Bad Knees

[LostInTheWoods]

orezok:

I've heard several reports of it working well for animals too. No one has proven definitively just how it works, but it sure seems to get the job done.

I'd love to see someone conduct a quality study on using G/C before joint problems start. I have batted around the idea on taking it preemptively, thinking it might considerably postpone future joint problems...

 

[Bird]

I'd love to see someone conduct a quality study on using G/C before joint problems start. I have batted around the idea on taking it preemptively, thinking it might considerably postpone future joint problems...

I've wondered about that myself.

 

[Chuck52]

I took G&C religiously for about a three year period a while back. Don't know exactly why I stopped....I think the price went up a bit and I wasted some time looking for a deal and just quit. Anyway, I started taking it because I have a knee I dislocated years ago which sometimes gives me grief. I also have some minor issues with lower back pain and a left leg that goes numb occasionally. I haven't really had any significant issues since stopping, though I do get the numb leg thing more often lately, and I might start the G&C again. In my case, I think most of my problems are caused by the extra pounds I carry around, but it might not be a coincidence that all my siblings have had significant joint problems and I have not. Might be the three years of G&C did some preventative good.

Chuck

 

[k0ua]

I have been taking G/C for about 2 years. I noticed a benefit after about 6 months, very slow and not something you can notice right away, but I was slowly sliding down hill with more and more joint pain especially Knee pain in both Knees. Not only am I not getting worse, I am actually getting better. I asked my doctor about it, and he said that it only works for about 30 percent of the population, but could not hurt. so I started taking it. I have lost some weight, in the last 3 months and that has helped some too. Now all that said, taking G/C is not a cure all, but even tho this is anecdotal evidence, I believe that it has helped me. I am also not a great believer in OTC cures, but I will continue to take this, as I remember 2 years ago having knee pain so severe to wake me up at night, and was all I could do to climb stairs, I never have knee pain that wakes me now, and can bound up stairs pretty good. Time will tell, and I am not getting any younger (55), but I can recommend it and it "may" work for you
good luck
James K0UA

 

[Bird]

Bird

I have bad knees also with almost no cushion. I tried steroid injections about every 60 days and that gives me three and sometims a little more relief.

I also undergone one series of Hyalgan injections and that lasted a little longer. I have not had the chance to repeat the series to see if works better after several series.

Does your specialist have a ultrasound unit? The rheumatologist that I go to does and uses the ultrasound to guide th extraction of any fluid buildup on the knee before injection. Check the Hyalgan site - I believe they recommend this procedure.

I am seriously considering a knee replacement for the left knee but not before I have recovered from my recent medical problems. I am currently practicing walking with two canes to get away from the walker (then maybe my orthopedic surgeon will let me go back to driving).

My other problem of incontinence will take a few months more.

In the words of a medical practitioner I know, Can't hurt - might help (Hyalgan).

Vernon

Vernon, how are you doing now with your medical problems? We went to the "pre-admission education class" on joint reconstruction at the hospital yesterday and figure if the hospital staff is just half as good as the young lady told us it is, this will be the best hospital anyone ever spent a night in.:laughing: Our oldest daughter went with us and when we left, she said they made it sound like a 5 star hotel.:laughing: And I was scheduled for the surgery on the 23rd, but then the doctor's nurse called me late this afternoon to say they needed to move it a week to the 30th of this month.

 

[texbaylea]

Bird

I am slowly improving. I have been going to physical therapy regularly and that has helped a lot. Just one session a week keeps you working on your exercises. I get around now using two canes but this makes it difficult to carry stuff.

- I am driving again, that really helps my outlook. -

Around the house I can carry stuff by scooting around in an office chair, never did use a wheelchair after I came home from in-patient therapy. My surgeon has decided that he no longer needs to see me until I am ready for a knee replacement.

I plan to wait 4-6 months before I undertake knee replacement. I want to be as strong as possible and be completely over my incontinence problem. I talked to my physical therapist and she said that the first 6 weeks can be hard after a replacement so you need to be in as good shape as possible.

I understand that Medicare will not pay for in-patient physical therapy after knee replacement. I credit that 10 days I had for getting me on my feet quickly.

I plan to get back to where I was before I fell, it is just going to take me a little longer than I like.

Good luck, keep me posted.

Vernon


​

 

[Bird]

I talked to my physical therapist and she said that the first 6 weeks can be hard after a replacement so you need to be in as good shape as possible.

Yep, so I've been told, and while the doctor's haven't said anything about it, I know I'm way over weight. But otherwise I guess I'm in reasonably good condition for a fellow my age.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're still making some headway.

 

[brin]

Yep, so I've been told, and while the doctor's haven't said anything about it, I know I'm way over weight. But otherwise I guess I'm in reasonably good condition for a fellow my age.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're still making some headway.

Bird - As I posted before my Mother had both her knees replaced and I have had a couple of friends that have gone through the procedure..You really might want to try to drop some weight before the operation...the lighter you are the better your rehab, recovery and end results will be...

 

[texbaylea]

Bird

Another plus from that 10 days in in-patient therapy is that I revamped my diet and in the 4 months since I have lost about 20 lbs and have driven down my blood sugar levels.

When you have limited motion and pain with motion it is easy to avoid snacks.

Vernon

 

[Bird]

Yeah, Bob & Vernon, I know that I, as with at least a third of the USA population, need to lose weight, and that's easier said than done. However, I have lost 5 or 6 pounds in the last month, but I'm not going to postpone the surgery until I lose as much as I think I should. And yes, Vernon, I expect to lose a bit more after the surgery, too.

