[jbug]

Both my knees hurt something awful and I am wondering if it could actually be my back.

I have noticed that if I lay a certain way on my couch my left knee hurts worse and that is why I was wondering if it could actually be my back out of sorts and it causing my knee pain.

Since I have been home I haven't been to see my chiropractor and have been thinking I need to make an appointment but don't want the hassle of having to go every day or every other day like I was having to do before my surgery.

Plus it wasn't really helping my back pain to begin with. So I was wondering if you guys thought it would be worth my while to call him up.

Jan

[ECHOES]

If it wasn't helping, I say don't bother with him.

Actually I think knee issues affect the back more than the other way around.

This might be related to your posture while laying on the couch. If it doesn't get better, maybe see your regular doctor.

I hope you feel better soon!

[jbug]

Thanks echoes..that's what I was thinking but wanted someone else's opinion.

I need to just quit laying on the couch and sit up but for some reason I like to lay on the couch.

Jan

[Skully]

Where in the knee are you having pain? Under kneecaps? In the joint? A lot can be said as to where the pain is coming from in the knee. And the knees can throw off your entire leg/back system...I have had 5 knee surgeries and feel your pain trust me! Thank goodness that is all over with!

[jbug]

Originally Posted by Skully

Where in the knee are you having pain? Under kneecaps? In the joint? A lot can be said as to where the pain is coming from in the knee. And the knees can throw off your entire leg/back system...I have had 5 knee surgeries and feel your pain trust me! Thank goodness that is all over with!

The pain is under my knee where it bends. I have had 2 knee surgeries both to clean them out because they had plica in them. It helped for awhile but the pain came back. My ortho I was seeing says I need to have a knee replacement but I am only 39 and I think that sounds kind of drastic so I am getting a second opinion on December 1st. I am going back to my original ortho and not having high hopes he can help but hope springs eternal. The doctor that did my 2 knee surgeries is one of the best in the area in fact he is the doctor for the Arkansas Naturals which is the farm team for the Kansas City Royals. I figured he knew what he was talking about but still think that a knee replacement at 39 isn't what I need. I know I put a lot of stress on my joints when I was so overweight but it seems that as I lose the weight my knees hurt even worse. You'd think it would be the other way around.

Jan

hi, jbug,
sorry for your knee problems. i've had knee surgery also. you may think that by postponing further surgery that you are doing yourself a favor. i am not so sure. the older one gets, the more difficult recovery from knee surgery is. with your new trim weight(!!), recovery should be easier than before. your knee should not hurt when you are lying down and you seem to know what the problem is. good luck with your doctor appt.
- guy

[Skully]

Originally Posted by jbug

The pain is under my knee where it bends. I have had 2 knee surgeries both to clean them out because they had plica in them. It helped for awhile but the pain came back. My ortho I was seeing says I need to have a knee replacement but I am only 39 and I think that sounds kind of drastic so I am getting a second opinion on December 1st. I am going back to my original ortho and not having high hopes he can help but hope springs eternal. The doctor that did my 2 knee surgeries is one of the best in the area in fact he is the doctor for the Arkansas Naturals which is the farm team for the Kansas City Royals. I figured he knew what he was talking about but still think that a knee replacement at 39 isn't what I need. I know I put a lot of stress on my joints when I was so overweight but it seems that as I lose the weight my knees hurt even worse. You'd think it would be the other way around.

Jan

Sounds to me you have an alignment issue with the knee. It is called patellofemoral syndrome. I am not sure, that would be up to the orthopeadic surgeon, but that is what my problem is. If that cartlidge behind the kneecap keeps getting torn and plica builds up then something is causing it. Nine times out of ten it is because the kneecap is not properly aligned with the joint. I have had surgery to correct this problem on both knees and it worked great.
I could be wrong but bring it up to your orthopeadic surgeon when you see him/her again. I hope it gets better soon!

[jbug]

I saw the orthopedist yesterday and he said I did not need a knee replacement as my knees are not bone on bone. He gave me shots of Synvisc and boy do my knees ever hurt now. They said that is normal and it will go away. I am to stay off of them as much as possible and Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate them. So I have been doing that and tomorrow when my doctor comes in they will call me in something stronger for the pain. I have been taking Ultram and Tylenol but it isn't touching the pain.

I am a little frustrated with my old ortho because he told me my insurance wouldn't cover the Synvisc shots and he would be giving them to me out of his pocket. But the doctor I saw yesterday said Medicare will pay for them every 6 months. So if they help I will be getting them regularly. I have heard good things about them so we will see. I have read on the net that they help some people be pain free anywhere from 6 months to 2 years so we will see.

Right now it hurts like crazy to walk so I will ask tomorrow if and when they call if I should be using my crutches to help bear weight.

When the doctor came in the room yesterday he said I know you but where do I know you from. I told me I used to come to him but it had been several years and I weighed 350lbs when I saw him last. He was shocked when I said that. So I thought it was funny he didn't recognize me.

What I don't understand though is why my knees continue to hurt worse as I lose weight you'd think it would be the other way around.

Jan

[Skully]

Were you given a diagnosis as to what the problem is?

[jbug]

Originally Posted by Skully

Were you given a diagnosis as to what the problem is?

Osteoarthritis

Jan

[MissingMyOldSelf]

Hi Jbug!

I have bad knee issues, too... I have dislocating kneecaps that are caused by the main ligament that lays over the patella getting weak. It's almost like a rubber band... it gets pulled, and strained, and it finally snaps, causing the dislocation. Talk about a swear word fest when it happens!!!

I have lower back pain that can radiate up into my back, and vise versa because when I have pain, and during this time of year, I do because of the cold weather, I favor one leg or the other, and it's a lose-lose situation for my back or the opposite knee. I've even gone so far as to go to my chiro, and when I had a back xray done, found that my right hip was almost a complete inch higher than my left from an old injury I had in 2001 where I was on crutches for almost 3 months and it really misalligned my back and hips.

Lately, I've noticed that my back is hurting more and more, and that my knees are going hand in hand with that. We're too young for these problems, Jbug!!!!!

[Skully]

Originally Posted by jbug

Osteoarthritis

Jan

Oh dear....best of luck to you. With the right medications you can starve off replacement for years.

[jbug]

The pain is slowly going away. I have noticed today that the pain isn't as bad as it normally is. Today is very cold also and so I am surprised I am not in major pain. So maybe the shots are just what I need.

Jan

[Skully]

Originally Posted by jbug

The pain is slowly going away. I have noticed today that the pain isn't as bad as it normally is. Today is very cold also and so I am surprised I am not in major pain. So maybe the shots are just what I need.

Jan

Yes they do work great...I only got a couple months out of them though so I had to have a lot of shots in my knees. I didn't react well to the shots either, the injection site would swell up and turn red and hurt. I am glad you are feeling better!