Fritzy 22's Journal, 02 Feb 24

I’m sure it’s not the news you wanted but don’t make a final decision til it all sinks in. Give it a couple days and seek a second opinions are always ok. Hang in there Fritzy. I know my neighbor had a replacement and it was the best thing she ever did. Praying for you. ❤️❤️ 

Fritzy i think we are somewhere around the same age. I say that because this may actually be life changing news for you. My THR turned the clock back an easy 10 years in terms of mobility, flexibility and energy. Pain is energy draining. My uncle had a double knee replacement done at the same time in his 60’s around 20 years ago and to this day he says that is the best thing he ever did. Some people dont have good recoveries but i would venture to say that is because they dont follow surgeons directions, did not research their surgeon thoroughly or tried to do too much too fast. I dont think any of those things apply to you except for maybe trying to do too much too fast as you have the furry beasties to think about. Don’t be mad be glad you have the information. If you do a clean out the problem will still be the same. The knee is most likely worn out and if you have osteoarthritis in the there the pain relief alone from having that cleaned out will be fantastic. Why put yourself thru 2 procedures? A meniscus clean out only to discover in a short period of time that you are still not fully healthy in the knee. Just my 48 cents. I was completely against surgery on my hip and now i cannot be more grateful. No more limping, no more throbbing, no more pain, no more sleepless nights from the pain waking me up. Now i have sleepless nights for other reasons🥰. Xoxo darlin. Do what is the best for your health. Surgery doesnt get easier to endure as we get older so do it at a younger age. 

Wow. Sounds like a lot of down time for something less invasive.  

I’ve had 4 knee scopes within a 10 year span all 4 I was able to walk without crutches, and very little pain. I agree with the other two comments here, doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion. The first 3 were a year apart. The fourth was 7 years after the last. 

Fritzy, i’m sending you Love and prayers for your healing ❤️‍🩹 

Well poopy, that 😞 sucks, you're right that is a bad day blah! Well at least you know now that you will completely right and it wasn't all in your head regardless of what the first couple doctors said you are most definitely in pain and there was indeed some underlying knee problem and you should not have been walking on it it seems and it was damaged the whole time just like you thought you didn't just wake up one day with arthritic like symptoms you didn't know about spontaneously out of the blue there was something wrong... I don't blame you take a day or two and figure out what you got to do. Still I agree it's not the outcome you wanted; I'm sorry for what it matters. 

Oh no! Not the good news I was hoping for you! I'm glad you are thinking of getting a 2nd opinion. Take some time to figure this out. If surgery will help you in long run, then do it at some point.But it's your decision to make. Joe had a total knee replacement and he did really well and had lots more mobility afterwards. I'll say a prayer for you💜🙏 

I went the scope route and all that did was make my knee worse. Two yrs ago I had a total knee done and , yes why did I wait so long? Changed my life! No pain, age 71, still work full time in a very busy drs office and often told to slow down. The recovery was 8 weeks and I did the time in physical therapy as they said… no more ibuprofen 800’s 

Couple of thoughts. Definitely get a second opinion. Take your time deciding. Find a surgeon that specializes in replacements. The doctor who did my mom’s hip only does hip and knee replacements. Nothing else. As a result, he’s really good at it. Will support whatever decision you make. 

I would also go for a second opinion. You’ll find out what is best for you. 

I had a scope done and didn't use crutches the pain wasn't too bad I took ibuprofen for it and didn't want pain meds and after about a week I was walking around home and 2weeks was walking around stores and places .. but it did not help mine and now I am in end stage degeneration from osteoarthritis and have multiple bone spurs and need a full knee replacement surgery to help me...take your time and decide what is best for you and get 2nd opinion if you want one...I am hoping by the time I go back to my Orth surgeon around the end of this month he will go ahead and schedule my surgery. he wanted me to try cortisone shots too see if it helps first and it didn't help except for the first 2days then back to 24/7 excruciating pain... I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers..sounds like you have the exact same thing that started out with but over the years mine got 10x worse ... Hopefully yours doesn't... 

I was supposed to have knee surgery. I never got it. At my job I walk 5-8 miles per shift. No problems. 

Go for the full replacement! Just my opinion. If you have to not drive for six weeks, it's about the same recovery time for both - and a replacement is one and done then. I had both done about 10 years ago (one in February and the other in December-same year) and it was the best thing I ever did. I was in pain for about 5 years before the surgery, but just wasn't ready to do it. You'll know what feels right for you. Good luck! 

So sorry to hear you have to deal with this, Fritzy! I agree about getting a second opinion, if for nothing else, peace of mind. Something that comes to my mind is that you are moving at some point coming up, and I’m wondering if you will have the support close by like you do where you’re living currently? My aunt had her knee replaced last winter and is so happy that she had it done. But she had a good network of people helping her through the recovery, and I’m just thinking that might be something to consider.  

Thanks Wifey! I do need to let this sink in. I went from never having knee problems to just waking up one day without being able to put weight on the knee. That was the end of October and gradually the knee has been improving. I still can't even accept the situation.! 

YOH, I'm 68. This is all so new to me and I wasn't expecting the orthopedist to say I needed anything done, let alone a full knee replacement. I've only seen him twice. The first appointment lasted about 5 minutes and he did the same type of exam my primary care did. I don't even think he would have done an MRI until I told him my doctor had ordered one. Then he said to go ahead and have the MRI since it was ordered and there might be a meniscus tear. Then the appointment yesterday the first thing he said was I need a full replacement. The first thing I said was no, I feel like I am improving and the pain is nothing like at the beginning and usually there is no pain at all. He said some people have a high tolerance for pain. Not me. I am a baby regarding pain. I am used to doctor's giving me all of my options first and explaining the benefits of each option. NY own doctor worked with me for a couple of years to help avoid gallbladder attacks, including the best way to eat to avoid surgery. Same thing many years ago when I was referred to a specialist for my over active thyroid. So I just need time to think, continue losing weight and see if walking makes thins worse 

Thanks Broccolibabe! My sister said the same thing. When I talked to her yesterday I was only considering the scope. She said did I have it before moving at least hi have her and her husband to bring me groceries or meals and maybe keep Bobby for a few days. I have a pet sitter that usually stays at my house when I take my trips to Oregon and Washington. She lives in my neighborhood and if she is available I can pay her to come over twice a day to feed the cats and give one of them (Marco) his insulin shot and scoop the litter boxes etc. I have a good friend who lived in my neighborhood but moved to Utah a few years ago. But she has flown out multiple times to take trips with me to the California coast, she's gone with me twice to the place I'm moving in Oregon. Her husband travels quite a bit and they have no pets. I'll see if she would be willing to come to Oregon to help me out for a week or two if I decide to wait until I move to have anything done. The insulin shot for the cat is a big deal though. 

Thanks Morticia! I totally agree. Maybe the orthopedist is just giving me the worst case scenario for the procedure. 

Thanks Robin! It's good to know that your experience isn't as bad as I'm dreading. 

Thank you so much Alindsey83 for the kind words and prayers!