Bad Knee

[Kenomac]

I don't see how having a bad knee can put a stop on anyone's legitimate plans to go cruising. Probably becomes an excuse for some. If getting around a sailboat becomes a problem, either fix the knee problem or just buy a different boat. Nothing wrong with seeing the world, especially Europe via barge boat... looks like fun and no steps involved.

[glenn.225]

I too have a bad knee luckily just one. Had a scope done on it and lateral release. It seemed worst after than before, doc said there was only a whisper of cartilage left. Saw a knee replacement surgeon and he said he was ready to do it now but I was a little young. After the first round I was a little hesitant and decided to wait. But it was a career ender anyway hard to be a soldier when you can't run or carry a rucksack.
Three years later and still doing ok, could be better but I take it easy no running, walk every day to keep up strength. Can't cycle at all, swimming is good. Went with the Acetaminophen Ibobrufen and Glucosamine every day. For most things it's not too bad but I wouldn't want to work a full day on my knees like i use to as a mechanic.
So are those new knees that great? The knee replacement doc i talked to said i wouldn't want to climb ladders ski or other repetitive activities.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody-NS27

I was told I need hip surgery but so far I'm holding off. Doc's keep saying "it'll only get worse" so I'm sure it'll get done at some point. Probably before I retire from the military.

One thing about hips that is different than knees is that depending on the disease process your femoral head (ball) could be eroding up into the acetabulum (socket). If it is allowed to progress, sometimes it can make the initial surgery much more difficult and complicated with poorer results.

Your doc should know this and be able to show you on X-rays what it looks like.

[Therapy]

How come I can't put a picture up.

I copy an "image URL", put it in the box in "manage attachments", click upload and it says it is an invalid file.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by glenn.225

So are those new knees that great? The knee replacement doc i talked to said i wouldn't want to climb ladders ski or other repetitive activities.

Don't even go back to that doc. He's totally full of it. I asked plenty of these kinds of questions and if you're fit, you can basically do anything with the new knees that you should have been able to do with the old ones. The only thing I have found so far that I cannot do any longer is a full lotus position. And I'm not entirely sure that I couldn't if I worked at it. I just haven't worked at it.

You end up with a plastic wafer ( your new "cartilage") between two mirror smooth metal surfaces. Imagine putting a slice of Starboard between two polished pieces of stainless. Now imagine putting your weight on top of the stainless. How much damage do you think you'll do to the Starboard? And this stuff is tougher than Starboard.

You can ski, climb ladders, stand up paddleboard, drive a center console in chop, ride a bike, hike, run... I got cleared to surf again two years ago. And I'm 64.

I would be careful about anything that could hold your foot in one position and twist your knee. I think of sports where your feet are captured, like snow boarding, and your torso could torque the metal bone interface, but that's just my own thinking on it. Any sport where your feet are free to rotate should be no issue.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Now if I could figure out what to do about the lower back. What really aggravates that is working or standing in an awkward position for a while. Don't have to do any heavy lifting at all. Next day I have trouble getting out of bed.

Time to go before it all gets worse.

My chronic back is kept in check with just two stretch exercises now. I have been through PT by several professionals and followed handouts from a couple of MDs. One Anesthesiologist I worked with told me what to do. He was right. He was also right in how to cure (almost overnight) the repetitive strain problem called Tennis Elbow.

Smart guy.

Originally Posted by thomm225

Actually, I'm quite a cheap bastard. But like I said, it got to be an addiction. Addicts don't care about what it costs or what it does to their bodies. I broke two helmets, a few ribs, and several teeth in the process. (but my knees are better!) Like when you see runners (or cyclists) doing their thing in crazy weather.

I can understand the addiction thing. I wish I had just gone and done some hang gliding.

Originally Posted by Canibul

you can basically do anything with the new knees that you should have been able to do with the old ones. The only thing I have found so far that I cannot do any longer is a full lotus position. And I'm not entirely sure that I couldn't if I worked at it. I just haven't worked at it.



