger with waiting is that you compensate the painful knee with the less painful one, and wear it to a nub, also, whereupon you'll have to have both knees done.

The decision to have both knees done at the same time, as I did, will not be recommended to you, because the initial recovery is somewhat more difficult, and you will require a caretaker 24/7. However, I didn't want to go through it twice, and wanted to avoid having two operations when one would serve. Jim was my caretaker, and it was a considerable burden.

I heartily endorse going to an orthopedic rehab for the first few days post surgery: I think the enforced twice a day physical therapy will help also.

For this time when you are trying to avoid surgery, I hope you consult with a physical therapist, as there are pain-free exercises you can do to strengthen your muscles, which will improve your quality of life now, and make your recovery easier on you.

Ann

twinboat · 25-02-2015, 12:46

I did the shots, therapy, orthoscopic surgery, 75 lb weight loss, pain pills, route from 2006 to 2011. Once I found myself using the power chairs in supermarkets, I knew it was time. By then I needed both knees and a hip.

I was full time cruising in Florida, when I put the boat in storage, flew to my house in NJ and found a surgeon.

As soon as he saw me walk, he knew, I needed both knees ( By then, I was bow legged ) and set me up for surgery. I had both knee replaced on April 1st and 3 months latter, I had my left hip replaced (displaced by limping many years ).

I was back cruising by November, without any pills. It was a tough summer but well worth it.

My advice is get the one done before you need them both.

Good Day

sailorboy1 · 25-02-2015, 12:52

I'm starting to feel better about my knee. Yes I have hurt it many things over the years, but this is the first time it forced me to the doctor and the first time it got "The Shot"

dpddj · 25-02-2015, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

The big danger with waiting is that you compensate the painful knee with the less painful one, and wear it to a nub, also, whereupon you'll have to have both knees done. Ann

Bingo, Ann. I know that route - wore out the good one first.

I wanted to be sedated but only enough so I could stay semi-awake and watch the TKR procedure on a monitor. Then I watched a YouTube video of the replacement procedure. Slept like a baby.

thomm225 · 25-02-2015, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkSF

You'd think for that price, it would come with a front wheel.

Well, my cheap $600.00 bike has a front wheel but I also put used stuff on it from the $3,300.00 Litespeed.

The saddle (seat) is a $100.00 saddle. The tires are $50.00 each. Pedals maybe $100.00 since they are a lower priced brand.

Saddles are important if you are on one for 5 hours as in doing a century. That's cycling 100 miles. It's all about fit when cycling long distances. Shoe fit, pedal angle, shoe cleat position, saddle position and tilt. Bike size.

It's the same with buying a sailboat.

Here's my point. Sitting around doesn't get it. If you can, you have to move.

My back is screwed up now because I ran in the snow but I still did pushups today. Plus leg lifts etc.

Look at your pictures from when you were a kid. Yes you were young but it was also the movement.

IdoraKeeper · 25-02-2015, 16:20

That boat is sitting out there.....waiting. You gonna let a knee render it useless? I always tease you about the horrors that will happen when you tell all the nay sayers to FO and head down the ICW but you really ought to go. I really don't like to hear this, its not worthy.

Therapy · 25-02-2015, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonesail

if all else fails you can do as the other escapees from the northeast do: move to florida and get out of the cold weather that aggravates joint problems. hot as hell here in the summer but at least i can get outside and move around in the winter without my knee locking up as it so often does in the freezing weather

Shush!
That is just a placebo old wives tale misconception.
Warm humidity is not healing at all.

Arizona........yea, Arizona is what you meant.

sailorboy1 · 26-02-2015, 04:47

Well it felt good this morning and down to a pain level of 2 (pretty much almost normal). Then I stepped wrong and twisted it back to level 7

I am starting to see where this is headed.

**JPA Cate** · 26-02-2015, 14:16

Stepping on it wrong leading to twisting it again sounds like a serious instability there, sb1. YMMV, but I do think you should hie yourself off to the best sports knee person you can find, and see what's necessary to sort this out. Repeated similar injuries can lead to the knee never healing. If you're lucky, all you'll need is a bunch of strengthening exercises. .....Of course, you do have to stick with them.

P.S. Sorry you hurt yourself again, must be frustrating, but if you're unstable on land, you'll be unstable in a seaway, too, especially if your boat's non-skid is worn, yes, learned that the hard way, too.

Ann