Bad Knees

[Bird]

I guess this is actually a not related topic, but I was wondering whether anyone has had these Hyalgan injections.

I've been having a tough time with my right knee for quite some time and my wife had been fussing at me to see a doctor so the 18th of last month, I went to see an orthopedic knee specialist. X-rays showed a good cushion between the bones of the left knee and none in the right knee. He said, 'You don't need surgery yet." So he injected cortisone in the knee and said if that fixed it for 4 to 6 months, we'd do it again. However, it helped only for a week or less. So I saw him again Thursday and he said it was up to me whether I go ahead with the surgery or try the Hyalgan; 5 injections, each one a week apart.

It seems the knee surgery is quite common, but I tend to think of surgery as a last resort, so plan to try the Hyalgan but don't know anyone who has tried it, so thought I'd ask here.

 

[Bedlam]

Sorry to hear of your bad knee. I have problems with both knees.Just curious about the shot you had of cortisone was it painful to get? I look forward to the others explanation of Hyalgan I can offer this link.
HYALGAN® (sodium hyaluronate) - Osteoarthritis Knee Pain Treatment
HYALGAN - sodium hyaluronate Solution
I assure you that you and I aren't in the minority. The more I talk to people the more I hear stories.

 

[rekees4300]

Wife had knee replacement surgery in 2006. It's a big deal and should be a last resort. She was hospitalized for 3 days and that was followed by 13 weeks of therapy for 1 hour 3 times a week. In my wife's case Dr. said alternatives like Hyalgan could be tried but would only be a temporary fix at best. Every case is different so Hyalgan may be worthwhile for you?

 

[whistlepig]

I guess this is actually a not related topic, but I was wondering whether anyone has had these Hyalgan injections.

I've been having a tough time with my right knee for quite some time and my wife had been fussing at me to see a doctor so the 18th of last month, I went to see an orthopedic knee specialist. X-rays showed a good cushion between the bones of the left knee and none in the right knee. He said, 'You don't need surgery yet." So he injected cortisone in the knee and said if that fixed it for 4 to 6 months, we'd do it again. However, it helped only for a week or less. So I saw him again Thursday and he said it was up to me whether I go ahead with the surgery or try the Hyalgan; 5 injections, each one a week apart.

It seems the knee surgery is quite common, but I tend to think of surgery as a last resort, so plan to try the Hyalgan but don't know anyone who has tried it, so thought I'd ask here.

I went through something similar with my right knee last fall due to a torn cartilage. They started cortisone shots and that got me through the summer. Then I tripped last fall and finished ripping the cartilage. The pain was then unbearable. No sleep and no position I could put my leg to relieve this pain. I had arthroscopic surgery. The surgery wasn't that bad. My knee is still a bit tender and gets stiff in cold weather. But the pain now is bearable. Cortisone is just a quick fix. They told me that going in. All I asked was that they get me through that summer. And the cortisone did do that.

 

[Bird]

Sorry to hear of your bad knee. I have problems with both knees.Just curious about the shot you had of cortisone was it painful to get? I look forward to the others explanation of Hyalgan I can offer this link.
HYALGANｮ (sodium hyaluronate) - Osteoarthritis Knee Pain Treatment
HYALGAN - sodium hyaluronate Solution
I assure you that you and I aren't in the minority. The more I talk to people the more I hear stories.

The doctor mentioned something about an anesthetic with the cortisone, but anyway I wish I'd watched him do that injection. But I was lying on my back on the table and he said something about freezing it and I felt something cold either sprayed or swabbed on the side of the knee then a pin prick right at the surface, so I was waiting to feel the needle go the rest of the way when he said, "That's it." So to answer your question, "Nope, not painful at all." The doctor did give me a brochure on the Hyalgan and their claim is that it does not interfere with any other medication, does not have the side effects of steroid injections, and that it can be used repeatedly for years.

