First diagnosed with arthritis some 50 years ago and being briefly hospitalized with swollen knees prior to the full diagnosis I have been most fortunate that whist at times it has been painful it generally has not been debilitating. It is only now when well into my 70s that it is restricting my activity's at times as any of my joints can be 'troublesome' on any particular day, hips and knees being the most troublesome but shoulders and fingers on occasion. That all said I am very much aware that many folks are in much worse shape than I, I am not sure why I am in comparatively good shape after having lived with it this long, the only possible reason I can give being that I am a life long vegetarian (no meat but regular dairy intake) as some info says that may help. Whilst originally the specialist had me on high dose asprin I discontinued that due to the probable side effects but now in recent years take Glucosamine Chondroitin on the recommendation of my NP. I did notice a marked reduction in joint pain when I first started taking it, I now am not about to stop taking it to see if it is still needed! May you all remain relatively pain free and mobile as long as possible …..........
Don Roles: Thanks for your posting. I sent it to my friend who is your age and is thinking about doing 2 replacements....This is going into the Unknown World.... Thanks...j
Yvonne: I see where you''ve done cortisone shot(s), you are aware of the possible damage to joints with this steroid? I was tempted a couple times in my life, but Never injected with any steroids.
I had a single shot in my right knee about 6-7 years ago and haven’t had a problem with my knee since. Cortisone is a corticosteroid and not to be confused with PED’s albeit all corticosteroids are monitored and used sparingly.
I would go for replacements if there was no other choice. If a hip is broken in one's 70s or later, replacement is probably the only option. Hip fractures among the elderly is highest in areas with fluoridated water by the way, so be especially cautious if you live in one of those areas. Hip replacements are also less successful in those areas as well. Like @Bobby Cole I have known people who have had great success with replacements and some who have not. I know one man who was especially active here who has had two knees, hip, and and ankle replacement. All were successful and he is doing fine. He can't play pickleball anymore, but his other activities are almost back to normal. I know of another man who had multiple replacements on his knees and hips and nothing has done well for him. He required a cane before surgery and he requires a cane or walker now. One guy I know who blew out his knees running on a treadmill had both knees replaced (one at a time) The first took two weeks to recover from, but the second a few years later allowed him to be up and walking fine the next day. Same surgeon, different technology. Another friend has relied on PRP therapy and it has worked miracles for him--his words--but it appears to be somewhat temporary and he is getting bad knees again after 2 years.
I guess I don't understand this steroid business, my impression is any steroid injection or taken orally needs to be highly monitored....
I had Prolo the milder form of PRP in my shoulder well over 10 yrs ago and I did get 3 pain free years. The prices have gone up so much I don't have the funds for more. One has to be willing to do more PRP when the pain starts to return...$$$$$$$$$$$
I'm hearing more and more MD's and clinics advertising Regenerative Medicne for knee joints etc. and this is PRP and they are not saying PRP...... QC Kinetix is one I hear daily on my radio.
I believe I already mentioned that in my post. Basically, a corticosteroid is synthetic cortisol which, the human body makes via the adrenal glands and does help immensely with inflammation and shouldn’t be confused with the steroids that some athletes use. (PED’s)
Yes Stem cells are the highest priced...but what I've found and when they were the less expensive than they are now, plain ole Protheraphy worked GOOD...as I said I session of Prolo gave me 3 yrs of pain free shoulders, granted the MD injected Prolo in 8 spots on the shoulder and that worked good. I've lost contact with this MD as he was moving around trying to land his work in a good area of town for him.
Ok i kinda know about the steroids "bulkers" use -- but I was under the impression all types of steroids can break down the joints....this is what Dr. Darrow always says and he's the king of Prolo here in So. Cal. But I hear also, MD's keep the steroid shots for joints at least 3 months apart, to no more than 4 per year.
I poised this subject to a member on a health gr oup and here is what she said: ""Years ago I had a friend who was an MD. I had a joint issue and she strongly exhorted me to never get those steroid shots, so I didn't. I know the steroid shots generally speaking are not a good idea, but, I think in your case maybe they are something to consider, especially at your age. I know you are in a lot of pain most of the time and that wears people down. I would like for you to be free of pain, or at least have less of it.''' This subject got me to thinking were these "shots" available to the generations before me and on and on....my mom had horrid OA and anacin, bufferin, aspirin etc etc were her "go to" pain stuff.
My husband has had those shots. What they do is give the steroid shot which does not need OK from insurance then have you come back for the Rooster Comb as they call it because it does need insurance OK. The steroid made him feel perfectly fine. He went thru this routine twice but then we found out the steroid degrades the knee. The doc was so willing to give him any amount of steroid he needed for pain and now I know why, the docs ultimate goal was for hubby to have knee replacement. That was about 5 yrs ago. He is still dealing with the bad knee but refuses shots and surgery. Talked to a friend this morning and she had both knees injected some yrs ago and got 2 pain free days and pain then returned. But she said a boss of her's got 5 yrs of relief from the shots she did.... Sounds like there are "ways" to do these injections....ummmm j m
Oh just found another report: There is a lady at the gym I go to, she has been a runner for years, currently she is mid 60's, had 2 steroid shots in her knee, didn't do shit for her. Just saying kat