Education:How do you know when your knees are so bad they need to be replaced? I could go

How do you know when your knees are so bad they need to be replaced? I could go on using NSAIDs, Glucosamine, calcium and magnesium supplementation with MSN etc. my triceps to lift me from sitting, leg extensions to strengthen the quads to hold knee joints steady, rest a lot, have steroid and Supartz injections every year, etc. But, really, maybe I%26#039;ve passed the law of diminishing returns? Have you had knee replacement surgery ? Recommend ?
Can we ever run hard again ??????

Additional Details

2 days ago

BTW: AM 64 y/o male 225 lbs (too much, am dieting) fairly active %26amp; working out......)

Best Answer

To answer this question there needs to be more information. How old are you as below the age of 55 most doctors don%26#039;t want to do the procedure as the hardware will ware out too soon. How much do you weigh? The heavier you are the more stress on the knees. You will be surprised how much even as little as 10 pounds will improve how the knees feel. Have you had Synvisc injections which provide an artificial cartilage. You state knee extension exercises but did you know that if they are done improperly the movement actually accelerates the degenerative process. The movement must be done in the last 30 degrees not from 90 to 0 degrees as most people do. The gluteals must be strengthened also to help with such activities as getting in and out of a chair as well as steps. Fish oil also helps the knees. My suggestion for you is to get a referral to physical therapy and work with that. You can even do aquatic therapy which will take up to 40% of your body weight off the knees. There are options open to you before you hit the knife. Physical therapist

Asker's Rating:

Good suggestions....thanks (wish I had some URL references tho)

Other Answers (3)

• First of all, unless you are older than 50 they usually won%26#039;t replace them unless you are wheelchair bound due to pain. They have a limited life span and they don%26#039;t often put them in younger people. Even if you are older you have to be in rough shape. And a replacement isn%26#039;t the same as having your own knees either.
  Have they tried you on Celebrex? Or the Durolane injections? The injections last about 6 months and are much better than steroids. Physio sometimes helps too.
  But I wouldn%26#039;t be running. Even if you could, it would only serve to further damage the joint. And why would you want that?
• You do not make the decision the Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon does. Best of Luck