I have a neighbor that I seldom see, but last Fall he was out in the yard on crutches, so I went out to ask what happened and he'd had knee surgery on both knees. While I haven't really done any research, or even asked the doctor, I've heard that the knee surgey is usually good for 8 to 10 years. Now, realistically, I figure that's about my remaining life span, but since I might last longer, I don't want to have the surgery too early for it to last as long as the rest of my body lasts.:laughing:

 

[Big Bri]

My mom started the treatment 6 months ago, she has gone from not going up stairs or walking very far to riding a bike with my kids. it has helped her a lot.
she went to see a surgeon and he recommended the shots. . . they seem to be working well.
Good luck

 

[whistlepig]

The doctor mentioned something about an anesthetic with the cortisone, but anyway I wish I'd watched him do that injection. But I was lying on my back on the table and he said something about freezing it and I felt something cold either sprayed or swabbed on the side of the knee then a pin prick right at the surface, so I was waiting to feel the needle go the rest of the way when he said, "That's it." So to answer your question, "Nope, not painful at all." The doctor did give me a brochure on the Hyalgan and their claim is that it does not interfere with any other medication, does not have the side effects of steroid injections, and that it can be used repeatedly for years.

I have a neighbor that I seldom see, but last Fall he was out in the yard on crutches, so I went out to ask what happened and he'd had knee surgery on both knees. While I haven't really done any research, or even asked the doctor, I've heard that the knee surgey is usually good for 8 to 10 years. Now, realistically, I figure that's about my remaining life span, but since I might last longer, I don't want to have the surgery too early for it to last as long as the rest of my body lasts.:laughing:

Arthroscopic isn't that bad. Surgery at 8:00AM. On my way back home an hour and half later. Crutches for two days and off work for a week. Cortisone works great. But, as the doctor told me going in, it's temporary and it's going to have to be fixed. I think you are referring to knee joint replacement. If it hurts I get it fixed. I'm going to flat wear this body out. I don't want anything left over when I'm done.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Downtime for knee surgery will vary. I had orthoscopy for torn meniscus and a PCL injury. I was out of "action" for seven weeks back in 06' but beat the prediction by one week. I hear other people talk about being back at work in a week.

For me, it was instant relief for knee pain but I was sick for a week from the anesthesia. I started therapy the very next day after surgery with a "bucket" close by.

 

[Pops15]

Bird,
What kind of surgery was the doctor talking about?
I know a couple guys that had arthroscopic knee surgery when they were in their mid 40's. Their down time was only a couple weeks and the repairs have held up well.
Knee replacements are a different story. My wife's uncle was told his knee replacement would last 15+ years. He's on his 4th one in 13 years. Also have a friend who had to have her knee replacement replaced after only 7 years.
I've never heard of Hyalgan but I'd be inclined to try that rather than have a knee replacement.
On the other hand you might want to consider what your health might be like a few years down the road. It's better to have the surgery while you're younger and stronger. My Mom had a hip replaced at around 74 years old and breezed through the recovery. She's now 84 and I doubt she could handle the surgery or recovery if she had to go through that again.
Best of luck to you whichever route you decide to go.
Pops

 

[Egon]

Good morning Bird. I'm sorry to hear you have a bum knee. That can be very painful and really limit your activities.

I can not help with your question but am very interested in the results. My Brother in law Had replacement knee surgery about 10 years ago. Recover took a little while for him but the procedure made life a lot more enjoyable for him. He is now in his early 90's.

Keep the faith.:thumbsup:

 

[Reg]

Sorry to hear of your pain.
I have damaged mine over the years, but manage to hold them together with exercise, the time will come when that isn't enough though.

My wife had a total knee replacement done on the right leg in October, by April she had recovered enough for the left one to be done - and having been through it once knew that it would be worth it. She is now 7 weeks out from that and walking reasonably well, certainly a lot better than she was last summer.

I know, surgery isn't risk free and it is a big decision.

It would be worth reading here for adverse possible effects, contraindications, etc.
HYALGAN - sodium hyaluronate Solution

Not to make light of this, but I think it is the same (or very similar) to what they use for hock injections.

 

[MarkV]

As said it seems to work better for some than others. My Aunt had the Hyalgan shots and they just didn't work for her. She ended up doing a knee replacement.

Sorry your going through this Bird. This getting older isn't for sissies is it.

MarkV

 

[Bird]

What kind of surgery was the doctor talking about?

We didn't get that far with that topic, so I'm not sure.:laughing:

It's better to have the surgery while you're younger and stronger.

Yeah, I understand that. A lady who has been one of my wife's best friends for over 30 years had knee replacement surgery when she was 75 and now at nearly 82 still gets around just fine. And I just learned yesterday that she told my wife "the shots" didn't do any good for her, but my wife doesn't know what kind of "shots" she tried first.

