warpedskydiver 0 #1 April 11, 2008 I have always wondered this, when is it time? I can walk, run a few steps, but in general am in constant pain in both knees. I can take 200mg of tramadol, and 1000mg of ibuprofen, and it is still there, but to a lesser degree. It hurts to crouch/squat, or god forbid, kneel. I am looking for real answers and not just comments. I can go to the VA, but getting into the ortho clinic is a real challenge, they are overloaded, and in general do not want to see any patients that can still walk. I don't ever want to use my wheelchair again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #2 April 11, 2008 Obviously, any kind of surgery is about risk vs. reward. The surgery and long recuperation would be painful, and chances are, at some point you would probably have to go through it all over again. BUT, you're still a young guy (relatively) you're living with chronic pain and and your physical activity is far more limited than it should be, right? I think I would do it now while you are still young enough to really enjoy the benefits, but that's just me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinsa 0 #3 April 11, 2008 1000mg of ibuprofen???? Over how long? Thats 5 tablets isn't it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #4 April 11, 2008 From the list of symptoms you have, NOW would be a good time! My GF's father (age 62) just had bi-lateral knee replacements and he is doing wonderfully. GO fer it!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #5 April 11, 2008 It really is a matter of how much pain you can stand. When I went in to have my right knee replaced this January, I had been taking an Aleve along with an 800mg ibuprofen twice a day for over a year. I had been on Celebrex for a while in the past, but the ortho doc refused to give me any more due to BP problems. Most of the time, it just was pain that was there, nagging me, but there were times it could freeze me in my tracks; once it started keeping me awake or even waking me at night, I decided it was time. By last Christmas even riding in a car could cause the bones to grind together and make me wince, so I knew it was at least time. I had talked to other implant recipients and dreaded most of all the first few days post-op, as the pain is very intense, but my ortho group uses a femoral block to lessen it. I never really had all that much pain -- as a matter of fact on the scale of 1 to 10, I was a 7 or 8 the morning of surgery and woke up in the recovery room at about a 3 or 3.5 ; I knew right away I had made the right decision. All this is to say, it's up to you to decide the time, but sounds to me like you're either there or damned close. Good luck with your knees -- I'm off for a 5 mile bike ride. Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #6 April 11, 2008 Quote1000mg of ibuprofen???? Over how long? Thats 5 tablets isn't it? since 1983 I have all my bloodwork done every three months and have all checks done as a precaution. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #7 April 11, 2008 I can take extreme amounts of pain and go on, it just makes me be kinda angry, and mean. I had to walk on a crushed foot for two days. (never removed my boot) Walked 3 miles with a severely torn MCL/PCL. Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me, or if I am just a whiner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #8 April 11, 2008 Quote I can take extreme amounts of pain and go on, it just makes me be kinda angry, and mean. You??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #9 April 11, 2008 Don't be a tough guy. You'll just need to hang on them a bit, exaggerate the pain an harp that your life is ruined."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #10 April 11, 2008 Quote Quote I can take extreme amounts of pain and go on, it just makes me be kinda angry, and mean. You??? I know, hard to imagine me not all smiles and friendly huh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
funjumper101 15 #11 April 11, 2008 It is all about pain and pain tolerance as to when it is time to have it replaced. From what you write, I would say that you are past due. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #12 April 11, 2008 Quote1000mg of ibuprofen???? Over how long? Thats 5 tablets isn't it? I have 800mg ibuprofen and according to the prescription you can take one every 4 hours.Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #13 April 11, 2008 Most ortho docs wont touch you if you are under 45yrs old(not sure how old you are) to do a knee replacement. Talk to your pcp and get an MRI and possible referral to an ortho doc to find out your options. I am going in for my 3rd knee surgery 13th of May. Orthoscopic surgery is nothing and recovery time is maybe 1-3 weeks(depends on the person and procedure done) Try everything you can to prevent surgery but if nothing helps then the last result should be a surgical procedure.TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #14 April 11, 2008 QuoteI can take 200mg of tramadol, and 1000mg of ibuprofen You'd want to get it before you need a liver transplant. Seriously. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
