worried and scare..need advise

[grannygail54]

I had knee surgery in May 09 which was 5 months ago and just was able to start walking alone but still limping alot..The surgery was to remove a cyst from the back of left knee and also the dr. drilled into the bone and tried to make a new patch of tissues form between the bones cause the cartiage is no longer there..The cyst was removed but the other did not work..My knee and leg stay swollen still and aches all the time..been in therpy for 5 months now, had 1 cordizone shot in it, had 5 lubrication shots in it. all did not work..or help..My ankle and foot on the same leg has been swollen and hurting so bad since surgery also..The ankle has gotten worse to the point that can't walk far before having to stop..Yesterday the Dr drew fuild from the ankle bone and also gave me a corizone shot in it..Today I have blood tests to get also..I know the Dr is looking for a worse kind of arthritis, which my Mother had..but also I am scare that this will since cripple me and worried..The dr. has talked about total knee replacement but says he would like to see if I could wait until I am in my 60's..I am 55 now..So please help me..if I am like this now, will it be so bad by the time I am in my 60's that I have gave up so much our my life already..I also have a lung disease and have to think about how the waiting would do with that..don't know which way to go or if I need to tell the dr.I want the replacement now or what..Please help..Any advise I would appreciate..Also I have always been a very active person,  7 months ago even with my knee, I was going to gym 3 or 4 times a week and walking 2 miles 3 times a week..I take 3 grandkids on trips, vacations and so on, so this is a reason also not sure what to do..be limited either way so help please...

[txsilver]

People have varying results with joint replacements.  Some folks are as active or even more active than before and some have problems.  You hit the nail on the head when you said you needed to gather the information and decide how to proceed.  So many variables have to be considered and you have to live with the decision so it is important that you make a careful and informed one.  I'll be here to support you which ever way you decide to go.  I do hope you will get a second opinion.  You deserve to have at least one more professional opinion before you sit down to decide how you want to proceed.

[grannygail54]

thank you for your reply. Yes an xray was taken a few days ago and also fluid from the ankle bone was drawn and blood work also. I am waiting now for the findings of the test.. The Dr explain that I am and always has been very action and a total knee replacement would limit me so much, but I have also bee reading and believe that maybe the reason be too is that a knee replacement has to be redone in 15 to 20 yrs. so if I get it now I believe the dr knows I will have to have it again by the time I turn a ripe older age, but as I see it, that makes very little sense too to wait, so I will wait for the test results and then if the arthritis is the worse kind, a cripping kind that he is looking for, I will then have to decide what is best for me..Thank you again.

[txsilver]

I am sorry to read you are suffering.  If all of the other treatments are not working, a knee replacement might be the next step.  Did the doctor say why he wants to wait until you are 60?  I suggest you get a second opinion.  From what you wrote, you are in too much pain to enjoy your life so I do not understand the delay in taking the next step.  
What form of arthritis does the doctor think you may have?  Have they taken xrays of your ankle?