Maura - This is a list of questions from the Arthritis Foundation website.

As for your father's pain when swimming. I know I'll need to have both of my knees replaced in the near future. Exercises in the pool are great to help develop strength in the quad muscles and to improve flexibility for arthritis sufferers. But that doesn't mean swimming itself is pain free for everyone. I was in our pool yesterday and I can't swim because of the pain in my knees. If I keep my legs straight I can kick somewhat but I can't do a typical paddle kick where you flex the knees more.

Here is a link that might be useful: questions

If he hasn't had steroid injections this can sometimes "buy time" before knee replacement is done. He might want to try that before proceeding with surgery. My dh had one injection, but the pain relief only lasted for a week. So he proceeded with the surgery. Dh also tried Physical Therapy, but no significant improvement.

The ortho dr can pretty much tell from the regular xrays whether or not surgery is indicated (they don't need MRI nor arthroscopy to be done before). What I have heard repeatedly for people with arthritic knee pain is that dr's will say, "You will know when you want to have the surgery." (When you no longer want to deal with the pain.) Dh had his done less than a year after he first started having knee pain. He wanted to continue working & he wouldn't have been able to with the amount of pain he had upon walking, etc. He had a great outcome (but there is a significant recovery period with pain & therapy to deal with). Hope this helps.

I saw the X-rays of mine, showing "bone-on-bone" but wanted to postpone surgery last year until after three summer weddings were over. The pain was great, and had cortisone shots which lasted about a week, so that wasn't much help. I can truly say I wish I had had the surgery much sooner. I am pain-free, and except for some stiffness, have a new lease on life!

Thank you all for your replies (and the useful link!) My Dad has had "injections" in the past that provided temporary relief.

I am going to share your replies with him to help assuage any doubts/concerns he may have.

Thank you!!

The link maire_cate gave has some good information.

Hopefully your DF's orthopedist will give him all the answers he needs. I had my first knee replacement almost 16 years ago; I was 70 at the time and the expected "life" of the knee was 10-12 years. Regular XRays were used, and "bone-on-bone" seems to be the standard diagnosis used to decide on surgery.

Prior to the KR, I had cortisone injections which were very helpful, some more so than others. I did water therapy for several years, and although it was fun, it never slowed down the pain.

I still have that "past the warranty" knee, although it has begun to feel very tight and sometimes unstable. I've considered having it replaced but haven't talked with my doctor about it.

There have been a lot of changes with KR procedures since then. I had the second KR done 6 years ago.

The one thing I tell anyone about KR is that the surgery is a breeze; it is the therapy after the surgery that is hard and painful, but absolutely necessary.

Your DF's age may not be a factor, but his general health could be.

Be sure you have the best orthopedist in your area. Ask around.

One note: does your DF have any swelling at the back of the knee? Could be a Baker's Cyst.

Sue

Thanks for the thought-filled replies. The MD concurred with the first MD (earlier this spring), who says he is not (yet) a candidate for KR surgery.

When his pain started (about 3 years ago) he had Synvisc injections with little relief. Earlier this spring it was cortisone (with littler relief.) Today he began a three week treatment of Euflexxa injections. It's basically a competitor or Synvisc so my Dad is not encouraged... But I am keeping my fingers crossed!

If these conservative treatments do not help then KR surgery can become an option, even though this is not yet indicated by x-rays.

Thank you again!

Since I've had 3 knee replacements, my family refers to me as the "knee queen." First TKR in '99 lasted 9 yrs., then components came loose and it had to replaced again. Then 3 months other bone on bone knee was done.

I found a great Delphi forum, On Our Feet, that features lots of information including personal experiences from those who have had or are going to have joint replacements.
Hope it is helpful to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: On Our Feet