That damn knee

[lillian13]

Well, I had my final follow-up with my orthopedic surgeon today. In summation:

I probably will never walk any real distance comfortably again. Walking is now no longer part of my exercise schedule.
Got a new knee x-ray. There is pretty much no cartilage whatsoever in the inside part of my right knee. No wonder it hurts to stand still for any length of time! Or, you know, walk.

When I told him about Comic Con he wished me the best of luck...I'll have to plan my activities very carefully to minimize huge amounts of walking.

sigh.

Comments

[blueraccoon]

Could you consider a knee replacement? I don't know how these things work. :(

[lillian13]

Nah, it's not really in the plans. Hideously expensive major surgery, and the replacement part is really only good for 10 years...doc says to hold out as long as I can on that.

[tehomet]

I probably will never walk any real distance comfortably again.

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that.

There is pretty much no cartilage whatsoever in the inside part of my right knee.

That sounds excruciating.

You're probably looking at a knee replacement long term? Two of my friends (one aged 50, one aged 80) have had the op and were up and walking without pain within days.

Would carrying a staff or using a crutch or something like that help with all the walking at the con?

[lillian13]

Yep, at some point I will probably get a knee replacement, but my doctor is urging me to wait as long as I can, since the biologic replacements are on the horizon and they will last a lot longer than the current ones (10 years or so).

I'm not sure if a cane will help much, but I'm definitely considering it for the long days at the show.

The knee only really gives me grief now if I'm standing still for a length of time or if I've walked too far--a distance which varies unpredictably.

[marthawells.livejournal.com]

Augh, sorry to hear that. *hugs*

I've been having knee pain issues, but my pain gets better/goes away with a double dose of aleve, and doesn't come back if I'm careful and wear braces when I work out, so I don't think mine is a cartilage issue.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Where did you put your cartilage? Ow ow. :/