Neil_B

BTW, who is this "Niel" Roger is writing to? Is he related to the "Neal" Peter is corresponding with?

Neil

poperszky

Wow guys, are you really having that hard of time with your Dr.? When I had my first one done at 46, I waited until I was bone on bone and hobbling. I was not going to let that happen again, this time the "scope" lasted 4 months, the synvisc didn't touch it. The Dr. told me another scope would probably buy me 1 - 5 years, I said, I am going to have to have it done anyhow, let's do it now and he scheduled me. NA month later and I had a new knee.

As for the knees wearing out, I go yearly for an xray for the bearing surface of the knee, which is replaceable. My Dr. has assured me the replacement of the is no where near as complicated (dangerous) as installing the knee again.

Take this for what it is worth...

zjrog

AGH!! Dyslexic fingers... Sorry...

zjrog

Well that was fun!!! Rode around the neighborhood a good chunk of the afternoon. Cleaned the garage a bit, rode the bike a bit, garage, bike... Felt good. Breeze in my face. Cool, in the mid 40s, but shorts felt great... Several friends stopped by, made fun of me, threatened to drink my beer if I didn't get on the bike... But none showed with their bikes. One even claimed he had nothing to prove...

Was a little humiliating to get dropped by a 12 year old oh his ancient Huffy...

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice again and maybe a bit warmer. Friends will be riding with me. Looking for about 8 miles...

Peter_C

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'.

Peter_C

Hello

May I ask one question? Do you weigh more or less than 200LBS? If more than 200LBS, are you more than 250LBS? Weight, as well as age are factors that make many doctors slow to replace knees.

I was bone-on-bone (sadly) since the late 90s, but because of one of the surgeries I had had years ago, Orthos were leery of doing a replacement before it *had* to be done. A "patella realignment" messes with too many parts...

zjrog

Peter. Even though I weighed more than what they normally like to see (300#), the fact that I was relatively active made it an easy choice for the ortho to do my replacement. And of course, they are seeing what they expected. Me being more active. Age and weight aren't barriers for some docs. I do realize that my doc isn't like a lot of others. Some will slice and dice with no reservations, some want to wait what we may feel an eternity before going in. After I did research on other orthos in the state, I realized the guy most local to me was the best choice for me. Not to say there aren't other great docs. But mine was here in town and not 30 or more miles away. When others come from out of state (and no Poperszky, not just from Wendover!!!) to see my ortho, that says something. The only reservation I had was that he uses the local small town hospital for some of his surgery. I admit to being very surprised that the level of care after surgery far exceeded care I've had elsewhere. But I digress. Research and second opinions are never bad things.

Peter_C

I agree completely~! Whether the surgery is a sucess or not, it will always be life-changing. Over my years I have learned that not all Orthos are the same, or equal. Some have big egos, some are all about the knife, and some will only do the sure thing...

Neil_B

Well, Peter, I was obese since childhood, and 400 some pounds for several years. And I've dislocated the right knee twice.

As far as being amazing, I'm not. I'm just a guy riding a bike. Or at least trying to.

zjrog

55 degrees today, beautiful clear sky. Very little breeze. Spent some time on the bike. Outside my neighborhood. Not near as far as I wanted to go, but the hills killed me. My buddy rolled 4 miles uphill to get here and I stuck with for a bit. Downhill was easy, but coming back... About 200 feet of climbing in a mile. Once upon a time that wouldn't have bothered me. But that was a lifetime ago. Stopped about halfway to harass another friend that couldn't get free to ride with us. On the flat, It felt good to sprint a bit, but that should have told me my lungs wouldn't make it up the hill to home. I should mention, I was within 100 yards of my driveway, when my shoelace got stuck in the crank... Didn't wreck, but lost momentum and walked the rest of the way home. Yeah, living at the top of the hill sucks sometimes!

On the plus side. My legs were fine, the knee felt good (except for the ever present swelling!), love the bike. *IF* the weather cooperates, we'll go down and ride next to the lake next weekend. Snow expected Thursday...

One other thing I need to consider. In my "prime" I was at sea level, or very close to it. Where I live now, is nearly a mile high. And, its been 14 years since I rode hard. And I'm 48 years old. Not an excuse, but a reason to get busy. But all said, I have work to do. And I had fun. And that, is reason enough to keep working. Back to the trainer tomorrow, more time, more intensity.

poperszky

Question #1 More

You only asked for one question Peter But what the heck, I will give you a second one for the same price as the first.

Question #2 More

2003 when I had my first one done, I probably weighed 300 pounds...Just like I had for the previous 15-20 years. In October when I had the second one done, I weighed 270.

