Yes. Total Knee Replacement. I visited my ortho this week and learned that instead of needing one new knee, I need two. The Doc told me in 2009 that I needed a new right knee. So far I’ve managed my life without getting it done. Now he told me that the left knee has no cartilage and is also bone on bone.
With RA, the synovial membrane that surrounds the knee joint becomes inflamed and thickens. Over time, the resulting chronic inflammation will damage the cartilage. This will cause cartilage loss, pain, and stiffness. Then there is OA (osteoarthritis) where as you age, the cartilage cushion that protects the knee will soften and and wear and this causes pain and stiffness.
Another factor is trauma. I’ve been involved in athletics since I was young and I always had bruised or skinned knees. I had my share of falls while skiing or hiking. I fell while biking. I recently got bifocals and took 2 really hard falls on my knees and hips. So I think that all three of these factors – RA, OA and Trauma – have contributed to my current knee situation.
So I’m continuing on my normal pace – which is typically warp speed until such time as the pain and discomfort is bad enough that it impacts my life. Then we will discuss the first knee replacement. As the doctor said, I’m highly functioning considering the state of my knees, so there’s no reason to rush. He suggested that when my world narrows is when I need to address surgery.
Until that time, I’m trying to concentrate a bit more on my eating and exercising. I have been the same weight for 5 years. Yeah, just about since I started this Blog about trying to lose weight after turning 50. So I think that I’ve failed!! Miserably. I’m doubling down on my efforts because other than my weight and my RA, I’m very healthy. I’d like to stay that way.