Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

leatherlady — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:25:02 GMT

I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee in 1995. I have had absolutely no problems since then. So where do you get your info?

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

ochaye — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:49:09 GMT

I was fortunate. I had a 'bucket' handle tear in the meniscus. I had arthroscopic repairs performed. This procedure was performed 25 years ago and today my knee is excellent. At that time I was heavily into Karate as a means of stress relief. I continued for 10 more years in Karate without any knee problems. I have been retired for 18 years and play golf almost every day on a very hilly course and never think of my knees.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

Delaware — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:47:54 GMT

I'm glad to see many others speaking up for the value of nutritional supplements. I second the vote

for New Chapter's Tumeric Force, as well as my personal favorite Zyflamend, as it contains many other

herbal anti-inflammatory ingredients in a great combination formula.

Aside from that another way to help knee problems is to use bodywork therapies, like Active Isolated Stretching techniques along with Myofascial Release work or Structural Integration. Therapies like that are incredibly effective for freeing up muscle & joint restriction.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

Seattlegirl — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:42:12 GMT

I take one turmeric supplement daily (I prefer Turmeric Force by New Chapter). It has really helped my knee and lower backaches.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

mrose — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:05:04 GMT

EVIHCRA - I googled his name but came up with multiple books he has written - can you give more information?

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

Helen3 — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:36:53 GMT

You must rebuild the cartilage with proper supplements especially the 60 minerals and trace minerals,also, omega 3 oils , vitamins and proper diet. The Pig Pack has it all. Drink half your body weight in ounces to help flush out toxins.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

BJ203 — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:38:21 GMT

Arthroscopy is first and foremost a diagnostic tool. It is, in essence, an expensive telescope which allows orthopaedic surgeons to examine the inside surfaces of a joint, to determine whether or not disease is present.

MRI can more or less provide the same information, without the need for an anaesthetic. but, if the surgeon discovers something wrong, like a torn cartilage, then it can be readily fixed. If he discovers there is a chunk of bone loose, that is a different story. All surgical procedures have certain risks of complications; none are risk free. Therefore, it is important to weigh up the risks of intervention, versus the risks of doing nothing. Get a second opinion if you're not certain or undecided what's right for you. And don't be afraid to ask questions or ask the doctor to explain what he/she thinks is the problem, and what are the alternatives to the treatment proposed.

Generalized osteoarthritis of the knee joint, does not respond well to arthroscopic procedures. Total knee replacement may be necessary sooner or later. But, there are practical things one can do to lessen the pain and improve your mobility.

1. Gentle, regular, non-weight bearing exercise - swimming or hydrotherapy is ideal

2. Lose excess weight - aim to reach a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 21-22.

3. Anti-inflammatory creams applied regularly and massaged in well directly over the joint can be beneficial

4. Chondroitin sulphate & glucosamine in combination twice daily

5. and finally - eat right for your type! I'm convinced that at least half of our health problems stem directly from eating a diet which isn't right for us at all! It amy well be ideal for someone else, but totally wrong for me. Therefore, l end up suffering consequences such as osteoarthritis as a result. Read Dr Peter D'Adamo's books for more information on this subject.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

Pat 444 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:56:35 GMT

I had had traumatic knee pain, and had some kind of hardened liquid cumulated at the inside lateral side of my left knee. That was in the eighties and an X-ray did not show anything special. But the pain was there and recurrent whenever that knee felt cold. I was always wrapping it for tthree or four years the whole winter, and when the pain was recurring, I used to tie it a bit tighter, to try to immobilize the joint the more possible, thus providing also a support for the joint.

When the pain was there it was so difficult to walk. I never used any pills. I kept walking short distances, trying not to bend that knee.

Thanks God I don't have that pain any more.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

Dr Rik — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:38:18 GMT

An Arthroscope is a TOOL not a PROCEDURE. Where is the critical thinking? pulease.

Arthroscopic surgery to graft a replacement for my ACL and remove damaged meniscus took me off the disabled list. I wouldn't expect it to provide a solution for degenerative changes.

The results depend on the appropriateness of the SOLUTION. Does it take care of the PROBLEM?

It's not that hard; you have to THINK (oh that's right, that's hard)

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

frontporchmemories — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:19:49 GMT

I have arthritis and almost no cartlilaege in both knees. I have staved off having knee surgery. I find it hard to walk without getting Synvisc injections which cushion the knees.

Total knee replacement is in my future i know. I take evetyhing possible glucosamine and fish oil and feverfew.

My trouble is I did not know what my problem was until it was too late!

frontporchmemories

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

Arizona — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:23:56 GMT

Ok how about all the other surgeries that are scams????

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

JFB — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:40:36 GMT

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re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

flbooks7 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:33:58 GMT

I've had arthritic knees for about 30 years. I've had two surgeries and was taking 3 Ibuprofen every 4 hours for pain and had to increase it to 6. Because of that my doctor put me on Vioxx. I didn't have any idea of the danger I was putting myself in by doing that. I now take fish oil every morning and CLA when my knee is swollen and and nothing else. I'm in less pain than I've been in for many years. Oh...I'm also drinking more water. Dehydration may have been what caused the degeneration in my knees to start with... that and a snowmobile accident.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

LadyPam — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:42:46 GMT

I did injure my knee during sports, as a teenager, and it has always grumbled on and off. I was told I had a slightly torn meniscus and would probably get early arthritis in that knee when I got older and behold: last year the knee started swelling and hurting - more every day for a week (which the experts all said was not possible) until I could only get around with crutches and couldn't find any position in which the pain was bearable.

Gentle exercise has helped, plus some specific ones to strengthen the supporting muscles and tendons. But my exercise is a lot more vigorous than the docs say. They tell me don't walk more than 1/2 a mile at a time but I regularly walk more than 2, sometimes even running a little. It all seems to help.

A couple of years ago I had a painful shoulder and was told it was a tendon getting caught, then getting caught more often because of the swelling, etc., etc. Gentle exercise and rest helped a little. But suddenly I had agonising pain there - similar to that of a bone fracture (which I've had, so I know). Long story short, it turned out that there was a portion of the damaged tendon that was ossifying: growing a bone sheath around it. I was referred for keyhole surgery and put on the waiting list - around 8 months. Meanwhile, I did some research and discovered that this condition always clears up on its own. Not much is known about the cause but I'd say it's clearly a response to damage. I didn't go ahead with the surgery as the problem was almost gone by the time my name got to the top of the list. Interestingly, some sources said it hurts much more when the body starts re-absorbing the bone, though in some patients it never hurts at all.

re: Surgery Does Little for Arthritic Knees

bassmanpete — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:27:59 GMT

Four years ago I damaged a cartilage in my right knee. After several months of limping around, unable to run at all and trying glucosamine, ultrasound, etc I opted for arthroscopic surgery. For two days after the surgery the pain, even with pain killers, was horrendous. Soon though my knee felt as good as ever. Now I can walk for hours at a time and even run again and haven't had a twinge in the knee for over 3 years. Admittedly I didn't have any arthritis, just a torn cartilage.

Regarding the blood clots mentioned in another post, here in Australia the surgeon is required by law to warn you of any possible complications, and the odds of them, before the operation commences.