Keen walker with diagnosed knee issues

To the OP, a pair of sprung hiking sticks will make a huge difference, especially going downhill.

To David (DSB) Your endocrinologist would soon shout for a orthopaedic surgeon (orthopod) if he wanted to sort out his own knee problems. He won't be popping glucosamine pills that's for sure. He would be better sticking to treating diabetic patients.Cheeky blighter.

 Ask him why surgeons are called "Mr" and why he is called "Doctor" but only ask him when leaving the consuling room not before/ during the consultation

If he won't tell you, I will

Hmmm, I've had both knees replaced with Titanium joints,about 4 years ago.No problems with walking ,climbing on & off boats/yachts etc.Only run (if i have to) for a VERY short distance .As for kneeling ,go down VERY gently to protect the covering skin tissue,for short periods.The REAL secret ,is plenty of physio therapy & excersise after the operation.I now have a conciderably better quality of life ,without both legs bowed outwards,and walk without any pain.Don't put off the 'op'for too long ,as one knee will be compensating for the other ,so therefore will also have to be done later too.All the best .Pete ..

I was going to type something myself about my friend's experiences.  She was in a lot of pain in both knees, tried to continue walking, and at each appointment was told she was making things worse.  She persisted as she wanted to be able to keep up with her friends who didn't have knee problems.  She was in her early fifties at the time.

Eventually she was told she required two knee replacements and that each knee was so bad that it wouldn't support the other during 'rehabilitation.  She was given no option but to have both done at once!   Fortunately she made a quick recovery from the surgery, took no longer to get back on her feet than someone with a single replacement, and is now keeping up with us all again - pain free.  She went back to her 'on her feet' teaching job within just a few months.

Listen to your doctors, strap your knees if it helps, have injections, have physiotherapy, take supplements, have electro-therapy, homoeopathy, chinese medicine, hypnosis, or any of the other things which may be suggested, but don't think this will stop your knees wearing out even more if you have diagnosed arthritis,  and when surgery is suggested think of it in positive terms (I will be much better) rather than that it will limit your mobility and what you are able to do afterwards.

Thanks for the good wishes SG. At the moment I'm managing some walking as I believe it's the best way to keep muscle tone. As an aside the surgeon asked me if I had researched this operation and I said I'd seen a couple of videos on utube. He asked me if I'd seen his video and gave me his web site address which hadn't a link to his video. So I' ve seen him in action so to speak. Whilst the whole thing seems a bit brutal with lots of sawing and hammering I'll hopefully sleep through it all.

Good luck Papgeno - I'm lucky enough not to suffer (yet!) but our neighbour had trouble literally walking from the front door to the car - she had one knee done and she's well away now - she's no longer worried about the prospect of the next! She was done in Sheffield hospital.

To all thanks for all the replies and yes will take advice from consultant when appointment is confirmed.I have already found how to manage discomfort by not sitting with knee bent and using freezer gel when sore.Training type walking shoes with cushion soles help rather than wearing walking boots.The joys of getting old!

Thanks Paul

To Fozzie. Gel insoles help as does sticking to walking field & or woodland paths. I try to avoid tarmac as much as possible.  After xray GP said I have 'arthritic changes' (knee) & to carry on walking.

SG

Good to hear your operation has been so successful. It sounds as if you were in a far worse position than I am currently in. Something I have been experimenting with is coming off all pain killers and haven't taken any for three weeks now. The strange thing is, thus far, I haven't really felt to need to go back on them. The pain killers have been replace, where possible, with regular walks or time on the exercise bike.

David

Write your comments here...David, I was advised to take Apple cider Vinegar by my GP. I take the liquid vinegar which contains the "mothers" the thick  bits and have  half a glass with a tablespoon of honey and warm water.It is amazing the relief it gives to fingers, knees and other arthritic joints.It is an acquired tatse but it does work.but does not have the same effect as a gin and tonic.....SG2

I take ACV every day! Amazing stuff! Not just for joints, skin, digestion etc but they say although it's an acid,  it makes the body alkaline in which cancer cells cannot survive! They thrive in an acidic body apparently.  As sailor girl says, you need to get organic ACV with 'The mother' in it. There is a company on the internet in Somerset that does it. You can buy 'Braggs' from various places which contains it. Fresh lemon juice every day is excellent too. 

You can have some of ours when our cider goes "off," an aquired taste, if only it banished all our ailments we'd all be using it.