My wife had a total knee replacement done on the right leg in October

Glad to hear she's doing well. And if I have surgery, I'd rather do it in the late Fall or Winter when (1) it's not so hot outside, and (2) the yard doesn't need mowing, the trees don't need pruning, rain gutters don't need cleaning, etc.

Of course I've got a grandson and son-in-law who insist they'd be glad to come do those things for me, but I just can't get used to someone else doing my work.

 

[Thomas]

Dang,sorry this hampering you Bird.
I don't have the answer but seen great result from co worker,he was like you taking the shots than decided to have surgery,he now fly fishing again,hiking,even going to shopping malls w/his wife etc...gentleman 70 years young.

 

[Reg]

I should clarify something;
The right one was done in late October, we had originally scheduled the left one to be done in February, but we re-scheduled it as a matter of convenience.
So it was four months from when the right one was done to when it was healed and strong enough to be the support leg for the the surgery on the left one - not six months as I had implied.

The other thing that is probably worth mentioning is that most of the damage was caused by decades of obesity, which she freely admits though is in no way proud of.
In the last two years she has (quite literally) become half the woman she once was (-:
So there has been some strength training over the decades followed by some load relief.

I don't know how long one could expect to be off of what tasks, obviously a riding mower is a lot easier to get on and off than a much taller tractor.
At a guess someone with determination could be back on a riding mower in about two weeks - subject to no complications, etc.
I just about have to use the tractor for snow clearing, but I don't think you get much of that where you are, so late Fall or Winter would probably work well.

Oh yeah, GrandKids that rush up and hug you at knee or mid thigh level have to be restrained for a couple of months (-:

 

[SARG]

My Dad had his left knee joint replaced in the early nineties and it is a big deal.

We would take him to a specialist for injections in his right knee every couple months and he really looked forward to going. I think it was Lidocaine that was used.

I never understood until after Dad was gone and I developed a painful right knee. I went to the same doctor and felt healed overnight. Wonderful pain relief.

 

[ToadHill]

I had knee problems for several years before I saw my Doctor about it. He told me that he didn't normally recommend non perscription treatments but he read an article a few years before about an over the counter treatment of Glucosime/ controtin, and he hed tried it himself based on the article. He said it really worked.

He mentioned that it isn't an over night fix and will take several months to see any difference but it did work. It helps rebuild the "stuff" that lubricates the joints. He didn't use "Stuff" but I can't remember what he called it.

I started taking it at the rate he recommended 1500mg of glucosimine and 1200mg of controitin each day and over the last year my knees and joints in general are 100% better.

You can buy it over the counter but I've found it online at a place called Swanson for half the over the counter price.

Might be worth a try for you, it was for me.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Bird - sorry to hear you are having knee problems... I know how it feels having gone through it myself... twice. In my case it involved torn cartilage. I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee 9 years ago. Relief was immediate, and I was up and walking within a day... completely recovered within about 3 weeks.

About a year and a half ago my right knee started bothering me... I had a cortisone injection which helped for about 4 months... had a second one which lasted about a week. Damaged cartilage was again the problem, and I had it scoped this February... immediate relief, walking in a day, and pretty much healed in about two weeks.

The type of injury really determines what type of treatment you need. My ortho doctor explained that if it was arthritis causing the pain, then shots (I guess Hyalgan) might help. If it was miniscus wear and tear, then surgery was the way to go. They could only determine the exact problem with an MRI, which in my case showed cartilage damage.

If your doc can fix your problem with arthroscopic surgery, then go for it. In my case Recovery was very quick and well worth it. By the way, I was 61 when I had my last one done.

 

[Bird]

The more I hear and read, the more I wonder whether I made the right decision when I told the doctor we'd try to the Hyalgan injections.:laughing: Daughter just called my wife. She and her husband are visiting his widowed mother this weekend. So daughter's mother-in-law has a boyfriend and he's have the knee replacement surgery tomorrow; supposedly tried the shots but didn't do the trick. But once again, I don't know what kind of shot.

 

[brin]

Bird...I'm like you about surgery being the last resort..If you are not in unbearable pain then I think you made the right decision. Try all the non imvasive things first and then if all else fails go for the surgery. I have a friend that had both knees replaced and he was up walking around within days and is doing fine some 5 yrs. later.