I am sitting out on the Yorkshire Moors reflecting on my knee replacement journey over the last five months.
It feels great to have had the opportunity to come to the UK to speak at a conference and to have a few days holiday afterwards to relax.
My conference topic at http://evidencelive.org was about getting the heart into evidence - and I talked about how difficult I had found it (as an informed and somewhat bolshy health consumer) to get reliable evidence-based information about management of my arthritic knees. See graphic summary below.
It was about a year ago that I went to see the first surgeon who told me to go away - and come back in 10 years. I am so thankful I sought other opinions and I am really pleased with my new knee. My levels of pain and discomfort have reduced so much. My whole outlook has really changed and improved. However I wanted to make it clear to the people at the conference that different people in the same situation may have made different choices. But that's the Point - people need to have access to good accurate information about risks and benefits of options - and then decide on what option will be best for them. It was interesting that after my presentation about 6 people came up to me and talked to me about their knee or hip issues. It was also nice to hear people "tweeting" about the value of hearing a consumer perspective at the conference.
On this trip I have stepped up my walking to around 6-8kms a day. But I get quite tired doing those distances. I am still using walking poles as my left knee is getting weaker and I now find I am starting to limp/ lumber again.
It has become very apparent to me that I am going to need to have the left knee replaced sooner rather than later. I had hoped that it would last a few more years but it is getting more and more swollen and sore. I have no desire to rush into surgery again this year - but I don't think I am going to get the full range of benefits of my new right knee if the left knee keeps hobbling along. This situation was made really apparent while we stayed in a small two storey cottage. The cottage had very narrow stairs with the toilet on the top floor. It took a tremendous effort for me to clamber/crawl up the stairs on my hands. Not something you want to be doing at 2am with a full bladder!
To summarise - since the last blog a month ago - there has only been gradual/ incremental change. I have increased my walking an additional 1-2kms a day. I am still taking NSAIDs and I have also gone back to taking panadol as well in the last few weeks. My left knee is swelling more as a result of this activity - but overall I feel GOOD - positive, healthy and enjoying life.
I really hope that this Blog provides some insight and information for others with arthritic knees - and informs others who may have friends and family with arthritic conditions.
