Well thought I would give you
all an update on the knee.
It is better as far as the pain
and swelling.
I was able to do some time 1/2 hr
on the treadmill and 1/2 hr on the
stationary bike last week at the gym.
The first few times around on the pedals
were painful, yet I made myself do it.
It is slow compared to what I did before
yet I feel it is better than nothing.
As for surgery, I am still not sure if I
will have it done in Nov or not.
I feel if I can do as good as I am doing
now and remain doing so, that I will
delay the surgery for now.
It will never mend it self entirely I realize that.
I am just hoping to buy some time for now.
If it acts up like it was I may not have much
choice.
The good news is it doesn't hamper me from
riding. It feels good to be able to enjoy the
ride.
So I am doing well and feel better than
I did a month ago..  
Hugs to all, Kim, Genie and Shadow...

zombee

Kim

I have good knees, and no personal experience with this....however I have seen the knee issues that other people have had.  I believe it is a gamble, and you should put it off as long as possible.

My mother had both knees replaced, and it has not worked out all that well for her.  She is small, about 5 foot tall and of average build.  Before the surgery her knees hurt when she walked - but did not hurt when she was sitting or sleeping.  After the surgery her knees hurt all the time....constantly.  They don't hurt any more or less when moving around.....it is just a dull constant pain and has been going on for 8 years.  They can't make it stop.  She moves around fine and is as nimble as any other 85 year old woman....she just has to deal with the constant pain.

My father in law had his knees replaced, and refused to do the therapy and has little range of motion and strength in his legs.  He falls into chairs as he does not have the strength to lower himself down slowly.....he waddles up stairs as he doesn't bend his knees, and the waddling has now caused hip problems.

A female Bluegrass singer named Lynn Morris had knee surgery, and the blood blots caused a severe stroke.  She had to learn to walk and talk all over again.

A local fireman friend had knee surgery on both knees, and one went horribly wrong and had to be redone again later.  It caused him about 18 months of agony.  He blames the problem on an over zealous physical therapist that pushed him too hard.

I do know folks who have had good results......but I know several that have been worse after the replacement.  I suppose if the pain becomes so bad that it is debilitating and ruining your quality of life.....you most likely have no choice.

We will be praying for you.

Thanks Dave and I will keep the information
in mind.
I have a Dr's apt this a.m. as my primary Dr
wants to re examine it again before possibly
prescribing some Lasix for the swelling. It
starts at my ankle and continues up past
the knee.
I placed myself on a otc natural one as I
had a hard time getting thru to her and then
she was out of town and etc, ect..
So after using the otc all natural one, it has helped
some.
So will take it with me and see what she says.
I had asked the Ortho about it and being it wasn't
in his notes back to her, she wouldn't prescribe it
before talking to him.
Another phone call to his office for him to call her that
took 3 weeks for them to do...Ugh.....
That was why I decided to take matters into my own hands
and take the all natural otc one.
I do believe that has helped yet doesn't take the swelling
away entirely, yet gives me some relief and with the icing
as often and I do, it has helped.
I also was told I could take otc Tylenol for Arthritis and
that has helped as well.

I am trying to prolong the surgery as long as I can.
No cartage, bone on bone and combined with the
arthritis makes it hard to not hobble some days..
I have read pros and cons concerning the surgery
and talked to some that have undergone it as well.

I know if the surgery is performed I have a long road
of recovery ahead. Then again if it could give me back
a knee where I could do as before, it may be worth it..
Not making any haste decisions yet keeping my options
opened...