My Orthopedic surgeon never, repeat never told me I could not have the knee surgery any time I wanted it. When I asked him, when I should have it done, he told me that it was totally up to me, but that the guideline that he suggested was to do it when it interfered with my lifestyle. I stalled on the first one out of fear and ignorance of what the procedure would do for me. He scheduled both of my surgeries that day I said I was ready. He didn't push me toward surgery, nor did he try and talk me out of it.
I first surgery was at 48, this one was at 55. YMMV

Peter_C

Good for you I (for whatever reason) had more steps? hassles? - whatever to get to the point of my TKR. Whether caused by me, or my history, I do not really know - but one is done, and the other is currently not really enough of a bother to worry bout - yet.

Neil_B

I think I've decided to go with the Synvic again, and here's why:

It's only going to buy me a bit of time, but that time means a lot to me. Last time it was effective for a few months. Now, even if I only get three months out of it, that's three months of the riding and hiking season I have that I wouldn't if I had surgery. I'll be lighter, fitter, and in a better shape mentally. In other words, I'd have my awesome back.

If it doesn't work, then I've not lost much time.

Neil_B

Peter, I fired you because you were telling me the doctor was wrong. I didn't remember you getting my xrays or medical history.

Peter_C

Please repost where I said "your doctor is wrong"?

I am not a Doctor, and I know that. I only have the knowledge learned with my knee issues. It is a fair bit, but never qualifies me to state a Doctor is wrong, period. So, if I said those actual words - I was wrong.

I will state as a general statement, that I would take a PCP's thoughts with a grain of salt, as they are not a specialist, and that an Ortho will give better advice.

zjrog

Are you going to have the gel given by the PCP, or by an ortho? In my less than humble opinion, best to let the ortho do that. Its within his specialty.. But again, just my opinion. My surgeon's PA administered the gel, I trust him. My PCP is a PA, I trust her, just not with my knee...

Peter_C

+1

zjrog

I'm SO frustrated. The only day this weekend nice enough to ride, and the wind was in the 40MPH range. No matter, I was too busy to squeeze in a ride anyway. Otherwise, rainy/snowy or just messy. Spring, anytime would be fine now...

Saw my therapist friend Saturday. She kind of put me through a mini therapy session. She sees me in the gym, but was just making sure I am bending. Without warming up I did get to 130*, and -1 extension. And, she pulled on my leg. Really. It feels GOOD! Camping season is coming... She can't wait to yell at me while hiking!!!

So last week I jumped on the Biggest Loser thread, and this week hasn't been all that good, though I've been active. Wednesday and Thursday last week I was HUNGRY... All day. EVEN getting into snacks I probably shouldn't have had. But still, I managed to lose 1.5#... Total since November, 19.5 pounds lost. 8 more pounds to a celebratory beer... See what this week brings.

zjrog

I don't know what to believe... The scale this morning said 283.5... I stepped on it a couple hours later, it said 281.5... While I LIKE the lower number, I'll stick with the 283.5 I posted this morning in the "Loser" thread...

zjrog

Man, I'm a post ***** in my own thread today... I was messing with my Garmin GPS unit and decided to see if I could get a post up... Even though it was 38 degrees out, rode a very short loop. https://connect.garmin.com/activity/69524793 I said it was short. Neat tool. Wish I could afford those units with cadence and HRM. Snow showers around the valley, cloudy in areas, but sunny above and little breeze. More snow coming this week. Ugh...

zjrog

Snow and bad weather all weekend. Didn't do near as much as I wanted to do all week. My fault, but I had a ton of stuff swirling around me this past week. Haven't stepped on teh scale yet this week, afraid to...

On the other hand, Co-workers have noticed my pants being a little more loose on me, so over the weekend, I dug through old jeans. And found that, I've dropped a pant size... I might skip the scale this week!

Neil_B

Next doctor's appointment is Wednesday. I get the referral to the ortho that morning. The Mobic isn't very effective at addressing the problem, although it's lessened the discomfort.

I am wearing shorts to the doctor's office. :-)

Neil_B

Wearing shorts got me a bit more than I expected. I'm getting a referral to these people:

https://www.mainlinehealth.org/orthopedic-rehab

My doctor thinks the valgus deformity in my right leg is so severe that I shouldn't be walking without a brace. When he watched me walk he said "Horrible, horrible" and put his hands to his head. "Why did no one notice this? You went 45 years with that deformity?"

"Thanks, doc!" I said.

Anyway, I'm now making an appointment with the best ortho place in the Philadelphia area.

magohn

Good Job on the ride zjrog - every mile counts and sometimes its just the effort of getting "out there" and doing something

zjrog

Thanks Magohn, it is appreciated.

Neil, I am very happy that you will get to see the best folks available. And the doc didn't catch it before, simply because he didn't bother to LOOK or go hands on with the knee. My PA asked me to drop trou so she could better feel what the knee was doing when I was first asking for initial pain relief... My ortho on my first visit was happy I was in shorts, so he could look at and feel the knee as I moved it.

That, and I just like wearing shorts. Even in winter... Wife asks (in the winter) why I'm not wearing "Big Boy pants"...