Let's talk about our noisy achy knees.

[ocgirl15 667]

I was sleeved 12/14/15 and I am 2 lbs from being a normal BMI and 7 lbs from my personal goal. I feel great, my constant body aches are a thing of the past except for my knees. The weight is off so I don't expect any more improvement from weight loss alone. I have seen my pcp and had X-rays and there is arthritis even though I am only 43. Waking irritates the situation so I am not walking as much as I should. I also don't take ibuprofen anymore, that probably helped pre op. I am so scared to push myself they click on stairs and grind. So here are my questions. Did physical therapy help any of you. What kind of exercises did you do? Did a brace help and did you use a specific brand? Has anyone conquered this and go on to be a really active? What activities do you do?

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@ocgirl15 - when you were x-rayed, did your PCP determine how much cartilage there was in your knees? And did he suggest a rheumatologist to discuss the arthritis? There are treatment options, from total knee replacement to moving cartilage around. Please don't suffer and let the docs know about the surgery. That may affect the drug options.

[theantichick 2,204]

I have had knee problems my entire life due to kneecaps that don't track right (subluxating patella is the $15 name for it). I have huge holes to the bone in the cartilage under each kneecap. I've had surgeries that didn't really help, and a lifetime (I'm 46) of various treatments including a surgery that really did help, but I had to fight tooth and nail to get it approved by insurance.

Everything depends on what is structurally wrong, and how much cartilage you have. Advice for one type of knee problem will aggravate a different problem.

The best thing in my opinion you can do is go see a sports orthopedic specialist. Even if you're not an athlete, it's my opinion that a sports oriented doc will work to get you the best function. Also, find one who specializes in knees.

Mine did Xray and MRI and then walked me through my options for treatment. Interestingly enough, both knees have the same cartilage damage, but only the right one was causing pain. So cartilage damage alone doesn't account for the issues we have. So we haven't even treated the left knee in my case and won't until it starts giving me problems.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Here's my "knees and WLS testimony."

I had WLS at 68 years of age. My knees were a complete mess -- especially the right one. The most I could bend them was a 45 degree angle. For years, my knee x-rays looked like gravel bars -- full of stuff that had shredded off the cartilage and mineral deposits that had accreted around those bits and pieces making them even larger. And yes, I had very bad knee pain when I was heavier and had suffered for years. Sometimes the pain was so bad I even had to use a cane. I'd discussed knee replacement surgery with my PCP, but hadn't gotten to the point of scheduling it. But I knew it was in my future.

Then I had WLS at 235.6 pounds. I set my weight goal at 150 pounds, which I hadn't weighed in 40 years! At 5'5" a normal BMI for me started at 149 pounds. I didn't care -- 150 pounds seemed like a nice round number.

BTW, I stopped taking Aleve and all other NSAIDs a few months prior to WLS. Yes, my knees hurt, but a few weeks after stopping the NSAID I realized they didn't hurt anymore than they had on the Aleve. Fascinating, eh?

Eventually, 8.5 months after surgery, my scales rolled down to 150 pounds. I was at goal. By that point, needless to say, my knees felt a lot better. I wasn't doing black diamond runs, but I was walking up to 5 miles a day -- and fast. They still didn't bend anymore than they had before, but they were a lot more functional. One of my health goals for that first year post-op was to be able to walk up and down my front steps without holding on to anything, a goal I blew right by! I no longer felt like an old lady.

So at 150 pounds I upped my calories to 1700 and started to maintain. But I slowly, slowly kept losing weight -- 1 or 2 pounds a month for the next 8 months. Eventually, my body stopped losing weight at 135 pounds.

IT WAS THOSE LAST 15 POUNDS I LOST THAT MADE THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE IN MY KNEES! No, they still don't bend anymore than they once did. But at 70 years of age I am working hard (in yoga) on increasing my flexibility. My PCP told me to take knee surgery off the agenda completely -- I don't need it anymore. I can walk as far as I want and as long as it's still light outside. I can even jog a little.

Not saying anyone else would or could have this result. But this was mine. It is one of my greatest NSVs from WLS.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Following this thread because my right knee is shot.

I'm down to 179 pounds and still need cortisone shots every four months in the right knee (I was able to stop the left). I'm on no NSAIDs and no other painkillers except Arthritis Tylenol. Still can't do a bicycle. The right knee can't do the up-bend.

I tried yoga last year with comical results. Trying to hold a pose with the sound of machine-gun fire coming from my knees caused me to bust out laughing. I didn't go back.

Im very encouraged to hear that reaching my goal weight of 145 might make a further difference. I've lost 120 so far.

JustWatchMe

[Waler 330]

I have had trouble with my knees on and off for years. I had one knee operated on the other one my doctor gave me a synvisc injection. It is a gel that helps add cushion to your knee joint, it seems to have worked fairly well. I do about 3 miles a day on the treadmill every day without too much trouble.

Edited June 30, 2016 by Waler

[Djmohr 6,965]

I have osteo arthritis of my knees my left being the worst. I had a cortisone shot about 40lbs ago which was nearly a year ago now. Before that, I had to have cortisone about every 6 months and I still had trouble.

Anyway, my right knee never bothers me anymore (YAY), my left knee bothers me if I keep it in one position to long but once I get it going it's ok.

I will say my mom had severe arthritis of the knees and she had that creaking sound which basically means you have bone on bone arthritis. It is likely that will not improve and you will likely have to do something about it.

I had bone on bone arthritis in my left should and boy did that hurt and make a lot of noise when I raised and lowered it.

You really should get in and see what kind of treatment plan to move forward with. I am so glad that I had my shoulder done now. I have 100% range of motion. Both knees and shoulders take a long time to recover so be prepared for a lot of PT. I had my shoulder done on 2/12 and I just got my full range back. I have been going to pt twice a week and I still have 3 appointments left.

