Originally Posted by
The Historian
Peter, the reason I don't take pills daily is that I don't take pills period, if I can avoid it. I'm fortunate I've been able to avoid taking anything stronger than over the counter things for pain for years. When I broke my rib in 2008, I could have had Percoset, but I never got the script filled. I'm sure if I didn't consider knee pain a part of my daily life for decades I'd be taking stuff regularly.
I understand completely, and more power to you~! At age 19 after two surgeries (13 dislocations prior) - I gave up on no pills. Each of us is different. Different stuff works for each of us.
All my issues were due to *damage*, and, abuse. Whereas I *think* most of your issues are due to how your jionts were made. To me, I am utterly amazed at all you have done (that I am aware of). In my own thinking, you would benefit from knee replacements - but as I am NOT a Ortho - I do not know if you would create new issues (hips, ankles) or if it simply would be wonderful.
I have zero doubt that you would rehab wonderfully, and my bet is you could get both done at the same time.
My QoL was ruled by pain, yours seems to be ruled by structure issues - big difference between you and I - I do realize that. Please remember one point, as much as you may dislike 'pills' - anti-inflammatories are not 'pain pills' they don't make you feel funny (other than possible tummy issues) - but they can do a LOT for pain, sometimes moreso than pain meds - if you can take them daily - they need to build in your system, they do not work very well 'taken as needed'.