You can ski, climb ladders, stand up paddleboard, drive a center console in chop, ride a bike, hike, run... I got cleared to surf again two years ago. And I'm 64.

.

Don't forget that some people have different pain tolerances, whether learned early or genetic (whatever argument you want to use) and simply cannot take as much.

I know because I am a sissy.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Therapy

He was also right in how to cure (almost overnight) the repetitive strain problem called Tennis Elbow.

send that one to me, thanks

[DeepFrz]

Therapy, please post a description of the cure for tendinitis. Don't have a problem right now but I am prone to it although have not had a problem since I have started taking Glucosomene/Chondroitin

[mikereed100]

Just a note on glucosamine/chondroitin. The majority of evidence from high quality trials has failed to show any meaningful benefit over placebo for either of these. On the other hand they are relatively safe, so many docs will advise that they are ok to try for a few months. If they seem to help, go ahead and continue, if they don't then save your money.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

The majority of evidence from high quality trials has failed to show any meaningful benefit over placebo for either of these.

The world would greatly benefit from a high quality effective low cost placebo. If it makes you feel better it is real, end of story.

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by Therapy

One thing about hips that is different than knees is that depending on the disease process your femoral head (ball) could be eroding up into the acetabulum (socket). If it is allowed to progress, sometimes it can make the initial surgery much more difficult and complicated with poorer results.

Your doc should know this and be able to show you on X-rays what it looks like.

Sounds exactly what was was going on. X-rays didn't show much, but an MRI showed lots of tears in the tissue in that socket. I expect I'd live with it the rest of my life, but right now, it's mostly tolerable so long as I don't exaggerate it too much or walk for too long.

[glenn.225]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

Just a note on glucosamine/chondroitin. The majority of evidence from high quality trials has failed to show any meaningful benefit over placebo for either of these.

Well placebo on not, I know I can walk 4 or 5 km a day, every day which I couldn't do regularly three years ago, knee would swell up big. Of course I'm not on it all day long and I know my limits.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

Just a note on glucosamine/chondroitin. The majority of evidence from high quality trials has failed to show any meaningful benefit over placebo for either of these. On the other hand they are relatively safe, so many docs will advise that they are ok to try for a few months. If they seem to help, go ahead and continue, if they don't then save your money.

Agreed.

[DeepFrz]

Originally Posted by mikereed100 View Post
Just a note on glucosamine/chondroitin. The majority of evidence from high quality trials has failed to show any meaningful benefit over placebo for either of these. On the other hand they are relatively safe, so many docs will advise that they are ok to try for a few months. If they seem to help, go ahead and continue, if they don't then save your money.

I agree. My doctor has told me if it seems to help keep taking it. It seems to help me and if I stop taking it for a while, a week or two, I notice soreness and stiffness in my lower back and fingers.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

send that one to me, thanks

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Therapy, please post a description of the cure for tendinitis. Don't have a problem right now but I am prone to it although have not had a problem since I have started taking Glucosomene/Chondroitin

I don't know how to put text in between pics so it will all be in one place.
First is where the pain point is for "Tennis Elbow". This is like the name and is caused by a repetitive motion with a tight grip. In my case (as described by the anesthesiologist) from gripping and holding retractors/instruments motionless for long periods. Tennis rackets, drills, tillers - doesn't really matter. It hurts.

Second is pulling/stretching and so is the third.

The idea is to stand or sit straight with shoulders squared and arm fully extended and perpendicular to the deck (heh). With the other hand one torques the wrist as far as possible and holds for a count - pick a number. The stretch is as far as range of motion allows and/or pain is tolerated. If you are a high pain tolerance person go easy on yourself. If you are a sissy like me then just make it hurt.

Repeat a few times each arm.
Repeat 20 times a day. --I say 20 to folks so that they may actually do it 5 times --

These are just simple stretches really but they seem to take away the "cramp" that is perceived as pain at the attachment point.

Now https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_elbow
says stuff a little different so my disclaimer is that this has worked for me and several others that have the same pain I do. It may be a placebo for me (and those others) and is anecdotal, sooooo YMMV.