Bad news is, my right one is not good either but I will hold off until I can't sleep on my right side any longer. Boy, that could be at any time......

Best of luck! I hope they can find a non surgical solution for you.

[jess9395 5,448]

I too have subluxating patellas. It's a genetic condition my 17 year old daughter has them as well and so does my 34 year old sister.

Yes the treatments are completely dependent on what is structurally wrong. I completely second the suggestion to see a sports orthopedist and find a sports physical therapist. The right PT is worth her weight in gold (both of mine are female).

A good PT has been able to strengthen the muscles that keep my patellas in place to the degree that I run marathons. I also do high intensity yoga, I just have a few positions I need to make accommodations on. My daughter has and uses braces for both knees, she has three different types but I wouldn't begin to tell you which because her condition isn't yours and you might need something completely different. Heck she needs three types depending on what's going on with her that day (she also has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and a connective tissue disorder so she is complicated)

Anyhow... There are lots of options out there for all the different issues.

[Valentina 2,642]

I have had trouble with my knees on and off for years. I had one knee operated on the other one my doctor gave me a synvisc injection. It is a gel that helps add cushion to your knee joint, it seems to have worked fairly well. I do about 3 miles a day on the treadmill every day without too much trouble.

Did your orthopod happened to tell you what "synvisc" is made from? Ask him/her next time you have an app'tment. My question is who ever thought of such a thing??

I had synvisc injections and yes my L knee was a great deal better for a few months. Then I had cortisone injections that helped for about one month. PT made my knee worse.

Sooo, at 55yr I had a total L knee replacement. Is it a tough surgery? Sure is! Does the recovery take time and a great deal of dedication and determination? Sure does!

BUT, I have been knee pain free for 8yrs now. I don't regret having that painful, nightmare of a knee replaced for one second.

Some one mentioned having an orthopod who specialized in sports' medicine--subspecialty in Knees. YES! YES! and again YES! I couldn't agree more. My orthopedic surgeon is on the orthopedic surgical team (knees only) for the NY Jets. Though I question is choice in Football teams, I don't doubt his skill with knees.

Knee surgery is noted to be the most painful surgery to recover from, but given the choice of suffering with a wasted knee for years or having it replaced, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to opt for a complete replacement.

Best wished for whatever option you choose. Feel better.

[ocgirl15 667]

Thank you all for your incredible advice!!!!! I learned alot!!! I have had issues with my knees since 1997! My knee issues really scare me because my dad had had a failed knee replacement last year. Little more than a year out the doctor is saying it should be redone. His first recovery was horrible and I can't imagine him going through that again. But it made me realize I need to face this issue before I need a replacement. Time to stop putting my head in the sand and being ignored by doctors! @VSGAnn2014. I have been complacent in my weight loss because I look good but really I could loose 20 more lbs and not look too thin. Maybe that is what my knees need and it worth trying. I have lost most of my weight with minimal exercise because of the knees.... Who knows how far I could go if I worked a little harder or how it could improve my health. My biggest goal is to be active and I am not there yet. I am going to look for a orthopedic sports MD. My rheumatologist is worthless. He told me to lose weight and totally ignored the fact I had autoimmune disorder that can cause arthritis and wouldn't even do an x-Ray! I am glad there are other specialist I can try. Finally I am going to give PT a try. I already have the referral and it can't hurt. @Valentina..... I looked up Synvisc... It is from chickens!!!! My dad had that a couple years ago and they called him chicken legs!!!

[Valentina 2,642]

Thank you all for your incredible advice!!!!! I learned alot!!! I have had issues with my knees since 1997! My knee issues really scare me because my dad had had a failed knee replacement last year. Little more than a year out the doctor is saying it should be redone. His first recovery was horrible and I can't imagine him going through that again. But it made me realize I need to face this issue before I need a replacement. Time to stop putting my head in the sand and being ignored by doctors! @VSGAnn2014. I have been complacent in my weight loss because I look good but really I could loose 20 more lbs and not look too thin. Maybe that is what my knees need and it worth trying. I have lost most of my weight with minimal exercise because of the knees.... Who knows how far I could go if I worked a little harder or how it could improve my health. My biggest goal is to be active and I am not there yet. I am going to look for a orthopedic sports MD. My rheumatologist is worthless. He told me to lose weight and totally ignored the fact I had autoimmune disorder that can cause arthritis and wouldn't even do an x-Ray! I am glad there are other specialist I can try. Finally I am going to give PT a try. I already have the referral and it can't hurt. @Valentina..... I looked up Synvisc... It is from chickens!!!! My dad had that a couple years ago and they called him chicken legs!!!

Ha! Yes, Synvisc is made from *****' combs!!!

OMG! Male chicken (a cock) was bleeped out. Now I know how the Smuther Brothers felt.--yes! I'm old!

My question still is, "Who is the genius who thought to cut off a cock's comb and use it to relieve knee pain"? And yes, it is ONLY used for KNEES.

And then:

Who was the first patient who allowed some MD to inject their knee with "*****' combs"?

Hmmmm??? something to ponder...

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Good luck to you @@ocgirl15 . Of course, I don't know what will be the resolution for YOUR knees. But a good orthopedist in your corner can only be a good addition to your team.

FYI, I got Synvisc (rooster comb) injections for my right knee 4 times. The first two times I had the shot I had a good response, and the SynVisc helped for 6 months (although it didn't eliminate all the pain). The third shot sort of did nothing for me. And then the fourth time I was shot up was ... YOW! My body had a monster allergic reaction to the SynVisc, and I spent the next six months limping around worse than before the injection. My then-orthopedist said, "Yeah, that happens a lot."