As a side note, it seems like it's customary for people to complain about hospital food, just as they complain about the food in the military, and in jails and prisons. Now I've not spent much time in a hospital in many years, but the few nights I have spent in a hospital, I had no complaints about the food. The young lady at this hospital said their dietary person will be around to see us, that meals usually include a choice of two entrees, but if there's something else we want; just ask for it; that they have a full service kitchen facility and can accomodate special requests. I'll be very surprised if I'm not satisfied with whatever they have on the menu. But I was recently talking to a friend who spent 6 days in the nearest hospital to us (not the one I'll be using) and he said the food was so bad they don't even have a name for it yet.:laughing:

 

[sweettractors]

My next door neighbor is 98 now and earlier in his early ninety's he had both knee joints replaced at Vanderbilt in Tn. and bounced back into the 120 HP JD cab tractor in about 6 weeks after each surgery. He has prostate cancer now and the Dr thinks he will outlive the cancer. He is a inspiration to the community. Ken Sweet

 

[Reg]

I know I said it somewhere before, but carrying extra weight in the past probably made my wife's legs stronger - and the very fortuitous timing of a massive weight loss just before her knee surgeries probably helped her a lot with the need to use the least bad leg as support for recovery after the first TKR.
Even 5 or 10 pounds can make a significant difference.

I know it is an old bumper sticker, but "Think Positive" about the surgery.
In a very short time you will be EVEN and soon after that AHEAD on total pain and inconvenience.

Best wishes for this Bird, we're rootin' for Ya (-:

 

[texbaylea]

On hospital food you can never know what to expect. A large number of hospitals contract food services to ARAmark - yes, the same people that have the food concessions in your local sports venue. If you are in hospital long enough, you can work with the dietician to find meals you can tolerate.

Good health, Bird

Vernon

 

[capt jack]

So different treatments have had different results for different ones of us. And I'm sure that could be expected. The 3 shot series of Hyalgan did very little good, so we went ahead with the other 2 injections. So now my knee doesn't keep me awake, doesn't hurt hardly at all when I'm sitting, and doesn't even hurt a lot walking as long as I walk slowly and carefully and not very far at a time.

So the total knee replacement surgery is scheduled for the 23rd of next month. I asked the doctor how many of these he's done and he said, "Over a thousand." I didn't ask how many were successful.

just be sure the doc puts the grease fitting on the inside of the new knee so you can kneel on a concrete shop floor
jack

 

[Bird]

Jack, which grease should I use, or should this question be in the Oil, Fuel & Lubricants forum?:laughing:

 

[RadarTech]

Jack, which grease should I use, or should this question be in the Oil, Fuel & Lubricants forum?:laughing:

Bird, I hope all goes well with the operation...
and please keep us in the know..


I'll put you on the prayer list..

J

 

[sweettractors]

My BIL, just had his knee done and has just finished therapy. I think he had them put in the "Molly" lube. Best of luck with the procedure, you will be on my prayer list. Ken Sweet

 

[Bird]

Here we had everything scheduled for the 23rd and then a couple of days ago, the surgeon's nurse called and said they need to move it a week to the 30th, so it's going to be 3 weeks before we do the surgery. Actually, I don't mind. The knee had gotten bad enough that I was taking Aleve and Ibuprofen and using an ice pack a lot. But after the 5 injections of Hyalgan, I haven't taken anymore pain pills and have only used an ice pack a couple of times for awhile. In fact, it hardly bothers me at all as long as I walk slowly and carefully and too far at a time. But when I overdo it a bit, as I did today, it reminds me that I still need the surgery.:laughing:

I got the ladder out this morning to see if the rain gutters needed cleaning (only a little bit) and I did a little tree pruning (Margaret bagged the clippings), then I did the string trimming and edging. Margaret mowed the back yard, then I mowed the front. Then I went to Home Depot and got four 18" x 18" x 2" concrete patio stones (dang, those things are heavy) and three 8" x 12" ones, came home and put them in place. So by the time I finished, yep, I can tell the knee still needs some help.

 

[RadarTech]

Here we had everything scheduled for the 23rd and then a couple of days ago, the surgeon's nurse called and said they need to move it a week to the 30th, so it's going to be 3 weeks before we do the surgery. Actually, I don't mind. The knee had gotten bad enough that I was taking Aleve and Ibuprofen and using an ice pack a lot. But after the 5 injections of Hyalgan, I haven't taken anymore pain pills and have only used an ice pack a couple of times for awhile. In fact, it hardly bothers me at all as long as I walk slowly and carefully and too far at a time. But when I overdo it a bit, as I did today, it reminds me that I still need the surgery.:laughing:

I got the ladder out this morning to see if the rain gutters needed cleaning (only a little bit) and I did a little tree pruning (Margaret bagged the clippings), then I did the string trimming and edging. Margaret mowed the back yard, then I mowed the front. Then I went to Home Depot and got four 18" x 18" x 2" concrete patio stones (dang, those things are heavy) and three 8" x 12" ones, came home and put them in place. So by the time I finished, yep, I can tell the knee still needs some help.

Bird--
ya gotta pace yourself man!!!!

J

 

[Reg]

just be sure the doc puts the grease fitting on the inside of the new knee so you can kneel on a concrete shop floor
jack

I know, I know, I KNOW !!! it is just a joke.
but kneeling ain't gonna be in Bird's plans for quite a while.
At least I sincerely HOPE he doesn't try it for a long time.
Dang fool visiting nurse made the mistake of having my wife do some exercise on the floor and then get up from a kneeling position - BAD IDEA !
You've probably seen it in the hand-outs from the class, but just don't get on the floor and have to get up by going through a kneeling position.

Best,

Reg